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


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


s: Sweet medicine to clear and strengthen sight,


s: And, as one handling skillfully the harp,


s: Attendant on some skilful songster's voice


s: Bids the chords vibrate, and therein the song


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


s: Like the accordant twinkling of two eyes,


s: Their beamy circlets, dancing to the sounds.


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


s: Found all contentment.  Yet no smile she wore


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


s: For, mounting these eternal palace-stairs,


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


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


s: Thy mortal puissance would from its rays


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


s: Into the seventh splendour are we wafted,


s: That underneath the burning lion's breast


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


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


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


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


s: Within the crystal, which records the name,


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


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


s: So lofty was the summit; down whose steps


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


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


s: Bestirring them to dry their feathers chill,


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


s: Returning, cross their flight, while some abide


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


s: That glitterance, wafted on alternate wing,


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: Keep silence here, pervading with such sounds


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


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


s: Only to yield thee gladness of my voice,


s: And of the light that vests me, I thus far


s: Descend these hallow'd steps: not that more love


s: Invites me; for lo! there aloft, as much


s: Or more of love is witness'd in those flames:


s: That makes us ready servants, as thou seest,


s: "That in this court," said I, "O sacred lamp!


s: Love no compulsion needs, but follows free


s: This harder find to deem, why of thy peers


s: Thou only to this office wert foredoom'd."


s: Upon its centre whirl'd the light; and then


s: The love, that did inhabit there, replied:


s: "Splendour eternal, piercing through these folds,


s: That on the sov'ran essence, which it wells from,


s: I have the power to gaze: and hence the joy,


s: Wherewith I sparkle, equaling with my blaze


s: The keenness of my sight.  But not the soul,


s: That is in heav'n most lustrous, nor the seraph


s: That hath his eyes most fix'd on God, shall solve


s: What thou hast ask'd: for in th' abyss it lies


s: And, to the mortal world when thou return'st,


s: Be this reported; that none henceforth dare


s: Direct his footsteps to so dread a bourn.


s: The mind, that here is radiant, on the earth


s: Is wrapt in mist.  Look then if she may do,


s: When she is ta'en to heav'n."  By words like these


s: Admonish'd, I the question urg'd no more;


s: T' instruct me of its state.  "'Twixt either shore


s: The thunder doth not lift his voice so high,


s: They call it Catria: at whose foot a cell


s: A third time thus it spake; then added: "There


s: That with no costlier viands than the juice


s: Of summer and the winter frosts, content


s: In heav'n-ward musings.  Rich were the returns


s: And fertile, which that cloister once was us'd


s: To render to these heavens: now 't is fall'n


s: Of mortal life, through much importuning


s: I was constrain'd to wear the hat that still


s: From bad to worse it shifted.--Cephas came;


s: He came, who was the Holy Spirit's vessel,


s: Barefoot and lean, eating their bread, as chanc'd,


s: At the first table.  Modern Shepherd's need


s: Those who on either hand may prop and lead them,


s: So burly are they grown: and from behind


s: Others to hoist them.  Down the palfrey's sides


s: Spread their broad mantles, so as both the beasts


s: Are cover'd with one skin.  O patience! thou


s: That lookst on this and doth endure so long."


s: I at those accents saw the splendours down


s: From step to step alight, and wheel, and wax,


s: Each circuiting, more beautiful.  Round this


s: They came, and stay'd them; uttered them a shout


s: So loud, it hath no likeness here: nor I


s: Wist what it spake, so deaf'ning was the thunder.


s: I turn'd me, like the chill, who always runs


s: Thither for succour, where he trusteth most,


s: And she was like the mother, who her son


s: Beholding pale and breathless, with her voice


s: Soothes him, and he is cheer'd; for thus she spake,


s: Soothing me: "Know'st not thou, thou art in heav'n?


s: And know'st not thou, whatever is in heav'n,


s: But is done zealously and well?  Deem now,


s: What change in thee the song, and what my smile


s: had wrought, since thus the shout had pow'r to move thee.


s: In which couldst thou have understood their prayers,


s: The vengeance were already known to thee,


s: Which thou must witness ere thy mortal hour,


s: The sword of heav'n is not in haste to smite,


s: Nor yet doth linger, save unto his seeming,


s: But elsewhere now l bid thee turn thy view;


s: So shalt thou many a famous spirit behold."


s: Mine eyes directing, as she will'd, I saw


s: A hundred little spheres, that fairer grew


s: By interchange of splendour.  I remain'd,


s: As one, who fearful of o'er-much presuming,


s: Nor dares to question, when amid those pearls,


s: One largest and most lustrous onward drew,


s: That it might yield contentment to my wish;


s: And from within it these the sounds I heard.


s: That burns amongst us, what thy mind conceives,


s: Were utter'd.  But that, ere the lofty bound


s: Thou reach, expectance may not weary thee,


s: Which thou hast such respect of.  In old days,


s: That mountain, at whose side Cassino rests,


s: Deceived and ill dispos'd: and I it was,


s: Who thither carried first the name of Him,


s: Who brought the soul-subliming truth to man.


s: And such a speeding grace shone over me,


s: That from their impious worship I reclaim'd


s: The dwellers round about, who with the world


s: Were in delusion lost.  These other flames,


s: The spirits of men contemplative, were all


s: Enliven'd by that warmth, whose kindly force


s: Gives birth to flowers and fruits of holiness.


s: And here my brethren, who their steps refrain'd


s: Within the cloisters, and held firm their heart."


s: I answ'ring, thus; "Thy gentle words and kind,


s: And this the cheerful semblance, I behold


s: Have rais'd assurance in me, wakening it


s: Before the sun, when the consummate flower


s: Has spread to utmost amplitude.  Of thee


s: Upon thine image, by no covering veil'd."


s: "Brother!"  he thus rejoin'd, "in the last sphere


s: For there on each desire completion waits,


s: And there on mine: where every aim is found


s: Perfect, entire, and for fulfillment ripe.


s: There all things are as they have ever been:


s: For space is none to bound, nor pole divides,


s: And so at giddy distance mocks thy view.


s: Thither the Patriarch Jacob saw it stretch


s: Its topmost round, when it appear'd to him


s: None lifts his foot from earth: and hence my rule


s: Is left a profitless stain upon the leaves;


s: The walls, for abbey rear'd, turned into dens,


s: The cowls to sacks choak'd up with musty meal.


s: Against God's pleasure, than that fruit which makes


s: The hearts of monks so wanton: for whate'er


s: Is in the church's keeping, all pertains.


s: To such, as sue for heav'n's sweet sake, and not


s: To those who in respect of kindred claim,


s: Or on more vile allowance.  Mortal flesh


s: Is grown so dainty, good beginnings last not


s: From the oak's birth, unto the acorn's setting.


s: Or silver; I with pray'rs and fasting mine;


s: And if thou note the point, whence each proceeds,


s: Then look what it hath err'd to, thou shalt find


s: The white grown murky.  Jordan was turn'd back;


s: And a less wonder, then the refluent sea,


s: May at God's pleasure work amendment here."


s: So saying, to his assembly back he drew:


s: Then all roll'd upward like an eddying wind.


s: The sweet dame beckon'd me to follow them:


s: And, by that influence only, so prevail'd


s: I ofttimes wail my sins, and smite my breast,


s: Thou hadst been longer drawing out and thrusting


s: The sign, that followeth Taurus, I beheld,


s: And enter'd its precinct.  O glorious stars!


s: O light impregnate with exceeding virtue!


s: The Tuscan air; and afterward, when grace


s: Vouchsaf'd me entrance to the lofty wheel


s: My passage at your clime.  To you my soul


s: To meet the hard emprize that draws me on.


s: "Thou art so near the sum of blessedness,"


s: Be vigilant and clear.  And, to this end,


s: Or even thou advance thee further, hence


s: Look downward, and contemplate, what a world


s: Already stretched under our feet there lies:


s: So as thy heart may, in its blithest mood,


s: Which through the' etherial concave comes rejoicing."


s: I straight obey'd; and with mine eye return'd


s: Through all the seven spheres, and saw this globe


s: It moved my smiles: and him in truth I hold


s: For wisest, who esteems it least: whose thoughts


s: Elsewhere are fix'd, him worthiest call and best.


s: Without the shadow, whereof late I deem'd


s: That dense and rare were cause.  Here I sustain'd


s: And mark'd, how near him with their circle, round


s: Jove's tempering 'twixt his sire and son; and hence


s: Distinctly scann'd.  Nor might I not descry


s: Of all the seven, how bulky each, how swift;


s: Nor of their several distances not learn.


s: This petty area (o'er the which we stride


s: So fiercely), as along the eternal twins


s: Forth from the havens stretch'd unto the hills.


s: Then to the beauteous eyes mine eyes return'd.


s: E'en as the bird, who midst the leafy bower


s: Has, in her nest, sat darkling through the night,


s: With her sweet brood, impatient to descry


s: Their wished looks, and to bring home their food,


s: In the fond quest unconscious of her toil:


s: She, of the time prevenient, on the spray,


s: That overhangs their couch, with wakeful gaze


s: Expects the sun; nor ever, till the dawn,


s: So stood the dame erect, and bent her glance


s: Abateth most his speed; that, seeing her


s: Suspense and wand'ring, I became as one,


s: Of somewhat new to come fills with delight.


s: Short space ensued; I was not held, I say,


s: Long in expectance, when I saw the heav'n


s: Wax more and more resplendent; and, "Behold,"


s: Of Christ, and all the harvest reap'd at length


s: Of thy ascending up these spheres."  Meseem'd,


s: That, while she spake her image all did burn,


s: And in her eyes such fullness was of joy,


s: As in the calm full moon, when Trivia smiles,


s: In peerless beauty, 'mid th' eternal nympus,


s: That paint through all its gulfs the blue profound


s: O'er million lamps a sun, from whom all drew


s: Their radiance as from ours the starry train:


s: And through the living light so lustrous glow'd


s: The substance, that my ken endur'd it not.


s: Who cheer'd me with her comfortable words!


s: "Against the virtue, that o'erpow'reth thee,


s: Avails not to resist.  Here is the might,


s: The path, that had been yearned for so long,


s: Betwixt the heav'n and earth."  Like to the fire,


s: That, in a cloud imprison'd doth break out


s: Expansive, so that from its womb enlarg'd,


s: It falleth against nature to the ground;


s: Thus in that heav'nly banqueting my soul


s: Outgrew herself; and, in the transport lost.


s: Holds now remembrance none of what she was.


s: "Ope thou thine eyes, and mark me: thou hast seen


s: Things, that empower thee to sustain my smile."


s: Doth come across him, and he strives in vain


s: Whenas that gracious boon was proffer'd me,


s: Which never may be cancel'd from the book,


s: Wherein the past is written.  Now were all


s: Those tongues to sound, that have on sweetest milk


s: And fatten'd, not with all their help to boot,


s: Unto the thousandth parcel of the truth,


s: My song might shadow forth that saintly smile,


s: flow merely in her saintly looks it wrought.


s: The sacred strain must leap, like one, that meets


s: But he, who thinks how ponderous the theme,


s: And that 't is lain upon a mortal shoulder,


s: May pardon, if it tremble with the burden.


s: The track, our ventrous keel must furrow, brooks


s: No unribb'd pinnace, no self-sparing pilot.


s: "Why doth my face," said Beatrice, "thus


s: Enamour thee, as that thou dost not turn


s: Beneath the rays of Christ?  Here is the rose,


s: Wherein the word divine was made incarnate;


s: And here the lilies, by whose odour known


s: The way of life was follow'd."  Prompt I heard


s: The strife of aching vision.  As erewhile,


s: Through glance of sunlight, stream'd through broken cloud,


s: Mine eyes a flower-besprinkled mead have seen,


s: Though veil'd themselves in shade; so saw I there


s: Legions of splendours, on whom burning rays


s: Shed lightnings from above, yet saw I not


s: The fountain whence they flow'd.  O gracious virtue!


s: Thou, whose broad stamp is on them, higher up


s: To my o'erlabour'd sight: when at the name


s: Both morn and eve, my soul, with all her might


s: Collected, on the goodliest ardour fix'd.


s: And, as the bright dimensions of the star


s: In heav'n excelling, as once here on earth


s: And girt the star, and hov'ring round it wheel'd.


s: Might seem a rent cloud when it grates the thunder,


s: Compar'd unto the sounding of that lyre,


s: Wherewith the goodliest sapphire, that inlays


s: The floor of heav'n, was crown'd. "Angelic Love


s: I am, who thus with hov'ring flight enwheel


s: The lofty rapture from that womb inspir'd,


s: Where our desire did dwell: and round thee so,


s: Lady of Heav'n! will hover; long as thou


s: Shall from thy presence gild the highest sphere."


s: Took up the strain, and echoed Mary's name.


s: The robe, that with its regal folds enwraps


s: The world, and with the nearer breath of God


s: Doth burn and quiver, held so far retir'd


s: Had stream'd unto me: therefore were mine eyes


s: That rose and sought its natal seed of fire;


s: And like to babe, that stretches forth its arms


s: After the milk is taken; so outstretch'd


s: Their wavy summits all the fervent band,


s: Through zealous love to Mary: then in view


s: So sweetly, the delight hath left me never.


s: In those rich-laden coffers, which below


s: Sow'd the good seed, whose harvest now they keep.


s: Here are the treasures tasted, that with tears


s: When gold had fail'd them.  Here in synod high


s: Of ancient council with the new conven'd,


s: To whom the keys of glory were assign'd.


s: To the great supper of the blessed Lamb,


s: Whereon who feeds hath every wish fulfill'd!


s: If to this man through God's grace be vouchsaf'd


s: Foretaste of that, which from your table falls,


s: But may some influence of your sacred dews


s: Sprinkle him.  Of the fount ye alway drink,


s: Whence flows what most he craves."  Beatrice spake,


s: And the rejoicing spirits, like to spheres


s: On firm-set poles revolving, trail'd a blaze


s: Of comet splendour; and as wheels, that wind


s: The stated rounds, that to th' observant eye


s: The first seems still, and, as it flew, the last;


s: E'en thus their carols weaving variously,


s: They by the measure pac'd, or swift, or slow,


s: Made me to rate the riches of their joy.


s: From that, which I did note in beauty most


s: So bright, as none was left more goodly there.


s: And leaves a blank: for that our mortal speech,


s: Nor e'en the inward shaping of the brain,


s: Hath colours fine enough to trace such folds.


s: "O saintly sister mine! thy prayer devout


s: Thou dost unbind me from that beauteous sphere."


s: Such were the accents towards my lady breath'd


s: From that blest ardour, soon as it was stay'd:


s: Of him, within whose mighty grasp our Lord


s: Did leave the keys, which of this wondrous bliss


s: He bare below! tent this man, as thou wilt,


s: With lighter probe or deep, touching the faith,


s: By the which thou didst on the billows walk.


s: Be steadfast, is not hid from thee: for thou


s: Hast there thy ken, where all things are beheld


s: In liveliest portraiture.  But since true faith


s: Has peopled this fair realm with citizens,


s: Thou in his audience shouldst thereof discourse."


s: And speaks not, till the master have propos'd


s: The question, to approve, and not to end it;


s: So I, in silence, arm'd me, while she spake,


s: And such profession: "As good Christian ought,


s: Declare thee, What is faith?"  Whereat I rais'd


s: My forehead to the light, whence this had breath'd,


s: Then turn'd to Beatrice, and in her looks


s: Approval met, that from their inmost fount


s: I should unlock the waters.  "May the grace,


s: That giveth me the captain of the church


s: For confessor," said I, "vouchsafe to me


s: Apt utterance for my thoughts!" then added: "Sire!


s: Of thy dear brother, who with thee conspir'd


s: Faith of things hop'd is substance, and the proof


s: Of things not seen; and herein doth consist


s: Methinks its essence,"--"Rightly hast thou deem'd,"


s: Was answer'd: "if thou well discern, why first


s: He hath defin'd it, substance, and then proof."


s: "The deep things," I replied, "which here I scan


s: Their being, on which credence hope sublime


s: Is built; and therefore substance it intends.


s: From such belief our reasoning, all respect


s: Th' intention is deriv'd."  Forthwith I heard:


s: "If thus, whate'er by learning men attain,


s: Were understood, the sophist would want room


s: To exercise his wit."  So breath'd the flame


s: Of love: then added: "Current is the coin


s: Thou utter'st, both in weight and in alloy.


s: But tell me, if thou hast it in thy purse."


s: "Even so glittering and so round," said I,


s: Next issued from the deep imbosom'd splendour:


s: "The flood," I answer'd, "from the Spirit of God


s: Rain'd down upon the ancient bond and new,--


s: Here is the reas'ning, that convinceth me


s: Seems blunt and forceless in comparison."


s: Then heard I: "Wherefore holdest thou that each,


s: Which so persuade thee, are the voice of heav'n?"


s: "The works, that follow'd, evidence their truth;"


s: I answer'd: "Nature did not make for these


s: The iron hot, or on her anvil mould them."


s: "Who voucheth to thee of the works themselves,"


s: Are that they purport?  None hath sworn so to thee."


s: "That all the world," said I, "should have been turn'd


s: To Christian, and no miracle been wrought,


s: The rest were not an hundredth part so great.


s: E'en thou wentst forth in poverty and hunger


s: To set the goodly plant, that from the vine,


s: It once was, now is grown unsightly bramble."


s: That ended, through the high celestial court


s: Resounded all the spheres.  "Praise we one God!"


s: And when that Worthy thus, from branch to branch,


s: Approach'd the topmost bough, he straight resum'd;


s: "The grace, that holds sweet dalliance with thy soul,


s: So far discreetly hath thy lips unclos'd


s: That, whatsoe'er has past them, I commend.


s: Behooves thee to express, what thou believ'st,


s: The next, and whereon thy belief hath grown."


s: "Who seest that, which thou didst so believe,


s: As to outstrip feet younger than thine own,


s: Toward the sepulchre?  thy will is here,


s: And thou the cause of it hast likewise ask'd.


s: All heav'n is mov'd, himself unmov'd the while.


s: Persuades me to this faith; but from that truth


s: Through Moses, the rapt Prophets, and the Psalms.


s: The Gospel, and that ye yourselves did write,


s: Essence threefold and one, mysterious league


s: Imprints: and from this germ, this firstling spark,


s: The lively flame dilates, and like heav'n's star


s: Doth glitter in me."  As the master hears,


s: Well pleas'd, and then enfoldeth in his arms


s: The servant, who hath joyful tidings brought,


s: And having told the errand keeps his peace;


s: Soon as my peace I held, compass'd me thrice


s: Had op'd lips; so well their answer pleas'd.


s: Both heav'n and earth copartners in its toil,


s: And with lean abstinence, through many a year,


s: Of the fair sheep-fold, where a sleeping lamb


s: The wolves set on and fain had worried me,


s: With other voice and fleece of other grain


s: I shall forthwith return, and, standing up


s: At my baptismal font, shall claim the wreath


s: First enter'd on the faith which maketh souls


s: Peter had then circled my forehead thus.


s: Next from the squadron, whence had issued forth


s: The first fruit of Christ's vicars on the earth,


s: Toward us mov'd a light, at view whereof


s: "Lo! lo! behold the peer of mickle might,


s: That makes Falicia throng'd with visitants!"


s: As when the ring-dove by his mate alights,


s: And murmuring cooes his fondness; thus saw I


s: One, of the other great and glorious prince,


s: With kindly greeting hail'd, extolling both


s: Their heavenly banqueting; but when an end


s: Before me sat they down, so burning bright,


s: I could not look upon them.  Smiling then,


s: Beatrice spake: "O life in glory shrin'd!"


s: Who didst the largess of our kingly court


s: Set down with faithful pen! let now thy voice


s: Of hope the praises in this height resound.


s: For thou, who figur'st them in shapes, as clear,


s: As Jesus stood before thee, well can'st speak them."


s: "Lift up thy head, and be thou strong in trust:


s: For that, which hither from the mortal world


s: Such cheering accents from the second flame


s: Unto the mountains that had bow'd them late


s: With over-heavy burden.  "Sith our Liege


s: Wills of his grace that thou, or ere thy death,


s: In the most secret council, with his lords


s: Shouldst be confronted, so that having view'd


s: The glories of our court, thou mayst therewith


s: With hope, that leads to blissful end; declare,


s: What is that hope, how it doth flourish in thee,


s: And whence thou hadst it?"  Thus proceeding still,


s: The second light: and she, whose gentle love


s: Among her sons, not one more full of hope,


s: Hath the church militant: so 't is of him


s: Enlighteneth all our tribe: and ere his term


s: The other points, both which thou hast inquir'd,


s: Not for more knowledge, but that he may tell


s: How dear thou holdst the virtue, these to him


s: Leave I; for he may answer thee with ease,


s: And without boasting, so God give him grace."


s: Like to the scholar, practis'd in his task,


s: Who, willing to give proof of diligence,


s: Seconds his teacher gladly, "Hope," said I,


s: "Is of the joy to come a sure expectance,


s: Th' effect of grace divine and merit preceding.


s: This light from many a star visits my heart,


s: But flow'd to me the first from him, who sang


s: The songs of the Supreme, himself supreme


s: Among his tuneful brethren.  'Let all hope


s: In thee,' so speak his anthem, 'who have known


s: Thy name;' and with my faith who know not that?


s: From thee, the next, distilling from his spring,


s: The influence of their dew."  Whileas I spake,


s: A lamping, as of quick and vollied lightning,


s: Play'd tremulous; then forth these accents breath'd:


s: E'en to the palm, and issuing from the field,


s: Glows vigorous yet within me, and inspires


s: What promise thou from hope in chief dost win."


s: "Both scriptures, new and ancient," I reply'd;


s: "Propose the mark (which even now I view)


s: That, in their own land, each one must be clad


s: In twofold vesture; and their proper lands this delicious life.


s: And clearer far, thy brother hath set forth


s: Of the white raiment destin'd to the saints."


s: And, as the words were ending, from above,


s: "They hope in thee," first heard we cried: whereto


s: Answer'd the carols all.  Amidst them next,


s: That winter's month were but a single day,


s: Were such a crystal in the Cancer's sign.


s: Though gay, yet innocent of worse intent,


s: Wheel'd, as became their rapture.  In the dance


s: And in the song it mingled.  And the dame


s: Held on them fix'd her looks: e'en as the spouse


s: Silent and moveless.  "This is he, who lay


s: This he, into whose keeping from the cross


s: The mighty charge was given."  Thus she spake,


s: Yet therefore naught the more remov'd her Sight


s: From marking them, or ere her words began,


s: Or when they clos'd.  As he, who looks intent,


s: And strives with searching ken, how he may see


s: The sun in his eclipse, and, through desire


s: Peer'd on that last resplendence, while I heard:


s: "Why dazzlest thou thine eyes in seeking that,


s: Which here abides not?  Earth my body is,


s: In earth: and shall be, with the rest, so long,


s: Of the Most High.  The two that have ascended,


s: In this our blessed cloister, shine alone


s: With the two garments.  So report below."


s: The oars, erewhile dash'd frequent in the wave,


s: All rest; the flamy circle at that voice


s: So rested, and the mingling sound was still,


s: Which from the trinal band soft-breathing rose.


s: I turn'd, but ah! how trembled in my thought,


s: Not distant, on the happy coast she stood.


s: With dazzled eyes, whilst wond'ring I remain'd,


s: Forth of the beamy flame which dazzled me,


s: Detain'd me; and these words it spake: "'T were well,


s: That, long as till thy vision, on my form


s: O'erspent, regain its virtue, with discourse


s: Thou compensate the brief delay.  Say then,


s: Beginning, to what point thy soul aspires:


s: "And meanwhile rest assur'd, that sight in thee


s: Is but o'erpowered a space, not wholly quench'd:


s: Since thy fair guide and lovely, in her look


s: Hath potency, the like to that which dwelt


s: Or early, at her pleasure; for they were


s: The gates, at which she enter'd, and did light


s: Are centered; in this palace is the weal,


s: The lessons love can read me."  Yet again


s: The voice which had dispers'd my fear, when daz'd


s: With that excess, to converse urg'd, and spake:


s: "Behooves thee sift more narrowly thy terms,


s: And say, who level'd at this scope thy bow."


s: 'T' imprint in me such love: for, of constraint,


s: Kindles our love, and in degree the more,


s: The essence then, where such advantage is,


s: That each good, found without it, is naught else


s: But of his light the beam, must needs attract


s: The soul of each one, loving, who the truth


s: Discerns, on which this proof is built.  Such truth


s: Learn I from him, who shows me the first love


s: Eternal: from his voice I learn, whose word


s: Is truth, that of himself to Moses saith,


s: 'I will make all my good before thee pass.'


s: Lastly from thee I learn, who chief proclaim'st,


s: "Through human wisdom, and th' authority


s: Therewith agreeing," heard I answer'd, "keep


s: The choicest of thy love for God.  But say,


s: If thou yet other cords within thee feel'st


s: That draw thee towards him; so that thou report


s: How many are the fangs, with which this love


s: Is grappled to thy soul."  I did not miss,


s: Th' avowal, which he led to; and resum'd:


s: "All grappling bonds, that knit the heart to God,


s: The being of the world, and mine own being,


s: The death which he endur'd that I should live,


s: And that, which all the faithful hope, as I do,


s: To the foremention'd lively knowledge join'd,


s: Have from the sea of ill love sav'd my bark,


s: And on the coast secur'd it of the right.


s: As for the leaves, that in the garden bloom,


s: My love for them is great, as is the good


s: Dealt by th' eternal hand, that tends them all."


s: I ended, and therewith a song most sweet


s: Rang through the spheres; and "Holy, holy, holy,"


s: Through sharp encounter of the nimble light,


s: With the eye's spirit running forth to meet


s: The ray, from membrane on to the membrane urg'd;


s: And the upstartled wight loathes that he sees;


s: On better judgment: thus the saintly came


s: Drove from before mine eyes the motes away,


s: With the resplendence of her own, that cast


s: Their brightness downward, thousand miles below.


s: Whence I my vision, clearer shall before,


s: Recover'd; and, well nigh astounded, ask'd


s: Of a fourth light, that now with us I saw.


s: That ever the first virtue fram'd, admires


s: Within these rays his Maker."  Like the leaf,


s: That bows its lithe top till the blast is blown;


s: By its own virtue rear'd then stands aloof;


s: So I, the whilst she said, awe-stricken bow'd.


s: Mature, when first engender'd!  Ancient father!


s: Converse with me: my will thou seest; and I,


s: More speedily to hear thee, tell it not."


s: Through the sleek cov'ring of his furry coat.


s: The fondness, that stirs in him and conforms


s: His outside seeming to the cheer within:


s: And in like guise was Adam's spirit mov'd


s: To joyous mood, that through the covering shone,


s: Transparent, when to pleasure me it spake:


s: "No need thy will be told, which I untold


s: Better discern, than thou whatever thing


s: Thou holdst most certain: for that will I see


s: In Him, who is truth's mirror, and Himself


s: Parhelion unto all things, and naught else


s: To him.  This wouldst thou hear; how long since God


s: Plac'd me high garden, from whose hounds


s: She led me up in this ladder, steep and long;


s: What space endur'd my season of delight;


s: Whence truly sprang the wrath that banish'd me;


s: And what the language, which I spake and fram'd


s: Assign'd me.  There, whence at thy lady's hest


s: The Mantuan mov'd him, still was I debarr'd


s: This council, till the sun had made complete,


s: Four thousand and three hundred rounds and twice,


s: His annual journey; and, through every light


s: Thousand save sev'nty times, the whilst I dwelt


s: For naught, that man inclines to, ere was lasting,


s: As is the sky that sways him.  That he speaks,


s: Is nature's prompting: whether thus or thus,


s: She leaves to you, as ye do most affect it.


s: El was the name on earth of the Chief Good,


s: Whose joy enfolds me: Eli then 't was call'd


s: Is as the leaf upon the bough; that goes,


s: And other comes instead.  Upon the mount


s: Most high above the waters, all my life,


s: From the first hour, to that which cometh next


s: (As the sun changes quarter), to the sixth."


s: Throughout all Paradise, that with the song


s: My spirit reel'd, so passing sweet the strain:


s: One universal smile it seem'd of all things,


s: Exhaustless riches and unmeasur'd bliss.


s: Before mine eyes stood the four torches lit;


s: And that, which first had come, began to wax


s: In brightness, and in semblance such became,


s: As Jove might be, if he and Mars were birds,


s: And interchang'd their plumes.  Silence ensued,


s: Through the blest quire, by Him, who here appoints


s: When thus I heard: "Wonder not, if my hue


s: Be chang'd; for, while I speak, these shalt thou see


s: All in like manner change with me.  My place


s: He who usurps on earth (my place, ay, mine,


s: Is void), the same hath made my cemetery


s: The more below his triumph, who from hence


s: Malignant fell."  Such colour, as the sun,


s: At eve or morning, paints an adverse cloud,


s: And as th' unblemish'd dame, who in herself


s: Of other's failing, shrinks with maiden fear;


s: And such eclipse in heav'n methinks was seen,


s: When the Most Holy suffer'd.  Then the words


s: Proceeded, with voice, alter'd from itself


s: So clean, the semblance did not alter more.


s: "Not to this end was Christ's spouse with my blood,


s: That she might serve for purchase of base gold:


s: And Urban, they, whose doom was not without


s: Much weeping seal'd.  No purpose was of our


s: That on the right hand of our successors


s: Part of the Christian people should be set,


s: And part upon their left; nor that the keys,


s: Which were vouchsaf'd me, should for ensign serve


s: Which makes me oft to bicker and turn red.


s: In shepherd's clothing greedy wolves below


s: Range wide o'er all the pastures.  Arm of God!


s: Why longer sleepst thou?  Caorsines and Gascona


s: Prepare to quaff our blood.  O good beginning


s: To what a vile conclusion must thou stoop!


s: But the high providence, which did defend


s: Through Scipio the world's glory unto Rome,


s: Will not delay its succour: and thou, son,


s: Who through thy mortal weight shall yet again


s: Of frozen vapours streams adown the air,


s: What time the she-goat with her skiey horn


s: Touches the sun; so saw I there stream wide


s: The vapours, who with us had linger'd late


s: And with glad triumph deck th' ethereal cope.


s: Onward my sight their semblances pursued;


s: So far pursued, as till the space between


s: From its reach sever'd them: whereat the guide


s: On upward gazing, said, "Look down and see


s: What circuit thou hast compass'd."  From the hour


s: Which from the midmost to the bound'ry winds;


s: And hitherward the shore, where thou, Europa!


s: Mad'st thee a joyful burden: and yet more


s: Of this dim spot had seen, but that the sun,


s: Then by the spirit, that doth never leave


s: Its amorous dalliance with my lady's looks,


s: Back with redoubled ardour were mine eyes


s: Led unto her: and from her radiant smiles,


s: Or in its limn'd resemblance, can combine


s: Through greedy eyes to take the soul withal,


s: Were to her beauty nothing.  Its boon influence


s: From the fair nest of Leda rapt me forth,


s: Liveliest and loftiest.  She my secret wish


s: Divin'd; and with such gladness, that God's love


s: Seem'd from her visage shining, thus began:


s: "Here is the goal, whence motion on his race


s: Starts; motionless the centre, and the rest


s: All mov'd around.  Except the soul divine,


s: Place in this heav'n is none, the soul divine,


s: Wherein the love, which ruleth o'er its orb,


s: Is kindled, and the virtue that it sheds;


s: One circle, light and love, enclasping it,


s: As this doth clasp the others; and to Him,


s: Who draws the bound, its limit only known.


s: As by the fifth or half ye count forth ten.


s: The vase, wherein time's roots are plung'd, thou seest,


s: Look elsewhere for the leaves.  O mortal lust!


s: That canst not lift thy head above the waves


s: Which whelm and sink thee down!  The will in man


s: Bears goodly blossoms; but its ruddy promise


s: Are met with but in babes, each taking leave


s: Ere cheeks with down are sprinkled; he, that fasts,


s: While yet a stammerer, with his tongue let loose


s: Of speech, than he doth wish her in her grave.


s: Whose welcome is the morn and eve his parting,


s: "Thou, to abate thy wonder, note that none


s: Bears rule in earth, and its frail family


s: Are therefore wand'rers.  Yet before the date,


s: When through the hundredth in his reck'ning drops


s: From winter's calendar, these heav'nly spheres


s: Shall roar so loud, that fortune shall be fain


s: To turn the poop, where she hath now the prow;


s: So that the fleet run onward; and true fruit,


s: Expected long, shall crown at last the bloom!"


s: Had drawn the veil from off our pleasant life,


s: And turneth to resolve him, if the glass


s: Have told him true, and sees the record faithful


s: Looking upon the beauteous eyes, whence love


s: Had made the leash to take me.  As I turn'd;


s: And that, which, in their circles, none who spies,


s: On mine; a point I saw, that darted light


s: So sharp, no lid, unclosing, may bear up


s: Against its keenness.  The least star we view


s: From hence, had seem'd a moon, set by its side,


s: As star by side of star.  And so far off,


s: Perchance, as is the halo from the light


s: Which paints it, when most dense the vapour spreads,


s: There wheel'd about the point a circle of fire,


s: More rapid than the motion, which first girds


s: The world.  Then, circle after circle, round


s: Enring'd each other; till the seventh reach'd


s: lied scarce been held entire. Beyond the sev'nth,


s: As more in number distant from the first,


s: With flame most pure, that to the sparkle' of truth


s: Was nearest, as partaking most, methinks,


s: Saw me in anxious thought suspense, and spake:


s: "Heav'n, and all nature, hangs upon that point.


s: The circle thereto most conjoin'd observe;


s: And know, that by intenser love its course


s: Is to this swiftness wing'd."  To whom I thus:


s: "It were enough; nor should I further seek,


s: Appointed, such as in these wheels is seen.


s: But in the sensible world such diff'rence is,


s: As each is wider from the centre.  Hence,


s: That hath for confine only light and love,


s: My wish may have completion I must know,


s: Contemplating, I fail to pierce the cause."


s: Do leave the knot untied: so hard 't is grown


s: For want of tenting."  Thus she said: "But take,"


s: She added, "if thou wish thy cure, my words,


s: Unto the virtue through its parts diffus'd.


s: The greater blessedness preserves the more.


s: Therefore the circle, whose swift course enwheels


s: Which is supreme in knowledge and in love


s: Thus by the virtue, not the seeming, breadth


s: Of substance, measure, thou shalt see the heav'ns,


s: Each to the' intelligence that ruleth it,


s: As when the sturdy north blows from his cheek


s: A blast, that scours the sky, forthwith our air,


s: Clear'd of the rack, that hung on it before,


s: Glitters; and, With his beauties all unveil'd,


s: The firmament looks forth serene, and smiles;


s: With clear reply the shadows back, and truth


s: And when the words were ended, not unlike


s: Ebullient shot forth scintillating fires:


s: And every sparkle shivering to new blaze,


s: Then heard I echoing on from choir to choir,


s: "Hosanna," to the fixed point, that holds,


s: And shall for ever hold them to their place,


s: "In the first circles, they, whom thou beheldst,


s: Follow their hoops, in likeness to the point,


s: Near as they can, approaching; and they can


s: The more, the loftier their vision.  Those,


s: That round them fleet, gazing the Godhead next,


s: Are thrones; in whom the first trine ends.  And all


s: Are blessed, even as their sight descends


s: For every mind.  Thus happiness hath root


s: In seeing, not in  loving, which of sight


s: Grace and good-will their measure have assign'd.


s: The other trine, that with still opening buds


s: In this eternal springtide blossom fair,


s: Fearless of bruising from the nightly ram,


s: Breathe up in warbled melodies threefold


s: Virtues, and powers the third.  The next to whom


s: Are princedoms and archangels, with glad round


s: To tread their festal ring; and last the band


s: All, as they circle in their orders, look


s: Aloft, and downward with such sway prevail,


s: That all with mutual impulse tend to God.


s: These once a mortal view beheld.  Desire


s: That he, as I have done rang'd them; and nam'd


s: Their orders, marshal'd in his thought.  From him


s: Dissentient, one refus'd his sacred read.


s: But soon as in this heav'n his doubting eyes


s: Were open'd, Gregory at his error smil'd


s: Should scan such secret truth; for he had learnt


s: Both this and much beside of these our orbs,


s: From an eye-witness to heav'n's mysteries."


s: Together both, girding the' horizon hang,


s: Till from that verge, each, changing hemisphere,


s: Part the nice level; e'en so brief a space


s: Bat painted on her cheek; and her fix'd gaze


s: Bent on the point, at which my vision fail'd:


s: "I speak, nor what thou wouldst inquire demand;


s: For I have mark'd it, where all time and place


s: Are present.  Not for increase to himself


s: Of good, which may not be increas'd, but forth


s: Beyond time's limit or what bound soe'er


s: To circumscribe his being, as he will'd,


s: Upon these waters mov'd the Spirit of God.


s: Simple and mix'd, both form and substance, forth


s: To perfect being started, like three darts


s: Shot from a bow three-corded.  And as ray


s: In crystal, glass, and amber, shines entire,


s: Did, from th' eternal Sovran, beam entire


s: Created his due station knew: those highest,


s: Who pure intelligence were made: mere power


s: The lowest: in the midst, bound with strict league,


s: Describ'd on Jerome's pages thou hast seen.


s: But that what I disclose to thee is true,


s: Those penmen, whom the Holy Spirit mov'd


s: Attest; as thou by diligent search shalt find


s: And reason in some sort discerns the same,


s: Who scarce would grant the heav'nly ministers


s: Of their perfection void, so long a space.


s: Thus when and where these spirits of love were made,


s: Thou know'st, and how: and knowing hast allay'd


s: Thy thirst, which from the triple question rose.


s: Ere one had reckon'd twenty, e'en so soon


s: Part of the angels fell: and in their fall


s: The others kept their station: and this task,


s: Whereon thou lookst, began with such delight,


s: That they surcease not ever, day nor night,


s: Their circling.  Of that fatal lapse the cause


s: Was the curst pride of him, whom thou hast seen


s: Pent with the world's incumbrance.  Those, whom here


s: Thou seest, were lowly to confess themselves


s: Of his free bounty, who had made them apt


s: For ministries so high: therefore their views


s: Were by enlight'ning grace and their own merit


s: Exalted; so that in their will confirm'd


s: They stand, nor feel to fall.  For do not doubt,


s: But to receive the grace, which heav'n vouchsafes,


s: With prompt affection welcometh the guest.


s: Now, without further help, if with good heed


s: My words thy mind have treasur'd, thou henceforth


s: And gaze thy fill.  But since thou hast on earth


s: Heard vain disputers, reasoners in the schools,


s: Its powers of apprehension, memory, choice;


s: Therefore, 't is well thou take from me the truth,


s: Pure and without disguise, which they below,


s: "Know thou, that, from the first, these substances,


s: Have held unceasingly their view, intent


s: Upon the glorious vision, from the which


s: Naught absent is nor hid: where then no change


s: Remembrance there needs none to gather up


s: "So that men, thus at variance with the truth


s: Dream, though their eyes be open; reckless some


s: To whom more guilt and shame are justly due.


s: Heav'n's anger less, than when the book of God


s: Or from its straightness warp'd: no reck'ning made


s: What blood the sowing of it in the world


s: Has cost; what favour for himself he wins,


s: Who meekly clings to it.  The aim of all


s: Is how to shine: e'en they, whose office is


s: To preach the Gospel, let the gospel sleep,


s: And pass their own inventions off instead.


s: One tells, how at Christ's suffering the wan moon


s: Bent back her steps, and shadow'd o'er the sun


s: With intervenient disk, as she withdrew:


s: Such fables Florence in her pulpit hears,


s: Bandied about more frequent, than the names


s: The sheep, meanwhile, poor witless ones, return


s: From pasture, fed with wind: and what avails


s: For their excuse, they do not see their harm?


s: Christ said not to his first conventicle,


s: 'Go forth and preach impostures to the world,'


s: But gave them truth to build on; and the sound


s: Was mighty on their lips; nor needed they,


s: Beside the gospel, other spear or shield,


s: To aid them in their warfare for the faith.


s: The preacher now provides himself with store


s: Of jests and gibes; and, so there be no lack


s: Of laughter, while he vents them, his big cowl


s: Distends, and he has won the meed he sought:


s: Could but the vulgar catch a glimpse the while


s: Of that dark bird which nestles in his hood,


s: They scarce would wait to hear the blessing said.


s: That every counterfeit, who spreads abroad


s: The hands of holy promise, finds a throng


s: Of credulous fools beneath.  Saint Anthony


s: Fattens with this his swine, and others worse


s: Paying with unstamp'd metal for their fare.


s: "But (for we far have wander'd) let us seek


s: Be shorten'd with the time.  No mortal tongue


s: Nor thought of man hath ever reach'd so far,


s: That of these natures he might count the tribes.


s: What Daniel of their thousands hath reveal'd


s: The fountain at whose source these drink their beams,


s: With light supplies them in as many modes,


s: As there are splendours, that it shines on: each


s: Look then how lofty and how huge in breadth


s: The' eternal might, which, broken and dispers'd


s: Over such countless mirrors, yet remains


s: Whole in itself and one, as at the first."


s: Noon's fervid hour perchance six thousand miles


s: From hence is distant; and the shadowy cone


s: When from the midmost of this blue abyss


s: By turns some star is to our vision lost.


s: And straightway as the handmaid of the sun


s: Puts forth her radiant brow, all, light by light,


s: Fade, and the spangled firmament shuts in,


s: E'en to the loveliest of the glittering throng.


s: The triumph, which plays ever round the point,


s: Engirt by that it girdeth.  Wherefore love,


s: With loss of other object, forc'd me bend


s: Were in one praise concluded, 't were too weak


s: To furnish out this turn.  Mine eyes did look


s: That save its Maker, none can to the full


s: Enjoy it.  At this point o'erpower'd I fail,


s: Of buskin or of sock hath fail'd before.


s: For, as the sun doth to the feeblest sight,


s: E'en so remembrance of that witching smile


s: Not from that day, when on this earth I first


s: Beheld her charms, up to that view of them,


s: My course here bounded, as each artist's is,


s: When it doth touch the limit of his skill.


s: She (such as I bequeath her to the bruit


s: Of louder trump than mine, which hasteneth on,


s: Urging its arduous matter to the close),


s: Her words resum'd, in gesture and in voice


s: "Forth from the last corporeal are we come


s: Into the heav'n, that is unbodied light,


s: Love of true happiness replete with joy,


s: Joy, that transcends all sweetness of delight.


s: Here shalt thou look on either mighty host


s: Which in the final judgment thou shalt see."


s: As when the lightning, in a sudden spleen


s: The visive spirits dazzled and bedimm'd;


s: Of living radiance play'd, and left me swath'd


s: Such weal is in the love, that stills this heav'n;


s: For its own flame the torch this fitting ever!


s: Excess of light, however pure.  I look'd;


s: Light flowing, from whose amber-seeming waves


s: Flash'd up effulgence, as they glided on


s: 'Twixt banks, on either side, painted with spring,


s: Incredible how fair; and, from the tide,


s: Sparkles instinct with life; and in the flow'rs


s: Did set them, like to rubies chas'd in gold;


s: Then, as if drunk with odors, plung'd again


s: Into the wondrous flood; from which, as one


s: Re'enter'd, still another rose.  "The thirst


s: Of knowledge high, whereby thou art inflam'd,


s: To search the meaning of what here thou seest,


s: The more it warms thee, pleases me the more.


s: But first behooves thee of this water drink,


s: Or ere that longing be allay'd."  So spake


s: The day-star of mine eyes; then thus subjoin'd:


s: "This stream, and these, forth issuing from its gulf,


s: With all this laughter on its bloomy shores,


s: They emblem: not that, in themselves, the things


s: Are crude; but on thy part is the defect,


s: For that thy views not yet aspire so high."


s: Never did babe, that had outslept his wont,


s: Rush, with such eager straining, to the milk,


s: Of mine eyelids did drink of it, forthwith


s: Seem'd it unto me turn'd from length to round,


s: Then as a troop of maskers, when they put


s: Their vizors off, look other than before,


s: The counterfeited semblance thrown aside;


s: Those flowers and sparkles, and distinct I saw


s: Before me either court of heav'n displac'd.


s: O prime enlightener! thou who crav'st me strength


s: On the high triumph of thy realm to gaze!


s: Grant virtue now to utter what I kenn'd,


s: There is in heav'n a light, whose goodly shine


s: Have peace; and in a circle spreads so far,


s: That the circumference were too loose a zone


s: That moves, which being hence and vigour takes,


s: And as some cliff, that from the bottom eyes


s: Its image mirror'd in the crystal flood,


s: Of verdure and of flowers: so, round about,


s: Eyeing the light, on more than million thrones,


s: Has to the skies return'd.  How wide the leaves


s: Nor height impeded, but my view with ease


s: Took in the full dimensions of that joy.


s: Near or remote, what there avails, where God


s: Immediate rules, and Nature, awed, suspends


s: Perennial, which in bright expansiveness,


s: Lays forth its gradual blooming, redolent


s: As one, who fain would speak yet holds his peace,


s: Beatrice led me; and, "Behold," she said,


s: "This fair assemblage! stoles of snowy white


s: How numberless!  The city, where we dwell,


s: Behold how vast! and these our seats so throng'd


s: Few now are wanting here!  In that proud stall,


s: On which, the crown, already o'er its state


s: Suspended, holds thine eyes--or ere thyself


s: Mayst at the wedding sup,--shall rest the soul


s: Of the great Harry, he who, by the world


s: Before her day be ripe.  But ye are sick,


s: As is the bantling, that of hunger dies,


s: And drives away the nurse.  Nor may it be,


s: Accordant walk: Whom God will not endure


s: I' th' holy office long; but thrust him down


s: Will sink beneath him: such will be his meed."


s: In fashion, as a snow-white rose, lay then


s: Which in his own blood Christ espous'd.  Meanwhile


s: That other host, that soar aloft to gaze


s: And celebrate his glory, whom they love,


s: Hover'd around; and, like a troop of bees,


s: Now, clustering, where their fragrant labour glows,


s: Flew downward to the mighty flow'r, or rose


s: From the redundant petals, streaming back


s: Unto the steadfast dwelling of their joy.


s: Faces had they of flame, and wings of gold;


s: The rest was whiter than the driven snow.


s: And as they flitted down into the flower,


s: From range to range, fanning their plumy loins,


s: Whisper'd the peace and ardour, which they won


s: From that soft winnowing.  Shadow none, the vast


s: Cast, from above, upon the flower, or view


s: Obstructed aught.  For, through the universe,


s: Glides freely, and no obstacle prevents.


s: All there, who reign in safety and in bliss,


s: Their love and vision fix'd.  O trinal beam


s: Of individual star, that charmst them thus,


s: Vouchsafe one glance to gild our storm below!


s: If the grim brood, from Arctic shores that roam'd,


s: Sparkles a mother's fondness on her son)


s: Stood in mute wonder 'mid the works of Rome,


s: In greatness more than earthly; I, who then


s: From human to divine had past, from time


s: To justice and to truth, how might I choose


s: But marvel too?  'Twixt gladness and amaze,


s: Or hear.  And, as a pilgrim, when he rests


s: Within the temple of his vow, looks round


s: In breathless awe, and hopes some time to tell


s: Of all its goodly state: e'en so mine eyes


s: Cours'd up and down along the living light,


s: Smiles from within and radiance from above,


s: And in each gesture grace and honour high.


s: All Paradise survey'd: when round I turn'd


s: Once more of things, that held my thought suspense,


s: But answer found from other than I ween'd;


s: Rob'd, as the rest, in glory.  Joy benign


s: Glow'd in his eye, and o'er his cheek diffus'd,


s: With gestures such as spake a father's love.


s: And, "Whither is she vanish'd?"  straight I ask'd.


s: To the third circle from the highest, there


s: Behold her on the throne, wherein her merit


s: Hath plac'd her."  Answering not, mine eyes I rais'd,


s: And saw her, where aloof she sat, her brow


s: As was my ken from hers; and yet the form


s: Came through that medium down, unmix'd and pure,


s: "O Lady! thou in whom my hopes have rest!


s: Who, for my safety, hast not scorn'd, in hell


s: To leave the traces of thy footsteps mark'd!


s: For all mine eyes have seen, I, to thy power


s: And goodness, virtue owe and grace.  Of slave,


s: Thou hast to freedom brought me; and no means,


s: For my deliverance apt, hast left untried.


s: Thy liberal bounty still toward me keep.


s: That, when my spirit, which thou madest whole,


s: Favour with thee."  So I my suit preferr'd:


s: And she, so distant, as appear'd, look'd down,


s: And smil'd; then tow'rds th' eternal fountain turn'd.


s: "That thou at length mayst happily conclude


s: Thy voyage (to which end I was dispatch'd,


s: Let thy upsoaring vision range, at large,


s: This garden through: for so, by ray divine


s: Kindled, thy ken a higher flight shall mount;


s: And from heav'n's queen, whom fervent I adore,


s: All gracious aid befriend us; for that I


s: Am her own faithful Bernard."  Like a wight,


s: Our Veronica, and the while 't is shown,


s: And, all that he hath heard revolving, saith


s: Unto himself in thought: "And didst thou look


s: E'en thus, O Jesus, my true Lord and God?


s: And was this semblance thine?"  So gaz'd I then


s: Who musing, in the world that peace enjoy'd,


s: Stood lively before me.  "Child of grace!"


s: Thus he began: "thou shalt not knowledge gain


s: Of this glad being, if thine eyes are held


s: Still in this depth below.  But search around


s: The circles, to the furthest, till thou spy


s: Seated in state, the queen, that of this realm


s: Is sovran."  Straight mine eyes I rais'd; and bright,


s: As, at the birth of morn, the eastern clime


s: Above th' horizon, where the sun declines;


s: To mountain sped, at th' extreme bound, a part


s: Excell'd in lustre all the front oppos'd.


s: And as the glow burns ruddiest o'er the wave,


s: That waits the sloping beam, which Phaeton


s: Ill knew to guide, and on each part the light


s: Diminish'd fades, intensest in the midst;


s: So burn'd the peaceful oriflame, and slack'd


s: And in that midst their sportive pennons wav'd


s: Thousands of angels; in resplendence each


s: Distinct, and quaint adornment. At their glee


s: And carol, smil'd the Lovely One of heav'n,


s: That joy was in the eyes of all the blest.


s: 'T were all too poor to utter the least part


s: Of that enchantment.  When he saw mine eyes


s: Intent on her, that charm'd him, Bernard gaz'd


s: Freely the sage, though wrapt in musings high,


s: Assum'd the teacher's part, and mild began:


s: "The wound, that Mary clos'd, she open'd first,


s: Meek ancestress of him, who sang the songs


s: Of sore repentance in his sorrowful mood.


s: All, as I name them, down from deaf to leaf,


s: And from the seventh step, successively,


s: Adown the breathing tresses of the flow'r


s: Still doth the file of Hebrew dames proceed.


s: The sacred stairs are sever'd, as the faith


s: In Christ divides them.  On this part, where blooms


s: Such as in Christ, or ere he came, believ'd.


s: On th' other, where an intersected space


s: All they, who look'd to Christ already come.


s: And they who on their stools beneath her sit,


s: This way distinction make: e'en so on his,


s: The mighty Baptist that way marks the line


s: (He who endur'd the desert and the pains


s: Of martyrdom, and for two years of hell,


s: Augustin, Francis, Benedict, and the rest,


s: Thus far from round to round.  So heav'n's decree


s: With faith in either view, past or to come,


s: Learn too, that downward from the step, which cleaves


s: Midway the twain compartments, none there are


s: Who place obtain for merit of their own,


s: But have through others' merit been advanc'd,


s: On set conditions: spirits all releas'd,


s: Ere for themselves they had the power to choose.


s: And, if thou mark and listen to them well,


s: Their childish looks and voice declare as much.


s: "Here, silent as thou art, I know thy doubt;


s: And gladly will I loose the knot, wherein


s: Thy subtle thoughts have bound thee.  From this realm


s: Excluded, chalice no entrance here may find,


s: No more shall hunger, thirst, or sorrow can.


s: Nor is there aught thou seest, that doth not fit,


s: It is not therefore without cause, that these,


s: Are different in their shares of excellence.


s: Our Sovran Lord--that settleth this estate


s: That wish can dare no further--every soul,


s: With grace at pleasure variously endows.


s: And for a proof th' effect may well suffice.


s: And 't is moreover most expressly mark'd


s: In holy scripture, where the twins are said


s: To, have struggled in the womb.  Therefore, as grace


s: And merely in respect to his prime gift,


s: More was not wanting, than the parents' faith,


s: To save them: those first ages past, behoov'd


s: That circumcision in the males should imp


s: The flight of innocent wings: but since the day


s: Of grace hath come, without baptismal rites


s: In Christ accomplish'd, innocence herself


s: Must linger yet below.  Now raise thy view


s: For, in her splendour only, shalt thou win


s: The pow'r to look on him."  Forthwith I saw


s: Such floods of gladness on her visage shower'd,


s: From holy spirits, winging that profound;


s: Had not so much suspended me with wonder,


s: On earth, now hail'd in heav'n; and on pois'd wing.


s: To whose sweet anthem all the blissful court,


s: From all parts answ'ring, rang: that holier joy


s: Brooded the deep serene.  "Father rever'd:


s: Who deign'st, for me, to quit the pleasant place,


s: Say, who that angel is, that with such glee


s: Beholds our queen, and so enamour'd glows


s: Of her high beauty, that all fire he seems."


s: Of my wise teacher, he, whom Mary's charms


s: Embellish'd, as the sun the morning star;


s: Who thus in answer spake: "In him are summ'd,


s: And so beseems: for that he bare the palm


s: Vouchsaf'd to clothe him in terrestrial weeds.


s: Now let thine eyes wait heedful on my words,


s: And note thou of this just and pious realm


s: The chiefest nobles.  Those, highest in bliss,


s: The twain, on each hand next our empress thron'd,


s: Are as it were two roots unto this rose.


s: He to the left, the parent, whose rash taste


s: Proves bitter to his seed; and, on the right,


s: Into whose keeping Christ did give the keys


s: Of this sweet flow'r: near whom behold the seer,


s: That, ere he died, saw all the grievous times


s: Of the fair bride, who with the lance and nails


s: Was won.  And, near unto the other, rests


s: Th' ungrateful nation, fickle and perverse.


s: Where Anna sits, so well content to look


s: On her lov'd daughter, that with moveless eye


s: She chants the loud hosanna: while, oppos'd


s: To the first father of your mortal kind,


s: When on the edge of ruin clos'd thine eye.


s: "But (for the vision hasteneth so an end)


s: Here break we off, as the good workman doth,


s: That shapes the cloak according to the cloth:


s: And to the primal love our ken shall rise;


s: That thou mayst penetrate the brightness, far


s: As sight can bear thee.  Yet, alas! in sooth


s: Beating thy pennons, thinking to advance,


s: Thou backward fall'st.  Grace then must first be gain'd;


s: Her grace, whose might can help thee.  Thou in prayer


s: Seek her: and, with affection, whilst I sue,


s: Attend, and yield me all thy heart."  He said,


s: Surpassing, as in height, above them all,


s: Term by th' eternal counsel pre-ordain'd,


s: In thee, that its great Maker did not scorn,


s: Himself, in his own work enclos'd to dwell!


s: For in thy womb rekindling shone the love


s: Reveal'd, whose genial influence makes now


s: Art, as the noon-day torch: and art, beneath,


s: That he who grace desireth, and comes not


s: To thee for aidance, fain would have desire


s: Fly without wings.  Nor only him who asks,


s: Thy bounty succours, but doth freely oft


s: Are all combin'd in thee.  Here kneeleth one,


s: Who of all spirits hath review'd the state,


s: From the world's lowest gap unto this height.


s: Suppliant to thee he kneels, imploring grace


s: For virtue, yet more high to lift his ken


s: Toward the bliss supreme.  And I, who ne'er


s: Than now for him, my prayers to thee prefer,


s: (And pray they be not scant) that thou wouldst drive


s: That on the sovran pleasure he may gaze.


s: Who canst do what thou wilt! that in him thou


s: Wouldst after all he hath beheld, preserve


s: Affection sound, and human passions quell.


s: Stretch their clasp'd hands, in furtherance of my suit!"


s: The eyes, that heav'n with love and awe regards,


s: Fix'd on the suitor, witness'd, how benign


s: She looks on pious pray'rs: then fasten'd they


s: On th' everlasting light, wherein no eye


s: Of creature, as may well be thought, so far


s: Can travel inward.  I, meanwhile, who drew


s: Near to the limit, where all wishes end,


s: The ardour of my wish (for so behooved),


s: Ended within me. Beck'ning smil'd the sage,


s: That I should look aloft: but, ere he bade,


s: For visual strength, refining more and more,


s: Of sovran light.  Thenceforward, what I saw,


s: Was not for words to speak, nor memory's self


s: To stand against such outrage on her skill.


s: As one, who from a dream awaken'd, straight,


s: All he hath seen forgets; yet still retains


s: E'en such am I: for all the vision dies,


s: As 't were, away; and yet the sense of sweet,


s: That sprang from it, still trickles in my heart.


s: Thus in the sun-thaw is the snow unseal'd;


s: Thus in the winds on flitting leaves was lost


s: (Whose height what reach of mortal thought may soar?)


s: Of what thou then appearedst, give my tongue


s: Power, but to leave one sparkle of thy glory,


s: Unto the race to come, that shall not lose


s: The record sound in this unequal strain.


s: Such keenness from the living ray I met,


s: That, if mine eyes had turn'd away, methinks,


s: O grace! unenvying of thy boon! that gav'st


s: On th' everlasting splendour, that I look'd,


s: While sight was unconsum'd, and, in that depth,


s: Saw in one volume clasp'd of love, whatever


s: The whole.  And of such bond methinks I saw


s: Beyond her proper self; and, till I speak,


s: To that emprize, that first made Neptune wonder


s: At Argo's shadow darkening on his flood.


s: With fixed heed, suspense and motionless,


s: Was kindled, as I gaz'd.  It may not be,


s: That one, who looks upon that light, can turn


s: For all the good, that will may covet, there


s: Is summ'd; and all, elsewhere defective found,


s: Complete.  My tongue shall utter now, no more


s: E'en what remembrance keeps, than could the babe's


s: That yet is moisten'd at his mother's breast.


s: Not that the semblance of the living light


s: Was chang'd (that ever as at first remain'd)


s: But that my vision quickening, in that sole


s: Appearance, still new miracles descry'd,


s: And toil'd me with the change.  In that abyss


s: Of radiance, clear and lofty, seem'd methought,


s: Three orbs of triple hue clipt in one bound:


s: And, from another, one reflected seem'd,


s: As rainbow is from rainbow: and the third


s: Seem'd fire, breath'd equally from both.  Oh speech


s: How feeble and how faint art thou, to give


s: Conception birth!  Yet this to what I saw


s: Sole in thyself that dwellst; and of thyself


s: Sole understood, past, present, or to come!


s: Thou smiledst; on that circling, which in thee


s: Seem'd as reflected splendour, while I mus'd;


s: For I therein, methought, in its own hue


s: I therefore por'd upon the view.  As one


s: Who vers'd in geometric lore, would fain


s: Measure the circle; and, though pondering long


s: And deeply, that beginning, which he needs,


s: Finds not; e'en such was I, intent to scan


s: The novel wonder, and trace out the form,


s: How plac'd: but the flight was not for my wing;


s: And in the spleen unfolded what it sought.


s: Here vigour fail'd the tow'ring fantasy:


s: But yet the will roll'd onward, like a wheel


s: That moves the sun in heav'n and all the stars.


s: Gone from the path direct:  and e'en to tell


s: That forest, how robust and rough its growth,


s: Renews, in bitterness not far from death.


s: Yet to discourse of what there good befell,


s: All else will I relate discover'd there.


s: How first I enter'd it I scarce can say,


s: Such sleepy dullness in that instant weigh'd


s: My senses down, when the true path I left,


s: But when a mountain's foot I reach'd, where clos'd


s: The valley, that had pierc'd my heart with dread,


s: I look'd aloft, and saw his shoulders broad


s: Who leads all wanderers safe through every way.


s: That in my heart's recesses deep had lain,


s: And as a man, with difficult short breath,


s: Forespent with toiling, 'scap'd from sea to shore,


s: Turns to the perilous wide waste, and stands


s: At gaze; e'en so my spirit, that yet fail'd


s: Struggling with terror, turn'd to view the straits,


s: That none hath pass'd and liv'd.  My weary frame


s: The hinder foot still firmer.  Scarce the ascent


s: Began, when, lo!  a panther, nimble, light,


s: And cover'd with a speckled skin, appear'd,


s: Nor, when it saw me, vanish'd, rather strove


s: With purpose to retrace my steps I turn'd.


s: The hour was morning's prime, and on his way


s: Aloft the sun ascended with those stars,


s: That with him rose, when Love divine first mov'd


s: Those its fair works:  so that with joyous hope


s: All things conspir'd to fill me, the gay skin


s: And the sweet season.  Soon that joy was chas'd,


s: And by new dread succeeded, when in view


s: A lion came, 'gainst me, as it appear'd,


s: With his head held aloft and hunger-mad,


s: That e'en the air was fear-struck.  A she-wolf


s: Was at his heels, who in her leanness seem'd


s: Full of all wants, and many a land hath made


s: Disconsolate ere now.  She with such fear


s: O'erwhelmed me, at the sight of her appall'd,


s: That of the height all hope I lost.  As one,


s: Mourns with heart-griping anguish; such was I,


s: Haunted by that fell beast, never at peace,


s: Impell'd me where the sun in silence rests.


s: While to the lower space with backward step


s: I fell, my ken discern'd the form one of one,


s: Whose voice seem'd faint through long disuse of speech.


s: "Spirit!  or living man!  what e'er thou be!"


s: He answer'd:  "Now not man, man once I was,


s: And born of Lombard parents, Mantuana both


s: By country, when the power of Julius yet


s: Was scarcely firm.  At Rome my life was past


s: The subject of my song, who came from Troy,


s: When the flames prey'd on Ilium's haughty towers.


s: But thou, say wherefore to such perils past


s: Return'st thou?  wherefore not this pleasant mount


s: Ascendest, cause and source of all delight?"


s: "And art thou then that Virgil, that well-spring,


s: From which such copious floods of eloquence


s: Have issued?"  I with front abash'd replied.


s: "Glory and light of all the tuneful train!


s: Have sought thy volume, and with love immense


s: Have conn'd it o'er.  My master thou and guide!


s: That style, which for its beauty into fame


s: Exalts me.  See the beast, from whom I fled.


s: O save me from her, thou illustrious sage!


s: For every vein and pulse throughout my frame


s: She hath made tremble."  He, soon as he saw


s: That I was weeping, answer'd, "Thou must needs


s: Another way pursue, if thou wouldst 'scape


s: From out that savage wilderness.  This beast,


s: At whom thou criest, her way will suffer none


s: To pass, and no less hindrance makes than death:


s: Still after food more craving than before.


s: She fastens, and shall yet to many more,


s: Until that greyhound come, who shall destroy


s: Her with sharp pain.  He will not life support


s: By earth nor its base metals, but by love,


s: Wisdom, and virtue, and his land shall be


s: The land 'twixt either Feltro.  In his might


s: For whose fair realm, Camilla, virgin pure,


s: He with incessant chase through every town


s: Restore her, thence by envy first let loose.


s: That thou mayst follow me, and I thy guide


s: Will lead thee hence through an eternal space,


s: Where thou shalt hear despairing shrieks, and see


s: A second death; and those next view, who dwell


s: Content in fire, for that they hope to come,


s: Whene'er the time may be, among the blest,


s: Must lead thee, in whose charge, when I depart,


s: Thou shalt be left:  for that Almighty King,


s: Adjudges me, and therefore hath decreed,


s: That to his city none through me should come.


s: He in all parts hath sway; there rules, there holds


s: Whom there he chooses!"  I to him in few:


s: "Bard!  by that God, whom thou didst not adore,


s: I do beseech thee (that this ill and worse


s: I may escape) to lead me, where thou saidst,


s: That I Saint Peter's gate may view, and those


s: Who as thou tell'st, are in such dismal plight."


s: Onward he mov'd, I close his steps pursu'd.


s: Imbrown'd with shadows, from their toils releas'd


s: Prepar'd myself the conflict to sustain,


s: Both of sad pity, and that perilous road,


s: Your aid!  O mind!  that all I saw hast kept


s: Safe in a written record, here thy worth


s: I thus began:  "Bard!  thou who art my guide,


s: Thou trust me.  Thou hast told that Silvius' sire,


s: Th' immortal tribes had entrance, and was there


s: Sensible present.  Yet if heaven's great Lord,


s: Almighty foe to ill, such favour shew'd,


s: Both what and who from him should issue forth,


s: It seems in reason's judgment well deserv'd:


s: Sith he of Rome, and of Rome's empire wide,


s: In heaven's empyreal height was chosen sire:


s: Both which, if truth be spoken, were ordain'd


s: And 'stablish'd for the holy place, where sits


s: Who to great Peter's sacred chair succeeds.


s: He from this journey, in thy song renown'd,


s: Learn'd things, that to his victory gave rise


s: To bring us back assurance in that faith,


s: Which is the entrance to salvation's way.


s: But I, why should I there presume?  or who


s: Will deem me.  I, if on this voyage then


s: Thou, who art wise, better my meaning know'st,


s: Than I can speak."  As one, who unresolves


s: What he hath late resolv'd, and with new thoughts


s: Changes his purpose, from his first intent


s: Remov'd; e'en such was I on that dun coast,


s: Wasting in thought my enterprise, at first


s: So eagerly embrac'd.  "If right thy words


s: I scan," replied that shade magnanimous,


s: "Thy soul is by vile fear assail'd, which oft


s: At some false semblance in the twilight gloom.


s: That from this terror thou mayst free thyself,


s: I will instruct thee why I came, and what


s: I heard in that same instant, when for thee


s: Grief touch'd me first.  I was among the tribe,


s: Who rest suspended, when a dame, so blest


s: Call'd me; her eyes were brighter than the star


s: Of day; and she with gentle voice and soft


s: "O courteous shade of Mantua!  thou whose fame


s: Yet lives, and shall live long as nature lasts!


s: Hindrance so great, that he through fear has turn'd.


s: Now much I dread lest he past help have stray'd,


s: From what in heaven of him I heard.  Speed now,


s: And by all means for his deliverance meet,


s: Assist him.  So to me will comfort spring.


s: (Note:  Beatrice.  I use this word, as it is


s: pronounced in the Italian, as consisting of four


s: syllables, of which the third is a long one.)


s: Revisited with joy.  Love brought me thence,


s: Who prompts my speech.  When in my Master's sight


s: I stand, thy praise to him I oft will tell."


s: Within that heaven which hath the smallest orb,


s: So thy command delights me, that to obey,


s: If it were done already, would seem late.


s: No need hast thou farther to speak thy will;


s: Yet tell the reason, why thou art not loth


s: To leave that ample space, where to return


s: Thou burnest, for this centre here beneath."


s: She then:  "Since thou so deeply wouldst inquire,


s: I will instruct thee briefly, why no dread


s: Hinders my entrance here.  Those things alone


s: Are to be fear'd, whence evil may proceed,


s: None else, for none are terrible beside.


s: I am so fram'd by God, thanks to his grace!


s: Touches me not, nor flame of that fierce fire


s: Assails me.  In high heaven a blessed dame


s: Besides, who mourns with such effectual grief


s: That hindrance, which I send thee to remove,


s: That God's stern judgment to her will inclines.


s: "Now doth thy faithful servant need thy aid


s: And I commend him to thee."  At her word


s: Seated with Rachel, her of ancient days,


s: She thus address'd me: "Thou true praise of God!


s: To him, who so much lov'd thee, as to leave


s: Dost thou not hear how pitiful his wail,


s: Nor mark the death, which in the torrent flood,


s: Swoln mightier than a sea, him struggling holds?"


s: Haste to their profit, flee from their annoy,


s: As when these words were spoken, I came here,


s: Down from my blessed seat, trusting the force


s: Of thy pure eloquence, which thee, and all


s: Who well have mark'd it, into honour brings."


s: "When she had ended, her bright beaming eyes


s: Tearful she turn'd aside; whereat I felt


s: Redoubled zeal to serve thee.  As she will'd,


s: Thus am I come: I sav'd thee from the beast,


s: Who thy near way across the goodly mount


s: Prevented.  What is this comes o'er thee then?


s: Why, why dost thou hang back?  why in thy breast


s: Harbour vile fear?  why hast not courage there


s: And noble daring?  Since three maids so blest


s: Thy safety plan, e'en in the court of heaven;


s: And so much certain good my words forebode."


s: Bent down and clos'd, when day has blanch'd their leaves,


s: And to my heart such kindly courage ran,


s: My succour!  and thou kind who didst perform


s: So soon her true behest!  With such desire


s: Thou hast dispos'd me to renew my voyage,


s: Thou art my guide, my master thou, and lord."


s: So spake I; and when he had onward mov'd,


s: "THROUGH me you pass into the city of woe:


s: Through me among the people lost for aye.


s: To rear me was the task of power divine,


s: Before me things create were none, save things


s: Whereat I thus: "Master, these words import


s: Hard meaning."  He as one prepar'd replied:


s: "Here thou must all distrust behind thee leave;


s: Here be vile fear extinguish'd. We are come


s: Where I have told thee we shall see the souls


s: Have lost."  And when his hand he had stretch'd forth


s: To mine, with pleasant looks, whence I was cheer'd,


s: Here sighs with lamentations and loud moans


s: Resounded through the air pierc'd by no star,


s: That e'en I wept at entering.  Various tongues,


s: Accents of anger, voices deep and hoarse,


s: With hands together smote that swell'd the sounds,


s: Round through that air with solid darkness stain'd,


s: Like to the sand that in the whirlwind flies.


s: I then, with error yet encompass'd, cried:


s: "O master!  What is this I hear?  What race


s: Are these, who seem so overcome with woe?"


s: Suffer the wretched souls of those, who liv'd


s: Without or praise or blame, with that ill band


s: Of angels mix'd, who nor rebellious prov'd


s: Nor yet were true to God, but for themselves


s: Were only.  From his bounds Heaven drove them forth,


s: Of Hell receives them, lest th' accursed tribe


s: Should glory thence with exultation vain."


s: I then: "Master!  what doth aggrieve them thus,


s: That they lament so loud?"  He straight replied:


s: "That will I tell thee briefly.  These of death


s: No hope may entertain: and their blind life


s: They envy.  Fame of them the world hath none,


s: Nor suffers; mercy and justice scorn them both.


s: Speak not of them, but look, and pass them by."


s: And I, who straightway look'd, beheld a flag,


s: That it no pause obtain'd: and following came


s: Such a long train of spirits, I should ne'er


s: Have thought, that death so many had despoil'd.


s: And knew the shade of him, who to base fear


s: Yielding, abjur'd his high estate.  Forthwith


s: Of those ill spirits both to God displeasing


s: And to his foes.  These wretches, who ne'er lived,


s: By wasps and hornets, which bedew'd their cheeks


s: With blood, that mix'd with tears dropp'd to their feet,


s: And by disgustful worms was gather'd there.


s: A throng upon the shore of a great stream:


s: Whereat I thus: "Sir!  grant me now to know


s: Whom here we view, and whence impell'd they seem


s: Through the blear light?"  He thus to me in few:


s: "This shalt thou know, soon as our steps arrive


s: Then with eyes downward cast and fill'd with shame,


s: Till we had reach'd the river, I from speech


s: Abstain'd.  And lo!  toward us in a bark


s: Comes on an old man hoary white with eld,


s: Crying, "Woe to you wicked spirits!  hope not


s: In fierce heat and in ice.  And thou, who there


s: Standest, live spirit!  get thee hence, and leave


s: These who are dead."  But soon as he beheld


s: I left them not, "By other way," said he,


s: "By other haven shalt thou come to shore,


s: Not by this passage; thee a nimbler boat


s: Must carry."  Then to him thus spake my guide:


s: "Charon!  thyself torment not: so 't is will'd,


s: Where will and power are one: ask thou no more."


s: Straightway in silence fell the shaggy cheeks


s: Around whose eyes glar'd wheeling flames.  Meanwhile


s: Those spirits, faint and naked, color chang'd,


s: And gnash'd their teeth, soon as the cruel words


s: They heard.  God and their parents they blasphem'd,


s: The human kind, the place, the time, and seed


s: That did engender them and give them birth.


s: To the curs'd strand, that every man must pass


s: Who fears not God.  Charon, demoniac form,


s: With eyes of burning coal, collects them all,


s: Beck'ning, and each, that lingers, with his oar


s: Strikes.  As fall off the light autumnal leaves,


s: One still another following, till the bough


s: Strews all its honours on the earth beneath;


s: Cast themselves one by one down from the shore,


s: Thus go they over through the umber'd wave,


s: Still gathers.  "Son," thus spake the courteous guide,


s: "Those, who die subject to the wrath of God,


s: All here together come from every clime,


s: For so heaven's justice goads them on, that fear


s: Is turn'd into desire.  Hence ne'er hath past


s: Good spirit.  If of thee Charon complain,


s: Now mayst thou know the import of his words."


s: This said, the gloomy region trembling shook


s: Fear chills my brow.  The sad earth gave a blast,


s: That, lightening, shot forth a vermilion flame,


s: Which all my senses conquer'd quite, and I


s: Down dropp'd, as one with sudden slumber seiz'd.


s: BROKE the deep slumber in my brain a crash


s: As one by main force rous'd.  Risen upright,


s: My rested eyes I mov'd around, and search'd


s: With fixed ken to know what place it was,


s: Wherein I stood.  For certain on the brink


s: The dread abyss, that joins a thund'rous sound


s: And thick with clouds o'erspread, mine eye in vain


s: Explor'd its bottom, nor could aught discern.


s: "Now let us to the blind world there beneath


s: Descend;" the bard began all pale of look:


s: "I go the first, and thou shalt follow next."


s: Then I his alter'd hue perceiving, thus:


s: "How may I speed, if thou yieldest to dread,


s: Who still art wont to comfort me in doubt?"


s: He then:  "The anguish of that race below


s: With pity stains my cheek, which thou for fear


s: Mistakest.  Let us on.  Our length of way


s: Urges to haste."  Onward, this said, he mov'd;


s: And ent'ring led me with him on the bounds


s: Of the first circle, that surrounds th' abyss.


s: Here, as mine ear could note, no plaint was heard


s: Except of sighs, that made th' eternal air


s: Tremble, not caus'd by tortures, but from grief


s: Felt by those multitudes, many and vast,


s: The gentle guide:  "Inquir'st thou not what spirits


s: Are these, which thou beholdest?  Ere thou pass


s: Farther, I would thou know, that these of sin


s: Were blameless; and if aught they merited,


s: It profits not, since baptism was not theirs,


s: The portal to thy faith.  If they before


s: The Gospel liv'd, they serv'd not God aright;


s: Desiring without hope."  So grief assail'd


s: My heart at hearing this, for well I knew


s: Of mighty worth.  "O tell me, sire rever'd!


s: Tell me, my master!"  I began through wish


s: Which vanquishes all error; "say, did e'er


s: Any, or through his own or other's merit,


s: Come forth from thence, whom afterward was blest?"


s: Piercing the secret purport of my speech,


s: Amongst us, with victorious trophy crown'd.


s: He forth the shade of our first parent drew,


s: Exalted.  Before these, be thou assur'd,


s: No spirit of human kind was ever sav'd."


s: We, while he spake, ceas'd not our onward road,


s: Still passing through the wood; for so I name


s: Those spirits thick beset.  We were not far


s: On this side from the summit, when I kenn'd


s: A flame, that o'er the darken'd hemisphere


s: Prevailing shin'd.  Yet we a little space


s: That place possess'd.  "O thou, who every art


s: And science valu'st!  who are these, that boast


s: Such honour, separate from all the rest?"


s: He answer'd: "The renown of their great names


s: That echoes through your world above, acquires


s: Favour in heaven, which holds them thus advanc'd."


s: Meantime a voice I heard: "Honour the bard


s: Sublime!  his shade returns that left us late!"


s: No sooner ceas'd the sound, than I beheld


s: Four mighty spirits toward us bend their steps,


s: Of semblance neither sorrowful nor glad.


s: When thus my master kind began: "Mark him,


s: Who in his right hand bears that falchion keen,


s: The other three preceding, as their lord.


s: This is that Homer, of all bards supreme:


s: Flaccus the next in satire's vein excelling;


s: With which the voice singly accosted me,


s: Honouring they greet me thus, and well they judge."


s: That o'er the others like an eagle soars.


s: When they together short discourse had held,


s: Beck'ning me; at the which my master smil'd:


s: Nor was this all; but greater honour still


s: They gave me, for they made me of their tribe;


s: Speaking of matters, then befitting well


s: To speak, now fitter left untold.  At foot


s: Seven times with lofty walls begirt, and round


s: Defended by a pleasant stream.  O'er this


s: As o'er dry land we pass'd.  Next through seven gates


s: There dwelt a race, who slow their eyes around


s: Seldom, but all their words were tuneful sweet.


s: Open and bright and lofty, whence each one


s: Were shown me the great spirits, by whose sight


s: Anchises' pious son, and with hawk's eye


s: Who Tarquin chas'd, Lucretia, Cato's wife


s: And sole apart retir'd, the Soldan fierce.


s: Then when a little more I rais'd my brow,


s: I spied the master of the sapient throng,


s: Him all admire, all pay him rev'rence due.


s: In nature's secret lore.  Orpheus I mark'd


s: Of all to speak at full were vain attempt;


s: For my wide theme so urges, that ofttimes


s: My words fall short of what bechanc'd.  In two


s: My sage guide leads me, from that air serene,


s: And to a part I come where no light shines.


s: Down to the second, which, a lesser space


s: Embracing, so much more of grief contains


s: Provoking bitter moans.  There, Minos stands


s: Grinning with ghastly feature: he, of all


s: Gives sentence, and dismisses them beneath,


s: For when before him comes th' ill fated soul,


s: Suits the transgression, with his tail so oft


s: He dooms it to descend.  Before him stand


s: Always a num'rous throng; and in his turn


s: Each one to judgment passing, speaks, and hears


s: His fate, thence downward to his dwelling hurl'd.


s: Approachest?"  when he saw me coming, cried


s: "Look how thou enter here; beware in whom


s: Thou place thy trust; let not the entrance broad


s: Deceive thee to thy harm."  To him my guide:


s: "Wherefore exclaimest?  Hinder not his way


s: Where will and power are one.  Ask thou no more."


s: Now 'gin the rueful wailings to be heard.


s: Now am I come where many a plaining voice


s: Smites on mine ear.  Into a place I came


s: Where light was silent all.  Bellowing there groan'd


s: By warring winds.  The stormy blast of hell


s: With restless fury drives the spirits on


s: Whirl'd round and dash'd amain with sore annoy.


s: When they arrive before the ruinous sweep,


s: There shrieks are heard, there lamentations, moans,


s: And blasphemies 'gainst the good Power in heaven.


s: The carnal sinners are condemn'd, in whom


s: Reason by lust is sway'd.  As in large troops


s: The starlings on their wings are borne abroad;


s: So bears the tyrannous gust those evil souls.


s: It drives them:  hope of rest to solace them


s: Is none, nor e'en of milder pang.  As cranes,


s: Chanting their dol'rous notes, traverse the sky,


s: Stretch'd out in long array:  so I beheld


s: Spirits, who came loud wailing, hurried on


s: By their dire doom.  Then I:  "Instructor!  who


s: Are these, by the black air so scourg'd?"--" The first


s: 'Mong those, of whom thou question'st," he replied,


s: "O'er many tongues was empress.  She in vice


s: Of luxury was so shameless, that she made


s: To clear the blame she had herself incurr'd.


s: And held the land, which now the Soldan rules.


s: There mark'd I Helen, for whose sake so long


s: The time was fraught with evil; there the great


s: Achilles, who with love fought to the end.


s: A thousand more he show'd me, and by name


s: Pointed them out, whom love bereav'd of life.


s: When I had heard my sage instructor name


s: Those dames and knights of antique days, o'erpower'd


s: Was lost; and I began:  "Bard!  willingly


s: I would address those two together coming,


s: Which seem so light before the wind."  He thus:


s: "Note thou, when nearer they to us approach.


s: Then by that love which carries them along,


s: Entreat; and they will come."  Soon as the wind


s: Sway'd them toward us, I thus fram'd my speech:


s: "O wearied spirits!  come, and hold discourse


s: With us, if by none else restrain'd."  As doves


s: And firm, to their sweet nest returning home,


s: Cleave the air, wafted by their will along;


s: Thus issu'd from that troop, where Dido ranks,


s: They through the ill air speeding; with such force


s: My cry prevail'd by strong affection urg'd.


s: "O gracious creature and benign!  who go'st


s: Us, who the world with bloody stain imbru'd;


s: If for a friend the King of all we own'd,


s: Our pray'r to him should for thy peace arise,


s: Since thou hast pity on our evil plight.


s: It pleases thee, that will we hear, of that


s: Freely with thee discourse, while e'er the wind,


s: As now, is mute.  The land, that gave me birth,


s: Is situate on the coast, where Po descends


s: To rest in ocean with his sequent streams.


s: "Love, that in gentle heart is quickly learnt,


s: Entangled him by that fair form, from me


s: Ta'en in such cruel sort, as grieves me still:


s: Love, that denial takes from none belov'd,


s: Caught me with pleasing him so passing well,


s: That, as thou see'st, he yet deserts me not.


s: Love brought us to one death:  Caina waits


s: The soul, who spilt our life."  Such were their words;


s: At hearing which downward I bent my looks,


s: And held them there so long, that the bard cried:


s: "What art thou pond'ring?"  I in answer thus:


s: "Alas!  by what sweet thoughts, what fond desire


s: Must they at length to that ill pass have reach'd!"


s: Then turning, I to them my speech address'd.


s: And thus began:  "Francesca!  your sad fate


s: But tell me; in the time of your sweet sighs,


s: By what, and how love granted, that ye knew


s: Your yet uncertain wishes?"  She replied:


s: Of joy, when mis'ry is at hand!  That kens


s: If thou art bent to know the primal root,


s: From whence our love gat being, I will do,


s: As one, who weeps and tells his tale.  One day


s: How him love thrall'd.  Alone we were, and no


s: Suspicion near us.  Ofttimes by that reading


s: Our eyes were drawn together, and the hue


s: Fled from our alter'd cheek.  But at one point


s: Alone we fell.  When of that smile we read,


s: By one so deep in love, then he, who ne'er


s: All trembling kiss'd.  The book and writer both


s: Were love's purveyors.  In its leaves that day


s: We read no more."  While thus one spirit spake,


s: The other wail'd so sorely, that heartstruck


s: I through compassion fainting, seem'd not far


s: From death, and like a corpse fell to the ground.


s: MY sense reviving, that erewhile had droop'd


s: With pity for the kindred shades, whence grief


s: O'ercame me wholly, straight around I see


s: New torments, new tormented souls, which way


s: Soe'er I move, or turn, or bend my sight.


s: In the third circle I arrive, of show'rs


s: Ceaseless, accursed, heavy, and cold, unchang'd


s: Large hail, discolour'd water, sleety flaw


s: Through the dun midnight air stream'd down amain:


s: Stank all the land whereon that tempest fell.


s: Cerberus, cruel monster, fierce and strange,


s: Through his wide threefold throat barks as a dog


s: His eyes glare crimson, black his unctuous beard,


s: His belly large, and claw'd the hands, with which


s: He tears the spirits, flays them, and their limbs


s: Piecemeal disparts.  Howling there spread, as curs,


s: The other screening, oft they roll them round,


s: A wretched, godless crew.  When that great worm


s: His jaws, and the fangs show'd us; not a limb


s: Of him but trembled.  Then my guide, his palms


s: Expanding on the ground, thence filled with earth


s: Rais'd them, and cast it in his ravenous maw.


s: E'en as a dog, that yelling bays for food


s: His keeper, when the morsel comes, lets fall


s: To swallow it; so dropp'd the loathsome cheeks


s: The spirits, that they for deafness wish in vain.


s: We, o'er the shades thrown prostrate by the brunt


s: Of the heavy tempest passing, set our feet


s: Upon their emptiness, that substance seem'd.


s: Save one, that sudden rais'd himself to sit,


s: Soon as that way he saw us pass.  "O thou!"


s: He cried, "who through the infernal shades art led,


s: Own, if again thou know'st me.  Thou wast fram'd


s: Or ere my frame was broken."  I replied:


s: "The anguish thou endur'st perchance so takes


s: Thy form from my remembrance, that it seems


s: Art set, and in such torment, that although


s: Ay that the measure overflows its bounds,


s: Were wont to name me Ciacco.  For the sin


s: Of glutt'ny, damned vice, beneath this rain,


s: E'en as thou see'st, I with fatigue am worn;


s: Nor I sole spirit in this woe:  all these


s: Have by like crime incurr'd like punishment."


s: No more he said, and I my speech resum'd:


s: "Ciacco!  thy dire affliction grieves me much,


s: Even to tears.  But tell me, if thou know'st,


s: What shall at length befall the citizens


s: Of the divided city;  whether any just one


s: Inhabit there:  and tell me of the cause,


s: Whence jarring discord hath assail'd it thus?"


s: He then: "After long striving they will come


s: To blood; and the wild party from the woods


s: Will chase the other with much injury forth.


s: Then it behoves, that this must fall, within


s: By borrow'd force of one, who under shore


s: Now rests.  It shall a long space hold aloof


s: Its forehead, keeping under heavy weight


s: The other oppress'd, indignant at the load,


s: And grieving sore.  The just are two in number,


s: But they neglected.  Av'rice, envy, pride,


s: Three fatal sparks, have set the hearts of all


s: On fire."  Here ceas'd the lamentable sound;


s: And I continu'd thus: "Still would I learn


s: More from thee, farther parley still entreat.


s: Their minds on working good.  Oh!  tell me where


s: They bide, and to their knowledge let me come.


s: For I am press'd with keen desire to hear,


s: If heaven's sweet cup or poisonous drug of hell


s: Be to their lip assign'd."   He answer'd straight:


s: "These are yet blacker spirits.  Various crimes


s: Have sunk them deeper in the dark abyss.


s: If thou so far descendest, thou mayst see them.


s: But to the pleasant world when thou return'st,


s: Of me make mention, I entreat thee, there.


s: No more I tell thee, answer thee no more."


s: This said, his fixed eyes he turn'd askance,


s: A little ey'd me, then bent down his head,


s: And 'midst his blind companions with it fell.


s: When thus my guide:  "No more his bed he leaves,


s: Ere the last angel-trumpet blow.  The Power


s: Adverse to these shall then in glory come,


s: Each one forthwith to his sad tomb repair,


s: Resume his fleshly vesture and his form,


s: And hear the eternal doom re-echoing rend


s: The vault."  So pass'd we through that mixture foul


s: Touching, though slightly, on the life to come.


s: For thus I question'd:  "Shall these tortures, Sir!


s: When the great sentence passes, be increas'd,


s: He then:  "Consult thy knowledge; that decides


s: That as each thing to more perfection grows,


s: It feels more sensibly both good and pain.


s: Though ne'er to true perfection may arrive


s: This race accurs'd, yet nearer then than now


s: They shall approach it."  Compassing that path


s: Much more than I relate between us pass'd:


s: Till at the point, where the steps led below,


s: Arriv'd, there Plutus, the great foe, we found.


s: "AH me!  O Satan!  Satan!" loud exclaim'd


s: And the kind sage, whom no event surpris'd,


s: To comfort me thus spake:  "Let not thy fear


s: Harm thee, for power in him, be sure, is none


s: To hinder down this rock thy safe descent."


s: Then to that sworn lip turning, " Peace!"  he cried,


s: "Curs'd wolf!  thy fury inward on thyself


s: Prey, and consume thee!  Through the dark profound


s: Not without cause he passes.  So 't is will'd


s: On high, there where the great Archangel pour'd


s: Heav'n's vengeance on the first adulterer proud."


s: As sails full spread and bellying with the wind


s: Drop suddenly collaps'd, if the mast split;


s: So to the ground down dropp'd the cruel fiend.


s: Thus we, descending to the fourth steep ledge,


s: Gain'd on the dismal shore, that all the woe


s: Almighty Justice!  in what store thou heap'st


s: New pains, new troubles, as I here beheld!


s: Wherefore doth fault of ours bring us to this?


s: Against encounter'd billow dashing breaks;


s: Such is the dance this wretched race must lead,


s: Whom more than elsewhere numerous here I found,


s: From one side and the other, with loud voice,


s: Both roll'd on weights by main forge of their breasts,


s: Then smote together, and each one forthwith


s: Roll'd them back voluble, turning again,


s: Exclaiming these, "Why holdest thou so fast?"


s: Those answering, "And why castest thou away?"


s: So still repeating their despiteful song,


s: They to the opposite point on either hand


s: Travers'd the horrid circle:  then arriv'd,


s: Both turn'd them round, and through the middle space


s: Conflicting met again.  At sight whereof


s: I, stung with grief, thus spake:  "O say, my guide!


s: What race is this?  Were these, whose heads are shorn,


s: On our left hand, all sep'rate to the church?"


s: He straight replied:  "In their first life these all


s: In mind were so distorted, that they made,


s: According to due measure, of their wealth,


s: No use.  This clearly from their words collect,


s: Which they howl forth, at each extremity


s: Arriving of the circle, where their crime


s: Contrary' in kind disparts them.  To the church


s: Were separate those, that with no hairy cowls


s: Are crown'd, both Popes and Cardinals, o'er whom


s: I then:  "Mid such as these some needs must be,


s: Whom I shall recognize, that with the blot


s: Of these foul sins were stain'd."  He answering thus:


s: "Vain thought conceiv'st thou.  That ignoble life,


s: Which made them vile before, now makes them dark,


s: Forever they shall meet in this rude shock:


s: These from the tomb with clenched grasp shall rise,


s: Those with close-shaven locks.  That ill they gave,


s: And ill they kept, hath of the beauteous world


s: Depriv'd, and set them at this strife, which needs


s: No labour'd phrase of mine to set if off.


s: Now may'st thou see, my son!  how brief, how vain,


s: The goods committed into fortune's hands,


s: For which the human race keep such a coil!


s: Not all the gold, that is beneath the moon,


s: Or ever hath been, of these toil-worn souls


s: Might purchase rest for one."  I thus rejoin'd:


s: "My guide! of thee this also would I learn;


s: This fortune, that thou speak'st of, what it is,


s: Whose talons grasp the blessings of the world?"


s: He thus:  "O beings blind!  what ignorance


s: Besets you?  Now my judgment hear and mark.


s: He, whose transcendent wisdom passes all,


s: The heavens creating, gave them ruling powers


s: To guide them, so that each part shines to each,


s: Their light in equal distribution pour'd.


s: From race to race, from one to other's blood,


s: Decrees, from us conceal'd, as in the grass


s: The serpent train.  Against her nought avails


s: Your utmost wisdom.  She with foresight plans,


s: Judges, and carries on her reign, as theirs


s: The other powers divine.  Her changes know


s: She is made swift, so frequent come who claim


s: Succession in her favours.  This is she,


s: To her is rather praise; they wrongfully


s: With blame requite her, and with evil word;


s: But she is blessed, and for that recks not:


s: Rolls on her sphere, and in her bliss exults.


s: Descending:  for each star is falling now,


s: That mounted at our entrance, and forbids


s: Too long our tarrying."  We the circle cross'd