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Nor can so great a splendour weary us； For strong will be the organs of
the body To everything which hath the power to please us。〃
So sudden and alert appeared to me Both one and the other choir to
say Amen； That well they showed desire for their dead bodies；
Nor sole for them perhaps； but for the mothers； The fathers； and the
rest who had been dear Or ever they became eternal flames。
And lo！ all round about of equal brightness Arose a lustre over what
was there； Like an horizon that is clearing up。
And as at rise of early eve begin Along the welkin new appearances；
So that the sight seems real and unreal；
It seemed to me that new subsistences Began there to be seen； and
make a circle Outside the other two circumferences。
O very sparkling of the Holy Spirit； How sudden and incandescent it
became Unto mine eyes； that vanquished bore it not！
But Beatrice so beautiful and smiling Appeared to me； that with the
other sights That followed not my memory I must leave her。
Then to uplift themselves mine eyes resumed The power； and I beheld
myself translated To higher salvation with my Lady only。
Well was I ware that I was more uplifted By the enkindled smiling of
the star； That seemed to me more ruddy than its wont。
With all my heart； and in that dialect Which is the same in all； such
holocaust To God I made as the new grace beseemed；
And not yet from my bosom was exhausted The ardour of sacrifice；
before I knew This offering was accepted and auspicious；
For with so great a lustre and so red Splendours appeared to me in
twofold rays； I said： 〃O Helios who dost so adorn them！〃
Even as distinct with less and greater lights Glimmers between the two
poles of the world The Galaxy that maketh wise men doubt；
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THE DIVINE COMEDY
Thus constellated in the depths of Mars； Those rays described the
venerable sign That quadrants joining in a circle make。
Here doth my memory overcome my genius； For on that cross as levin
gleamed forth Christ； So that I cannot find ensample worthy；
But he who takes his cross and follows Christ Again will pardon me
what I omit； Seeing in that aurora lighten Christ。
From horn to horn； and 'twixt the top and base； Lights were in motion；
brightly scintillating As they together met and passed each other；
Thus level and aslant and swift and slow We here behold； renewing
still the sight； The particles of bodies long and short；
Across the sunbeam move； wherewith is listed Sometimes the shade；
which for their own defence People with cunning and with art contrive。
And as a lute and harp； accordant strung With many strings； a dulcet
tinkling make To him by whom the notes are not distinguished；
So from the lights that there to me appeared Upgathered through the
cross a melody； Which rapt me； not distinguishing the hymn。
Well was I ware it was of lofty laud； Because there came to me； 〃Arise
and conquer！〃 As unto him who hears and comprehends not。
So much enamoured I became therewith； That until then there was not
anything That e'er had fettered me with such sweet bonds。
Perhaps my word appears somewhat too bold； Postponing the delight
of those fair eyes； Into which gazing my desire has rest；
But who bethinks him that the living seals Of every beauty grow in
power ascending； And that I there had not turned round to those；
Can me excuse； if I myself accuse To excuse myself； and see that I
speak truly： For here the holy joy is not disclosed；
Because ascending it becomes more pure。
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THE DIVINE COMEDY
Paradiso： Canto XV
A will benign； in which reveals itself Ever the love that righteously
inspires； As in the iniquitous； cupidity；
Silence imposed upon that dulcet lyre； And quieted the consecrated
chords； That Heaven's right hand doth tighten and relax。
How unto just entreaties shall be deaf Those substances； which； to give
me desire Of praying them； with one accord grew silent？
'Tis well that without end he should lament； Who for the love of thing
that doth not last Eternally despoils him of that love！
As through the pure and tranquil evening air There shoots from time to
time a sudden fire； Moving the eyes that steadfast were before；
And seems to be a star that changeth place； Except that in the part
where it is kindled Nothing is missed； and this endureth little； So from the
horn that to the right extends Unto that cross's foot there ran a star Out of
the constellation shining there；
Nor was the gem dissevered from its ribbon； But down the radiant
fillet ran along； So that fire seemed it behind alabaster。
Thus piteous did Anchises' shade reach forward； If any faith our
greatest Muse deserve； When in Elysium he his son perceived。
〃O sanguis meus； O superinfusa Gratia Dei； sicut tibi； cui Bis unquam
Coeli janua reclusa？〃
Thus that effulgence； whence I gave it heed； Then round unto my Lady
turned my sight； And on this side and that was stupefied；
For in her eyes was burning such a smile That with mine own
methought I touched the bottom Both of my grace and of my Paradise！
Then； pleasant to the hearing and the sight； The spirit joined to its
beginning things I understood not； so profound it spake；
Nor did it hide itself from me by choice； But by necessity； for its
conception Above the mark of mortals set itself。
And when the bow of burning sympathy Was so far slackened； that its
speech descended Towards the mark of our intelligence；
The first thing that was understood by me Was 〃Benedight be Thou； O
Trine and One； Who hast unto my seed so courteous been！〃
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THE DIVINE COMEDY
And it continued： 〃Hunger long and grateful； Drawn from the reading
of the mighty volume Wherein is never changed the white nor dark；
Thou hast appeased； my son； within this light In which I speak to thee；
by grace of her Who to this lofty flight with plumage clothed thee。
Thou thinkest that to me thy thought doth pass From Him who is the
first； as from the unit； If that be known； ray out the five and six；
And therefore who I am thou askest not； And why I seem more joyous
unto thee Th