CANTO 8
(The Cosmic Dance)

THE world, when still in peril, thought that, wheeling,
in the third epicycle, Cyprian
the fair sent down her rays of frenzied love,

Solea creder lo mondo in suo periclo
che la bella Ciprigna il folle amore
raggiasse, volta nel terzo epiciclo; ^8.3

so that, in ancient error, ancient peoples
not only honored her with sacrifices
and votive cries, but honored, too, Dione

per che non pur a lei faceano onore
di sacrificio e di votivo grido
le genti antiche ne l’antico errore; ^8.6

and Cupid, one as mother, one as son
of Cyprian, and told how Cupid sat
in Dido’s lap; and gave the name of her

ma Dione onoravano e Cupido,
quella per madre sua, questo per figlio,
e dicean ch’el sedette in grembo a Dido; ^8.9

with whom I have begun this canto, to
the planet that is courted by the sun,
at times behind her and at times in front.

e da costei ond’io principio piglio
pigliavano il vocabol de la stella
che ‘l sol vagheggia or da coppa or da ciglio. ^8.12

I did not notice my ascent to it,
yet I was sure I was in Venus when
I saw my lady grow more beautiful.

Io non m’accorsi del salire in ella;
ma d’esservi entro mi fé assai fede
la donna mia ch’i’ vidi far più bella. ^8.15

And just as, in a flame, a spark is seen,
and as, in plainsong, voice in voice is heard -
one holds the note, the other comes and goes -

E come in fiamma favilla si vede,
e come in voce voce si discerne,
quand’una è ferma e altra va e riede, ^8.18

I saw in that light other wheeling lamps,
some more and some less swift, yet in accord,
I think, with what their inner vision was.

vid’io in essa luce altre lucerne
muoversi in giro più e men correnti,
al modo, credo, di lor viste interne. ^8.21

Winds, seen or unseen, never have descended
so swiftly from cold clouds as not to seem
impeded, slow, to any who had seen

Di fredda nube non disceser venti,
o visibili o no, tanto festini,
che non paressero impediti e lenti ^8.24

those godly lights approaching us, halting
the circling dance those spirits had begun
within the heaven of high Seraphim;

a chi avesse quei lumi divini
veduti a noi venir, lasciando il giro
pria cominciato in li alti Serafini; ^8.27

and a “Hosanna” sounded from within
their front ranks - such that I have never been
without desire to hear it sound again.

e dentro a quei che più innanzi appariro
sonava ‘Osanna’ sì, che unque poi
di riudir non fui sanza disiro. ^8.3

Then one drew nearer us, and he began
alone: “We all are ready at your pleasure,
so that you may receive delight from us.

Indi si fece l’un più presso a noi
e solo incominciò: «Tutti sem presti
al tuo piacer, perché di noi ti gioi. ^8.33

One circle and one circling and one thirst
are ours as we revolve with the celestial
Princes whom, from the world, you once invoked:

Noi ci volgiam coi principi celesti
d’un giro e d’un girare e d’una sete,
ai quali tu del mondo già dicesti: ^8.36

‘You who, through understanding, move the third
heaven.’ Our love is so complete‹to bring
you joy, brief respite will not be less sweet.”

‘Voi che ‘ntendendo il terzo ciel movete’;
e sem sì pien d’amor, che, per piacerti,
non fia men dolce un poco di quiete». ^8.39

After my eyes had turned with reverence
to see my lady, after her consent
had brought them reassurance and content,

Poscia che li occhi miei si fuoro offerti
a la mia donna reverenti, ed essa
fatti li avea di sé contenti e certi, ^8.42

they turned back to the light that promised me
so much; and, “Tell me, who are you,” I asked
in a voice stamped with loving sentiment.

rivolsersi a la luce che promessa
tanto s’avea, e «Deh, chi siete?» fue
la voce mia di grande affetto impressa. ^8.45

And how much larger, brighter did I see
that spirit grow when, as I spoke, it felt
new gladness added to its gladnesses!

E quanta e quale vid’io lei far piùe
per allegrezza nova che s’accrebbe,
quando parlai, a l’allegrezze sue! ^8.48

Thus changed, it then replied: “The world held me
briefly below; but had my stay been longer,
much evil that will be, would not have been.

Così fatta, mi disse: «Il mondo m’ebbe
giù poco tempo; e se più fosse stato,
molto sarà di mal, che non sarebbe. ^8.51

My happiness, surrounding me with rays,
keeps me concealed from you; it hides me like
a creature that is swathed in its own silk.

La mia letizia mi ti tien celato
che mi raggia dintorno e mi nasconde
quasi animal di sua seta fasciato. ^8.54

You loved me much and had good cause for that;
for had I stayed below, I should have showed
you more of my love than the leaves alone.

Assai m’amasti, e avesti ben onde;
che s’io fossi giù stato, io ti mostrava
di mio amor più oltre che le fronde. ^8.57

The left bank that the Rhone bathes after it
has mingled with the waters of the Sorgue,
awaited me in due time as its lord,

Quella sinistra riva che si lava
di Rodano poi ch’è misto con Sorga,
per suo segnore a tempo m’aspettava, ^8.6

as did Ausonia’s horn, which‹south of where
the Tronto and the Verde reach the sea‹
Catona, Bari, and Gaeta border.

e quel corno d’Ausonia che s’imborga
di Bari e di Gaeta e di Catona
da ove Tronto e Verde in mare sgorga. ^8.63

Upon my brow a crown already shone‹
the crown of that land where the Danube flows
when it has left behind its German shores.

Fulgeami già in fronte la corona
di quella terra che ‘l Danubio riga
poi che le ripe tedesche abbandona. ^8.66

And fair Trinacria, whom ashes (these
result from surging sulphur, not Typhoeus)
cover between Pachynus and Pelorus,

E la bella Trinacria, che caliga
tra Pachino e Peloro, sopra ‘l golfo
che riceve da Euro maggior briga, ^8.69

along the gulf that Eurus vexes most,
would still await its rulers born‹through me‹
from Charles and Rudolph, if ill sovereignty,

non per Tifeo ma per nascente solfo,
attesi avrebbe li suoi regi ancora,
nati per me di Carlo e di Ridolfo, ^8.72

which always hurts the heart of subject peoples,
had not provoked Palermo to cry out:
‘Die! Die!’ And if my brother could foresee

se mala segnoria, che sempre accora
li popoli suggetti, non avesse
mosso Palermo a gridar: “Mora, mora!”. ^8.75

what ill-rule brings, he would already flee
from Catalonia’s grasping poverty,
aware that it may cause him injury;

E se mio frate questo antivedesse,
l’avara povertà di Catalogna
già fuggeria, perché non li offendesse; ^8.78

for truly there is need for either him
or others to prevent his loaded boat
from having to take on still greater loads.

ché veramente proveder bisogna
per lui, o per altrui, sì ch’a sua barca
carcata più d’incarco non si pogna. ^8.81

His niggard nature is descended from
one who was generous; and he needs soldiers
who are not bent on filling up their coffers.”

La sua natura, che di larga parca
discese, avria mestier di tal milizia
che non curasse di mettere in arca». ^8.84

“My lord, since I believe that you perceive
completely‹where all good begins and ends‹
the joy I see within myself on hearing

«Però ch’i’ credo che l’alta letizia
che ‘l tuo parlar m’infonde, segnor mio,
là ‘ve ogne ben si termina e s’inizia, ^8.87

your words to me, my joy is felt more freely;
and I joy, too, in knowing you are blessed,
since you perceived this as you gazed at God.

per te si veggia come la vegg’io,
grata m’è più; e anco quest’ho caro
perché ‘l discerni rimirando in Dio. ^8.9

You made me glad; so may you clear the doubt
that rose in me when you‹before‹described
how from a gentle seed, harsh fruit derives.”

Fatto m’hai lieto, e così mi fa chiaro,
poi che, parlando, a dubitar m’hai mosso
com’esser può, di dolce seme, amaro». ^8.93

These were my words to him, and he replied:
“If I can show one certain truth to you,
you will confront what now is at your back.

Questo io a lui; ed elli a me: «S’io posso
mostrarti un vero, a quel che tu dimandi
terrai lo viso come tien lo dosso. ^8.96

The Good that moves and makes content the realm
through which you now ascend, makes providence
act as a force in these great heavens’ bodies;

Lo ben che tutto il regno che tu scandi
volge e contenta, fa esser virtute
sua provedenza in questi corpi grandi. ^8.99

and in the Mind that, in itself, is perfect,
not only are the natures of His creatures
but their well-being, too, provided for;

E non pur le nature provedute
sono in la mente ch’è da sé perfetta,
ma esse insieme con la lor salute: ^8.12

and thus, whatever this bow shoots must fall
according to a providential end,
just like a shaft directed to its target.

per che quantunque quest’arco saetta
disposto cade a proveduto fine,
sì come cosa in suo segno diretta. ^8.15

Were this not so, the heavens you traverse
would bring about effects in such a way
that they would not be things of art but shards.

Se ciò non fosse, il ciel che tu cammine
producerebbe sì li suoi effetti,
che non sarebbero arti, ma ruine; ^8.18

That cannot be unless the Minds that move
these planets are defective and, defective,
the First Mind, which had failed to make them perfect.

e ciò esser non può, se li ‘ntelletti
che muovon queste stelle non son manchi,
e manco il primo, che non li ha perfetti. ^8.111

Would you have this truth still more clear to you?”
I: “No. I see it is impossible
for nature to fall short of what is needed.”

Vuo’ tu che questo ver più ti s’imbianchi?».
E io: «Non già; ché impossibil veggio
che la natura, in quel ch’è uopo, stanchi». ^8.114

He added: “Tell me, would a man on earth
be worse if he were not a citizen?”
“Yes,” I replied, “and here I need no proof.”

Ond’elli ancora: «Or di’: sarebbe il peggio
per l’omo in terra, se non fosse cive?».
«Sì», rispuos’io; «e qui ragion non cheggio». ^8.117

“Can there be citizens if men below
are not diverse, with diverse duties? No,
if what your master writes is accurate.”

«E puot’elli esser, se giù non si vive
diversamente per diversi offici?
Non, se ‘l maestro vostro ben vi scrive». ^8.12

Until this point that shade went on, deducing;
then he concluded: “Thus, the roots from which
your tasks proceed must needs be different:

Sì venne deducendo infino a quici;
poscia conchiuse: «Dunque esser diverse
convien di vostri effetti le radici: ^8.123

so, one is born a Solon, one a Xerxes,
and one a Melchizedek, and another,
he who flew through the air and lost his son.

per ch’un nasce Solone e altro Serse,
altro Melchisedèch e altro quello
che, volando per l’aere, il figlio perse. ^8.126

Revolving nature, serving as a seal
for mortal wax, plies well its art, but it
does not distinguish one house from another.

La circular natura, ch’è suggello
a la cera mortal, fa ben sua arte,
ma non distingue l’un da l’altro ostello. ^8.129

Thus, even from the seed, Esau takes leave
of Jacob; and because he had a father
so base, they said Quirinus was Mars’ son.

Quinci addivien ch’Esaù si diparte
per seme da Iacòb; e vien Quirino
da sì vil padre, che si rende a Marte. ^8.132

Engendered natures would forever take
the path of those who had engendered them,
did not Divine provision intervene.

Natura generata il suo cammino
simil farebbe sempre a’ generanti,
se non vincesse il proveder divino. ^8.135

Now that which stood behind you, stands in front:
but so that you may know the joy you give me,
I now would cloak you with a corollary.

Or quel che t’era dietro t’è davanti:
ma perché sappi che di te mi giova,
un corollario voglio che t’ammanti. ^8.138

Where Nature comes upon discrepant fortune,
like any seed outside its proper region,
Nature will always yield results awry.

Sempre natura, se fortuna trova
discorde a sé, com’ogne altra semente
fuor di sua region, fa mala prova. ^8.141

But if the world below would set its mind
on the foundation Nature lays as base
to follow, it would have its people worthy.

E se ‘l mondo là giù ponesse mente
al fondamento che natura pone,
seguendo lui, avria buona la gente. ^8.144

But you twist to religion one whose birth
made him more fit to gird a sword, and make
a king of one more fit for sermoning,

Ma voi torcete a la religione
tal che fia nato a cignersi la spada,
e fate re di tal ch’è da sermone; ^8.147

so that the track you take is off the road.”

onde la traccia vostra è fuor di strada». ^8.148

CANTO_9

CANTO 9
(Fronto, Rahab; No Repentance)

He points out to Dante the light of Rahab, speaks of this heaven as just within the range of the cone of thé earth's shadow, thereby indicating that the place of these souls in heaven is, in part, determined by the earthly sin that is now no longer in their minds; refers to Rahab's help given to Joshua in con­quering the Holy Land, and denounces the Pope for his indifference to its recovery. It is devilplanted Florence that corrupts the world, both shepherd and flock, by her florins. But vengeance shall not lag.

FAIR Clemence, after I had been enlightened
by your dear Charles, he told me how his seed
would be defrauded, but he said: “Be silent

Da poi che Carlo tuo, bella Clemenza,
m’ebbe chiarito, mi narrò li ‘nganni
che ricever dovea la sua semenza; ^9.3

and let the years revolve.” All I can say
is this: lament for vengeance well-deserved
will follow on the wrongs you are to suffer.

ma disse: «Taci e lascia muover li anni»;
sì ch’io non posso dir se non che pianto
giusto verrà di retro ai vostri danni. ^9.6

And now the life-soul of that holy light
turned to the Sun that fills it even as
the Goodness that suffices for all things.

E già la vita di quel lume santo
rivolta s’era al Sol che la riempie
come quel ben ch’a ogne cosa è tanto. ^9.9

Ah, souls seduced and creatures without reverence,
who twist your hearts away from such a Good,
who let your brows be bent on emptiness!

Ahi anime ingannate e fatture empie,
che da sì fatto ben torcete i cuori,
drizzando in vanità le vostre tempie! ^9.12

And here another of those splendors moved
toward me; and by its brightening without,
it showed its wish to please me. Beatrice,

Ed ecco un altro di quelli splendori
ver’ me si fece, e ‘l suo voler piacermi
significava nel chiarir di fori. ^9.15

whose eyes were fixed on me, as they had been
before, gave me the precious certainty
that she consented to my need to speak.

Li occhi di Beatrice, ch’eran fermi
sovra me, come pria, di caro assenso
al mio disio certificato fermi. ^9.18

“Pray, blessed spirit, may you remedy‹
quickly‹my wish to know,” I said. “Give me
proof that you can reflect the thoughts I think.”

«Deh, metti al mio voler tosto compenso,
beato spirto», dissi, «e fammi prova
ch’i’ possa in te refletter quel ch’io penso!». ^9.21

At which that light, one still unknown to me,
out of the depth from which it sang before,
continued as if it rejoiced in kindness:

Onde la luce che m’era ancor nova,
del suo profondo, ond’ella pria cantava,
seguette come a cui di ben far giova: ^9.24

“In that part of indecent Italy
that lies between Rialto and the springs
from which the Brenta and the Piave stream,

«In quella parte de la terra prava
italica che siede tra Rialto
e le fontane di Brenta e di Piava, ^9.27

rises a hill‹of no great height‹from which
a firebrand descended, and it brought
much injury to all the land about.

si leva un colle, e non surge molt’alto,
là onde scese già una facella
che fece a la contrada un grande assalto. ^9.3

Both he and I were born of one same root:
Cunizza was my name, and I shine here
because this planet’s radiance conquered me.

D’una radice nacqui e io ed ella:
Cunizza fui chiamata, e qui refulgo
perché mi vinse il lume d’esta stella; ^9.33

But in myself I pardon happily
the reason for my fate; I do not grieve‹
and vulgar minds may find this hard to see.

ma lietamente a me medesma indulgo
la cagion di mia sorte, e non mi noia;
che parria forse forte al vostro vulgo. ^9.36

Of the resplendent, precious jewel that stands
most close to me within-our heaven, much
fame still remains and will not die away

Di questa luculenta e cara gioia
del nostro cielo che più m’è propinqua,
grande fama rimase; e pria che moia, ^9.39

before this hundredth year returns five times:
see then if man should not seek excellence‹
that his first life bequeath another life.

questo centesimo anno ancor s’incinqua:
vedi se far si dee l’omo eccellente,
sì ch’altra vita la prima relinqua. ^9.42

And this, the rabble that is now enclosed
between the Adige and Tagliamento
does not consider, nor does it repent

E ciò non pensa la turba presente
che Tagliamento e Adice richiude,
né per esser battuta ancor si pente; ^9.45

despite its scourgings; and since it would shun
its duty, at the marsh the Paduans
will stain the river-course that bathes Vicenza;

ma tosto fia che Padova al palude
cangerà l’acqua che Vincenza bagna,
per essere al dover le genti crude; ^9.48

and where the Sile and Cagnano flow
in company, one lords it, arrogant;
the net to catch him is already set.

e dove Sile e Cagnan s’accompagna,
tal signoreggia e va con la testa alta,
che già per lui carpir si fa la ragna. ^9.51

Feltre shall yet lament the treachery
of her indecent shepherd‹act so filthy
that for the like none ever entered prison.

Piangerà Feltro ancora la difalta
de l’empio suo pastor, che sarà sconcia
sì, che per simil non s’entrò in malta. ^9.54

The vat to hold the blood of the Ferrarese
would be too large indeed, and weary he
who weighs it ounce by ounce - the vat that he,

Troppo sarebbe larga la bigoncia
che ricevesse il sangue ferrarese,
e stanco chi ‘l pesasse a oncia a oncia, ^9.57

generous priest, will offer up to show
fidelity to his Guelph party; and
such gifts will suit the customs of that land.

che donerà questo prete cortese
per mostrarsi di parte; e cotai doni
conformi fieno al viver del paese. ^9.6

Above are mirrors -Thrones is what you call them -
and from them God in judgment shines on us;
and thus we think it right to say such things.”

Sù sono specchi, voi dicete Troni,
onde refulge a noi Dio giudicante;
sì che questi parlar ne paion buoni». ^9.63

Here she was silent and appeared to me
to turn toward other things, reentering
the wheeling dance where she had been before.

Qui si tacette; e fecemi sembiante
che fosse ad altro volta, per la rota
in che si mise com’era davante. ^9.66

The other joy, already known to me
as precious, then appeared before my eyes
like a pure ruby struck by the sun’s rays.

L’altra letizia, che m’era già nota
per cara cosa, mi si fece in vista
qual fin balasso in che lo sol percuota. ^9.69

On high, joy is made manifest by brightness,
as, here on earth, by smiles; but down below,
the shade grows darker when the mind feels sorrow.

Per letiziar là sù fulgor s’acquista,
sì come riso qui; ma giù s’abbuia
l’ombra di fuor, come la mente è trista. ^9.72

“God can see all,” I said, “and, blessed spirit,
your vision is contained in Him, so that
no wish can ever hide itself from you.

«Dio vede tutto, e tuo veder s’inluia»,
diss’io, «beato spirto, sì che nulla
voglia di sé a te puot’esser fuia. ^9.75

Your voice has always made the heavens glad
as has the singing of the pious fires
that make themselves a cowl of their six wings:

Dunque la voce tua, che ‘l ciel trastulla
sempre col canto di quei fuochi pii
che di sei ali facen la coculla, ^9.78

why then do you not satisfy my longings?
I would not have to wait for your request
if I could enter you as you do me.”

perché non satisface a’ miei disii?
Già non attendere’ io tua dimanda,
s’io m’intuassi, come tu t’inmii». ^9.81

“The widest valley into which the waters
spread from the sea that girds the world,” his words
began, “between discrepant shores, extends

«La maggior valle in che l’acqua si spanda»,
incominciaro allor le sue parole,
«fuor di quel mar che la terra inghirlanda, ^9.84

eastward so far against the sun, that when
those waters end at the meridian,
that point - when they began - was the horizon.

tra ‘ discordanti liti contra ‘l sole
tanto sen va, che fa meridiano
là dove l’orizzonte pria far suole. ^9.87

I lived along the shoreline of that valley
between the Ebro and the Magra, whose
brief course divides the Genoese and Tuscans.

Di quella valle fu’ io litorano
tra Ebro e Macra, che per cammin corto
parte lo Genovese dal Toscano. ^9.9

Beneath the same sunset, the same sunrise,
lie both Bougie and my own city, which
once warmed its harbor with its very blood.

Ad un occaso quasi e ad un orto
Buggea siede e la terra ond’io fui,
che fé del sangue suo già caldo il porto. ^9.93

Those men to whom my name was known, called me
Folco; and even as this sphere receives
my imprint, so was I impressed with its;

Folco mi disse quella gente a cui
fu noto il nome mio; e questo cielo
di me s’imprenta, com’io fe’ di lui; ^9.96

for even Belus’ daughter, wronging both
Sychaeus and Creusa, did not burn
more than I did, as long as I was young;

ché più non arse la figlia di Belo,
noiando e a Sicheo e a Creusa,
di me, infin che si convenne al pelo; ^9.99

nor did the Rhodopean woman whom
Demophoon deceived, nor did Alcides
when he enclosed Iole in his heart.

né quella Rodopea che delusa
fu da Demofoonte, né Alcide
quando Iole nel core ebbe rinchiusa. ^9.12

No repentance - the effects of Lethe and Eunoe

No repentance in Heaven: this is the working-out of having drunk of Lethe and Eunoë (Purg 31-33).  Not the sin, but the grace and providence of God recalled and enjoyed

Yet one does not repent here; here one smiles -
not for the fault, which we do not recall,
but for the Power that fashioned and foresaw.

Non però qui si pente, ma si ride,
non de la colpa, ch’a mente non torna,
ma del valor ch’ordinò e provide. ^9.15

For here we contemplate the art adorned
by such great love, and we discern the good
through which the world above forms that below.

Qui si rimira ne l’arte ch’addorna
cotanto affetto, e discernesi ‘l bene
per che ‘l mondo di sù quel di giù torna. ^9.18

But so that all your longings born within
this sphere may be completely satisfied
when you bear them away, I must continue.

Ma perché tutte le tue voglie piene
ten porti che son nate in questa spera,
proceder ancor oltre mi convene. ^9.111

You wish to know what spirit is within
the light that here beside me sparkles ,so,
as would a ray of sun in limpid water.

Tu vuo’ saper chi è in questa lumera
che qui appresso me così scintilla,
come raggio di sole in acqua mera. ^9.114

Know then that Rahab lives serenely in
that light, and since her presence joins our order,
she seals that order in the highest rank.

Or sappi che là entro si tranquilla
Raab; e a nostr’ordine congiunta,
di lei nel sommo grado si sigilla. ^9.117

This heaven, where the shadow cast by earth
comes to a point, had Rahab as the first
soul to be taken up when Christ triumphed.

Da questo cielo, in cui l’ombra s’appunta
che ‘l vostro mondo face, pria ch’altr’alma
del triunfo di Cristo fu assunta. ^9.12

And it was right to leave her in this heaven
as trophy of the lofty victory
that Christ won, palm on palm, upon the cross,

Ben si convenne lei lasciar per palma
in alcun cielo de l’alta vittoria
che s’acquistò con l’una e l’altra palma, ^9.123

for she had favored the initial glory
of Joshua within the Holy Land‹
which seldom touches the Pope’s memory.

perch’ella favorò la prima gloria
di Iosuè in su la Terra Santa,
che poco tocca al papa la memoria. ^9.126

Your city, which was planted by that one
who was the first to turn against his Maker,
the one whose envy cost us many tears‹

La tua città, che di colui è pianta
che pria volse le spalle al suo fattore
e di cui è la ‘nvidia tanto pianta, ^9.129

produces and distributes the damned flower
that turns both sheep and lambs from the true course,
for of the shepherd it has made a wolf.

produce e spande il maladetto fiore
c’ha disviate le pecore e li agni,
però che fatto ha lupo del pastore. ^9.132

For this the Gospel and the great Church Fathers
are set aside and only the Decretals
are studied‹as their margins clearly show.

Per questo l’Evangelio e i dottor magni
son derelitti, e solo ai Decretali
si studia, sì che pare a’ lor vivagni. ^9.135

On these the pope and cardinals are intent.
Their thoughts are never bent on Nazareth,
where Gabriel’s open wings were reverent.

A questo intende il papa e ‘ cardinali;
non vanno i lor pensieri a Nazarette,
là dove Gabriello aperse l’ali. ^9.138

And yet the hill of Vatican as well
as other noble parts of Rome that were
the cemetery for Peter’s soldiery

Ma Vaticano e l’altre parti elette
di Roma che son state cimitero
a la milizia che Pietro seguette, ^9.141

will soon be freed from priests’ adultery.”

tosto libere fien de l’avoltero». ^9.142