CANTO 10
(Thomas Aquinas)

GAZING upon His Son with that Love which
One and the Other breathe eternally,
the Power-first and inexpressible-

Guardando nel suo Figlio con l’Amore
che l’uno e l’altro etternalmente spira,
lo primo e ineffabile Valore ^10.003

made everything that wheels through mind and space
so orderly that one who contemplates
that harmony cannot but taste of Him.

quanto per mente e per loco si gira
con tant’ordine fé, ch’esser non puote
sanza gustar di lui chi ciò rimira. ^10.006

Then, reader, lift your eyes with me to see
the high wheels; gaze directly at that part
where the one motion strikes against the other;

Leva dunque, lettore, a l’alte rote
meco la vista, dritto a quella parte
dove l’un moto e l’altro si percuote; ^10.009

and there begin to look with longing at
that Master’s art, which in Himself he loves
so much that his eye never parts from it.

e lì comincia a vagheggiar ne l’arte
di quel maestro che dentro a sé l’ama,
tanto che mai da lei l’occhio non parte. ^10.012

See there the circle branching from that cross-point
obliquely: zodiac to bear the planets
that satisfy the world in need of them.

Vedi come da indi si dirama
l’oblico cerchio che i pianeti porta,
per sodisfare al mondo che li chiama. ^10.015

For if the planets’ path were not aslant,
much of the heavens’ virtue would be wasted
and almost every power on earth be dead;

Che se la strada lor non fosse torta,
molta virtù nel ciel sarebbe in vano,
e quasi ogne potenza qua giù morta; ^10.018

and if the zodiac swerved more or less
far from the straight course, then earth’s harmony
would be defective in both hemispheres.

e se dal dritto più o men lontano
fosse ‘l partire, assai sarebbe manco
e giù e sù de l’ordine mondano. ^10.021

Now, reader, do not leave your bench, but stay
to think on that of which you have foretaste;
you will have much delight before you tire.

Or ti riman, lettor, sovra ‘l tuo banco,
dietro pensando a ciò che si preliba,
s’esser vuoi lieto assai prima che stanco. ^10.024

I have prepared your fare; now feed yourself,
because that matter of which I am made
the scribe calls all my care unto itself.

Messo t’ho innanzi: omai per te ti ciba;
ché a sé torce tutta la mia cura
quella materia ond’io son fatto scriba. ^10.027

The greatest minister of nature-he
who imprints earth with heaven’s worth and, with
his light, provides the measurement for time-

Lo ministro maggior de la natura,
che del valor del ciel lo mondo imprenta
e col suo lume il tempo ne misura, ^10.030

since he was in conjunction with the part
I noted, now was wheeling through the spirals
where he appears more early every day.

con quella parte che sù si rammenta
congiunto, si girava per le spire
in che più tosto ognora s’appresenta; ^10.033

And I was with him, but no more aware
of the ascent than one can be aware
of any sudden thought before it starts.

e io era con lui; ma del salire
non m’accors’io, se non com’uom s’accorge,
anzi ‘l primo pensier, del suo venire. ^10.036

The one who guides me so from good to better
is Beatrice, and on our path her acts
have so much swiftness that they span no time.

E’ Beatrice quella che sì scorge
di bene in meglio, sì subitamente
che l’atto suo per tempo non si sporge. ^10.039

How bright within themselves must be the lights
I saw on entering the Sun, for they
were known to me by splendor, not by color!

Quant’esser convenia da sé lucente
quel ch’era dentro al sol dov’io entra’mi,
non per color, ma per lume parvente! ^10.042

Though I should call on talent, craft, and practice,
my telling cannot help them be imagined;
but you can trust-and may you long to see it.

Perch’io lo ‘ngegno e l’arte e l’uso chiami,
sì nol direi che mai s’imaginasse;
ma creder puossi e di veder si brami. ^10.045

And if our fantasies fall short before
such heights, there is no need to wonder; for
no eye has seen light brighter than the Sun’s.

E se le fantasie nostre son basse
a tanta altezza, non è maraviglia;
ché sopra ‘l sol non fu occhio ch’andasse. ^10.048

Such was the sphere of His fourth family,
whom the High Father always satisfies,
showing how He engenders and breathes forth.

Tal era quivi la quarta famiglia
de l’alto Padre, che sempre la sazia,
mostrando come spira e come figlia. ^10.051

And Beatrice began: “Give thanks, give thanks
to Him, the angels’ Sun, who, through His grace,
has lifted you to this embodied sun.”

E Beatrice cominciò: «Ringrazia,
ringrazia il Sol de li angeli, ch’a questo
sensibil t’ha levato per sua grazia». ^10.054

No mortal heart was ever so disposed
to worship, or so quick to yield itself
to God with all its gratefulness, as I

Cor di mortal non fu mai sì digesto
a divozione e a rendersi a Dio
con tutto ‘l suo gradir cotanto presto, ^10.057

was when I heard those words, and all my love
was so intent on Him that Beatrice
was then eclipsed within forgetfulness.

come a quelle parole mi fec’io;
e sì tutto ‘l mio amore in lui si mise,
che Beatrice eclissò ne l’oblio. ^10.060

And she was not displeased, but smiled at this,
so that the splendor of her smiling eyes
divided my rapt mind between two objects.

Non le dispiacque; ma sì se ne rise,
che lo splendor de li occhi suoi ridenti
mia mente unita in più cose divise. ^10.063

And I saw many lights, alive, most bright;
we formed the center, they became a crown,
their voices even sweeter than their splendor:

Io vidi più folgór vivi e vincenti
far di noi centro e di sé far corona,
più dolci in voce che in vista lucenti: ^10.066

just so, at times, we see Latona’s daughter
circled when saturated air holds fast
the thread that forms the girdle of her halo.

così cinger la figlia di Latona
vedem talvolta, quando l’aere è pregno,
sì che ritenga il fil che fa la zona. ^10.069

In Heaven’s court, from which I have returned,
one finds so many fair and precious gems
that are not to be taken from that kingdom:

Ne la corte del cielo, ond’io rivegno,
si trovan molte gioie care e belle
tanto che non si posson trar del regno; ^10.072

one of those gems, the song those splendors sang.
He who does not take wings to reach that realm,
may wait for tidings of it from the mute.

e ‘l canto di quei lumi era di quelle;
chi non s’impenna sì che là sù voli,
dal muto aspetti quindi le novelle. ^10.075

After those ardent suns, while singing so,
had wheeled three times around us, even as
stars that are close to the fixed poles, they seemed

Poi, sì cantando, quelli ardenti soli
si fuor girati intorno a noi tre volte,
come stelle vicine a’ fermi poli, ^10.078

to me like women who, though not released
from dancing, pause in silence, listening
until new notes invite to new dancing.

donne mi parver, non da ballo sciolte,
ma che s’arrestin tacite, ascoltando
fin che le nove note hanno ricolte. ^10.081

And from within one light I heard begin:
“Because the ray of grace, from which true love
is kindled first and then, in loving, grows,

E dentro a l’un senti’ cominciar: «Quando
lo raggio de la grazia, onde s’accende
verace amore e che poi cresce amando, ^10.084

shines with such splendor, multiplied, in you,
that it has led you up the stair that none
descends who will not climb that stair again,

multiplicato in te tanto resplende,
che ti conduce su per quella scala
u’ sanza risalir nessun discende; ^10.087

whoever would refuse to quench your thirst
with wine from his flask, would be no more free
than water that does not flow toward the sea.

qual ti negasse il vin de la sua fiala
per la tua sete, in libertà non fora
se non com’acqua ch’al mar non si cala. ^10.090

You want to know what plants bloom in this garland
that, circling, contemplates with love the fair
lady who strengthens your ascent to heaven.

Tu vuo’ saper di quai piante s’infiora
questa ghirlanda che ‘ntorno vagheggia
la bella donna ch’al ciel t’avvalora. ^10.093

I was a lamb among the holy flock
that Dominic leads on the path where one
may fatten well if one does not stray off.

Io fui de li agni de la santa greggia
che Domenico mena per cammino
u’ ben s’impingua se non si vaneggia. ^10.096

He who is nearest on my right was both
my brother and my teacher: from Cologne,
Albert, and I am Thomas of Aquino.

Questi che m’è a destra più vicino,
frate e maestro fummi, ed esso Alberto
è di Cologna, e io Thomas d’Aquino. ^10.099

If you would know who all the others are,
then even as I speak let your eyes follow,
making their way around the holy wreath.

Se sì di tutti li altri esser vuo’ certo,
di retro al mio parlar ten vien col viso
girando su per lo beato serto. ^10.102

That next flame issues from the smile of Gratian,
who served one and the other court of law
so well that his work pleases Paradise.

Quell’altro fiammeggiare esce del riso
di Grazian, che l’uno e l’altro foro
aiutò sì che piace in paradiso. ^10.105

That other, who adorns our choir next-
he was that Peter who, like the poor widow,
offered his treasure to the Holy Church.

L’altro ch’appresso addorna il nostro coro,
quel Pietro fu che con la poverella
offerse a Santa Chiesa suo tesoro. ^10.108

The fifth light, and the fairest light among us,
breathes forth such love that all the world below
hungers for tidings of it; in that flame

La quinta luce, ch’è tra noi più bella,
spira di tal amor, che tutto ‘l mondo
là giù ne gola di saper novella: ^10.111

there is the lofty mind where such profound
wisdom was placed that, if the truth be true,
no other ever rose with so much vision.

entro v’è l’alta mente u’ sì profondo
saver fu messo, che, se ‘l vero è vero
a veder tanto non surse il secondo. ^10.114

Next you can see the radiance of that candle
which, in the flesh, below, beheld most deeply
the angels’ nature and their ministry.

Appresso vedi il lume di quel cero
che giù in carne più a dentro vide
l’angelica natura e ‘l ministero. ^10.117

Within the other little light there smiles
that champion of the Christian centuries
whose narrative was used by Augustine.

Ne l’altra piccioletta luce ride
quello avvocato de’ tempi cristiani
del cui latino Augustin si provide. ^10.120

Now, if your mind’s eye, following my praising,
was drawn from light to light, you must already
be thirsting for the eighth: within that light,

Or se tu l’occhio de la mente trani
di luce in luce dietro a le mie lode,
già de l’ottava con sete rimani. ^10.123

because he saw the Greatest Good, rejoices
the blessed soul who makes the world’s deceit
most plain to all who hear him carefully.

Per vedere ogni ben dentro vi gode
l’anima santa che ‘l mondo fallace
fa manifesto a chi di lei ben ode. ^10.126

The flesh from which his soul was banished lies
below, within Cieldauro, and he came
from martyrdom and exile to this peace.

Lo corpo ond’ella fu cacciata giace
giuso in Cieldauro; ed essa da martiro
e da essilio venne a questa pace. ^10.129

Beyond, you see, flaming, the ardent spirits
of Isidore and Bede and Richard-he
whose meditation made him more than man.

Vedi oltre fiammeggiar l’ardente spiro
d’Isidoro, di Beda e di Riccardo,
che a considerar fu più che viro. ^10.132

This light from whom your gaze returns to me
contains a spirit whose oppressive thoughts
made him see death as coming much too slowly:

Questi onde a me ritorna il tuo riguardo,
è ‘l lume d’uno spirto che ‘n pensieri
gravi a morir li parve venir tardo: ^10.135

it is the everlasting light of Siger,
who when he lectured in the Street of Straw
demonstrated truths that earned him envy.”

essa è la luce etterna di Sigieri,
che, leggendo nel Vico de li Strami,
silogizzò invidiosi veri». ^10.138

Then, like a clock that calls us at the hour
in which the Bride of God, on waking, sings
matins to her Bridegroom, encouraging

Indi, come orologio che ne chiami
ne l’ora che la sposa di Dio surge
a mattinar lo sposo perché l’ami, ^10.141

His love (when each clock-part both drives and draws),
chiming the sounds with notes so sweet that those
with spirit well-disposed feel their love grow;

che l’una parte e l’altra tira e urge,
tin tin sonando con sì dolce nota,
che ‘l ben disposto spirto d’amor turge; ^10.144

so did I see the wheel that moved in glory
go round and render voice to voice with such
sweetness and such accord that they can not

così vid’io la gloriosa rota
muoversi e render voce a voce in tempra
e in dolcezza ch’esser non pò nota ^10.147

be known except where joy is everlasting

se non colà dove gioir s’insempra. ^10.148

CANTO 11

CANTO 11
(Francis of Assisi)

O senseless cares of mortals, how deceiving
are syllogistic reasonings that bring
your wings to flight so low, to earthly things!

O insensata cura de’ mortali,
quanto son difettivi silogismi
quei che ti fanno in basso batter l’ali! ^11.003

One studied law and one the Aphorisms
of the physicians; one was set on priesthood
and one, through force or fraud, on rulership;

Chi dietro a iura, e chi ad amforismi
sen giva, e chi seguendo sacerdozio,
e chi regnar per forza o per sofismi, ^11.006

one meant to plunder, one to politick;
one labored, tangled in delights of flesh,
and one was fully bent on indolence;

e chi rubare, e chi civil negozio,
chi nel diletto de la carne involto
s’affaticava e chi si dava a l’ozio, ^11.009

while I, delivered from our servitude
to all these things, was in the height of heaven
with Beatrice, so gloriously welcomed.

quando, da tutte queste cose sciolto,
con Beatrice m’era suso in cielo
cotanto gloriosamente accolto. ^11.012

After each of those spirits had returned
to that place in the ring where it had been,
it halted, like a candle in its stand.

Poi che ciascuno fu tornato ne lo
punto del cerchio in che avanti s’era,
fermossi, come a candellier candelo. ^11.015

And from within the splendor that had spoken
to me before, I heard him, as he smiled-
become more radiant, more pure-begin:

E io senti’ dentro a quella lumera
che pria m’avea parlato, sorridendo
incominciar, faccendosi più mera: ^11.018

“Even as I grow bright within Its rays,
so, as I gaze at the Eternal Light,
I can perceive your thoughts and see their cause.

«Così com’io del suo raggio resplendo,
sì, riguardando ne la luce etterna,
li tuoi pensieri onde cagioni apprendo. ^11.021

You are in doubt; you want an explanation
in language that is open and expanded,
so clear that it contents your understanding

Tu dubbi, e hai voler che si ricerna
in sì aperta e ‘n sì distesa lingua
lo dicer mio, ch’al tuo sentir si sterna, ^11.024

of two points: where I said, ‘They fatten well,’
and where I said, ‘No other ever rose’-
and here one has to make a clear distinction.

ove dinanzi dissi “U’ ben s’impingua”,
e là u’ dissi “Non nacque il secondo”;
e qui è uopo che ben si distingua. ^11.027

The Providence that rules the world with wisdom
so fathomless that creatures’ intellects
are vanquished and can never probe its depth,

La provedenza, che governa il mondo
con quel consiglio nel quale ogne aspetto
creato è vinto pria che vada al fondo, ^11.030

so that the Bride of Him who, with loud cries,
had wed her with His blessed blood, might meet
her Love with more fidelity and more

però che andasse ver’ lo suo diletto
la sposa di colui ch’ad alte grida
disposò lei col sangue benedetto, ^11.033

assurance in herself, on her behalf
commanded that there be two princes, one
on this side, one on that side, as her guides.

in sé sicura e anche a lui più fida,
due principi ordinò in suo favore,
che quinci e quindi le fosser per guida. ^11.036

One prince was all seraphic in his ardor;
the other, for his wisdom, had possessed
the splendor of cherubic light on earth.

L’un fu tutto serafico in ardore;
l’altro per sapienza in terra fue
di cherubica luce uno splendore. ^11.039

I shall devote my tale to one, because
in praising either prince one praises both:
the labors of the two were toward one goal.

De l’un dirò, però che d’amendue
si dice l’un pregiando, qual ch’om prende,
perch’ad un fine fur l’opere sue. ^11.042

Between Topino’s stream and that which flows
down from the hill the blessed Ubaldo chose,
from a high peak there hangs a fertile slope;

Intra Tupino e l’acqua che discende
del colle eletto dal beato Ubaldo,
fertile costa d’alto monte pende, ^11.045

from there Perugia feels both heat and cold
at Porta Sole, while behind it sorrow
Nocera and Gualdo under their hard yoke.

onde Perugia sente freddo e caldo
da Porta Sole; e di rietro le piange
per grave giogo Nocera con Gualdo. ^11.048

From this hillside, where it abates its rise,
a sun was born into the world, much like
this sun when it is climbing from the Ganges.

Di questa costa, là dov’ella frange
più sua rattezza, nacque al mondo un sole,
come fa questo tal volta di Gange. ^11.051

Therefore let him who names this site not say
Ascesi, which would be to say too little,
but Orient, if he would name it rightly.

Però chi d’esso loco fa parole,
non dica Ascesi, ché direbbe corto,
ma Oriente, se proprio dir vuole. ^11.054

That sun was not yet very distant from
his rising, when he caused the earth to take
some comfort from his mighty influence;

Non era ancor molto lontan da l’orto,
ch’el cominciò a far sentir la terra
de la sua gran virtute alcun conforto; ^11.057

for even as a youth, he ran to war
against his father, on behalf of her-
the lady unto whom, just as to death,

ché per tal donna, giovinetto, in guerra
del padre corse, a cui, come a la morte,
la porta del piacer nessun diserra; ^11.060

none willingly unlocks the door; before
his spiritual court et coram patre,
he wed her; day by day he loved her more.

e dinanzi a la sua spirital corte
et coram patre le si fece unito;
poscia di dì in dì l’amò più forte. ^11.063

She was bereft of her first husband; scorned,
obscure, for some eleven hundred years,
until that sun came, she had had no suitor.

Questa, privata del primo marito,
millecent’anni e più dispetta e scura
fino a costui si stette sanza invito; ^11.066

Nor did it help her when men heard that he
who made earth tremble found her unafraid-
serene, with Amyclas-when he addressed her;

né valse udir che la trovò sicura
con Amiclate, al suon de la sua voce,
colui ch’a tutto ‘l mondo fé paura; ^11.069

nor did her constancy and courage help
when she, even when Mary stayed below,
suffered with Christ upon the cross. But so

né valse esser costante né feroce,
sì che, dove Maria rimase giuso,
ella con Cristo pianse in su la croce. ^11.072

that I not tell my tale too darkly, you
may now take Francis and take Poverty
to be the lovers meant in my recounting.

Ma perch’io non proceda troppo chiuso,
Francesco e Povertà per questi amanti
prendi oramai nel mio parlar diffuso. ^11.075

Their harmony and their glad looks, their love
and wonder and their gentle contemplation,
served others as a source of holy thoughts;

La lor concordia e i lor lieti sembianti,
amore e maraviglia e dolce sguardo
facieno esser cagion di pensier santi; ^11.078

so much so, that the venerable Bernard
went barefoot first; he hurried toward such peace;
and though he ran, he thought his pace too slow.

tanto che ‘l venerabile Bernardo
si scalzò prima, e dietro a tanta pace
corse e, correndo, li parve esser tardo. ^11.081

O wealth unknown! O good that is so fruitful!
Egidius goes barefoot, and Sylvester,
behind the groom-the bride delights them so.

Oh ignota ricchezza! oh ben ferace!
Scalzasi Egidio, scalzasi Silvestro
dietro a lo sposo, sì la sposa piace. ^11.084

Then Francis-father, master-goes his way
with both his lady and his family,
the lowly cord already round their waists.

Indi sen va quel padre e quel maestro
con la sua donna e con quella famiglia
che già legava l’umile capestro. ^11.087

Nor did he lower his eyes in shame because
he was the son of Pietro Bernardone,
nor for the scorn and wonder he aroused;

Né li gravò viltà di cuor le ciglia
per esser fi’ di Pietro Bernardone,
né per parer dispetto a maraviglia; ^11.090

but like a sovereign, he disclosed in full-
to Innocent-the sternness of his rule;
from him he had the first seal of his order.

ma regalmente sua dura intenzione
ad Innocenzio aperse, e da lui ebbe
primo sigillo a sua religione. ^11.093

And after many of the poor had followed
Francis, whose wondrous life were better sung
by glory’s choir in the Empyrean,

Poi che la gente poverella crebbe
dietro a costui, la cui mirabil vita
meglio in gloria del ciel si canterebbe, ^11.096

the sacred purpose of this chief of shepherds
was then encircled with a second crown
by the Eternal Spirit through Honorius.

di seconda corona redimita
fu per Onorio da l’Etterno Spiro
la santa voglia d’esto archimandrita. ^11.099

And after, in his thirst for martyrdom,
within the presence of the haughty Sultan,
he preached of Christ and those who followed Him.

E poi che, per la sete del martiro,
ne la presenza del Soldan superba
predicò Cristo e li altri che ‘l seguiro, ^11.102

But, finding hearers who were too unripe
to be converted, he-not wasting time-
returned to harvest the Italian fields;

e per trovare a conversione acerba
troppo la gente e per non stare indarno,
redissi al frutto de l’italica erba, ^11.105

there, on the naked crag between the Arno
and Tiber, he received the final seal
from Christ; and this, his limbs bore for two years.

nel crudo sasso intra Tevero e Arno
da Cristo prese l’ultimo sigillo,
che le sue membra due anni portarno. ^11.108

When He who destined Francis to such goodness
was pleased to draw him up to the reward
that he had won through his humility,

Quando a colui ch’a tanto ben sortillo
piacque di trarlo suso a la mercede
ch’el meritò nel suo farsi pusillo, ^11.111

then to his brothers, as to rightful heirs,
Francis commended his most precious lady,
and he bade them to love her faithfully;

a’ frati suoi, sì com’a giuste rede,
raccomandò la donna sua più cara,
e comandò che l’amassero a fede; ^11.114

and when, returning to its kingdom, his
bright soul wanted to set forth from her bosom,
it, for its body, asked no other bier.

e del suo grembo l’anima preclara
mover si volle, tornando al suo regno,
e al suo corpo non volle altra bara. ^11.117

Consider now that man who was a colleague
worthy of Francis; with him, in high seas,
he kept the bark of Peter on true course.

Pensa oramai qual fu colui che degno
collega fu a mantener la barca
di Pietro in alto mar per dritto segno; ^11.120

Such was our patriarch; thus you can see
that those who follow him as he commands,
as cargo carry worthy merchandise.

e questo fu il nostro patriarca;
per che qual segue lui, com’el comanda,
discerner puoi che buone merce carca. ^11.123

But now his flock is grown so greedy for
new nourishment that it must wander far,
in search of strange and distant grazing lands;

Ma ‘l suo pecuglio di nova vivanda
è fatto ghiotto, sì ch’esser non puote
che per diversi salti non si spanda; ^11.126

and as his sheep, remote and vagabond,
stray farther from his side, at their return
into the fold, their lack of milk is greater.

e quanto le sue pecore remote
e vagabunde più da esso vanno,
più tornano a l’ovil di latte vòte. ^11.129

Though there are some indeed who, fearing harm,
stay near the shepherd, they are few in number-
to cowl them would require little cloth.

Ben son di quelle che temono ‘l danno
e stringonsi al pastor; ma son sì poche,
che le cappe fornisce poco panno. ^11.132

Now if my words are not too dim and distant,
if you have listened carefully to them,
if you can call to mind what has been said,

Or, se le mie parole non son fioche,
se la tua audienza è stata attenta,
se ciò ch’è detto a la mente revoche, ^11.135

then part of what you wish to know is answered,
for you will see the splinters on the plant
and see what my correction meant: ‘Where one

in parte fia la tua voglia contenta,
perché vedrai la pianta onde si scheggia,
e vedra’ il corrègger che argomenta ^11.138

may fatten well, if one does not stray off.’“

“U’ ben s’impingua, se non si vaneggia”». ^11.139

CANTO 12

CANTO 12
(Bonaventure, Dominic)

NO sooner had the blessed flame begun
to speak its final word than the millstone
of holy lights began to turn, but it

Sì tosto come l’ultima parola
la benedetta fiamma per dir tolse,
a rotar cominciò la santa mola; ^12.003

was not yet done with one full revolution
before another ring surrounded it,
and motion matched with motion, song with song-

e nel suo giro tutta non si volse
prima ch’un’altra di cerchio la chiuse,
e moto a moto e canto a canto colse; ^12.006

a song that, sung by those sweet instruments,
surpasses so our Muses and our Sirens
as firstlight does the light that is reflected.

canto che tanto vince nostre muse,
nostre serene in quelle dolci tube,
quanto primo splendor quel ch’e’ refuse. ^12.009

Just as, concentric, like in color, two
rainbows will curve their way through a thin cloud
when Juno has commanded her handmaid,

Come si volgon per tenera nube
due archi paralelli e concolori,
quando Iunone a sua ancella iube, ^12.012

the outer rainbow echoing the inner,
much like the voice of one-the wandering nymph-
whom love consumed as sun consumes the mist

nascendo di quel d’entro quel di fori,
a guisa del parlar di quella vaga
ch’amor consunse come sol vapori; ^12.015

(and those two bows let people here foretell,
by reason of the pact God made with Noah,
that flood will never strike the world again):

e fanno qui la gente esser presaga,
per lo patto che Dio con Noè puose,
del mondo che già mai più non s’allaga: ^12.018

so the two garlands of those everlasting
roses circled around us, and so did
the outer circle mime the inner ring.

così di quelle sempiterne rose
volgiensi circa noi le due ghirlande,
e sì l’estrema a l’intima rispuose. ^12.021

When dance and jubilation, festival
of song and flame that answered flame, of light
with light, of gladness and benevolence,

Poi che ‘l tripudio e l’altra festa grande,
sì del cantare e sì del fiammeggiarsi
luce con luce gaudiose e blande, ^12.024

in one same instant, with one will, fell still
(just as the eyes, when moved by their desire,
can only close and open in accord),

insieme a punto e a voler quetarsi,
pur come li occhi ch’al piacer che i move
conviene insieme chiudere e levarsi; ^12.027

then from the heart of one of the new lights
there came a voice, and as I turned toward it,
I seemed a needle turning to the polestar;

del cor de l’una de le luci nove
si mosse voce, che l’ago a la stella
parer mi fece in volgermi al suo dove; ^12.030

and it began: “The love that makes me fair
draws me to speak about the other leader
because of whom my own was so praised here.

e cominciò: «L’amor che mi fa bella
mi tragge a ragionar de l’altro duca
per cui del mio sì ben ci si favella. ^12.033

Where one is, it is right to introduce
the other: side by side, they fought, so may
they share in glory and together gleam.

Degno è che, dov’è l’un, l’altro s’induca:
sì che, com’elli ad una militaro,
così la gloria loro insieme luca. ^12.036

Christ’s army, whose rearming cost so dearly,
was slow, uncertain of itself, and scanty
behind its ensign, when the Emperor

L’essercito di Cristo, che sì caro
costò a riarmar, dietro a la ‘nsegna
si movea tardo, sospeccioso e raro, ^12.039

who rules forever helped his ranks in danger-
only out of His grace and not their merits.
And, as was said, He then sustained His bride,

quando lo ‘mperador che sempre regna
provide a la milizia, ch’era in forse,
per sola grazia, non per esser degna; ^12.042

providing her with two who could revive
a straggling people: champions who would
by doing and by preaching bring new life.

e, come è detto, a sua sposa soccorse
con due campioni, al cui fare, al cui dire
lo popol disviato si raccorse. ^12.045

In that part of the West where gentle zephyr
rises to open those new leaves in which
Europe appears reclothed, not far from where,

In quella parte ove surge ad aprire
Zefiro dolce le novelle fronde
di che si vede Europa rivestire, ^12.048

behind the waves that beat upon the coast,
the sun, grown weary from its lengthy course,
at times conceals itself from all men’s eyes-

non molto lungi al percuoter de l’onde
dietro a le quali, per la lunga foga,
lo sol talvolta ad ogne uom si nasconde, ^12.051

there, Calaroga, blessed by fortune, sits
under the aegis of the mighty shield
on which the lion loses and prevails.

siede la fortunata Calaroga
sotto la protezion del grande scudo
in che soggiace il leone e soggioga: ^12.054

Within its walls was born the loving vassal
of Christian faith, the holy athlete, one
kind to his own and harsh to enemies;

dentro vi nacque l’amoroso drudo
de la fede cristiana, il santo atleta
benigno a’ suoi e a’ nemici crudo; ^12.057

no sooner was his mind created than
it was so full of living force that it,
still in his mother’s womb, made her prophetic.

e come fu creata, fu repleta
sì la sua mente di viva vertute,
che, ne la madre, lei fece profeta. ^12.060

Then, at the sacred font, where Faith and he
brought mutual salvation as their dowry,
the rites of their espousal were complete.

Poi che le sponsalizie fuor compiute
al sacro fonte intra lui e la Fede,
u’ si dotar di mutua salute, ^12.063

The lady who had given the assent
for him saw, in a dream, astonishing
fruit that would spring from him and from his heirs.

la donna che per lui l’assenso diede,
vide nel sonno il mirabile frutto
ch’uscir dovea di lui e de le rede; ^12.066

And that his name might echo what he was,
a spirit moved from here to have him called
by the possessive of the One by whom

e perché fosse qual era in costrutto,
quinci si mosse spirito a nomarlo
del possessivo di cui era tutto. ^12.069

he was possessed completely. Dominic
became his name; I speak of him as one
whom Christ chose as the worker in His garden.

Domenico fu detto; e io ne parlo
sì come de l’agricola che Cristo
elesse a l’orto suo per aiutarlo. ^12.072

He seemed the fitting messenger and servant
of Christ: the very first love that he showed
was for the first injunction Christ had given.

Ben parve messo e famigliar di Cristo:
che ‘l primo amor che ‘n lui fu manifesto,
fu al primo consiglio che diè Cristo. ^12.075

His nurse would often find him on the ground,
alert and silent, in a way that said:
‘It is for this that I have come.’ Truly,

Spesse fiate fu tacito e desto
trovato in terra da la sua nutrice,
come dicesse: ‘Io son venuto a questo’. ^12.078

his father was Felice and his mother
Giovanna if her name, interpreted,
is in accord with what has been asserted.

Oh padre suo veramente Felice!
oh madre sua veramente Giovanna,
se, interpretata, val come si dice! ^12.081

Not for the world, for which men now travail
along Taddeo’s way or Ostian’s,
but through his love of the true manna, he

Non per lo mondo, per cui mo s’affanna
di retro ad Ostiense e a Taddeo,
ma per amor de la verace manna ^12.084

became, in a brief time, so great a teacher
that he began to oversee the vineyard
that withers when neglected by its keeper.

in picciol tempo gran dottor si feo;
tal che si mise a circuir la vigna
che tosto imbianca, se ‘l vignaio è reo. ^12.087

And from the seat that once was kinder to
the righteous poor (and now has gone astray,
not in itself, but in its occupant),

E a la sedia che fu già benigna
più a’ poveri giusti, non per lei,
ma per colui che siede, che traligna, ^12.090

he did not ask to offer two or three
for six, nor for a vacant benefice,
nor decimas, quae sunt pauperum Dei-

non dispensare o due o tre per sei,
non la fortuna di prima vacante,
non decimas, quae sunt pauperum Dei, ^12.093

but pleaded for the right to fight against
the erring world, to serve the seed from which
there grew the four-and-twenty plants that ring you.

addimandò, ma contro al mondo errante
licenza di combatter per lo
del qual ti fascian ventiquattro piante.
seme ^12.096

Then he, with both his learning and his zeal,
and with his apostolic office, like
a torrent hurtled from a mountain source,

Poi, con dottrina e con volere insieme,
con l’officio appostolico si mosse
quasi torrente ch’alta vena preme; ^12.099

coursed, and his impetus, with greatest force,
struck where the thickets of the heretics
offered the most resistance. And from him

e ne li sterpi eretici percosse
l’impeto suo, più vivamente quivi
dove le resistenze eran più grosse. ^12.102

there sprang the streams with which the catholic
garden has found abundant watering,
so that its saplings have more life, more green.

Di lui si fecer poi diversi rivi
onde l’orto catolico si riga,
sì che i suoi arbuscelli stan più vivi. ^12.105

If such was one wheel of the chariot
in which the Holy Church, in her defense,
taking the field, defeated enemies

Se tal fu l’una rota de la biga
in che la Santa Chiesa si difese
e vinse in campo la sua civil briga, ^12.108

within, then you must see the excellence
of him-the other wheel-whom Thomas praised
so graciously before I made my entry.

ben ti dovrebbe assai esser palese
l’eccellenza de l’altra, di cui Tomma
dinanzi al mio venir fu sì cortese. ^12.111

And yet the track traced by the outer rim
of that wheel is abandoned now-as in
a cask of wine when crust gives way to mold.

Ma l’orbita che fé la parte somma
di sua circunferenza, è derelitta,
sì ch’è la muffa dov’era la gromma. ^12.114

His family, which once advanced with steps
that followed his footprints, has now turned back:
its forward foot now seeks the foot that lags.

La sua famiglia, che si mosse dritta
coi piedi a le sue orme, è tanto volta,
che quel dinanzi a quel di retro gitta; ^12.117

And soon we are to see, at harvest time,
the poor grain gathered, when the tares will be
denied a place within the bin-and weep.

e tosto si vedrà de la ricolta
de la mala coltura, quando il loglio
si lagnerà che l’arca li sia tolta. ^12.120

I do admit that, if one were to search
our volume leaf by leaf, he might still read
one page with, ‘I am as I always was’;

Ben dico, chi cercasse a foglio a foglio
nostro volume, ancor troveria carta
u’ leggerebbe “I’ mi son quel ch’i’ soglio”; ^12.123

but those of Acquasparta or Casale
who read our Rule are either given to
escaping it or making it too strict.

ma non fia da Casal né d’Acquasparta,
là onde vegnon tali a la scrittura,
ch’uno la fugge e altro la coarta. ^12.126

I am the living light of Bonaventure
of Bagnorea; in high offices
I always put the left-hand interests last.

Io son la vita di Bonaventura
da Bagnoregio, che ne’ grandi offici
sempre pospuosi la sinistra cura. ^12.129

Illuminato and Augustine are here;
they were among the first unshod poor brothers
to wear the cord, becoming friends of God.

Illuminato e Augustin son quici,
che fuor de’ primi scalzi poverelli
che nel capestro a Dio si fero amici. ^12.132

Hugh of St. Victor, too, is here with them;
Peter of Spain, who, with his twelve books, glows
on earth below; and Peter Book-Devourer,

Ugo da San Vittore è qui con elli,
e Pietro Mangiadore e Pietro Spano,
lo qual giù luce in dodici libelli; ^12.135

Nathan the prophet, Anselm, and Chrysostom
the Metropolitan, and that Donatus
who deigned to deal with that art which comes first.

Natàn profeta e ‘l metropolitano
Crisostomo e Anselmo e quel Donato
ch’a la prim’arte degnò porre mano. ^12.138

Rabanus, too, is here; and at my side
shines the Calabrian Abbot Joachim,
who had the gift of the prophetic spirit.

Rabano è qui, e lucemi dallato
il calavrese abate Giovacchino,
di spirito profetico dotato. ^12.141

To this-my praise of such a paladin-
the glowing courtesy and the discerning
language of Thomas urged me on and stirred,

Ad inveggiar cotanto paladino
mi mosse l’infiammata cortesia
di fra Tommaso e ‘l discreto latino; ^12.144

with me, the souls that form this company.”

e mosse meco questa compagnia». ^12.145

CANTO 13

CANTO 13
(The Cosmic Dance)

LET him imagine, who would rightly seize
what I saw now-and let him while I speak
retain that image like a steadfast rock-

Imagini, chi bene intender cupe
quel ch’i’ or vidi - e ritegna l’image,
mentre ch’io dico, come ferma rupe -, ^13.003

in heaven’s different parts, those fifteen stars
that quicken heaven with such radiance
as to undo the air’s opacities;

quindici stelle che ‘n diverse plage
lo ciel avvivan di tanto sereno
che soperchia de l’aere ogne compage; ^13.006

let him imagine, too, that Wain which stays
within our heaven’s bosom night and day,
so that its turning never leaves our sight;

imagini quel carro a cu’ il seno
basta del nostro cielo e notte e giorno,
sì ch’al volger del temo non vien meno; ^13.009

let him imagine those two stars that form
the mouth of that Horn which begins atop
the axle round which the first wheel revolves;

imagini la bocca di quel corno
che si comincia in punta de lo stelo
a cui la prima rota va dintorno, ^13.012

then see these join to form two signs in heaven-
just like the constellation that was shaped
by Minos’ daughter when she felt death’s chill-

aver fatto di sé due segni in cielo,
qual fece la figliuola di Minoi
allora che sentì di morte il gelo; ^13.015

two signs with corresponding radii,
revolving so that one sign moves in one
direction, and the other in a second;

e l’un ne l’altro aver li raggi suoi,
e amendue girarsi per maniera
che l’uno andasse al primo e l’altro al poi; ^13.018

and he will have a shadow-as it were-
of the true constellation, the double dance
that circled round the point where I was standing:

e avrà quasi l’ombra de la vera
costellazione e de la doppia danza
che circulava il punto dov’io era: ^13.021

a shadow-since its truth exceeds our senses,
just as the swiftest of all heavens is
more swift than the Chiana’s sluggishness.

poi ch’è tanto di là da nostra usanza,
quanto di là dal mover de la Chiana
si move il ciel che tutti li altri avanza. ^13.024

They sang no Bacchus there, they sang no Paean,
but sang three Persons in the divine nature,
and in one Person the divine and human.

Lì si cantò non Bacco, non Peana,
ma tre persone in divina natura,
e in una persona essa e l’umana. ^13.027

The singing and the dance fulfilled their measure;
and then those holy lights gave heed to us,
rejoicing as they turned from task to task.

Compié ‘l cantare e ‘l volger sua misura;
e attesersi a noi quei santi lumi,
felicitando sé di cura in cura. ^13.030

The silence of the blessed fellowship
was broken by the very light from which
I heard the wondrous life of God’s poor man;

Ruppe il silenzio ne’ concordi numi
poscia la luce in che mirabil vita
del poverel di Dio narrata fumi, ^13.033

that light said: “Since one stalk is threshed, and since
its grain is in the granary already,
sweet love leads me to thresh the other stalk.

e disse: «Quando l’una paglia è trita,
quando la sua semenza è già riposta,
a batter l’altra dolce amor m’invita. ^13.036

You think that any light which human nature
can rightfully possess was all infused
by that Force which had shaped both of these two:

Tu credi che nel petto onde la costa
si trasse per formar la bella guancia
il cui palato a tutto ‘l mondo costa, ^13.039

the one out of whose chest was drawn the rib
from which was formed the lovely cheek whose palate
was then to prove so costly to the world;

e in quel che, forato da la lancia,
e prima e poscia tanto sodisfece,
che d’ogne colpa vince la bilancia, ^13.042

and One whose chest was transfixed by the lance,
who satisfied all past and future sins,
outweighing them upon the scales of justice.

quantunque a la natura umana lece
aver di lume, tutto fosse infuso
da quel valor che l’uno e l’altro fece; ^13.045

Therefore you wondered at my words when I-
before-said that no other ever vied
with that great soul enclosed in the fifth light.

e però miri a ciò ch’io dissi suso,
quando narrai che non ebbe ‘l secondo
lo ben che ne la quinta luce è chiuso. ^13.048

Now let your eyes hold fast to my reply,
and you will see: truth centers both my speech
and your belief, just like a circle’s center.

Or apri li occhi a quel ch’io ti rispondo,
e vedrai il tuo credere e ‘l mio dire
nel vero farsi come centro in tondo. ^13.051

Both that which never dies and that which dies
are only the reflected light of that
Idea which our Sire, with Love, begets;

Ciò che non more e ciò che può morire
non è se non splendor di quella idea
che partorisce, amando, il nostro Sire; ^13.054

because the living Light that pours out so
from Its bright Source that It does not disjoin
from It or from the Love intrined with them,

ché quella viva luce che sì mea
dal suo lucente, che non si disuna
da lui né da l’amor ch’a lor s’intrea, ^13.057

through Its own goodness gathers up Its rays
within nine essences, as in a mirror,
Itself eternally remaining One.

per sua bontate il suo raggiare aduna,
quasi specchiato, in nove sussistenze,
etternalmente rimanendosi una. ^13.060

From there, from act to act, light then descends
down to the last potentialities,
where it is such that it engenders nothing

Quindi discende a l’ultime potenze
giù d’atto in atto, tanto divenendo,
che più non fa che brevi contingenze; ^13.063

but brief contingent things, by which I mean
the generated things the moving heavens
bring into being, with or without seed.

e queste contingenze essere intendo
le cose generate, che produce
con seme e sanza seme il ciel movendo. ^13.066

The wax of such things and what shapes that wax
are not immutable; and thus, beneath
Idea’s stamp, light shines through more or less.

La cera di costoro e chi la duce
non sta d’un modo; e però sotto ‘l segno
ideale poi più e men traluce. ^13.069

Thus it can be that, in the selfsame species,
some trees bear better fruit and some bear worse,
and men are born with different temperaments.

Ond’elli avvien ch’un medesimo legno,
secondo specie, meglio e peggio frutta;
e voi nascete con diverso ingegno. ^13.072

For were the wax appropriately readied,
and were the heaven’s power at its height,
the brightness of the seal would show completely;

Se fosse a punto la cera dedutta
e fosse il cielo in sua virtù supprema,
la luce del suggel parrebbe tutta; ^13.075

but Nature always works defectively-
she passes on that light much like an artist
who knows his craft but has a hand that trembles.

ma la natura la dà sempre scema,
similemente operando a l’artista
ch’a l’abito de l’arte ha man che trema. ^13.078

Yet where the ardent Love prepares and stamps
the lucid Vision of the primal Power,
a being then acquires complete perfection.

Però se ‘l caldo amor la chiara vista
de la prima virtù dispone e segna,
tutta la perfezion quivi s’acquista. ^13.081

In that way, earth was once made worthy of
the full perfection of a living being;
thus was the Virgin made to be with child.

Così fu fatta già la terra degna
di tutta l’animal perfezione;
così fu fatta la Vergine pregna; ^13.084

So that I do approve of the opinion
you hold: that human nature never was
nor shall be what it was in those two persons.

sì ch’io commendo tua oppinione,
che l’umana natura mai non fue
né fia qual fu in quelle due persone. ^13.087

Now if I said no more beyond this point,
your words might well begin, ‘How is it, then,
with your assertion of his matchless vision?’

Or s’i’ non procedesse avanti piùe,
‘Dunque, come costui fu sanza pare?’
comincerebber le parole tue. ^13.090

But so that the obscure can be made plain,
consider who he was, what was the cause
of his request when he was told, ‘Do ask.’

Ma perché paia ben ciò che non pare,
pensa chi era, e la cagion che ‘l mosse,
quando fu detto “Chiedi”, a dimandare. ^13.093

My words did not prevent your seeing clearly
that it was as a king that he had asked
for wisdom that would serve his royal task-

Non ho parlato sì, che tu non posse
ben veder ch’el fu re, che chiese senno
acciò che re sufficiente fosse; ^13.096

and not to know the number of the angels
on high or, if combined with a contingent,
necesse ever can produce necesse,

non per sapere il numero in che enno
li motor di qua sù, o se necesse
con contingente mai necesse fenno; ^13.099

or si est dare primum motum esse,
or if, within a semicircle, one
can draw a triangle with no right angle.

non si est dare primum motum esse,
o se del mezzo cerchio far si puote
triangol sì ch’un retto non avesse. ^13.102

Thus, if you note both what I said and say,
by ‘matchless vision’ it is kingly prudence
my arrow of intention means to strike;

Onde, se ciò ch’io dissi e questo note,
regal prudenza è quel vedere impari
in che lo stral di mia intenzion percuote; ^13.105

and if you turn clear eyes to that word ‘rose,’
you’ll see that it referred to kings alone-
kings, who are many, and the good are rare.

e se al “surse” drizzi li occhi chiari,
vedrai aver solamente respetto
ai regi, che son molti, e ‘ buon son rari. ^13.108

Take what I said with this distinction then;
in that way it accords with what you thought
of the first father and of our Beloved.

Con questa distinzion prendi ‘l mio detto;
e così puote star con quel che credi
del primo padre e del nostro Diletto. ^13.111

And let this weigh as lead to slow your steps,
to make you move as would a weary man
to yes or no when you do not see clearly:

E questo ti sia sempre piombo a’ piedi,
per farti mover lento com’uom lasso
e al sì e al no che tu non vedi: ^13.114

whether he would affirm or would deny,
he who decides without distinguishing
must be among the most obtuse of men;

ché quelli è tra li stolti bene a basso,
che sanza distinzione afferma e nega
ne l’un così come ne l’altro passo; ^13.117

opinion-hasty-often can incline
to the wrong side, and then affection for
one’s own opinion binds, confines the mind.

perch’elli ‘ncontra che più volte piega
l’oppinion corrente in falsa parte,
e poi l’affetto l’intelletto lega. ^13.120

Far worse than uselessly he leaves the shore
(more full of error than he was before)
who fishes for the truth but lacks the art.

Vie più che ‘ndarno da riva si parte,
perché non torna tal qual e’ si move,
chi pesca per lo vero e non ha l’arte. ^13.123

Of this, Parmenides, Melissus, Bryson,
are clear proofs to the world, and many others
who went their way but knew not where it went;

E di ciò sono al mondo aperte prove
Parmenide, Melisso e Brisso e molti,
li quali andaro e non sapean dove; ^13.126

so did Sabellius and Arius
and other fools-like concave blades that mirror-
who rendered crooked the straight face of Scriptures.

sì fé Sabellio e Arrio e quelli stolti
che furon come spade a le Scritture
in render torti li diritti volti. ^13.129

So, too, let men not be too confident
in judging-witness those who, in the field,
would count the ears before the corn is ripe;

Non sien le genti, ancor, troppo sicure
a giudicar, sì come quei che stima
le biade in campo pria che sien mature; ^13.132

for I have seen, all winter through, the brier
display itself as stiff and obstinate,
and later, on its summit, bear the rose;

ch’i’ ho veduto tutto ‘l verno prima
lo prun mostrarsi rigido e feroce;
poscia portar la rosa in su la cima; ^13.135

and once I saw a ship sail straight and swift
through all its voyaging across the sea,
then perish at the end, at harbor entry.

e legno vidi già dritto e veloce
correr lo mar per tutto suo cammino,
perire al fine a l’intrar de la foce. ^13.138

Let not Dame Bertha or Master Martin think
that they have shared God’s Counsel when they see
one rob and see another who donates:

Non creda donna Berta e ser Martino,
per vedere un furare, altro offerere,
vederli dentro al consiglio divino; ^13.141

the last may fall, the other may be saved.”

ché quel può surgere, e quel può cadere». ^13.142