CANTO 14
(Resurrection of The Body)

As vibrations pass outward and inward in a vessel filled with water, when disturbed by a blow, so the speech of the blessed spirits passed from Thomas in the circumference to Beatrice in the centre, and then back from her to the circumference. Dante has now become accustomed to the spirit world freed from those limitations of cor­poreal sense-organs of which he is himself still conscious, and the perplexity is diffusing itself within him, though not yet precipitated into definite thought, as to how it can be that the resurrection of the body shall not reimpose limitations and weariness upon the now emancipated souls, making the very glory of heaven painful. Or will that glory be then tempered? Beatrice requests an answer for this-yet his yet unspoken and even unthought demand; and when all have sung a hymn of praise, Solomon tells how human nature includes body and soul, and therefore the disembodied soul is less complete than the whole person when the soul shall be reclad with the glorified body. When more complete it will be more pleasing to God, and will so receive more of his grace (above its merit, though not given without relation thereto), and will thus see him more adequately and therefore love him more warmly and therein have greater joy, expressed in more dazzling brightness. But the organs of sense will be incapable of pain or weariness; no excess of delight will be be­yond their joyous grasp. The souls quiver in response to the refer­ence to the resurrection.

FROM rim to center, center out to rim,
so does the water move in a round vessel,
as it is struck without, or struck within.

Dal centro al cerchio,e sì dal cerchio al centro
movesi l’acqua in un ritondo vaso,
secondo ch’è percosso fuori o dentro: ^14.3

What I am saying fell most suddenly
into my mind, as soon as Thomas’s
glorious living flame fell silent, since

ne la mia mente fé sùbito caso
questo ch’io dico, sì come si tacque
la gloriosa vita di Tommaso, ^14.6

between his speech and that of Beatrice,
a similarity was born. And she,
when he was done, was pleased to start with this:

per la similitudine che nacque
del suo parlare e di quel di Beatrice,
a cui sì cominciar, dopo lui, piacque: ^14.9

“He does not tell you of it-not with speech
nor in his thoughts as yet-but this man needs
to reach the root of still another truth.

«A costui fa mestieri, e nol vi dice
né con la voce né pensando ancora,
d’un altro vero andare a la radice. ^14.012

Do tell him if that light with which your soul
blossoms will stay with you eternally
even as it is now; and if it stays,

Diteli se la luce onde s’infiora
vostra sustanza, rimarrà con voi
etternalmente sì com’ell’è ora; ^14.015

do tell him how, when you are once again
made visible, it will be possible
for you to see such light and not be harmed.”

e se rimane, dite come, poi
che sarete visibili rifatti,
esser porà ch’al veder non vi nòi». ^14.018

As dancers in a ring, when drawn and driven
by greater gladness, lift at times their voices
and dance their dance with more exuberance,

Come, da più letizia pinti e tratti,
a la fiata quei che vanno a rota
levan la voce e rallegrano li atti, ^14.021

so, when they heard that prompt, devout request,
the blessed circles showed new joyousness
in wheeling dance and in amazing song.

così, a l’orazion pronta e divota,
li santi cerchi mostrar nova gioia
nel torneare e ne la mira nota. ^14.024

Whoever weeps because on earth we die
that we may live on high, has never seen
eternal showers that bring refreshment there.

Qual si lamenta perché qui si moia
per viver colà sù, non vide quive
lo refrigerio de l’etterna ploia. ^14.027

That One and Two and Three who ever lives
and ever reigns in Three and Two and One,
not circumscribed and circumscribing all,

Quell’uno e due e tre che sempre vive
e regna sempre in tre e ‘n due e ‘n uno,
non circunscritto, e tutto circunscrive, ^14.030

was sung three times by each and all those souls
with such a melody that it would be
appropriate reward for every merit.

tre volte era cantato da ciascuno
di quelli spirti con tal melodia,
ch’ad ogne merto saria giusto muno. ^14.033

And I could hear within the smaller circle’s
divinest light a modest voice (perhaps
much like the angel’s voice in speech to Mary)

E io udi’ ne la luce più dia
del minor cerchio una voce modesta,
forse qual fu da l’angelo a Maria, ^14.036

reply: “As long as the festivity
of Paradise shall be, so long shall our
love radiate around us such a garment.

risponder: «Quanto fia lunga la festa
di paradiso, tanto il nostro amore
si raggerà dintorno cotal vesta. ^14.039

Its brightness takes its measure from our ardor,
our ardor from our vision, which is measured
by what grace each receives beyond his merit.

La sua chiarezza séguita l’ardore;
l’ardor la visione, e quella è tanta,
quant’ha di grazia sovra suo valore. ^14.042

When, glorified and sanctified, the flesh
is once again our dress, our persons shall,
in being all complete, please all the more;

Come la carne gloriosa e santa
fia rivestita, la nostra persona
più grata fia per esser tutta quanta; ^14.045

therefore, whatever light gratuitous
the Highest Good gives us will be enhanced-
the light that will allow us to see Him;

per che s’accrescerà ciò che ne dona
di gratuito lume il sommo bene,
lume ch’a lui veder ne condiziona; ^14.048

that light will cause our vision to increase,
the ardor vision kindles to increase,
the brightness born of ardor to increase.

onde la vision crescer convene,
crescer l’ardor che di quella s’accende,
crescer lo raggio che da esso vene. ^14.051

Yet even as a coal engenders flame,
but with intenser glow outshines it, so
that in that flame the coal persists, it shows,

Ma sì come carbon che fiamma rende,
e per vivo candor quella soverchia,
sì che la sua parvenza si difende; ^14.054

so will the brightness that envelops us
be then surpassed in visibility
by reborn flesh, which earth now covers up.

così questo folgór che già ne cerchia
fia vinto in apparenza da la carne
che tutto dì la terra ricoperchia; ^14.057

Nor will we tire when faced with such bright light,
for then the body’s organs will have force
enough for all in which we can delight.”

né potrà tanta luce affaticarne:
ché li organi del corpo saran forti
a tutto ciò che potrà dilettarne». ^14.060

One and the other choir seemed to me
so quick and keen to say “Amen” that they
showed clearly how they longed for their dead bodies-

Tanto mi parver sùbiti e accorti
e l’uno e l’altro coro a dicer «Amme!»,
che ben mostrar disio d’i corpi morti: ^14.063

not only for themselves, perhaps, but for
their mothers, fathers, and for others dear
to them before they were eternal flames.

forse non pur per lor, ma per le mamme,
per li padri e per li altri che fuor cari
anzi che fosser sempiterne fiamme. ^14.066

And-look!-beyond the light already there,
an added luster rose around those rings,
even as a horizon brightening.

Ed ecco intorno, di chiarezza pari,
nascere un lustro sopra quel che v’era,
per guisa d’orizzonte che rischiari. ^14.069

And even as, at the approach of evening,
new lights begin to show along the sky,
so that the sight seems and does not seem real,

E sì come al salir di prima sera
comincian per lo ciel nove parvenze,
sì che la vista pare e non par vera, ^14.072

it seemed to me that I began to see
new spirits there, forming a ring beyond
the choirs with their two circumferences.

parvemi lì novelle sussistenze
cominciare a vedere, e fare un giro
di fuor da l’altre due circunferenze. ^14.075

O the true sparkling of the Holy Ghost-
how rapid and how radiant before
my eyes that, overcome, could not sustain it!

Oh vero sfavillar del Santo Spiro!
come si fece sùbito e candente
a li occhi miei che, vinti, nol soffriro! ^14.078

But, smiling, Beatrice then showed to me
such loveliness-it must be left among
the visions that take flight from memory.

Ma Beatrice sì bella e ridente
mi si mostrò, che tra quelle vedute
si vuol lasciar che non seguir la mente. ^14.081

From this my eyes regained the strength to look
above again; I saw myself translated
to higher blessedness, alone with my

Quindi ripreser li occhi miei virtute
a rilevarsi; e vidimi translato
sol con mia donna in più alta salute. ^14.084

lady; and I was sure that I had risen
because the smiling star was red as fire-
beyond the customary red of Mars.

Ben m’accors’io ch’io era più levato,
per l’affocato riso de la stella,
che mi parea più roggio che l’usato. ^14.087

With all my heart and in that language which
is one for all, for this new grace I gave
to God my holocaust, appropriate.

Con tutto ‘l core e con quella favella
ch’è una in tutti, a Dio feci olocausto,
qual conveniesi a la grazia novella. ^14.090

Though in my breast that burning sacrifice
was not completed yet, I was aware
that it had been accepted and auspicious;

E non er’anco del mio petto essausto
l’ardor del sacrificio, ch’io conobbi
esso litare stato accetto e fausto; ^14.093

for splendors, in two rays, appeared to me,
so radiant and fiery that I said:
“O Helios, you who adorn them thus!”

ché con tanto lucore e tanto robbi
m’apparvero splendor dentro a due raggi,
ch’io dissi: «O Eliòs che sì li addobbi!». ^14.096

As, graced with lesser and with larger lights
between the poles of the world, the Galaxy
gleams so that even sages are perplexed;

Come distinta da minori e maggi
lumi biancheggia tra ‘ poli del mondo
Galassia sì, che fa dubbiar ben saggi; ^14.099

so, constellated in the depth of Mars,
those rays described the venerable sign
a circle’s quadrants form where they are joined.

sì costellati facean nel profondo
Marte quei raggi il venerabil segno
che fan giunture di quadranti in tondo. ^14.102

And here my memory defeats my wit:
Christ’s flaming from that cross was such that I
can find no fit similitude for it.

Qui vince la memoria mia lo ‘ngegno;
ché quella croce lampeggiava Cristo,
sì ch’io non so trovare essempro degno; ^14.105

But he who takes his cross and follows Christ
will pardon me again for my omission-
my seeing Christ flash forth undid my force.

ma chi prende sua croce e segue Cristo,
ancor mi scuserà di quel ch’io lasso,
vedendo in quell’albor balenar Cristo. ^14.108

Lights moved along that cross from horn to horn
and from the summit to the base, and as
they met and passed, they sparkled, radiant:

Di corno in corno e tra la cima e ‘l basso
si movien lumi, scintillando forte
nel congiugnersi insieme e nel trapasso: ^14.111

so, straight and slant and quick and slow, one sees
on earth the particles of bodies, long
and short, in shifting shapes, that move along

così si veggion qui diritte e torte,
veloci e tarde, rinovando vista,
le minuzie d’i corpi, lunghe e corte, ^14.114

the ray of light that sometimes streaks across
the shade that men devise with skill and art
to serve as their defense against the sun.

moversi per lo raggio onde si lista
talvolta l’ombra che, per sua difesa,
la gente con ingegno e arte acquista. ^14.117

And just as harp and viol, whose many chords
are tempered, taut, produce sweet harmony
although each single note is not distinct,

E come giga e arpa, in tempra tesa
di molte corde, fa dolce tintinno
a tal da cui la nota non è intesa, ^14.120

so, from the lights that then appeared to me,
out from that cross there spread a melody
that held me rapt, although I could not tell

così da’ lumi che lì m’apparinno
s’accogliea per la croce una melode
che mi rapiva, sanza intender l’inno. ^14.123

what hymn it was. I knew it sang high praise,
since I heard “Rise” and “Conquer,” but I was
as one who hears but cannot seize the sense.

Ben m’accors’io ch’elli era d’alte lode,
però ch’a me venìa «Resurgi» e «Vinci»
come a colui che non intende e ode. ^14.126

Yet I was so enchanted by the sound
that until then no thing had ever bound
me with such gentle bonds. My words may seem

Io m’innamorava tanto quinci,
che ‘nfino a lì non fu alcuna cosa
che mi legasse con sì dolci vinci. ^14.129

presumptuous, as though I dared to deem
a lesser thing the lovely eyes that bring
to my desire, as it gazes, peace.

Forse la mia parola par troppo osa,
posponendo il piacer de li occhi belli,
ne’ quai mirando mio disio ha posa; ^14.132

But he who notes that, in ascent, her eyes-
all beauty’s living seals-gain force, and notes
that I had not yet turned to them in Mars,

ma chi s’avvede che i vivi suggelli
d’ogne bellezza più fanno più suso,
e ch’io non m’era lì rivolto a quelli, ^14.135

can then excuse me-just as I accuse
myself, thus to excuse myself-and see
that I speak truly: here her holy beauty

escusar puommi di quel ch’io m’accuso
per escusarmi, e vedermi dir vero:
ché ‘l piacer santo non è qui dischiuso, ^14.138

is not denied-ascent makes it more perfect.

perché si fa, montando, più sincero. ^14.139

CANTO 15

CANTO 15
()

GENEROUS will-in which is manifest
always the love that breathes toward righteousness,
as in contorted will is greediness-

Benigna volontade in che si liqua
sempre l’amor che drittamente spira,
come cupidità fa ne la iniqua, ^15.3

imposing silence on that gentle lyre,
brought quiet to the consecrated chords
that Heaven’s right hand slackens and draws taut.

silenzio puose a quella dolce lira,
e fece quietar le sante corde
che la destra del cielo allenta e tira. ^15.6

Can souls who prompted me to pray to them,
by falling silent all in unison,
be deaf to men’s just prayers? Then he may grieve

Come saranno a’ giusti preghi sorde
quelle sustanze che, per darmi voglia
ch’io le pregassi, a tacer fur concorde? ^15.9

indeed and endlessly-the man who leaves
behind such love and turns instead to seek
things that do not endure eternally.

Bene è che sanza termine si doglia
chi, per amor di cosa che non duri,
etternalmente quello amor si spoglia. ^15.012

As, through the pure and tranquil skies of night,
at times a sudden fire shoots, and moves
eyes that were motionless-a fire that seems

Quale per li seren tranquilli e puri
discorre ad ora ad or sùbito foco,
movendo li occhi che stavan sicuri, ^15.015

a star that shifts its place, except that in
that portion of the heavens where it flared,
nothing is lost, and its own course is short-

e pare stella che tramuti loco,
se non che da la parte ond’e’ s’accende
nulla sen perde, ed esso dura poco: ^15.018

so, from the horn that stretches on the right,
down to the foot of that cross, a star ran
out of the constellation glowing there;

tale dal corno che ‘n destro si stende
a piè di quella croce corse un astro
de la costellazion che lì resplende; ^15.021

nor did that gem desert the cross’s track,
but coursed along the radii, and seemed
just like a flame that alabaster screens.

né si partì la gemma dal suo nastro,
ma per la lista radial trascorse,
che parve foco dietro ad alabastro. ^15.024

With such affection did Anchises’ shade
reach out (if we may trust our greatest muse)
when in Elysium he saw his son.

Sì pia l’ombra d’Anchise si porse,
se fede merta nostra maggior musa,
quando in Eliso del figlio s’accorse. ^15.027

“O blood of mine-o the celestial grace
bestowed beyond all measure-unto whom
as unto you was Heaven’s gate twice opened?”

«O sanguis meus, o superinfusa
gratia Dei, sicut tibi cui
bis unquam celi ianua reclusa». ^15.030

That light said this; at which, I stared at him.
Then, looking back to see my lady, I,
on this side and on that, was stupefied;

Così quel lume: ond’io m’attesi a lui;
poscia rivolsi a la mia donna il viso,
e quinci e quindi stupefatto fui; ^15.033

for in the smile that glowed within her eyes,
I thought that I-with mine-had touched the height
of both my blessedness and paradise.

ché dentro a li occhi suoi ardeva un riso
tal, ch’io pensai co’ miei toccar lo fondo
de la mia gloria e del mio paradiso. ^15.036

Then-and he was a joy to hear and see-
that spirit added to his first words things
that were too deep to meet my understanding.

Indi, a udire e a veder giocondo,
giunse lo spirto al suo principio cose,
ch’io non lo ‘ntesi, sì parlò profondo; ^15.039

Not that he chose to hide his sense from me;
necessity compelled him; he conceived
beyond the mark a mortal mind can reach.

né per elezion mi si nascose,
ma per necessità, ché ‘l suo concetto
al segno d’i mortal si soprapuose. ^15.042

And when his bow of burning sympathy
was slack enough to let his speech descend
to meet the limit of our intellect,

E quando l’arco de l’ardente affetto
fu sì sfogato, che ‘l parlar discese
inver’ lo segno del nostro intelletto, ^15.045

these were the first words where I caught the sense:
“Blessed be you, both Three and One, who show
such favor to my seed.” And he continued:

la prima cosa che per me s’intese,
«Benedetto sia tu», fu, «trino e uno,
che nel mio seme se’ tanto cortese!». ^15.048

“The long and happy hungering I drew
from reading that great volume where both black
and white are never changed, you-son-have now

E seguì: «Grato e lontano digiuno,
tratto leggendo del magno volume
du’ non si muta mai bianco né bruno, ^15.051

appeased within this light in which I speak
to you; for this, I owe my gratitude
to her who gave you wings for your high flight.

solvuto hai, figlio, dentro a questo lume
in ch’io ti parlo, mercè di colei
ch’a l’alto volo ti vestì le piume. ^15.054

You think your thoughts flow into me from Him
who is the First-as from the number one,
the five and six derive, if one is known-

Tu credi che a me tuo pensier mei
da quel ch’è primo, così come raia
da l’un, se si conosce, il cinque e ‘l sei; ^15.057

and so you do not ask me who I am
and why I seem more joyous to you than
all other spirits in this festive throng.

e però ch’io mi sia e perch’io paia
più gaudioso a te, non mi domandi,
che alcun altro in questa turba gaia. ^15.060

Your thought is true, for both the small and great
of this life gaze into that mirror where,
before you think, your thoughts have been displayed.

Tu credi ‘l vero; ché i minori e ‘ grandi
di questa vita miran ne lo speglio
in che, prima che pensi, il pensier pandi; ^15.063

But that the sacred love in which I keep
my vigil with unending watchfulness,
the love that makes me thirst with sweet desire,

ma perché ‘l sacro amore in che io veglio
con perpetua vista e che m’asseta
di dolce disiar, s’adempia meglio, ^15.066

be better satisfied, let your voice-bold,
assured, and glad-proclaim your will and longing,
to which my answer is decreed already.”

la voce tua sicura, balda e lieta
suoni la volontà, suoni ‘l disio,
a che la mia risposta è già decreta!». ^15.069

I turned to Beatrice, but she heard me
before I spoke; her smile to me was signal
that made the wings of my desire grow.

Io mi volsi a Beatrice, e quella udio
pria ch’io parlassi, e arrisemi un cenno
che fece crescer l’ali al voler mio. ^15.072

Then I began: “As soon as you beheld
the First Equality, both intellect
and love weighed equally for each of you,

Poi cominciai così: «L’affetto e ‘l senno,
come la prima equalità v’apparse,
d’un peso per ciascun di voi si fenno, ^15.075

because the Sun that brought you light and heat
possesses heat and light so equally
that no thing matches His equality;

però che ‘l sol che v’allumò e arse,
col caldo e con la luce è sì iguali,
che tutte simiglianze sono scarse. ^15.078

whereas in mortals, word and sentiment-
to you, the cause of this is evident-
are wings whose featherings are disparate.

Ma voglia e argomento ne’ mortali,
per la cagion ch’a voi è manifesta,
diversamente son pennuti in ali; ^15.081

I-mortal-feel this inequality;
thus, it is only with my heart that I
can offer thanks for your paternal greeting

ond’io, che son mortal, mi sento in questa
disagguaglianza, e però non ringrazio
se non col core a la paterna festa. ^15.084

Indeed I do beseech you, living topaz,
set in this precious jewel as a gem:
fulfill my longing-let me know your name.”

Ben supplico io a te, vivo topazio
che questa gioia preziosa ingemmi,
perché mi facci del tuo nome sazio». ^15.087

“O you, my branch in whom I took delight
even awaiting you, I am your root,”
so he, in his reply to me, began,

«O fronda mia in che io compiacemmi
pur aspettando, io fui la tua radice»:
cotal principio, rispondendo, femmi. ^15.090

then said:”The man who gave your family
its name, who for a century and more
has circled the first ledge of Purgatory,

Poscia mi disse: «Quel da cui si dice
tua cognazione e che cent’anni e piùe
girato ha ‘l monte in la prima cornice, ^15.093

was son to me and was your great-grandfather;
it is indeed appropriate for you
to shorten his long toil with your good works.

mio figlio fu e tuo bisavol fue:
ben si convien che la lunga fatica
tu li raccorci con l’opere tue. ^15.096

Florence, within her ancient ring of walls-
that ring from which she still draws tierce and nones-
sober and chaste, lived in tranquillity.

Fiorenza dentro da la cerchia antica,
ond’ella toglie ancora e terza e nona,
si stava in pace, sobria e pudica. ^15.099

No necklace and no coronal were there,
and no embroidered gowns; there was no girdle
that caught the eye more than the one who wore it.

Non avea catenella, non corona,
non gonne contigiate, non cintura
che fosse a veder più che la persona. ^15.102

No daughter’s birth brought fear unto her father,
for age and dowry then did not imbalance-
to this side and to that-the proper measure.

Non faceva, nascendo, ancor paura
la figlia al padre, che ‘l tempo e la dote
non fuggien quinci e quindi la misura. ^15.105

There were no families that bore no children;
and Sardanapalus was still a stranger-
not come as yet to teach in the bedchamber.

Non avea case di famiglia vòte;
non v’era giunto ancor Sardanapalo
a mostrar ciò che ‘n camera si puote. ^15.108

Not yet had your Uccellatoio’s rise
outdone the rise of Monte Mario,
which, too, will be outdone in its decline.

Non era vinto ancora Montemalo
dal vostro Uccellatoio, che, com’è vinto
nel montar sù, così sarà nel calo. ^15.111

I saw Bellincione Berti girt
with leather and with bone, and saw his wife
come from her mirror with her face unpainted.

Bellincion Berti vid’io andar cinto
di cuoio e d’osso, e venir da lo specchio
la donna sua sanza ‘l viso dipinto; ^15.114

I saw dei Nerli and del Vecchio
content to wear their suits of unlined skins,
and saw their wives at spindle and at spool.

e vidi quel d’i Nerli e quel del Vecchio
esser contenti a la pelle scoperta,
e le sue donne al fuso e al pennecchio. ^15.117

O happy wives! Each one was sure of her
own burial place, and none-for France’s sake-
as yet was left deserted in her bed.

Oh fortunate! ciascuna era certa
de la sua sepultura, e ancor nulla
era per Francia nel letto diserta. ^15.120

One woman watched with loving care the cradle
and, as she soothed her infant, used the way
of speech with which fathers and mothers play;

L’una vegghiava a studio de la culla,
e, consolando, usava l’idioma
che prima i padri e le madri trastulla; ^15.123

another, as she drew threads from the distaff,
would tell, among her household, tales of Trojans,
and tales of Fiesole, and tales of Rome.

l’altra, traendo a la rocca la chioma,
favoleggiava con la sua famiglia
d’i Troiani, di Fiesole e di Roma. ^15.126

A Lapo Salterello, a Cianghella,
would then have stirred as much dismay as now
a Cincinnatus and Cornelia would.

Saria tenuta allor tal maraviglia
una Cianghella, un Lapo Salterello,
qual or saria Cincinnato e Corniglia. ^15.129

To such a life-so tranquil and so lovely-
of citizens in true community,
into so sweet a dwelling place did Mary,

A così riposato, a così bello
viver di cittadini, a così fida
cittadinanza, a così dolce ostello, ^15.132

invoked in pains of birth, deliver me;
and I, within your ancient Baptistery,
at once became Christian and Cacciaguida.

Maria mi diè, chiamata in alte grida;
e ne l’antico vostro Batisteo
insieme fui cristiano e Cacciaguida. ^15.135

Moronto was my brother, and Eliseo;
my wife came from the valley of the Po-
the surname that you bear was brought by her.

Moronto fu mio frate ed Eliseo;
mia donna venne a me di val di Pado,
e quindi il sopranome tuo si feo. ^15.138

In later years I served the Emperor
Conrad-and my good works so gained his favor
that he gave me the girdle of his knighthood.

Poi seguitai lo ‘mperador Currado;
ed el mi cinse de la sua milizia,
tanto per bene ovrar li venni in grado. ^15.141

I followed him to war against the evil
of that law whose adherents have usurped-
this, through your Pastors’ fault-your just possessions.

Dietro li andai incontro a la nequizia
di quella legge il cui popolo usurpa,
per colpa d’i pastor, vostra giustizia. ^15.144

There, by that execrable race, I was
set free from fetters of the erring world,
the love of which defiles so many souls.

Quivi fu’ io da quella gente turpa
disviluppato dal mondo fallace,
lo cui amor molt’anime deturpa; ^15.147

From martyrdom I came unto this peace.”

e venni dal martiro a questa pace». ^15.148

CANTO 16

CANTO 16
()

IF here below, where sentiment is far
too weak to withstand error, I should see
men glorying in you, nobility

O poca nostra nobiltà di sangue,
se gloriar di te la gente fai
qua giù dove l’affetto nostro langue, ^16.3

of blood - a meager thing! - I should not wonder,
for even where desire is not awry,
I mean in Heaven, I too felt such pride.

mirabil cosa non mi sarà mai:
ché là dove appetito non si torce,
dico nel cielo, io me ne gloriai. ^16.6

You are indeed a cloak that soon wears out,
so that if, day by day, we add no patch,
then circling time will trim you with its shears.

Ben se’ tu manto che tosto raccorce:
sì che, se non s’appon di dì in die,
lo tempo va dintorno con le force. ^16.9

My speech began again with you, the word
that Rome was the first city to allow,
although her people seldom speak it now;

Dal ‘voi’ che prima a Roma s’offerie,
in che la sua famiglia men persevra,
ricominciaron le parole mie; ^16.012

at this word, Beatrice, somewhat apart,
smiling, seemed like the woman who had coughed-
so goes the tale-at Guinevere’s first fault.

onde Beatrice, ch’era un poco scevra,
ridendo, parve quella che tossio
al primo fallo scritto di Ginevra. ^16.015

So did my speech begin: “You are my father;
you hearten me to speak with confidence;
you raise me so that I am more than I.

Io cominciai: «Voi siete il padre mio;
voi mi date a parlar tutta baldezza;
voi mi levate sì, ch’i’ son più ch’io. ^16.018

So many streams have filled my mind with gladness-
so many, and such gladness, that mind must
rejoice that it can bear this and not burst.

Per tanti rivi s’empie d’allegrezza
la mente mia, che di sé fa letizia
perché può sostener che non si spezza. ^16.021

Then tell me, founder of my family,
who were your ancestors and, in your boyhood,
what were the years the records registered;

Ditemi dunque, cara mia primizia,
quai fuor li vostri antichi e quai fuor li anni
che si segnaro in vostra puerizia; ^16.024

and tell me of the sheepfold of St. John-
how numerous it was, who in that flock
were worthy of the highest offices.”

ditemi de l’ovil di San Giovanni
quanto era allora, e chi eran le genti
tra esso degne di più alti scanni». ^16.027

As at the breathing of the winds, a coal
will quicken into flame, so I saw that
light glow at words that were affectionate;

Come s’avviva a lo spirar d’i venti
carbone in fiamma, così vid’io quella
luce risplendere a’ miei blandimenti; ^16.030

and as, before my eyes, it grew more fair,
so, with a voice more gentle and more sweet-
not in our modern speech-it said to me:

e come a li occhi miei si fé più bella,
così con voce più dolce e soave,
ma non con questa moderna favella, ^16.033

“Down from that day when Ave was pronounced,
until my mother (blessed now), by giving
birth, eased the burden borne in bearing me,

dissemi: «Da quel dì che fu detto ‘Ave’
al parto in che mia madre, ch’è or santa,
s’alleviò di me ond’era grave, ^16.036

this fire of Mars had come five-hundred-fifty
and thirty more times to its Lion-there
to be rekindled underneath its paw.

al suo Leon cinquecento cinquanta
e trenta fiate venne questo foco
a rinfiammarsi sotto la sua pianta. ^16.039

My ancestors and I were born just where
the runner in your yearly games first comes
upon the boundary of the final ward.

Li antichi miei e io nacqui nel loco
dove si truova pria l’ultimo sesto
da quei che corre il vostro annual gioco. ^16.042

That is enough concerning my forebears:
what were their names, from where they came-of that,
silence, not speech, is more appropriate.

Basti d’i miei maggiori udirne questo:
chi ei si fosser e onde venner quivi,
più è tacer che ragionare onesto. ^16.045

All those who, at that time, between the Baptist
and Mars, were capable of bearing arms,
numbered one fifth of those who live there now.

Tutti color ch’a quel tempo eran ivi
da poter arme tra Marte e ‘l Batista,
eran il quinto di quei ch’or son vivi. ^16.048

But then the citizens, now mixed with Campi,
with the Certaldo, and with the Figline,
were pure down to the humblest artisan.

Ma la cittadinanza, ch’è or mista
di Campi, di Certaldo e di Fegghine,
pura vediesi ne l’ultimo artista. ^16.051

Oh, it would be far better if you had
those whom I mention as your neighbors (and
your boundaries at Galuzzo and Trespiano),

Oh quanto fora meglio esser vicine
quelle genti ch’io dico, e al Galluzzo
e a Trespiano aver vostro confine, ^16.054

than to have them within, to bear the stench
of Aguglione’s wretch and Signa’s wretch,
whose sharp eyes now on barratry are set.

che averle dentro e sostener lo puzzo
del villan d’Aguglion, di quel da Signa,
che già per barattare ha l’occhio aguzzo! ^16.057

If those who, in the world, go most astray
had not seen Caesar with stepmothers’ eyes,
but, like a mother to her son, been kind,

Se la gente ch’al mondo più traligna
non fosse stata a Cesare noverca,
ma come madre a suo figlio benigna, ^16.060

then one who has become a Florentine
trader and money changer would have stayed
in Semifonte, where his fathers peddled,

tal fatto è fiorentino e cambia e merca,
che si sarebbe vòlto a Simifonti,
là dove andava l’avolo a la cerca; ^16.063

the Counts would still be lords of Montemurlo,
the Cerchi would be in Acone’s parish,
perhaps the Buondelmonti in Valdigreve.

sariesi Montemurlo ancor de’ Conti;
sarieno i Cerchi nel piovier d’Acone,
e forse in Valdigrieve i Buondelmonti. ^16.066

The mingling of the populations led
to evil in the city, even as
food piled on food destroys the body’s health;

Sempre la confusion de le persone
principio fu del mal de la cittade,
come del vostro il cibo che s’appone; ^16.069

the blind bull falls more quickly, more headlong,
than does the blind lamb; and the one blade can
often cut more and better than five swords.

e cieco toro più avaccio cade
che cieco agnello; e molte volte taglia
più e meglio una che le cinque spade. ^16.072

Consider Luni, Urbisaglia, how
they went to ruin (Sinigaglia follows,
and Chiusi, too, will soon have vanished); then,

Se tu riguardi Luni e Orbisaglia
come sono ite, e come se ne vanno
di retro ad esse Chiusi e Sinigaglia, ^16.075

if you should hear of families undone,
you will find nothing strange or difficult
in that-since even cities meet their end.

udir come le schiatte si disfanno
non ti parrà nova cosa né forte,
poscia che le cittadi termine hanno. ^16.078

All things that you possess, possess their death,
just as you do; but in some things that last
long, death can hide from you whose lives are short.

Le vostre cose tutte hanno lor morte,
sì come voi; ma celasi in alcuna
che dura molto, e le vite son corte. ^16.081

And even as the heaven of the moon,
revolving, respiteless, conceals and then
reveals the shores, so Fortune does with Florence;

E come ‘l volger del ciel de la luna
cuopre e discuopre i liti sanza posa,
così fa di Fiorenza la Fortuna: ^16.084

therefore, there is no cause for wonder in
what I shall tell of noble Florentines,
of those whose reputations time has hidden.

per che non dee parer mirabil cosa
ciò ch’io dirò de li alti Fiorentini
onde è la fama nel tempo nascosa. ^16.087

I saw the Ughi, saw the Catellini,
Filippi, Greci, Ormanni, Alberichi,
famed citizens already in decline,

Io vidi li Ughi e vidi i Catellini,
Filippi, Greci, Ormanni e Alberichi,
già nel calare, illustri cittadini; ^16.090

and saw, as great as they were venerable,
dell’Arca with della Sannella, and
Ardinghi, Soldanieri, and Bostichi.

e vidi così grandi come antichi,
con quel de la Sannella, quel de l’Arca,
e Soldanieri e Ardinghi e Bostichi. ^16.093

Nearby the gate that now is burdened with
new treachery that weighs so heavily
that it will bring the vessel to shipwreck,

Sovra la porta ch’al presente è carca
di nova fellonia di tanto peso
che tosto fia iattura de la barca, ^16.096

there were the Ravignani, from whose line
Count Guido comes and all who-since-derive
their name from the illustrious Bellincione.

erano i Ravignani, ond’è disceso
il conte Guido e qualunque del nome
de l’alto Bellincione ha poscia preso. ^16.099

And della Pressa knew already how
to rule; and Galigaio, in his house,
already had the gilded hilt and pommel.

Quel de la Pressa sapeva già come
regger si vuole, e avea Galigaio
dorata in casa sua già l’elsa e ‘l pome. ^16.102

The stripe of Vair had mightiness already,
as did the Giuochi, Galli, and Barucci,
Fifanti, and Sacchetti, and those who

Grand’era già la colonna del Vaio,
Sacchetti, Giuochi, Fifanti e Barucci
e Galli e quei ch’arrossan per lo staio. ^16.105

blush for the bushel; and the stock from which
spring the Calfucci was already mighty,
and Sizzi and Arrigucci were already

Lo ceppo di che nacquero i Calfucci
era già grande, e già eran tratti
a le curule Sizii e Arrigucci. ^16.108

raised to high office. Oh, how great were those
I saw-whom pride laid low! And the gold balls,
in all of her great actions, flowered Florence.

Oh quali io vidi quei che son disfatti
per lor superbia! e le palle de l’oro
fiorian Fiorenza in tutt’i suoi gran fatti. ^16.111

Such were the ancestors of those who now,
whenever bishops’ sees are vacant, grow
fat as they sit in church consistories.

Così facieno i padri di coloro
che, sempre che la vostra chiesa vaca,
si fanno grassi stando a consistoro. ^16.114

The breed-so arrogant and dragonlike
in chasing him who flees, but lamblike, meek
to him who shows his teeth or else his purse-

L’oltracotata schiatta che s’indraca
dietro a chi fugge, e a chi mostra ‘l dente
o ver la borsa, com’agnel si placa, ^16.117

was on the rise already, but of stock
so mean that Ubertin Donato, when
his father-in-law made him kin to them,

già venìa sù, ma di picciola gente;
sì che non piacque ad Ubertin Donato
che poi il suocero il fé lor parente. ^16.120

was scarcely pleased. Already Caponsacco
had come from Fiesole down to the market;
already citizens of note were Giuda

Già era ‘l Caponsacco nel mercato
disceso giù da Fiesole, e già era
buon cittadino Giuda e Infangato. ^16.123

and Infangato. I shall tell a thing
incredible and true: the gateway through
the inner walls was named for the della Pera.

Io dirò cosa incredibile e vera:
nel picciol cerchio s’entrava per porta
che si nomava da quei de la Pera. ^16.126

All those whose arms bear part of the fair ensign
of the great baron-he whose memory
and worth are honored on the feast of Thomas-

Ciascun che de la bella insegna porta
del gran barone il cui nome e ‘l cui pregio
la festa di Tommaso riconforta, ^16.129

received knighthood and privilege from him,
though he whose coat of arms has fringed that ensign
has taken sides now with the populace.

da esso ebbe milizia e privilegio;
avvegna che con popol si rauni
oggi colui che la fascia col fregio. ^16.132

The Gualterotti and the Importuni
were there already; were the Borgo spared
new neighbors, it would still be tranquil there.

Già eran Gualterotti e Importuni;
e ancor saria Borgo più quieto,
se di novi vicin fosser digiuni. ^16.135

The house of Amidei, with which your sorrows
began-by reason of its just resentment,
which ruined you and ended years of gladness-

La casa di che nacque il vostro fleto,
per lo giusto disdegno che v’ha morti,
e puose fine al vostro viver lieto, ^16.138

was honored then, as were its close companions.
O Buondelmonte, through another’s counsel,
you fled your wedding pledge, and brought such evil!

era onorata, essa e suoi consorti:
o Buondelmonte, quanto mal fuggisti
le nozze sue per li altrui conforti! ^16.141

Many would now rejoice, who still lament,
if when you first approached the city, God
had given you unto the river Ema!

Molti sarebber lieti, che son tristi,
se Dio t’avesse conceduto ad Ema
la prima volta ch’a città venisti. ^16.144

But Florence, in her final peace, was fated
to offer up-unto that mutilated
stone guardian upon her bridge-a victim.

Ma conveniesi a quella pietra scema
che guarda ‘l ponte, che Fiorenza fesse
vittima ne la sua pace postrema. ^16.147

These were the families, and others with them:
the Florence that I saw-in such repose
that there was nothing to have caused her sorrow.

Con queste genti, e con altre con esse,
vid’io Fiorenza in sì fatto riposo,
che non avea cagione onde piangesse: ^16.150

These were the families: with them I saw
her people so acclaimed and just, that on
her staff the lily never was reversed,

con queste genti vid’io glorioso
e giusto il popol suo, tanto che ‘l giglio
non era ad asta mai posto a ritroso, ^16.153

nor was it made bloodred by factious hatred.”

né per division fatto vermiglio». ^16.154

CANTO 17

CANTO 17
()

LIKE Phaethon (one who still makes fathers wary
of sons) when he had heard insinuations,
and he, to be assured, came to Clymene,

Qual venne a Climené, per accertarsi
di ciò ch’avea incontro a sé udito,
quei ch’ancor fa li padri ai figli scarsi; ^17.3

such was I and such was I seen to be
by Beatrice and by the holy lamp
that - earlier - had shifted place for me.

tal era io, e tal era sentito
e da Beatrice e da la santa lampa
che pria per me avea mutato sito. ^17.6

Therefore my lady said to me: “Display
the flame of your desire, that it may
be seen well-stamped with your internal seal,

Per che mia donna «Manda fuor la vampa
del tuo disio», mi disse, «sì ch’ella esca
segnata bene de la interna stampa; ^17.9

not that we need to know what you’d reveal,
but that you learn the way that would disclose
your thirst, and you be quenched by what we pour.”

non perché nostra conoscenza cresca
per tuo parlare, ma perché t’ausi
a dir la sete, sì che l’uom ti mesca». ^17.012

“O my dear root, who, since you rise so high,
can see the Point in which all times are present-
for just as earthly minds are able to

«O cara piota mia che sì t’insusi,
che, come veggion le terrene menti
non capere in triangol due ottusi, ^17.015

see that two obtuse angles cannot be
contained in a triangle, you can see
contingent things before they come to be-

così vedi le cose contingenti
anzi che sieno in sé, mirando il punto
a cui tutti li tempi son presenti; ^17.018

while I was in the company of Virgil,
both on the mountain that heals souls and when
descending to the dead world, what I heard

mentre ch’io era a Virgilio congiunto
su per lo monte che l’anime cura
e discendendo nel mondo defunto, ^17.021

about my future life were grievous words-
although, against the blows of chance I feel
myself as firmly planted as a cube.

dette mi fuor di mia vita futura
parole gravi, avvegna ch’io mi senta
ben tetragono ai colpi di ventura; ^17.024

Thus my desire would be appeased if I
might know what fortune is approaching me:
the arrow one foresees arrives more gently.”

per che la voglia mia saria contenta
d’intender qual fortuna mi s’appressa;
ché saetta previsa vien più lenta». ^17.027

So did I speak to the same living light
that spoke to me before; as Beatrice
had wished, what was my wish was now confessed.

Così diss’io a quella luce stessa
che pria m’avea parlato; e come volle
Beatrice, fu la mia voglia confessa. ^17.030

Not with the maze of words that used to snare
the fools upon this earth before the Lamb
of God who takes away our sins was slain,

Né per ambage, in che la gente folle
già s’inviscava pria che fosse anciso
l’Agnel di Dio che le peccata tolle, ^17.033

but with words plain and unambiguous,
that loving father, hidden, yet revealed
by his own smile, replied: “Contingency,

ma per chiare parole e con preciso
latin rispuose quello amor paterno,
chiuso e parvente del suo proprio riso: ^17.036

while not extending past the book in which
your world of matter has been writ, is yet
in the Eternal Vision all depicted

«La contingenza, che fuor del quaderno
de la vostra matera non si stende,
tutta è dipinta nel cospetto etterno: ^17.039

(but this does not imply necessity,
just as a ship that sails downstream is not
determined by the eye that watches it).

necessità però quindi non prende
se non come dal viso in che si specchia
nave che per torrente giù discende. ^17.042

And from that Vision-just as from an organ
the ear receives a gentle harmony-
what time prepares for you appears to me.

Da indi, sì come viene ad orecchia
dolce armonia da organo, mi viene
a vista il tempo che ti s’apparecchia. ^17.045

Hippolytus was forced to leave his Athens
because of his stepmother, faithless, fierce;
and so must you depart from Florence: this

Qual si partio Ipolito d’Atene
per la spietata e perfida noverca,
tal di Fiorenza partir ti convene. ^17.048

is willed already, sought for, soon to be
accomplished by the one who plans and plots
where-every day-Christ is both sold and bought.

Questo si vuole e questo già si cerca,
e tosto verrà fatto a chi ciò pensa
là dove Cristo tutto dì si merca. ^17.051

The blame, as usual, will be cried out
against the injured party; but just vengeance
will serve as witness to the truth that wields it.

La colpa seguirà la parte offensa
in grido, come suol; ma la vendetta
fia testimonio al ver che la dispensa. ^17.054

You shall leave everything you love most dearly:
this is the arrow that the bow of exile
shoots first. You are to know the bitter taste

Tu lascerai ogne cosa diletta
più caramente; e questo è quello strale
che l’arco de lo essilio pria saetta. ^17.057

of others’ bread, how salt it is, and know
how hard a path it is for one who goes
descending and ascending others’ stairs.

Tu proverai sì come sa di sale
lo pane altrui, e come è duro calle
lo scendere e ‘l salir per l’altrui scale. ^17.060

And what will be most hard for you to bear
will be the scheming, senseless company
that is to share your fall into this valley;

E quel che più ti graverà le spalle,
sarà la compagnia malvagia e scempia
con la qual tu cadrai in questa valle; ^17.063

against you they will be insane, completely
ungrateful and profane; and yet, soon after,
not you but they will have their brows bloodred.

che tutta ingrata, tutta matta ed empia
si farà contr’a te; ma, poco appresso,
ella, non tu, n’avrà rossa la tempia. ^17.066

Of their insensate acts, the proof will be
in the effects; and thus, your honor will
be best kept if your party is your self.

Di sua bestialitate il suo processo
farà la prova; sì ch’a te fia bello
averti fatta parte per te stesso. ^17.069

Your first refuge and your first inn shall be
the courtesy of the great Lombard, he
who on the ladder bears the sacred bird;

Lo primo tuo refugio e ‘l primo ostello
sarà la cortesia del gran Lombardo
che ‘n su la scala porta il santo uccello; ^17.072

and so benign will be his care for you
that, with you two, in giving and in asking,
that shall be first which is, with others, last.

ch’in te avrà sì benigno riguardo,
che del fare e del chieder, tra voi due,
fia primo quel che tra li altri è più tardo. ^17.075

You shall-beside him-see one who, at birth,
had so received the seal of this strong star
that what he does will be remarkable.

Con lui vedrai colui che ‘mpresso fue,
nascendo, sì da questa stella forte,
che notabili fier l’opere sue. ^17.078

People have yet to notice him because
he is a boy-for nine years and no more
have these spheres wheeled around him-but before

Non se ne son le genti ancora accorte
per la novella età, ché pur nove anni
son queste rote intorno di lui torte; ^17.081

the Gascon gulls the noble Henry, some
sparks will have marked the virtue of the Lombard:
hard labor and his disregard for silver.

ma pria che ‘l Guasco l’alto Arrigo inganni,
parran faville de la sua virtute
in non curar d’argento né d’affanni. ^17.084

His generosity is yet to be
so notable that even enemies
will never hope to treat it silently.

Le sue magnificenze conosciute
saranno ancora, sì che ‘ suoi nemici
non ne potran tener le lingue mute. ^17.087

Put trust in him and in his benefits:
his gifts will bring much metamorphosis-
rich men and beggars will exchange their states.

A lui t’aspetta e a’ suoi benefici;
per lui fia trasmutata molta gente,
cambiando condizion ricchi e mendici; ^17.090

What I tell you about him you will bear
inscribed within your mind-but hide it there”;
and he told things beyond belief even

e portera’ne scritto ne la mente
di lui, e nol dirai»; e disse cose
incredibili a quei che fier presente. ^17.093

for those who will yet see them. Then he added:
“Son, these are glosses of what you had heard;
these are the snares that hide beneath brief years.

Poi giunse: «Figlio, queste son le chiose
di quel che ti fu detto; ecco le ‘nsidie
che dietro a pochi giri son nascose. ^17.096

Yet I’d not have you envying your neighbors;
your life will long outlast the punishment
that is to fall upon their treacheries.”

Non vo’ però ch’a’ tuoi vicini invidie,
poscia che s’infutura la tua vita
vie più là che ‘l punir di lor perfidie». ^17.099

After that holy soul had, with his silence,
showed he was freed from putting in the woof
across the web whose warp I set for him,

Poi che, tacendo, si mostrò spedita
l’anima santa di metter la trama
in quella tela ch’io le porsi ordita, ^17.102

I like a man who, doubting, craves for counsel
from one who sees and rightly wills and loves,
replied to him: “I clearly see, my father,

io cominciai, come colui che brama,
dubitando, consiglio da persona
che vede e vuol dirittamente e ama: ^17.105

how time is hurrying toward me in order
to deal me such a blow as would be most
grievous for him who is not set for it;

«Ben veggio, padre mio, sì come sprona
lo tempo verso me, per colpo darmi
tal, ch’è più grave a chi più s’abbandona; ^17.108

thus, it is right to arm myself with foresight,
that if I lose the place most dear, I may
not lose the rest through what my poems say.

per che di provedenza è buon ch’io m’armi,
sì che, se loco m’è tolto più caro,
io non perdessi li altri per miei carmi. ^17.111

Down in the world of endless bitterness,
and on the mountain from whose lovely peak
I was drawn upward by my lady’s eyes,

Giù per lo mondo sanza fine amaro,
e per lo monte del cui bel cacume
li occhi de la mia donna mi levaro, ^17.114

and afterward, from light to light in Heaven,
I learned that which, if I retell it, must
for many have a taste too sharp, too harsh;

e poscia per lo ciel, di lume in lume,
ho io appreso quel che s’io ridico,
a molti fia sapor di forte agrume; ^17.117

yet if I am a timid friend of truth,
I fear that I may lose my life among
those who will call this present, ancient times.”

e s’io al vero son timido amico,
temo di perder viver tra coloro
che questo tempo chiameranno antico». ^17.120

The light in which there smiled the treasure I
had found within it, first began to dazzle,
as would a golden mirror in the sun,

La luce in che rideva il mio tesoro
ch’io trovai lì, si fé prima corusca,
quale a raggio di sole specchio d’oro; ^17.123

then it replied: “A conscience that is dark-
either through its or through another’s shame-
indeed will find that what you speak is harsh.

indi rispuose: «Coscienza fusca
o de la propria o de l’altrui vergogna
pur sentirà la tua parola brusca. ^17.126

Nevertheless, all falsehood set aside,
let all that you have seen be manifest,
and let them scratch wherever it may itch.

Ma nondimen, rimossa ogne menzogna,
tutta tua vision fa manifesta;
e lascia pur grattar dov’è la rogna. ^17.129

For if, at the first taste, your words molest,
they will, when they have been digested, end
as living nourishment. As does the wind,

Ché se la voce tua sarà molesta
nel primo gusto, vital nodrimento
lascerà poi, quando sarà digesta. ^17.132

so shall your outcry do-the wind that sends
its roughest blows against the highest peaks;
that is no little cause for claiming honor.

Questo tuo grido farà come vento,
che le più alte cime più percuote;
e ciò non fa d’onor poco argomento. ^17.135

Therefore, within these spheres, upon the mountain,
and in the dismal valley, you were shown
only those souls that unto fame are known-

Però ti son mostrate in queste rote,
nel monte e ne la valle dolorosa
pur l’anime che son di fama note, ^17.138

because the mind of one who hears will not
put doubt to rest, put trust in you, if given
examples with their roots unknown and hidden,

che l’animo di quel ch’ode, non posa
né ferma fede per essempro ch’aia
la sua radice incognita e ascosa, ^17.141

or arguments too dim, too unapparent.”

né per altro argomento che non paia». ^17.142

CANTO 18

CANTO 18
()

BY now that blessed mirror was delighting
in its own inner words; I, tasting mine,
was tempering the bitter with the sweet.

Già si godeva solo del suo verbo
quello specchio beato, e io gustava
lo mio, temprando col dolce l’acerbo; ^18.3

But she, the lady leading me to God,
said: “Shift your thoughts: remember-I am close
to Him who lightens every unjust hurt.”

e quella donna ch’a Dio mi menava
disse: «Muta pensier; pensa ch’i’ sono
presso a colui ch’ogne torto disgrava». ^18.6

Hearing the loving sound my solace spoke,
I turned. But here I have to leave untold
what love I saw within her holy eyes,

Io mi rivolsi a l’amoroso suono
del mio conforto; e qual io allor vidi
ne li occhi santi amor, qui l’abbandono: ^18.9

not just because I do not trust my speech,
but, too, because recall cannot retrieve
that much, unless Another is its guide.

non perch’io pur del mio parlar diffidi,
ma per la mente che non può redire
sovra sé tanto, s’altri non la guidi. ^18.012

This only-of that moment-can I tell:
that even as I gazed at her, my soul
was free from any other need as long

Tanto poss’io di quel punto ridire,
che, rimirando lei, lo mio affetto
libero fu da ogne altro disire, ^18.015

as the Eternal Loveliness that shone
on Beatrice directly, from her eyes,
contented me with the reflected light.

fin che ‘l piacere etterno, che diretto
raggiava in Beatrice, dal bel viso
mi contentava col secondo aspetto. ^18.018

But, conquering my will with her smile’s splendor,
she told me: “Turn to him and listen-for
not only in my eyes is Paradise.”

Vincendo me col lume d’un sorriso,
ella mi disse: «Volgiti e ascolta;
ché non pur ne’ miei occhi è paradiso». ^18.021

As, here on earth, at times our sentiment,
if it be passionate enough to take
the soul entirely, shows in the face,

Come si vede qui alcuna volta
l’affetto ne la vista, s’elli è tanto,
che da lui sia tutta l’anima tolta, ^18.024

so, in the flaming of the holy fire
to which I turned, I saw that he desired
some further words with me. And he began:

così nel fiammeggiar del folgór santo,
a ch’io mi volsi, conobbi la voglia
in lui di ragionarmi ancora alquanto. ^18.027

“In this fifth resting place, upon the tree
that grows down from its crown and endlessly
bears fruit and never loses any leaves,

El cominciò: «In questa quinta soglia
de l’albero che vive de la cima
e frutta sempre e mai non perde foglia, ^18.030

are blessed souls that, down below, before
they came to heaven, were so notable
that any poem would be enriched by them.

spiriti son beati, che giù, prima
che venissero al ciel, fuor di gran voce,
sì ch’ogne musa ne sarebbe opima. ^18.033

Therefore look at the cross, along its horns:
those whom I name will race as swiftly as,
within a cloud, its rapid lightnings flash.”

Però mira ne’ corni de la croce:
quello ch’io nomerò, lì farà l’atto
che fa in nube il suo foco veloce». ^18.036

Then, just as soon as Joshua was named,
I saw a splendor thrust along the cross,
nor did I note the name before the act.

Io vidi per la croce un lume tratto
dal nomar Iosuè, com’el si feo;
né mi fu noto il dir prima che ‘l fatto. ^18.039

And at the name of noble Maccabeus,
I saw another flame wheel round itself,
and gladness was the whip that spurred that top.

E al nome de l’alto Macabeo
vidi moversi un altro roteando,
e letizia era ferza del paleo. ^18.042

So, too, for Charlemagne and Roland-my
attentive eye held fast to that pair like
a falconer who tracks his falcon’s flight.

Così per Carlo Magno e per Orlando
due ne seguì lo mio attento sguardo,
com’occhio segue suo falcon volando. ^18.045

The next to draw my eyes along that cross
were William and Renouard and, too, Duke Godfrey
and Robert Guiscard. Then, when he had left me

Poscia trasse Guiglielmo e Rinoardo
e ‘l duca Gottifredi la mia vista
per quella croce, e Ruberto Guiscardo. ^18.048

and mingled with the other lights, the soul
who had addressed me showed his artistry,
singing among the singers in that sphere.

Indi, tra l’altre luci mota e mista,
mostrommi l’alma che m’avea parlato
qual era tra i cantor del cielo artista. ^18.051

I turned to my right side to see if I
might see if Beatrice had signified
by word or gesture what I was to do

Io mi rivolsi dal mio destro lato
per vedere in Beatrice il mio dovere,
o per parlare o per atto, segnato; ^18.054

and saw such purity within her eyes,
such joy, that her appearance now surpassed
its guise at other times, even the last.

e vidi le sue luci tanto mere,
tanto gioconde, che la sua sembianza
vinceva li altri e l’ultimo solere. ^18.057

And as, by feeling greater joyousness
in doing good, a man becomes aware
that day by day his virtue is advancing,

E come, per sentir più dilettanza
bene operando, l’uom di giorno in giorno
s’accorge che la sua virtute avanza, ^18.060

so I became aware that my revolving
with heaven had increased its arc-by seeing
that miracle becoming still more brilliant.

sì m’accors’io che ‘l mio girare intorno
col cielo insieme avea cresciuto l’arco,
veggendo quel miracol più addorno. ^18.063

And like the rapid change that one can see
in a pale woman’s face when it has freed
itself from bearing bashful modesty,

E qual è ‘l trasmutare in picciol varco
di tempo in bianca donna, quando ‘l volto
suo si discarchi di vergogna il carco, ^18.066

such change I, turning, saw: the red of Mars
was gone-and now the temperate sixth star’s
white heaven welcomed me into itself.

tal fu ne li occhi miei, quando fui vòlto,
per lo candor de la temprata stella
sesta, che dentro a sé m’avea ricolto. ^18.069

I saw within that torch of Jupiter
the sparkling of the love that it contained
design before my eyes the signs we speak.

Io vidi in quella giovial facella
lo sfavillar de l’amor che lì era,
segnare a li occhi miei nostra favella. ^18.072

And just as birds that rise from riverbanks,
as if rejoicing after feeding there,
will form a round flock or another shape,

E come augelli surti di rivera,
quasi congratulando a lor pasture,
fanno di sé or tonda or altra schiera, ^18.075

so, in their lights, the saintly beings sang
and, in their flight, the figures that they spelled
were now a D, now I, and now an L.

sì dentro ai lumi sante creature
volitando cantavano, e faciensi
or D or I or L in sue figure. ^18.078

First, they moved to the rhythm of their song;
then, after they had finished forming one
letter, they halted for a while, in silence.

Prima, cantando, a sua nota moviensi;
poi, diventando l’un di questi segni,
un poco s’arrestavano e taciensi. ^18.081

O godly Pegasea, you who give
to genius glory and long life, as it,
through you, gives these to kingdoms and to cities,

O diva Pegasea che li ‘ngegni
fai gloriosi e rendili longevi,
ed essi teco le cittadi e ‘ regni, ^18.084

give me your light that I may emphasize
these signs as I inscribed them in my mind:
your power-may it appear in these brief lines!

illustrami di te, sì ch’io rilevi
le lor figure com’io l’ho concette:
paia tua possa in questi versi brevi! ^18.087

Those blessed spirits took the shape of five
times seven vowels and consonants, and I
noted the parts as they were spelled for me.

Mostrarsi dunque in cinque volte sette
vocali e consonanti; e io notai
le parti sì, come mi parver dette. ^18.090

DILIGITE IUSTITIAM were the verb
and noun that first appeared in that depiction;
QUI IUDICATIS TERRAM followed after.

‘DILIGITE IUSTITIAM’, primai
fur verbo e nome di tutto ‘l dipinto;
‘QUI IUDICATIS TERRAM’, fur sezzai. ^18.093

Then, having formed the M of the fifth word,
those spirits kept their order; Jupiter’s
silver, at that point, seemed embossed with gold.

Poscia ne l’emme del vocabol quinto
rimasero ordinate; sì che Giove
pareva argento lì d’oro distinto. ^18.096

And I saw other lights descending on
the apex of the M and, settling, singing-
I think-the Good that draws them to Itself.

E vidi scendere altre luci dove
era il colmo de l’emme, e lì quetarsi
cantando, credo, il ben ch’a sé le move. ^18.099

Then, as innumerable sparks rise up
when one strikes burning logs (and in those sparks
fools have a way of reading auguries),

Poi, come nel percuoter d’i ciocchi arsi
surgono innumerabili faville,
onde li stolti sogliono agurarsi, ^18.102

from that M seemed to surge more than a thousand
lights; and they climbed, some high, some low, just as
the Sun that kindles them assigned positions.

resurger parver quindi più di mille
luci e salir, qual assai e qual poco,
sì come ‘l sol che l’accende sortille; ^18.105

With each light settled quietly in place,
I saw that the array of fire had shaped
the image of an eagle’s head and neck.

e quietata ciascuna in suo loco,
la testa e ‘l collo d’un’aguglia vidi
rappresentare a quel distinto foco. ^18.108

He who paints there has no one as His guide:
He guides Himself; in Him we recognize
the shaping force that flows from nest to nest.

Quei che dipinge lì, non ha chi ‘l guidi;
ma esso guida, e da lui si rammenta
quella virtù ch’è forma per li nidi. ^18.111

The other lights, who were, it seemed, content
at first to form a lily on the M,
moving a little, formed the eagle’s frame.

L’altra beatitudo, che contenta
pareva prima d’ingigliarsi a l’emme,
con poco moto seguitò la ‘mprenta. ^18.114

O gentle star, what-and how many-gems
made plain to me that justice here on earth
depends upon the heaven you engem!

O dolce stella, quali e quante gemme
mi dimostraro che nostra giustizia
effetto sia del ciel che tu ingemme! ^18.117

Therefore I pray the Mind in which begin
your motion and your force, to watch that place
which has produced the smoke that dims your rays,

Per ch’io prego la mente in che s’inizia
tuo moto e tua virtute, che rimiri
ond’esce il fummo che ‘l tuo raggio vizia; ^18.120

that once again His anger fall upon
those who would buy and sell within that temple
whose walls were built by miracles and martyrs.

sì ch’un’altra fiata omai s’adiri
del comperare e vender dentro al templo
che si murò di segni e di martìri. ^18.123

O hosts of Heaven whom I contemplate,
for all who, led by bad example, stray
within the life they live on earth, do pray!

O milizia del ciel cu’ io contemplo,
adora per color che sono in terra
tutti sviati dietro al malo essemplo! ^18.126

Men once were used to waging war with swords;
now war means seizing here and there the bread
the tender Father would deny to none.

Già si solea con le spade far guerra;
ma or si fa togliendo or qui or quivi
lo pan che ‘l pio Padre a nessun serra. ^18.129

But you who only write to then erase,
remember this: Peter and Paul, who died
to save the vines you spoil, are still alive.

Ma tu che sol per cancellare scrivi,
pensa che Pietro e Paulo, che moriro
per la vigna che guasti, ancor son vivi. ^18.132

Well may you say:”My longing is so bent
on him who chose the solitary life
and for a dance was dragged to martyrdom-

Ben puoi tu dire: «I’ ho fermo ‘l disiro
sì a colui che volle viver solo
e che per salti fu tratto al martiro, ^18.135

I do not know the Fisherman or Paul.”

ch’io non conosco il pescator né Polo». ^18.136