CANTO 23
(Vision of Christ)

AS does the bird, among beloved branches,
when, through the night that hides things from us, she
has rested near the nest of her sweet fledglings

Come l’augello, intra l’amate fronde, ^23.1
posato al nido de’ suoi dolci nati
la notte che le cose ci nasconde,

and, on an open branch, anticipates
the time when she can see their longed-for faces
and find the food with which to feed them - chore

che, per veder li aspetti disïati ^23.4
e per trovar lo cibo onde li pasca,
in che gravi labor li sono aggrati,

that pleases her, however hard her labors -
as she awaits the sun with warm affection,
steadfastly watching for the dawn to break:

previene il tempo in su aperta frasca, ^23.7
e con ardente affetto il sole aspetta,
fiso guardando pur che l’alba nasca;

so did my lady stand, erect, intent,
turned toward that part of heaven under which
the sun is given to less haste; so that,

così la donna mïa stava eretta ^23.10
e attenta, rivolta inver’ la plaga
sotto la quale il sol mostra men fretta:

as I saw her in longing and suspense,
I grew to be as one who, while he wants
what is not his, is satisfied with hope.

sì che, veggendola io sospesa e vaga, ^23.13
fecimi qual è quei che disïando
altro vorria, e sperando s’appaga.

But time between one and the other when
was brief - I mean the whens of waiting and
of seeing heaven grow more radiant.

Ma poco fu tra uno e altro quando, ^23.16
del mio attender, dico, e del vedere
lo ciel venir più e più rischiarando;

And Beatrice said: “There you see the troops
of the triumphant Christ - and all the fruits
ingathered from the turning of these spheres!”

e Bëatrice disse: “Ecco le schiere ^23.19
del trïunfo di Cristo e tutto ‘l frutto
ricolto del girar di queste spere!”

It seemed to me her face was all aflame,
and there was so much gladness in her eyes -
I am compelled to leave it undescribed.

Pariemi che ‘l suo viso ardesse tutto, ^23.22
e li occhi avea di letizia sì pieni,
che passarmen convien sanza costrutto.

Like Trivia - at the full moon in clear skies -
smiling among the everlasting nymphs
who decorate all reaches of the sky,

Quale ne’ plenilunïi sereni ^23.25
Trivïa ride tra le ninfe etterne
che dipingon lo ciel per tutti i seni,

I saw a sun above a thousand lamps;
it kindled all of them as does our sun
kindle the sights above us here on earth;

vid’ i’ sopra migliaia di lucerne ^23.28
un sol che tutte quante l’accendea,
come fa ‘l nostro le viste superne;

and through its living light the glowing Substance
appeared to me with such intensity -
my vision lacked the power to sustain it.

e per la viva luce trasparea ^23.31
la lucente sustanza tanto chiara
nel viso mio, che non la sostenea.

O Beatrice, sweet guide and dear! She said
to me: “What overwhelms you is a Power
against which nothing can defend itself.

Oh Bëatrice, dolce guida e cara! ^23.34
Ella mi disse: “Quel che ti sobranza
è virtù da cui nulla si ripara.

This is the Wisdom and the Potency
that opened roads between the earth and Heaven,
the paths for which desire had long since waited.”

Quivi è la sapïenza e la possanza ^23.37
ch’aprì le strade tra ‘l cielo e la terra,
onde fu già sì lunga disïanza.”

Even as lightning breaking from a cloud,
expanding so that it cannot be pent,
against its nature, down to earth, descends,

Come foco di nube si diserra ^23.40
per dilatarsi sì che non vi cape,
e fuor di sua natura in giù s’atterra,

so did my mind, confronted by that feast,
expand; and it was carried past itself -
what it became, it cannot recollect.

la mente mia così, tra quelle dape ^23.43
fatta più grande, di sé stessa uscìo,
e che si fesse rimembrar non sape.

cf. Greg.Gr. Dial.II.35.6: Mens ... expanditur in Deo

“Open your eyes and see what I now am;
the things you witnessed will have made you strong
enough to bear the power of my smile.”

“Apri li occhi e riguarda qual son io; ^23.46
tu hai vedute cose, che possente
se’ fatto a sostener lo riso mio.”

I was as one who, waking from a dream
he has forgotten, tries in vain to bring
that vision back into his memory,

Io era come quei che si risente ^23.49
di visïone oblita e che s’ingegna
indarno di ridurlasi a la mente,

when I heard what she offered me, deserving
of so much gratitude that it can never
be canceled from the book that tells the past.

quand’ io udi’ questa proferta, degna ^23.52
di tanto grato, che mai non si stingue
del libro che ‘l preterito rassegna.

If all the tongues that Polyhymnia
together with her sisters made most rich
with sweetest milk, should come now to assist

Se mo sonasser tutte quelle lingue ^23.55
che Polimnïa con le suore fero
del latte lor dolcissimo più pingue,

my singing of the holy smile that lit
the holy face of Beatrice, the truth
would not be reached - not its one-thousandth part.

per aiutarmi, al millesmo del vero ^23.58
non si verria, cantando il santo riso
e quanto il santo aspetto facea mero;

And thus, in representing Paradise,
the sacred poem has to leap across,
as does a man who finds his path cut off.

e così, figurando il paradiso, ^23.61
convien saltar lo sacrato poema,
come chi trova suo cammin riciso.

But he who thinks upon the weighty theme,
and on the mortal shoulder bearing it,
will lay no blame if, burdened so, I tremble:

Ma chi pensasse il ponderoso tema ^23.64
e l’omero mortal che se ne carca,
nol biasmerebbe se sott’ esso trema:

this is no crossing for a little bark -
the sea that my audacious prow now cleaves -
nor for a helmsman who would spare himself.

non è pareggio da picciola barca ^23.67
quel che fendendo va l’ardita prora,
né da nocchier ch’a sé medesmo parca.

The Rose and the Garden

“Why are you so enraptured by my face
as to deny your eyes the sight of that
fair garden blossoming beneath Christ’s rays?

“Perché la faccia mia sì t’innamora, ^23.70
che tu non ti rivolgi al bel giardino
che sotto i raggi di Cristo s’infiora?

The Rose in which the Word of God became
flesh grows within that garden; there - the lilies
whose fragrance let men find the righteous way.”

Quivi è la rosa in che ‘l verbo divino ^23.73
carne si fece; quivi son li gigli
al cui odor si prese il buon cammino.”

Thus Beatrice, and I - completely ready
to do what she might counsel - once again
took up the battle of my feeble brows.

Così Beatrice; e io, che a’ suoi consigli ^23.76
tutto era pronto, ancora mi rendei
a la battaglia de’ debili cigli.

Under a ray of sun that, limpid, streams
down from a broken cloud, my eyes have seen,
while shade was shielding them, a flowered meadow;

Come a raggio di sol, che puro mei ^23.79
per fratta nube, già prato di fiori
vider, coverti d’ombra, li occhi miei;

so I saw many troops of splendors here
lit from above by burning rays of light,
but where those rays began was not in sight.

vid’ io così più turbe di splendori, ^23.82
folgorate di sù da raggi ardenti,
sanza veder principio di folgóri.

O kindly Power that imprints them thus,
you rose on high to leave space for my eyes -
for where I was, they were too weak to see You!

O benigna vertù che sì li ‘mprenti, ^23.85
sù t’essaltasti per largirmi loco
i li occhi lì che non t’eran possenti.

The name of that fair flower which I always
invoke, at morning and at evening, drew
my mind completely to the greatest flame.

Il nome del bel fior ch’io sempre invoco ^23.88
e mane e sera, tutto mi ristrinse
l’animo ad avvisar lo maggior foco;

The Celestial Music is Angelic

And when, on both my eye-lights, were depicted
the force and nature of the living star
that conquers heaven as it conquered earth,

e come ambo le luci mi dipinse ^23.91
il quale e il quanto de la viva stella
che là sù vince come qua giù vinse,

descending through that sky there came a torch,
forming a ring that seemed as if a crown:
wheeling around her - a revolving garland.

per entro il cielo scese una facella, ^23.94
formata in cerchio a guisa di corona,
e cinsela e girossi intorno ad ella.

Whatever melody most sweetly sounds
on earth, and to itself most draws the soul,
would seem a cloud that, torn by lightning, thunders,

Qualunque melodia più dolce suona ^23.97
qua giù e più a sé l’anima tira,
parrebbe nube che squarciata tona,

if likened to the music of that lyre
which sounded from the crown of that fair sapphire,
the brightest light that has ensapphired heaven.

comparata al sonar di quella lira ^23.100
onde si coronava il bel zaffiro
del quale il ciel più chiaro s’inzaffira.

“I am angelic love who wheel around
that high gladness inspired by the womb
that was the dwelling place of our Desire;

Io sono amore angelico, che giro ^23.103
l’alta letizia che spira del ventre
che fu albergo del nostro disiro;

so shall I circle, Lady of Heaven, until
you, following your Son, have made that sphere
supreme, still more divine by entering it.”

e girerommi, donna del ciel, mentre ^23.106
che seguirai tuo figlio, e farai dia
più la spera supprema perché lì entre.”

So did the circulating melody,
sealing itself, conclude; and all the other
lights then resounded with the name of Mary.

Così la circulata melodia ^23.109
si sigillava, e tutti li altri lumi
facean sonare il nome di Maria.

The royal cloak of all the wheeling spheres
within the universe, the heaven most
intense, alive, most burning in the breath

Lo real manto di tutti i volumi ^23.112
del mondo, che più ferve e più s’avviva
ne l’alito di Dio e nei costumi,

of God and in His laws and ordinance,
was far above us at its inner shore,
so distant that it still lay out of sight

avea sopra di noi l’interna riva ^23.115
tanto distante, che la sua parvenza,
là dov’ io era, ancor non appariva:

from that point where I was; and thus my eyes
possessed no power to follow that crowned flame,
which mounted upward, following her Son.

però non ebber li occhi miei potenza ^23.118
di seguitar la coronata fiamma
che si levò appresso sua semenza.

And like an infant who, when it has taken
its milk, extends its arms out to its mother,
its feeling kindling into outward flame,

E come fantolin che ‘nver’ la mamma ^23.121
tende le braccia, poi che ‘l latte prese,
per l’animo che ‘nfin di fuor s’infiamma;

each of those blessed splendors stretched its peak
upward, so that the deep affection each
possessed for Mary was made plain to me.

ciascun di quei candori in sù si stese ^23.124
con la sua cima, sì che l’alto affetto
ch’elli avieno a Maria mi fu palese.

Then they remained within my sight, singing
“Regina coeli” with such tenderness
that my delight in that has never left me.

Indi rimaser lì nel mio cospetto, ^23.127
“Regina celi” cantando sì dolce,
che mai da me non si partì ‘l diletto.

Oh, in those richest coffers, what abundance
is garnered up for those who, while below,
on earth, were faithful workers when they sowed!

Oh quanta è l’ubertà che si soffolce ^23.130
in quelle arche ricchissime che fuoro
a seminar qua giù buone bobolce!

Here do they live, delighting in the treasure
they earned with tears in Babylonian
exile, where they had no concern for gold.

Quivi si vive e gode del tesoro ^23.133
che s’acquistò piangendo ne lo essilio
di Babillòn, ove si lasciò l’oro.

Here, under the high Son of God and Mary,
together with the ancient and the new
councils, he triumphs in his victory -

Quivi trïunfa, sotto l’alto Filio ^23.136
di Dio e di Maria, di sua vittoria,
e con l’antico e col novo concilio,

he who is keeper of the keys of glory

colui che tien le chiavi di tal gloria. ^23.139

CANTO 24

CANTO 24
(The Virtue of Faith)

O FELLOWSHIP that has been chosen for
the Blessed Lamb’s great supper, where He feeds
you so as always to fulfill your need,

“O sodalizio eletto a la gran cena ^24.1
del benedetto Agnello, il qual vi ciba
sì, che la vostra voglia è sempre piena,

since by the grace of God, this man receives
foretaste of something fallen from your table
before death has assigned his time its limit,

se per grazia di Dio questi preliba ^24.4
di quel che cade de la vostra mensa,
prima che morte tempo li prescriba,

direct your mind to his immense desire,
quench him somewhat: you who forever drink
from that Source which his thought and longing seek.”

ponete mente a l’affezione immensa ^24.7
e roratelo alquanto: voi bevete
sempre del fonte onde vien quel ch’ei pensa.

So Beatrice; and these delighted souls
formed companies of spheres around fixed poles,
flaming as they revolved, as comets glow.

Così Beatrice; e quelle anime liete ^24.10
si fero spere sopra fissi poli,
fiammando, volte, a guisa di comete.

And just as, in a clock’s machinery,
to one who watches them, the wheels turn so
that, while the first wheel seems to rest, the last

E come cerchi in tempra d’orïuoli ^24.13
si giran sì, che ‘l primo a chi pon mente
quïeto pare, e l’ultimo che voli;

wheel flies; so did those circling dancers - as
they danced to different measures, swift and slow -
make me a judge of what their riches were.

così quelle carole, differente ^24.16
mente danzando, de la sua ricchezza
mi facieno stimar, veloci e lente.

From that sphere which I noted as most precious,
I saw a flame come forth with so much gladness
that none it left behind had greater brightness;

Di quella ch’io notai di più carezza ^24.19
vid’ ïo uscire un foco sì felice,
che nullo vi lasciò di più chiarezza;

and that flame whirled three times round Beatrice
while singing so divine a song that my
imagination cannot shape it for me.

e tre fïate intorno di Beatrice ^24.22
si volse con un canto tanto divo,
che la mia fantasia nol mi ridice.

My pen leaps over it; I do not write:
our fantasy and, all the more so, speech
are far too gross for painting folds so deep.

Però salta la penna e non lo scrivo: ^24.25
ché l’imagine nostra a cotai pieghe,
non che ‘l parlare, è troppo color vivo.

“O you who pray to us with such devotion -
my holy sister - with your warm affection,
you have released me from that lovely sphere.”

“O santa suora mia che sì ne prieghe ^24.28
divota, per lo tuo ardente affetto
da quella bella spera mi disleghe.”

So, after he had stopped his motion, did
the blessed flame breathe forth unto my lady;
and what he said I have reported here.

Poscia fermato, il foco benedetto ^24.31
a la mia donna dirizzò lo spiro,
che favellò così com’ i’ ho detto.

She answered: “O eternal light of that
great man to whom our Lord bequeathed the keys
of this astonishing gladness - the keys

Ed ella: “O luce etterna del gran viro ^24.34
a cui Nostro Segnor lasciò le chiavi,
ch’ei portò giù, di questo gaudio miro,

He bore to earth - do test this man concerning
the faith by which you walked upon the sea;
ask him points lights and grave, just as you please.

tenta costui di punti lievi e gravi, ^24.37
come ti piace, intorno de la fede,
per la qual tu su per lo mare andavi.

That he loves well and hopes well and has faith
is not concealed from you: you see that Place
where everything that happens is displayed.

S’elli ama bene e bene spera e crede, ^24.40
non t’è occulto, perché ‘l viso hai quivi
dov’ ogne cosa dipinta si vede;

But since this realm has gained its citizens
through the true faith, it rightly falls to him
to speak of faith, that he may glorify it.”

ma perché questo regno ha fatto civi ^24.43
per la verace fede, a glorïarla,
di lei parlare è ben ch’a lui arrivi.”

Just as the bachelor candidate must arm
himself and does not speak until the master
submits the question for discussion - not

Sì come il baccialier s’arma e non parla ^24.46
fin che ‘l maestro la question propone,
per approvarla, non per terminarla,

for settlement - so while she spoke I armed
myself with all my arguments, preparing
for such a questioner and such professing.

così m’armava io d’ogne ragione ^24.49
mentre ch’ella dicea, per esser presto
a tal querente e a tal professione.

On hearing that light breathe, “Good Christian, speak,
show yourself clearly: what is faith?” I raised
my brow, then turned to Beatrice, whose glance

“Dì, buon Cristiano, fatti manifesto: ^24.52
fede che è?” Ond’ io levai la fronte
in quella luce onde spirava questo;

immediately signaled me to let
the waters of my inner source pour forth.
Then I: “So may the Grace that grants to me

poi mi volsi a Beatrice, ed essa pronte ^24.55
sembianze femmi perch’ïo spandessi
l’acqua di fuor del mio interno fonte.

to make confession to the Chief Centurion
permit my thoughts to find their fit expression”;
and followed, “Father, as the truthful pen

“La Grazia che mi dà ch’io mi confessi,” ^24.58
comincia’ io, “da l’alto primipilo,
faccia li miei concetti bene espressi.”

of your dear brother wrote - that brother who,
with you, set Rome upon the righteous road -
faith is the substance of the things we hope for

E seguitai: “Come ‘l verace stilo ^24.61
ne scrisse, padre, del tuo caro frate
che mise teco Roma nel buon filo,

and is the evidence of things not seen;
and this I take to be its quiddity.”
And then I heard: “You understand precisely,

fede è sustanza di cose sperate ^24.64
e argomento de le non parventi;
e questa pare a me sua quiditate.”

if it is fully clear to you why he
has first placed faith among the substances
and then defines it as an evidence.”

Allora udi’: “Dirittamente senti, ^24.67
se bene intendi perché la ripuose
tra le sustanze, e poi tra li argomenti.”

I next: “The deep things that on me bestow
their image here, are hid from sight below,
so that their being lies in faith alone,

E io appresso: “Le profonde cose ^24.70
che mi largiscon qui la lor parvenza,
a li occhi di là giù son sì ascose,

and on that faith the highest hope is founded;
and thus it is that faith is called a substance.
And it is from this faith that we must reason,

che l’esser loro v’è in sola credenza, ^24.73
sopra la qual si fonda l’alta spene;
e però di sustanza prende intenza.

deducing what we can from syllogisms,
without our being able to see more:
thus faith is also called an evidence.”

E da questa credenza ci convene ^24.76
silogizzar, sanz’ avere altra vista:
però intenza d’argomento tene.”

And then I heard: “If all one learns below
as doctrine were so understood, there would
be no place for the sophist’s cleverness.”

Allora udi’: “Se quantunque s’acquista ^24.79
giù per dottrina, fosse così ‘nteso,
non lì avria loco ingegno di sofista.”

This speech was breathed from that enkindled love.
He added: “Now this coin is well-examined,
and now we know its alloy and its weight.

Così spirò di quello amore acceso; ^24.82
indi soggiunse: “Assai bene è trascorsa
d’esta moneta già la lega e ‘l peso;

But tell me: do you have it in your purse?”
And I: “Indeed I do - so bright and round
that nothing in its stamp leads me to doubt.”

ma dimmi se tu l’hai ne la tua borsa.” ^24.85
Ond’ io: “Sì ho, sì lucida e sì tonda,
che nel suo conio nulla mi s’inforsa.”

Next, from the deep light gleaming there, I heard:
“What is the origin of the dear gem
that comes to you, the gem on which all virtues

Appresso uscì de la luce profonda ^24.88
che lì splendeva: “Questa cara gioia
sopra la quale ogne virtù si fonda,

are founded?” I: “The Holy Ghost’s abundant
rain poured upon the parchments old and new;
that is the syllogism that has proved

onde ti venne?” E io: “La larga ploia ^24.91
de lo Spirito Santo, ch’è diffusa
in su le vecchie e ‘n su le nuove cuoia,

with such persuasiveness that faith has truth -
when set beside that argument, all other
demonstrations seem to me obtuse.”

è silogismo che la m’ha conchiusa ^24.94
acutamente sì, che ‘nverso d’ella
ogne dimostrazion mi pare ottusa.”

I heard: “The premises of old and new
impelling your conclusion - why do you
hold these to be the speech of God?” And I:

Io udi’ poi: “L’antica e la novella ^24.97
proposizion che così ti conchiude,
perché l’hai tu per divina favella?”

“The proof revealing truth to me relies
on acts that happened; for such miracles,
nature can heat no iron, beat no anvil.”

E io: “La prova che ‘l ver mi dischiude, ^24.100
son l’opere seguite, a che natura
non scalda ferro mai né batte incude.”

“Say, who assures you that those works were real?”
came the reply. “The very thing that needs
proof - no thing else - attests these works to you.”

Risposto fummi: “Dì, chi t’assicura ^24.103
che quell’ opere fosser? Quel medesmo
che vuol provarsi, non altri, il ti giura.”

I said: “If without miracles the world
was turned to Christianity, that is
so great a miracle that all the rest

“Se ‘l mondo si rivolse al cristianesmo,” ^24.106
diss’ io, “sanza miracoli, quest’ uno
è tal, che li altri non sono il centesmo:

are not its hundredth part: for you were poor
and hungry when you found the field and sowed
the good plant - once a vine and now a thorn.”

ché tu intrasti povero e digiuno ^24.109
in campo, a seminar la buona pianta
che fu già vite e ora è fatta pruno.”

This done, the high and holy court resounded
throughout its spheres with “Te Deum laudamus,”
sung with the melody they use on high.

Finito questo, l’alta corte santa ^24.112
risonò per le spere un “Dio laudamo”
ne la melode che là sù si canta.

Then he who had examined me, that baron
who led me on from branch to branch so that
we now were drawing close to the last leaves,

E quel baron che sì di ramo in ramo, ^24.115
essaminando, già tratto m’avea,
che a l’ultime fronde appressavamo,

began again: “That Grace which - lovingly -
directs your mind, until this point has taught
you how to find the seemly words for thought,

ricominciò: “La Grazia, che donnea ^24.118
con la tua mente, la bocca t’aperse
infino a qui come aprir si dovea,

so that I do approve what you brought forth;
but now you must declare what you believe
and what gave you the faith that you receive.”

sì ch’io approvo ciò che fuori emerse; ^24.121
ma or convien espremer quel che credi,
e onde a la credenza tua s’offerse.”

“O holy father, soul who now can see
what you believed with such intensity
that, to His tomb, you outran younger feet,”

O santo padre, e spirito che vedi ^24.124
ciò che credesti sì, che tu vincesti
ver’ lo sepulcro più giovani piedi,”

I then began, “you would have me tell plainly
the form of my unhesitating faith,
and also ask me to declare its source.

comincia’ io, “tu vuo’ ch’io manifesti ^24.127
la forma qui del pronto creder mio,
e anche la cagion di lui chiedesti.

I answer: I believe in one God - sole,
eternal - He who, motionless, moves all
the heavens with His love and love for Him;

E io rispondo: Io credo in uno Dio ^24.130
solo ed etterno, che tutto ‘l ciel move,
non moto, con amore e con disio;

for this belief I have not only proofs
both physical and metaphysical;
I also have the truth that here rains down

e a tal creder non ho io pur prove ^24.133
fisice e metafisice, ma dalmi
anche la verità che quinci piove

through Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms
and through the Gospels and through you who wrote
words given to you by the Holy Ghost.

per Moïsè, per profeti e per salmi, ^24.136
per l’Evangelio e per voi che scriveste
poi che l’ardente Spirto vi fé almi;

And I believe in three Eternal Persons,
and these I do believe to be one essence,
so single and threefold as to allow

e credo in tre persone etterne, e queste ^24.139
credo una essenza sì una e sì trina,
che soffera congiunto ‘sono’ ed ‘este.’

both is and are. Of this profound condition
of God that I have touched on, Gospel teaching
has often set the imprint on my mind.

De la profonda condizion divina ^24.142
ch’io tocco mo, la mente mi sigilla
più volte l’evangelica dottrina.

This is the origin, this is the spark
that then extends into a vivid flame
and, like a star in heaven, glows in me.”

Quest’ è ‘l principio, quest’ è la favilla ^24.145
che si dilata in fiamma poi vivace,
e come stella in cielo in me scintilla.”

Just as the lord who listens to his servant’s
announcement, then, as soon as he is silent,
embraces him, both glad with the good news,

Come ‘l segnor ch’ascolta quel che i piace, ^24.148
da indi abbraccia il servo, gratulando
per la novella, tosto ch’el si tace;

so did the apostolic light at whose
command I had replied, while blessing me
and singing, then encircle me three times:

così, benedicendomi cantando, ^24.151
tre volte cinse me, sì com’ io tacqui,
l’appostolico lume al cui comando

the speech I spoke had brought him such delight.

io avea detto: sì nel dir li piacqui! ^24.154

CANTO 25

CANTO 25
(The Virtue of Hope)

If it should happen . . . If this sacred poem -
this work so shared by heaven and by earth
that it has made me lean through these long years -

Se mai continga che ‘l poema sacro ^25.1
al quale ha posto mano e cielo e terra,
sì che m’ha fatto per molti anni macro,

can ever overcome the cruelty
that bars me from the fair fold where I slept,
a lamb opposed to wolves that war on it,

vinca la crudeltà che fuor mi serra ^25.4
del bello ovile ov’ io dormi’ agnello,
nimico ai lupi che li danno guerra;

by then with other voice, with other fleece,
I shall return as poet and put on,
at my baptismal font, the laurel crown;

con altra voce omai, con altro vello ^25.7
ritornerò poeta, e in sul fonte
del mio battesmo prenderò ‘l cappello;

for there I first found entry to that faith
which makes souls welcome unto God, and then,
for that faith, Peter garlanded my brow.

però che ne la fede, che fa conte ^25.10
l’anime a Dio, quivi intra’ io, e poi
Pietro per lei sì mi girò la fronte.

Then did a light move toward us from that sphere
from which emerged the first - the dear, the rare -
of those whom Christ had left to be His vicars;

Indi si mosse un lume verso noi ^25.13
di quella spera ond’ uscì la primizia
che lasciò Cristo d’i vicari suoi;

and full of happiness, my lady said
to me: “Look, look - and see the baron whom,
below on earth, they visit in Galicia.”

e la mia donna, piena di letizia, ^25.16
mi disse: “Mira, mira: ecco il barone
per cui là giù si vicita Galizia.”

As when a dove alights near its companion,
and each unto the other, murmuring
and circling, offers its affection, so

Sì come quando il colombo si pone ^25.19
presso al compagno, l’uno a l’altro pande,
girando e mormorando, l’affezione;

did I see both those great and glorious
princes give greeting to each other, praising
the banquet that is offered them on high.

così vid’ ïo l’un da l’altro grande ^25.22
principe glorïoso essere accolto,
laudando il cibo che là sù li prande.

But when their salutations were complete,
each stopped in silence coram me, and each
was so aflame, my vision felt defeat.

Ma poi che ‘l gratular si fu assolto, ^25.25
tacito coram me ciascun s’affisse,
ignito sì che vincëa ‘l mio volto.

Then Beatrice said, smiling: “Famous life
by whom the generosity of our
basilica has been described, do let

Ridendo allora Bëatrice disse: ^25.28
“Inclita vita per cui la larghezza
de la nostra basilica si scrisse,

matters of hope reecho at this height;
you can - for every time that Jesus favored
you three above the rest, you were the figure

fa risonar la spene in questa altezza: ^25.31
tu sai, che tante fiate la figuri,
quante Iesù ai tre fé più carezza.”

of hope.” “Lift up your head, and be assured:
whatever comes here from the mortal world
has to be ripened in our radiance.”

“Leva la testa e fa che t’assicuri: ^25.34
ché ciò che vien qua sù del mortal mondo,
convien ch’ai nostri raggi si maturi.”

The second fire offered me this comfort;
at which my eyes were lifted to the mountains
whose weight of light before had kept me bent.

Questo conforto del foco secondo ^25.37
mi venne; ond’ io leväi li occhi a’ monti
che li ‘ncurvaron pria col troppo pondo.

“Because our Emperor, out of His grace,
has willed that you, before your death, may face
His nobles in the inmost of His halls,

“Poi che per grazia vuol che tu t’affronti ^25.40
lo nostro Imperadore, anzi la morte,
ne l’aula più secreta co’ suoi conti,

so that, when you have seen this court in truth,
hope - which, below, spurs love of the true good -
in you and others may be comforted,

sì che, veduto il ver di questa corte, ^25.43
la spene, che là giù bene innamora,
in te e in altrui di ciò conforte,

do tell what hope is, tell how it has blossomed
within your mind, and from what source it came
to you” - so did the second flame continue.

dì quel ch’ell’ è, dì come se ne ‘nfiora ^25.46
la mente tua, e dì onde a te venne.”
Così seguì ‘l secondo lume ancora.

And she, compassionate, who was the guide
who led my feathered wings to such high flight,
did thus anticipate my own reply:

E quella pïa che guidò le penne ^25.49
de le mie ali a così alto volo,
a la risposta così mi prevenne:

“There is no child of the Church Militant
who has more hope than he has, as is written
within the Sun whose rays reach all our ranks:

“La Chiesa militante alcun figliuolo ^25.52
non ha con più speranza, com’ è scritto
nel Sol che raggia tutto nostro stuolo:

thus it is granted him to come from Egypt
into Jerusalem that he have vision
of it, before his term of warring ends.

però li è conceduto che d’Egitto ^25.55
vegna in Ierusalemme per vedere,
anzi che ‘l militar li sia prescritto.

The other two points of your question, which
were not asked so that you may know, but that
he may report how much you prize this virtue,

Li altri due punti, che non per sapere ^25.58
son dimandati, ma perch’ ei rapporti
quanto questa virtù t’è in piacere,

I leave to him; he will not find them hard
or cause for arrogance; as you have asked,
let him reply, and God’s grace help his task.”

a lui lasc’ io, ché non li saran forti ^25.61
né di iattanza; ed elli a ciò risponda,
e la grazia di Dio ciò li comporti.”

As a disciple answering his master,
prepared and willing in what he knows well,
that his proficiency may be revealed,

Come discente ch’a dottor seconda ^25.64
pronto e libente in quel ch’elli è esperto,
perché la sua bontà si disasconda,

I said: “Hope is the certain expectation
of future glory; it is the result
of God’s grace and of merit we have earned.

“Spene,” diss’ io, “è uno attender certo ^25.67
de la gloria futura, il qual produce
grazia divina e precedente merto.

This light has come to me from many stars;
but he who first instilled it in my heart
was the chief singer of the Sovereign Guide.

Da molte stelle mi vien questa luce; ^25.70
ma quei la distillò nel mio cor pria
che fu sommo cantor del sommo duce.

‘May those’ - he says within his theody -
‘who know Your name, put hope in You’; and if
one has my faith, can he not know God’s name?

‘Sperino in te,’ ne la sua tëodia ^25.73
dice, ‘color che sanno il nome tuo’:
e chi nol sa, s’elli ha la fede mia?

And just as he instilled, you then instilled
with your Epistle, so that I am full
and rain again your rain on other souls.”

Tu mi stillasti, con lo stillar suo, ^25.76
ne la pistola poi; sì ch’io son pieno,
e in altrui vostra pioggia repluo.”

While I was speaking, in the living heart
of that soul-flame there came a trembling flash,
sudden, repeated, just as lightning cracks.

Mentr’ io diceva, dentro al vivo seno ^25.79
di quello incendio tremolava un lampo
sùbito e spesso a guisa di baleno.

Then it breathed forth: “The love with which I still
burn for the virtue that was mine until
the palm and my departure from the field,

Indi spirò: “L’amore ond’ïo avvampo ^25.82
ancor ver’ la virtù che mi seguette
infin la palma e a l’uscir del campo,

would have me breathe again to you who take
such joy in hope; and I should welcome words
that tell what hope has promised unto you.”

vuol ch’io respiri a te che ti dilette ^25.85
di lei; ed emmi a grato che tu diche
quello che la speranza ti ‘mpromette.”

And I: “The new and ancient Scriptures set
the mark for souls whom God befriends; for me,
that mark means what is promised us by hope.

E io: “Le nove e le scritture antiche ^25.88
pongon lo segno, ed esso lo mi addita,
de l’anime che Dio s’ha fatte amiche.

Isaiah says that all of the elect
shall wear a double garment in their land:
and their land is this sweet life of the blessed.

Dice Isaia che ciascuna vestita ^25.91
ne la sua terra fia di doppia vesta:
e la sua terra è questa dolce vita;

And where your brother treats of those white robes,
he has - with words direct and evident -
made clear to us Isaiah’s revelation.”

e ‘l tuo fratello assai vie più digesta, ^25.94
là dove tratta de le bianche stole,
questa revelazion ci manifesta.”

At first, as soon as I had finished speaking,
“Sperent in te” was heard above us, all
the circling garlands answering this call.

E prima, appresso al fin d’este parole, ^25.97
“Sperent in te” di sopr’ a noi s’udì;
a che rispuoser tutte le carole.

And then, among those souls, one light became
so bright that, if the Crab had one such crystal,
winter would have a month of one long day.

Poscia tra esse un lume si schiarì ^25.100
sì che, se ‘l Cancro avesse un tal cristallo,
l’inverno avrebbe un mese d’un sol dì.

And as a happy maiden rises and
enters the dance to honor the new bride -
and not through vanity or other failing -

E come surge e va ed entra in ballo ^25.103
vergine lieta, sol per fare onore
a la novizia, non per alcun fallo,

so did I see that splendor, brightening,
approach those two flames dancing in a ring
to music suited to their burning love.

così vid’ io lo schiarato splendore ^25.106
venire a’ due che si volgieno^N a nota
qual conveniesi al loro ardente amore.

And there it joined the singing and the circling,
on which my lady kept her eyes intent,
just like a bride, silent and motionless.

Misesi lì nel canto e ne la rota; ^25.109
e la mia donna in lor tenea l’aspetto,
pur come sposa tacita e immota.

“This soul is he who lay upon the breast
of Christ our Pelican, and he was asked
from on the Cross to serve in the great task.”

“Questi è colui che giacque sopra ‘l petto ^25.112
del nostro pellicano, e questi fue
di su la croce al grande officio eletto.”

So spoke my lady; but her gaze was not
to be diverted from its steadfastness,
not after or before her words were said.

La donna mia così; né però piùe ^25.115
mosser la vista sua di stare attenta
poscia che prima le parole sue.

Even as he who squints and strains to see
the sun somewhat eclipsed and, as he tries
to see, becomes sightless, just so did I

Qual è colui ch’adocchia e s’argomenta ^25.118
di vedere eclissar lo sole un poco,
che, per veder, non vedente diventa;

in my attempt to watch the latest flame,
until these words were said: “Why do you daze
yourself to see what here can have no place?

tal mi fec’ïo a quell’ ultimo foco ^25.121
mentre che detto fu: “Perché t’abbagli
per veder cosa che qui non ha loco?

On earth my body now is earth and shall
be there together with the rest until
our number equals the eternal purpose.

In terra è terra il mio corpo, e saragli ^25.124
tanto con li altri, che ‘l numero nostro
con l’etterno proposito s’agguagli.

Only those two lights that ascended wear
their double garment in this blessed cloister.
And carry this report back to your world.”

Con le due stole nel beato chiostro ^25.127
son le due luci sole che saliro;
e questo apporterai nel mondo vostro.

When he began to speak, the flaming circle
had stopped its dance; so, too, its song had ceased -
that gentle mingling of their threefold breath -

A questa voce l’infiammato giro ^25.130
si quïetò con esso il dolce mischio
che si facea nel suon del trino spiro,

even as when, avoiding danger or
simply to rest, the oars that strike the water,
together halt when rowers hear a whistle.

sì come, per cessar fatica o rischio, ^25.133
li remi, pria ne l’acqua ripercossi,
tutti si posano al sonar d’un fischio.

Ah, how disturbed I was within my mind,
when I turned round to look at Beatrice,
on finding that I could not see, though I

Ahi quanto ne la mente mi commossi, ^25.136
quando mi volsi per veder Beatrice,
per non poter veder, benché io fossi

was close to her, and in the world of gladness!

presso di lei, e nel mondo felice! ^25.139

CANTO 26

CANTO 26
(Divine Love; Adam)

WHILE I, with blinded eyes, was apprehensive,
from that bright flame which had consumed my vision,
there breathed a voice that centered my attention,

Mentr’io dubbiava per lo viso spento, ^26.1
de la fulgida fiamma che lo spense
uscì un spiro che mi fece attento,

saying: “Until you have retrieved the power
of sight, which you consumed in me, it would
be best to compensate by colloquy.

dicendo: “Intanto che tu ti risense ^26.4
de la vista che haï in me consunta,
ben è che ragionando la compense.

Then do begin; declare the aim on which
your soul is set - and be assured of this:
your vision, though confounded, is not dead,

Comincia dunque; e dì ove s’appunta ^26.7
l’anima tua, e fa ragion che sia
la vista in te smarrita e non defunta:

because the woman who conducts you through
this godly region has, within her gaze,
that force the hand of Ananias had.”

perché la donna che per questa dia ^26.10
regïon ti conduce, ha ne lo sguardo
la virtù ch’ebbe la man d’Anania.”

I said: “As pleases her, may solace - sooner
or later - reach these eyes, her gates when she
brought me the fire with which I always burn.

Io dissi: “Al suo piacere e tosto e tardo ^26.13
vegna remedio a li occhi, che fuor porte
quand’ ella entrò col foco ond’ io sempr’ ardo.

The good with which this court is satisfied
is Alpha and Omega of all writings
that Love has - loud or low - read out to me.”

Lo ben che fa contenta questa corte, ^26.16
Alfa e O è di quanta scrittura
mi legge Amore o lievemente o forte.”

It was the very voice that had dispelled
the fear I felt at sudden dazzlement,
that now, with further words, made me concerned

Quella medesma voce che paura ^26.19
tolta m’avea del sùbito abbarbaglio,
di ragionare ancor mi mise in cura;

to speak again. He said: “You certainly
must sift with a still finer sieve, must tell
who led your bow to aim at such a target.”

e disse: “Certo a più angusto vaglio ^26.22
ti conviene schiarar: dicer convienti
chi drizzò l’arco tuo a tal berzaglio.”

And I: “By philosophic arguments
and by authority whose source is here,
that love must be imprinted in me; for

E io: “Per filosofici argomenti ^26.25
e per autorità che quinci scende
cotale amor convien che in me si ‘mprenti:

the good, once it is understood as such,
enkindles love; and in accord with more
goodness comes greater love. And thus the mind

ché ‘l bene, in quanto ben, come s’intende, ^26.28
così accende amore, e tanto maggio
quanto più di bontate in sé comprende.

of anyone who can discern the truth
on which this proof is founded must be moved
to love, more than it loves all else, that Essence

Dunque a l’essenza ov’ è tanto avvantaggio, ^26.31
che ciascun ben che fuor di lei si trova
altro non è ch’un lume di suo raggio,

which is preeminent (since any good
that lies outside of It is nothing but
a ray reflected from Its radiance).

più che in altra convien che si mova ^26.34
la mente, amando, di ciascun che cerne
il vero in che si fonda questa prova.

My mind discerns this truth, made plain by him
who demonstrates to me that the first love
of the eternal beings is their Maker.

Tal vero a l’intelletto mïo sterne ^26.37
colui che mi dimostra il primo amore
di tutte le sustanze sempiterne.

The voice of the true Author states this, too,
where He tells Moses, speaking of Himself:
‘I shall show you all goodness.’You reveal

Sternel la voce del verace autore, ^26.40
che dice a Moïsè, di sé parlando:
‘Io ti farò vedere ogne valore.’

this, too, when you begin your high Evangel,
which more than any other proclamation
cries out to earth the mystery of Heaven.”

Sternilmi tu ancora, incominciando ^26.43
l’alto preconio che grida l’arcano
di qui là giù sovra ogne altro bando.”

I heard: “Through human reasoning and through
authorities according with it, you
conclude: your highest love is bent on God.

E io udi’: “Per intelletto umano ^26.46
e per autoritadi a lui concorde
d’i tuoi amori a Dio guarda il sovrano.

But tell me, too, if you feel other cords
draw you toward Him, so that you voice aloud
all of the teeth by which this love grips you.”

Ma dì ancor se tu senti altre corde ^26.49
tirarti verso lui, sì che tu suone
con quanti denti questo amor ti morde.”

The holy intent of Christ’s Eagle was
not hidden; I indeed was made aware
of what he would most have my words declare.

Non fu latente la santa intenzione ^26.52
de l’aguglia di Cristo, anzi m’accorsi
dove volea menar mia professione.

Thus I began again: “My charity
results from all those things whose bite can bring
the heart to turn to God; the world’s existence

Però ricominciai: “Tutti quei morsi ^26.55
che posson far lo cor volgere a Dio,
a la mia caritate son concorsi:

and mine, the death that He sustained that I
might live, and that which is the hope of all
believers, as it is my hope, together

ché l’essere del mondo e l’esser mio, ^26.58
la morte ch’el sostenne perch’ io viva,
e quel che spera ogne fedel com’ io,

with living knowledge I have spoken of -
these drew me from the sea of twisted love
and set me on the shore of the right love.

con la predetta conoscenza viva, ^26.61
tratto m’hanno del mar de l’amor torto,
e del diritto m’han posto a la riva.

The leaves enleaving all the garden of
the Everlasting Gardener, I love
according to the good He gave to them.”

Le fronde onde s’infronda tutto l’orto ^26.64
de l’ortolano etterno, am’ io cotanto
quanto da lui a lor di bene è porto.”

As soon as I was still, a song most sweet
resounded through that heaven, and my lady
said with the others: “Holy, holy, holy!”

Sì com’ io tacqui, un dolcissimo canto ^26.67
risonò per lo cielo, e la mia donna
dicea con li altri: “Santo, santo, santo!”

And just as a sharp light will startle us
from sleep because the spirit of eyesight
races to meet the brightness that proceeds

E come a lume acuto si disonna ^26.70
per lo spirto visivo che ricorre
a lo splendor che va di gonna in gonna,

from layer to layer in the eye, and he
who wakens is confused by what he sees,
awaking suddenly, and knows no thing

e lo svegliato ciò che vede aborre, ^26.73
sì nescïa è la sùbita vigilia
fin che la stimativa non soccorre;

until his judgment helps him; even so
did Beatrice dispel, with her eyes’ rays,
which shone more than a thousand miles, the chaff

così de li occhi miei ogne quisquilia ^26.76
fugò Beatrice col raggio d’i suoi,
che rifulgea da più di mille milia:

from my eyes: I saw better than I had
before; and as if stupefied, I asked
about the fourth light that I saw among us.

onde mei che dinanzi vidi poi; ^26.79
e quasi stupefatto domandai
d’un quarto lume ch’io vidi tra noi.

My lady answered: “In those rays there gazes
with love for his Creator the first soul
ever created by the Primal Force.”

E la mia donna: “Dentro da quei rai ^26.82
vagheggia il suo fattor l’anima prima
che la prima virtù creasse mai.”

As does a tree that bends its crown because
of winds that gust, and then springs up, raised by
its own sustaining power, so did I

Come la fronda che flette la cima ^26.85
nel transito del vento, e poi si leva
per la propria virtù che la soblima,

while she was speaking. I, bewildered, then
restored to confidence by that desire
to speak with which I was inflamed, began:

fec’io in tanto in quant’ ella diceva, ^26.88
stupendo, e poi mi rifece sicuro
un disio di parlare ond’ ïo ardeva.

“O fruit that was the only one to be
brought forth already ripe, o ancient father
to whom each bride is as a daughter and

E cominciai: “O pomo che maturo ^26.91
solo prodotto fosti, o padre antico
a cui ciascuna sposa è figlia e nuro,

daughter-in-law, devoutly as I can,
I do beseech you: speak with me. You see
my wish; to hear you sooner, I do not

divoto quanto posso a te supplìco ^26.94
perché mi parli: tu vedi mia voglia,
e per udirti tosto non la dico.”

declare it.” And the primal soul - much as
an animal beneath a cover stirs,
so that its feelings are made evident

Talvolta un animal coverto broglia, ^26.97
sì che l’affetto convien che si paia
per lo seguir che face a lui la ‘nvoglia;

when what enfolds it follows all its movements -
showed me, through that which covered him, with what
rejoicing he was coming to delight me.

e similmente l’anima primaia ^26.100
mi facea trasparer per la coverta
quant’ ella a compiacermi venìa gaia.

Then he breathed forth: “Though you do not declare
your wish, I can perceive it better than
you can perceive the things you hold most certain;

Indi spirò: “Sanz’ essermi proferta ^26.103
da te, la voglia tua discerno meglio
che tu qualunque cosa t’è più certa;

for I can see it in the Truthful Mirror
that perfectly reflects all else, while no
thing can reflect that Mirror perfectly.

perch’ io la veggio nel verace speglio ^26.106
che fa di sé pareglio a l’altre cose,
e nulla face lui di sé pareglio.

You wish to hear how long it is since I
was placed by God in that high garden where
this lady readied you to climb a stair

Tu vuogli udir quant’ è che Dio mi puose ^26.109
ne l’eccelso giardino, ove costei
a così lunga scala ti dispuose,

so long, and just how long it pleased my eyes,
and the true cause of the great anger, and
what idiom I used and shaped. My son,

e quanto fu diletto a li occhi miei, ^26.112
e la propria cagion del gran disdegno,
e l’idïoma ch’usai e che fei.

the cause of my long exile did not lie
within the act of tasting of the tree,
but solely in my trespass of the boundary.

Or, figliuol mio, non il gustar del legno ^26.115
fu per sé la cagion di tanto essilio,
ma solamente il trapassar del segno.

During four thousand three hundred and two
re-turnings of the sun, while I was in
that place from which your Lady sent you Virgil,

Quindi onde mosse tua donna Virgilio, ^26.118
quattromilia trecento e due volumi
di sol desiderai questo concilio;

I longed for this assembly. While on earth,
I saw the sun return to all the lights
along its way, nine hundred thirty times.

e vidi lui tornare a tutt’ i lumi ^26.121
de la sua strada novecento trenta
fïate, mentre ch’ïo in terra fu’mi.

The tongue I spoke was all extinct before
the men of Nimrod set their minds upon
the unaccomplishable task; for never

La lingua ch’io parlai fu tutta spenta ^26.124
innanzi che a l’ovra inconsummabile
fosse la gente di Nembròt attenta:

has any thing produced by human reason
been everlasting - following the heavens,
men seek the new, they shift their predilections.

ché nullo effetto mai razïonabile, ^26.127
per lo piacere uman che rinovella
seguendo il cielo, sempre fu durabile.

That man should speak at all is nature’s act,
but how you speak - in this tongue or in that -
she leaves to you and to your preference.

Opera naturale è ch’uom favella; ^26.130
ma così o così, natura lascia
poi fare a voi secondo che v’abbella.

Before I was sent down to Hell’s torments,
on earth, the Highest Good - from which derives
the joy that now enfolds me - was called I;

Pria ch’i’ scendessi a l’infernale ambascia, ^26.133
I s’appellava in terra il sommo bene
onde vien la letizia che mi fascia;

and then He was called El. Such change must be:
the ways that mortals take are as the leaves
upon a branch - one comes, another goes.

e El si chiamò poi: e ciò convene, ^26.136
ché l’uso d’i mortali è come fronda
in ramo, che sen va e altra vene.

On that peak rising highest from the sea,
my life - first pure, then tainted - lasted from
the first hour to the hour that follows on

Nel monte che si leva più da l’onda, ^26.139
fu’io, con vita pura e disonesta,
da la prim’ ora a quella che seconda,

the sixth, when the sun shifts to a new quadrant.”

come ‘l sol muta quadra, l’ora sesta.” ^26.142