Purgatorio: Canto XV

Even as much as 'tween the third hour's close
And day's beginning see we of that sphere
Which, like a child, sports on nor seeks repose.

So much there seemed now, towards evening clear,
For the bright sun to reach its journey's end;
There it was evening, midnight was it here.

And straight upon our face its rays did bend.
Because we so did round the mountain wind
That we our way towards the West did wend;

When I my forehead shrinking back did find
From the bright sheen than at the first far more,
And things not understood confused my mind;

Whereat my hands I raised mine eyebrows o'er,
And made myself a covert from the light,
Which thus less bright excess of radiance wore.

As when from water or from mirror bright
The ray leaps upward to the opposed side.
Ascending at an angle opposite

And equal, as it fell, and goes as wide
From the plumb-line in that its angle's play,
As science and experiment decide.

So I seemed smitten by reflected ray,
Which falling there before me, rose again,
Wherefore my glance was quick to shrink away.

"What then is this, sweet Father, whence in vain
I seek to screen mine eyes as I desire,
That seemeth now to move to us amain?"

"Marvel thou not, if those of Heaven's high choir,"
Then answered he, " still dazzle and confound;
It is an angel, bidding men aspire;"

Soon to behold these things that here abound
Will not be grievous, but a joy as sweet
As Nature for thy power to feel hath found."

When we the Angel ever-blest did meet,
With joyful voice he said, " Come, enter in."
On stair less steep than others for our feet

We mounted thence, and, as we went therein,
"Yea, Blessed are the Merciful " behind
We heard them sing, " Rejoice ye, ye that win."

I and my Master on our way did wind,
We two alone, I thinking, as I went,
Some profit good from words of his to find.

And thus I spake to him and asked, " What meant
That spirit from Romagna when he spake
Of 'partners ' and of that 'stern law's ' intent?"

Then he to me: " True measure doth he take
Of his great failing: therefore marvel not
If he chide it, men's pain the less to make.

Because your wishes choose as happiest lot
Where partnership doth make each portion less,
To sighs hath envy, as the bellows, wrought;

But if the love of yon high sphere should bless
Your souls, and raise your longings low on high.
That fear would then no more your heart distress.

For there the more each one our good can cry,"
So much the more can each claim as his own,
And in that convent burns more charity."

"Far keener hunger," said I, "now I've known,
Than if before my tongue had nothing said.
And more of doubt within my mind hath grown.

How can it be that good distributed
Can with more wealth its many owners fill
In its possession than if few it fed?"

And he to me: " Because thou fixest still
Thy spirit only upon things terrene,
From the true light thou darkness dost distil.

That Good which passeth speech and bound, unseen,
Which dwells on high doth unto Love speed so
As to a body clear the ray serene.

What heat it finds, so much it doth bestow,
So that how wide soe'er our charity,
The Everlasting Might doth further flow.

And as the souls each other know on high,
The more there are to love, and they love more,
Each mirroring to each the radiancy.

And if my thoughts to meet thy need seem poor,
Thou shalt see Beatrice; she shall still
This and all other craving with her lore.

But onward speed and seek with earnest will
That like the two, the five wounds may be healed,
Which close, when they their pain's due measure fill."

I fain had said, Well hast thou this revealed,"
But saw that I had reached another round.
So that by restless eyes my lips were sealed.

And there I seemed as in a dream profound,
Ecstatic, to be plunged all suddenly.
And in a temple many people found.

And at the gate a lady fair, with eye
And sweet mien of a mother, said, " My son,
Why hast thou dealt with us thus cruelly?

Behold thy sire and I with many a moan
Have sought thee sorrowing," and when she did cease,
The vision which I gazed upon was gone.

Then there appeared another ill at ease.
And o'er her cheeks the tears of grief flowed down,
As when men's scorn deprives us of our peace,

And said, " If thou art Master of the town
Whose name among the gods caused strife so great,
From whence the light of knowledge far is thrown.

On him take vengeance whose bold arm of late
Embraced our daughter, O Pisistratus,"
And then that Lord, with calm look and sedate.

Seemed with a look controlled to answer thus:
What shall we do to those who seek our ill.
If he we're loved by is condemned by us?"

A multitude, whom flaming rage did fill,
I then saw stone a youth, with clamour loud,
One to another shouting, " Kill him! kill!"

And I beheld him on his knees low-bowed,
To earth bent down as heavy death drew near:"
But evermore his eyes as heaven's gates showed.

And in that strife to Heaven's high Lord his prayer
He poured that He his fierce foes would forgive,
With such a look as unlocks pity's tear.

But when my mind things outward did perceive,"
Which, being without, the mind accepts as true,
I knew no false dreams did my soul conceive.

My Leader then, who saw me, full in view.
Act like a man who wakens from his sleep,
Cried out, " What ails thee, taking steps untrue i"

Nay, thou for half a league thy course dost keep
Veiling thine eyes, and with thy legs entwined.
Like one in wine or slumber fallen deep?"

O my sweet Father, if my words thou'lt mind,
I'll tell thee," said I, " what I deemed I saw,
When my legs ceased their wonted use to find."

And he: "If thou a hundred masks should'st draw.
Over thy face, from me thou could'st not veil
Within thy thoughts, however small, one flaw.

What thou hast seen was that thou may'st not fail
To streams of peace thine heart to open quite,
Which from the Eternal Fount for all avail.

I did not ask, ' What ails thee? ' as he might.
Who looks with those eyes only which see nought.
When reft of soul the body lies in night.

Strength to thy feet was what my question sought:
Thus must we spur the sluggards who are slack.
When sight returns, to use it as they ought."

Onward we went through twilight, with no lack
Of forward glances keen, to penetrate
Far through the radiant glow of sunset's track;

And lo! by slow degrees a smoke-cloud great
Drew on towards us, as the night obscure,
Nor was there place where we might find retreat:

This reft us of our sight and fresh air pure."