Purgatorio: Canto XXXII

So eager were mine eyes, and so attent
My ten years craving thirst to satisfy,
That every other sense was lost and spent;

Beyond, like walls that bounded either eye.
Reigned simple nescience, so that sweet smile lent
To the old net resistless mastery.

And when perforce my face awhile was bent
Towards the left by those Divine Ones fair,
For that I heard them say, "Ah, too intent!"

And as clear vision fails before the glare,
In eyes but lately smitten by the sun.
So for a while nought saw I anywhere.

But when my sight a little strength re-won —
I say "a little " with the " much " compared
Of that bright glory I was forced to shun —"

I saw that to the right hand had repaired
That glorious army, and had wheeled full round,
So that their face the sun and seven flames shared.

As 'neath its shields, for due protection found,
A cohort with its flag doth wheel and move,
Ere the whole force its march about hath wound.

That army of Heaven's kingdom high above,
Which led the way, had all before us passed.
Ere the car's pole its power to turn did prove.

Then to the wheels those ladies turned at last,
And then the Gryphon moved his blessed load,
Yet so that not one feather shook through haste.

The lady fair who through the ford me towed,
Statius and I, we tracked the wheel's path well.
Whose orbit marked with smaller arc the road.

So, passing the high forest, where none dwell.
Through fault of her who did the serpent trust,
Angelic music with our footsteps fell.

Perchance an arrow from the bow would just
In three flights such a distance reach as we
Our march, when Beatrice stepped down, had thrust.

''Adam," I heard them all speak murmuringly:
Then they a tree encompassed stript and bare,
No flower or leaf on any bough to see;

Its topmast branches, wide-spread everywhere,
The more it rises, would from Indians gain
In their woods wonder for its stature rare.

'O Gryphon! blest art thou who dost refrain
Thy beak from that same branch, to taste so sweet.
Since thence man's inward parts felt torturing pain.

Thus round the strong tree, all in order meet,
The others cried, and that twy-natured One,
Thus is the seed of all right kept complete."

And turning to the pole which he drew on,
He brought it close below that widowed stem,
And left there bound what was indeed its own.

And as the plants we know, when falls on them
The sun's great light with other radiance blent.
Which beams behind the Fishes starry gem.

First swell and bud, and then with ornament,
Each of its special tint, are quick renewed.
Ere the sun's steeds to other stars are bent,

Less than the rose yet more than violet-hued
Unfolding, then that tree new growth did gain.
Whose branches erst so bare and naked showed.

I never heard, nor ever here such strain
As that they sang is heard by mortal ear.
Nor could I all its melody sustain.

If I could paint how ruthless eyes and clear
Were lulled to sleep with Syrinx' tender lay,
Those eyes to which much watching cost so dear.

As artist, who with model paints away.
Then would I picture how asleep I fell:
Let him try who can slumber well portray.

Therefore to pass to when I woke 'tis well,
And say that then a brightness rent the veil
Of sleep, and loud cry, 'Rise! what dost thou? tell!"

As once of old the apple-blossoms pale.
Which with their fruit the angels satiate
In Heaven, in wedding-feast perpetual,

James, Peter, John were led to contemplate.
And by them dazzled, at the voice returned
By which was broken deeper slumber's state,

And emptied saw the school in which they learned,
As of Elias, so of Moses too,
And then their Master's altered garb discerned.

So I revived, and near me came in view
That holy lady who my guide had been
My path along the river to pursue.

"Where then is Beatrice?" asked I, keen
With eager doubt; and she: " Lo! on the ground
'Neath the fresh leaves she on the root doth lean.

See there the company that gird her round;
The rest the Gryphon follow now on high.
With melody more sweet and more profound.".

And whether she more fully made reply
I know not, for there came before my gaze
She who all power to hear more did deny.

Alone she sat, on ground, of Truth the base.
Left there as guardian of the mystic car,
Which He bound there who twy-formed nature sways.

Then formed a ring, by movement circular.
Those seven fair nymphs with torches in their hand,
Which safe from Aquilo and Auster are.

"Here a short while thou shalt as woodman stand,
And with me shalt for aye be citizen
Of that Rome where Christ heads the Roman band.

Therefore, for good of evil-living men,
Look on the chariot, and what there thou see'st.
When thou to earth returnest, write thou then."

So Beatrice; and I, who to the least
Of her commandments gave my homage due,
Turned eyes and mind to follow her behest.

Never did fire from cloud its course pursue
So swiftly downward 'mid the pelting shower,"
From the high sphere remotest from our view.

As I then saw the bird of Jove pass o'er
Down on the tree its very bark to break,
Rending the flowers and tender leaves yet more;

And that fierce blow did all the chariot shake,
So that it reeled, like ship in sore distress,
Where, starboard, larboard, waves their onset make.

Then saw I how a vixen in did press.
Inside that great triumphant vehicle,
Which, ravenous, seemed no good food to possess.

But, chiding it for its sins horrible.
My Lady turned it to such hasty flight,
As through its fleshless bones was possible.

Then, by the way whence first it came to sight,
I saw the eagle to the car descend,
And leave it feathered with its plumage light.

As from a heart that bitter grief doth rend.
So came a voice from Heaven, and thus it cried:
"Ah, bark of mine! what ill freight thee doth bend?"

Then the earth seemed to me to open wide,
And 'twixt the wheels a dragon did I see.
Who pierced with upward tail the chariot's side;

And, like a wasp with sting drawn back, did he,
Coiling the whole length of his evil tail.
Wrench out the floor and vanish tortuously.

That which remained behind, as fertile vale
Is clothed with grass, was soon with plumage clad,
Offered, perchance, with mind where did not fail

Pure thoughts and good; and lo! that vesture had
Covered both pole and wheels in briefer span
Than sigh keeps open lips of one that's sad.

The holy structure, thus transformed, began
To thrust forth heads from out each separate part.
Three at the pole, one where each angle ran.

With horns like oxen, lo! the three did start,
But for the four, one horn in front was found;
Such monster ne'er hath met man's eye or heart.

Firm as a rock upon high mountain ground,
I saw a harlot sit at ease thereon.
Shameless, with wanton eyes that glanced around.

And that his prize might not from him be won,
I saw a giant there, who stood erect.
And many a kiss each gave the other one;

But when her lustful, wandering eyes direct
On me she turned, forthwith her lover rude
Scourged her from head to foot as one suspect;

Then, full of jealous doubt and wrathful mood.
He loosed the monstrous form, and through the glade
Dragged it, until I found in that same wood

Shield from that harlot and the beast new-made.