Paradiso: Canto XIV

From rim to centre, centre to the rim,
The water moves itself in vessel round,
As struck from out or inside of the brim.

Within my thoughts dropt suddenly, I found
This that I speak of, when the glorious shade
Of great St. Thomas no more uttered sound.

Through the resemblance to my mind conveyed,
'Twixt his discourse and that of Beatrice,
Who after him thus her beginning made:

"This man hath need, nor yet with voice applies
To tell it, no, nor even in his mind,
To reach the root where yet one more truth lies;

Tell if the light wherewith enflowered we find
Your substance will remain with you for aye
As now it is, while endless ages wind;"

And if it so remain, then after say,
How, when once more ye visible are made.
It shall not vex your eyesight with its ray."

As now and then, by joy's excess betrayed.
They lift their voice who circling dance along,
And the whole game with greater mirth is played,

Thus at that prayer, so earnest and so strong,
The circles of the blessed showed new joy
In their quick whirling and their wondrous song.

Whoso at thought of dying feels annoy
To live above, be sure he doth not see
The eternal shower of gladness they enjoy.

The ever-living One and Two and Three,
The ever-reigning Three and Two and One,
Boundless Himself, bounds all things else that be —

Three times to Him due praise by each was done.
Of those blest spirits, with such melody.
Full guerdon 'twere for all that merit won.

And in the light that shone most gloriously
In the near ring I heard as modest strain
As Gabriel's when to Mary he drew nigh,

Answer: " As long as with us shall remain
The joy of Paradise, so long our love
Such vesture radiant round us shall retain.

Its brightness doth our ardour's measure prove,
The ardour comes from vision, and that grows.
As it has grace its natural strength above.

And when reclothed with flesh our body shows
Glorious and holy, then our being's bliss
Will be more sweet as it completeness knows;

And so will grow and brighten in us this.
The light the Chief Good gives of His free grace.
The light by which we see Him as He is.

And thus that vision needs must grow apace,
Grow too the ardour kindled by that sight;
Grow too the brightness shed from it through space.

But as a coal that giveth flame and light.
Yet these by its white heat surpasseth so
That its own aspect still maintains its right.

So shall the glory that doth round us show
Yield in its radiance to the fleshly frame
Which now the earth hides sepulchred below;

Nor shall we wearied grow with that bright flame,
For all our body's organs will be strong
For every object that delights the same."

So quick and eager in their burst of song.
With loud Amen, seemed each ring of the choirs.
They seemed for their dead bodies much to long;

Not for themselves alone were their desires.
Perchance, but mothers, fathers, others, dear,
Ere yet they shone among the eternal fires.

And lo! all round, with equal brightness clear,
A glory shone, the former light above,
As when the horizon's glow doth reappear.

And, as when early eve begins to move,
New stars are seen in the bright firmament,
And whether true or false we scarce can prove.

So then new forms of being did present
Themselves to me, and made an outer ring
That far beyond those other circles went.

O Holy Spirit's true illumining!
How sudden on mine eyes its burning light
So poured, that they shrank back in suffering!

But Beatrice then so wondrous bright
With smiles appeared, that with what else was seen,
My mind must leave it as beyond its might.

Anon mine eyes, restored to vision keen,
Looked up, and now I saw we were transferred,
I and my Lady, to bliss more serene.

Well saw I we a higher clime had neared
By the full glowing smile of that bright star,
Which ruddier than its wont to me appeared.

With all my heart, and with the words that are
The same for all men, I made sacrifice,
Meet for that last new grace so passing rare.

Nor from my breast the glow had ceased to rise
Of that same holocaust, before I knew
That offering had found favour in God's eyes;

For with such brightness and such roseate hue
Splendours I saw in two such radiant lines,
I cried, " O Elios, here thy work I view!"

As, marked by less and greater starry signs.
The Galaxy, the world's great poles between,
Perplexing sages, in its whiteness shines.

Thus constellate in depths of Mars' bright sheen,
Those rays the venerable sign did make.
Which, where four quadrants intersect, is seen.

Here skill and power 'neath memory's burden break,
For on that cross, all flashing, shone the Christ,
So that I know not what fit type to take;

But whoso takes his cross and follows Christ
Will pardon me for what I leave unsaid,
Seeing in that sheen the levin-flash of Christ.

From arm to arm, and from the foot to head,
Moved to and fro bright lights, and, as they went,"
Meeting and crossing, sparkling rays they shed.

So see we oft, in straight line now, now bent,
Now swift, now slow, in ever-changing mode.
The atoms small, of more or less extent.

Move in the ray which makes a shining road"
Through shadows thick, where men, on screen or fence
Their skill, and art, and labour have bestowed.

And as the lyre and harp, when duly tense
Their many strings, make pleasant harmony
For him who of each note has little sense,

So then the lights that there appeared to me
Around the cross melodious song did raise.
Which rapt me, though their hymn mine ears did flee.

Well did I know it was of loftiest praise.
For unto me "Arise and conquer" came,
As understanding not, one hears a phrase.

So much therewith enamoured I became,
That until then had not been anything
That with such pleasant bonds my strength o'ercame.

Perhaps my words may have too bold a ring,
Seeming to slight the charm of those sweet eyes.
Rapt in whose gaze desire doth fold her wing;

But who reflects that as we higher rise
Each living type of beauty charms us more.
And that my gaze was there turned otherwise.

He may excuse what 'gainst myself I score.
Myself excusing, and my truth confess;
For joy supreme here oped not all its store.

For, as one mounts, it gains more power to bless.