Paradiso: Canto XVIII

Rejoicing in himself at that his speech
Stood that blest Mirror, and I tasting tried
The sweet and bitter, tempering each with each;

And then that Lady who was still my guide
To God, said, " Change thy thoughts, and think that He"
Who lightens every wrong is at my side."

I turned me to that loving melody
Of my dear Joy, and what I then saw plain
Of love in those pure eyes o'ertasketh me;

Not only that I feel all words are vain,
But that my mind doth fail to represent
What soars so far, with none to guide the rein.

Yet this I can say, and am well content.
That, gazing on her, all my strong desire
Was free from every baser element."

While the eternal joy, whose radiant fire
In Beatrice shone direct, did me
With reflex bliss from her fair face inspire.

She, conquering me with smile all bright to see.
Thus spoke to me: " Now turn thyself and hear;
Mine eyes are not sole Paradise for thee."

As oft with us affections strong appear
Transparent in our looks, if such their might,
That all our soul the rapture strong doth share.

So in the burning of that holy light"
To which I turned I did the will descry
That me to further converse would invite:

And he began: " In this fifth stage on high
Of tree that from its summit lives and grows,
Ne'er sheds its leaf, bears fruit eternally,

Are blessed spirits who, ere yet they rose
To Heaven, were of such renowned fame
As on each Muse abundant store bestows.

Look then where meet the Cross's arms of flame.
And as from cloud the swift fire darteth by,
So will each do as I shall speak his name."

Athwart the Cross I saw a swift light fly.
As he called Joshua's name, nor had the word
Passed from his lips ere act had met the eye;

And as the name of Maccabee I heard,
I saw another move, which circling wound.
And gladness was the whip which that top stirred.

So as Orlando's, Charlemagne's names did sound,
Two more I followed with a keen regard.
As the eye follows oft the falcon's round;

Then William drew mine eye, and Renouard,
And the Duke Godfrey, gazing eagerly
Upon that Cross, and Robert named Guiscard.

Then, mingling with the other lights on high,
The soul that thus had spoken bade me Learn
His artist rank 'mong singers of the sky.

I to the right hand then myself did turn
To look on Beatrice, and thereby
By word or act my duty to discern;

And in her eyes I saw such brilliancy,
Such joy, that far that vision left behind
All earliest, latest, wont that met mine eye.

And as, through feeling pleasure more refined
As he does good, a man, from day to day.
Perceives that virtue groweth in his mind,

So I perceived that, as I took my way.
Revolving with the Heaven the arc had grown,
As I that Wonder saw more light display.

And as in one brief moment oft is known
The change in pale maid's features when that she
The weight of shamefast blush aside hath thrown,

Such to mine eyes, when I had turned to see.
Came that star's glow of tempered lustre bright.
That sixth star which within now harboured me.

Within that Jovial torch I saw the light,
The sparkling of the love that there did lie.
Trace out our speech before my wondering sight;

And, as the birds that from the shore mount high,
As if rejoicing in their pasture-ground,
In circle dense or lengthened squadron fly,

So from within those lights, to song's sweet sound.
The holy creatures flew, and soon full clear
D, I, and L by them designed I found.

First singing sweetly, moved they here and there
To their own music, then, as they formed one
Of those three letters, paused and silent were.

O Pegasean Muse, through whom are won
The glorious gifts which long-lived praises gain.
As they to states and kingdoms pass them on.

Illumine me, that I may render plain
Their figures as they come before my thought,
And let thy might these verses few sustain!

Then letters fivefold seven in shape they wrought,
Both consonants and vowels; and I made
Due note of all as they to me were brought.

'Diligite justitiam " first portrayed.
Both noun and verb, were seen, as on they passed,
"Qui judicatis terram" last displayed;

Then in the M of that fifth word and last
They stood in order, so that Jupiter
As silver seemed whereon was gold enchased.

And other lights descending saw I, where
Was the M's apex, then awhile repose.
Singing, I deem, the Good that draws them there.

Then, as we strike a firebrand, and there glows'"
The soaring flight of sparks innumerable,
Which, to the foolish, auguries disclose.

So more than thousand lights were visible.
Rising and upward leaping, less or more,
E'en as the Sun that kindles them did will,

And when each rested where it was before,
I saw an eagle's head and neck appear.
Formed by the fire-sparks which that semblance bore.

No need has He of guide who traced it there,
But Himself guides it, and from Him doth flow
That power which makes each creature's nest its care.

The other blessed troop, which erst did show.
Content to be enlilied on the M,
With gentle movement in that track did go.

O thou sweet star! how many a lucid gem"
Then showed me how our justice hath as cause
The Heaven which thou with brightness dost ingem.

Wherefore I pray the Mind, which of thy laws
And power is source, that He should turn His eye
Whence comes the smoke that fills thy rays with flaws,

That so yet once again His wrath wax high
'Gainst those who buy and sell within the shrine
Which martyrdoms and wonders fortify.

Ye whom I gaze on, knights of court divine,
Pray ye for those who yet on earth abide,
Through bad example all gone out of line.

Of yore men fought with sword upon their side;
But now, or here or there, they take away
Bread the kind Father hath to none denied.

And thou who writest but to blot for pay,
Think thou that Peter and that Paul, who fell
For vineyard that thou wastest, live alway.

Well canst thou say, " I love the saint so well
Whose will it was to live apart from all.
Brought by a dance to death-doom terrible,

That I know not the Fisherman nor Paul."