Paradiso: Canto XXV

Should it e'er chance that this my sacred song,
To which both Heaven and earth have so set hand,
That it hath made me lean through years full long,

Overcome the cruelty that keeps me banned
From the fair fold where I as lamb did rest,'
Foe of the wolves who war against the land.

With other voice, in other fleece then drest,
I shall return as poet, laurel-crowned,
And at my baptism's font my brow invest;

For there into the Faith I entrance found
Which makes souls known of God, and since aright
I held it, Peter thus my head wheeled round.

Then towards us moved another shining light
Out of the band from whom the first-fruits came,
E'en those whom Christ left vicars of His might;"

And then my Lady, as with joy aflame,
Said to me, " Lo, behold the Baron there.
Through whom Galicia hath its pilgrim-fame."

As when a dove doth near its mate repair,
And with their cooing and their circling ways
Each gives to each the proof of love's sweet care;

So saw I one who bore a name of praise,
As glorious prince thus greeted by his mate,
While to their food on high their hymns they raise.

But when their greetings fond did terminate,
Silently coram me they both stood still,
So bright, my power of gazing did abate.

Then Beatrice smiling spake her will:
"O glorious life, by whom the largess great
Hath been described that doth our Palace fill,

Let Hope's name echo in this high estate:
Thou know'st that thou didst Hope embody there
Where Jesus did the Three illuminate."

Lift up thy head and be of better cheer;
For that which comes here from the world below"
Must needs be ripened in our radiance clear."

This comfort from the second flame did flow;
So to the hills I lifted up mine eyes.
The hills whose great weight erst had bent them so.

"Since in His grace our Emperor bids thee rise,
That face to face thou find thee, ere thou die,
With all His Counts, in Hall that inmost lies,

So that, the truth of this Court seen on high,
To Hope, that kindles love on earth aright.
Thou, for thyself and others strength supply;

Say what it is, and how in its sweet might
Thy soul may bud and blossom, and declare
Whence it came to thee." So that second Light;

And that kind Saint who gave me pitying care,
And for so high a flight my wings did guide,
Made answer for me ere I was aware:

"Of all her sons, not one more fortified
With Hope hath the Church Militant than he;
Witness that Sun in whose light we abide.

Wherefore from Egypt he hath grace to flee"
Before his warfare is accomplished.
And here the blest Jerusalem to see.

The other questions thou hast uttered.
Not for thy knowledge, but that he may tell
With what delight thou hast on this grace fed,

To him I leave; they are not hard to spell.
Nor minister to boasting; let him speak.
And may God's grace give strength to answer well."

As scholar who his master's mind doth seek
To follow, prompt and quick, because expert,
That he may show how strong hath grown the weak,

"Hope," said I, "is expectancy alert
Of future glory, and it comes when we
God's grace and foregone merit can assert.

From many stars that light has come to me,
But he was first to pour it in my heart
Who of high Sovereign sang high psalmody.

Sperent in te so doth his anthem start,
E'en those who know Thy name.' Who fails to know
That has the faith in which I claim a part?

From him distilled the thoughts that from thee flow
In thine Epistle, so that I abound.
And shower thy rain on others now below."

And while I spake, within the heart profound
Of that clear flame there thrilled a flash of light,
Frequent and swift, like lightning, darting round;

Then breathed, " The love which in me burneth bright
Towards the virtue that attended me,
E'en to the palm and issue of the fight.

Wills that I breathe, that so as thine there be
Delight in her; and much joy would be mine
To hear what Hope doth promise unto thee."

And I: "The Scriptures New and Old define
Full clear, the goal; and this proof shows it well.
Of souls who of God's friendship bear the sign,

Isaiah saith that each new-clothed shall dwell
With twofold raiment in his own true land;
And that land is this life delectable.

And this thy brother hath more clearly scanned,
There where he treats of garments clean and white,
Revealing it for us to understand."

And then, when scarce his words were ended quite,
"Sperent in te," I heard above us sound.
Echoed by all the dancing sons of light.

And then among them one so bright was found,
That were such crystal seen in Cancer's sign,
A winter month would as one day pass round.

And, as a maiden blithe stands up to join
The dance in honour of a new-made bride.
Not for vain show, but with that one design,

So saw I that bright splendour glorified
Move to the two, who circled as they went,
In fashion that their strong love satisfied.

It joined their dance and song with full consent,
And my dear Lady gazed with look firm pressed,"
Like to a silent bride with form unbent.

See, here is he that lay upon the breast
Of Him who is our mystic Pelican;
He from the Cross was named for office blest."

So spake my Lady; yet, when she began,
And when her words were ended, still she stood.
With gaze that turned not. Even as a man

Who looks, with all his might, in wistful mood,
To see the sun eclipsed a little space.
And tasks his sight, till lost sight hath ensued,

So was I with that last fire face to face;
And then I heard, " Why dazzlest thou thine eye
To see a thing which here doth find no place?

In earth my body rests, as earth shall lie
With all the rest, until our number reach"
The limit fixed from all eternity.

Two lights alone, endued with two robes each.
In this blest convent mounted up on high,
And this the world shall gather from thy speech.'

And at this voice that shining company
Paused, and with them the dulcet song and dance
Born of the breath of those illustrious three,

As oars, that leapt and made the waters glance,
With rest from toil, or danger drawing nigh.
At boatswain's whistle stay their swift advance."

Ah! how my mind then felt perplexity.
When I on Beatrice turned to gaze.
And could not see her, though I stood hard by.

Close at her side, and in that world of praise!