Paradiso: Canto XXXII

Wrapt in his joy, that contemplative man
Took the free office of a teacher true,
And with these holy words he now began:

That wound which Mary healed with ointment new.
She, who so fair is sitting at her feet,
Both made the wound and laid it bare to view.

Within that order made by yon third seat.
Is sitting Rachel, 'neath that other fair,
With Beatrice who thy gaze doth meet;

Rebecca, Sarah, Judith, these are there,
And she who was the Psalmist's ancestress,
Who poured in grief his Miserere prayer.

There thou may'st see, in glory less and less.
From seat to seat, as I, with each one's name,
From leaf to leaf through all the Rose progress;

And from the seventh row downward, e'en the same
As downward to it, parting every leaf
Of that fair flower, appears each Hebrew dame;

For, as from this side, or from that, belief
In Christ looked on Him, these are as a wall,
Between those holy stairs partition chief.

On this side, where, with petals perfect all,
The flower is found, those souls their seat have won
Whose faith upon the Christ to come did call:

On that side, where the semicircles meet
A vacant space that parts them, duly stand
Who the Christ come with yearning glance did greet.

As on this side, a throne of high command
For Heaven's high Queen, and every other throne
Beneath it, part the space on either hand,

So on the other that of the great John,
Who, ever holy, bore the desert drear,
And pain of death, and Hell two years had known.

Next down the parting line the lot was there
Of Francis, Benedict, and Augustine,"
And others down to us from tier to tier.

Now see the depth of Providence divine;
For of the faith to this or that aspect
This garden filled doth equal space assign.

And know that, from the step which cleaves direct
Midway the order of those sections two,
Sit those, to merit who no claim affect,

But plead Another's, with conditions due;
For all these spirits were absolved on high.
Before of choice they had possession true.

Well may'st thou this in every face descry,
And also in their voices' child-like tone,
If thou look well and list attentively.

Now dost thou doubt, thy doubt by silence shown;
But I will loosen for thee the strong chain"
Which by thy subtle thoughts is round thee thrown.

Within the ample range of this domain
No place is found for any point of chance.
No more than is for hunger, thirst, or pain;

For by eternal law each circumstance"
Thou see'st is fixed, and all with it agree,
As to the finger fits the ring's expanse.

And so this people, sped by God's decree
To His true life, not sine causa shows
Its excellence in manifold degree.

The King, through whom this kingdom true peace knows.
In so great love, and in so great delight,
That no desire dare ask for more repose,

All minds creating joyous in His sight,
Doth, in His pleasure, fill with His free grace
Diversely. Rest content; the effect is right.

And this express and clear thou now may'st trace
In Holy Scripture, in those brothers twain
Who in the womb were stirred to wrath apace;

Therefore on locks of different hue 'tis plain,
The Light Supreme, through measured grace supplied.
Doth place a crown accordant with the grain.

Thus, without merit from their works, abide
The people here, each one in different tier,
Just as their primal vision-powers decide.

Thus in more early times enough was there
For their salvation, if to innocence
Were simply joined the faith of parents dear.

When the first ages did to close commence,
'Twas meet for males by circumcision's sign,
To guiltless wings new virtue to dispense.

But when there came the time of grace divine,
Without the baptism perfected of Christ,
Such innocence was kept on lower line.

Now look upon the face which unto Christ
Bears most resemblance, for its brightness clear
Alone can fit thee to behold the Christ."

Showered o'er her face I saw such joy appear.
And flow out from her on each mind in bliss,
Created for its flight o'er that high sphere,

That whatsoever I had seen ere this
Did not my soul in wonder so suspend.
Nor show so clear what God's high semblance is.

And that same Love that first did there descend,
Singing his "Ave Mary, full of grace,""
Before her did his ample wings extend.

To that high song the Court of that blest place
Made answer full and loud on every side,
And calmer joy was seen on every face.

O holy father, who for me dost bide
Awhile below, and leavest thy sweet seat,
Where lot eternal calls thee to abide;

Who is that angel that, with joy replete,
Looks in the eyes of this our heavenly Queen,
Enamoured so that fire he seems in heat?''

So on his teaching I once more did lean.
Who grew more beautiful from Mary's light,
As from the sun the morning star serene.

And he to me: "All joy and valour bright.
That or in angel or man's soul is wrought,
Is found in him, and this is our delight:

For this is he whose hand the palm-branch brought
To Mary, when the Son of God most High
To bear the weight of all our burden sought.

But come now, follow with thine eyes, as I"
Shall tell thee as I go, and those great peers
Of this most just and holy realm descry.

Those twain in whom all blessed joy appears
Since nearest to our Empress they abide,
Are as two roots, and each this rose upbears.

He, on the left hand, standing at her side.
Is the great Father through whose daring taste
The human race such bitterness hath tried:

On the right hand see the ancient Father placed
Of Holy Church, who was from Christ alone"
With keys of this fair flower of beauty graced;

And he who saw, while yet life's course did run.
All the dark coming years of that fair Bride,
Who with the spear and nails was wooed and won.

Beside him sits; and on the other side
The leader under whom the manna fed
The people, thankless, wayward, stiff with pride.

O'er against Peter see'st thou Anna's head.
So glad to look upon her daughter's face.
Her eye moved not as she 'Hosanna ' said.

And o'er against the Father of our race
Sits Lucia, she who called thy Lady fair.
When thou to foul shame didst thy brow abase.

But since thy time of vision fast doth wear.
Here will we stop as doth the tailor wise,
Who makes his coat as he hath cloth to spare.

And to the Primal Love bend we our eyes,
That, looking on Him, thou as far may'st wend
As, through its brightness, in thy nature lies.

In very deed, lest thy course backward tend,
Moving thy wings and thinking to progress,
'Tis meet that prayer the help of grace should lend.

This grace she gives who helps thee in distress.
And thou shalt follow with affection
So that my words cease not thy heart to bless.""

And so he spake this holy orison.