CANTO XIV. ROM centre unto rim, from rim to centre, FR In a round vase the water moves itself, As from without 't is struck or from within. Into my mind upon a sudden dropped What I am saying, at the moment when Whom, after him, it pleased thus to begin : Blossoms your substance shall remain with you And if it do remain, say in what manner, It can be that it injure not your sight." So, at that orison devout and prompt, The holy circles a new joy displayed In their revolving and their wondrous song. ΤΟ 15 20 Whoso lamenteth him that here we die That we may live above, hath never there Seen the refreshment of the eternal rain. The One and Two and Three who ever liveth, And reigneth ever in Three and Two and One, Not circumscribed and all things circumscribing, Three several times was chanted by each one Among those spirits, with such melody That for all merit it were just reward; And, in the lustre most divine of all The lesser ring, I heard a modest voice, Such as perhaps the Angel's was to Mary, Answer: "As long as the festivity Of Paradise shall be, so long our love 25 30 35 Shall radiate round about us such a vesture. Its brightness is proportioned to the ardor, 40 The ardor to the vision; and the vision Equals what grace it has above its worth. When, glorious and sanctified, our flesh 45 Is reassumed, then shall our persons be More pleasing by their being all complete; For will increase whate'er bestows on us Of light gratuitous the Good Supreme, Light which enables us to look on Him; Therefore the vision must perforce increase, Increase the ardor which from that is kindled, 50 Increase the radiance which from this proceeds. But even as a coal that sends forth flame, And by its vivid whiteness overpowers it So that its own appearance it maintains, Thus the effulgence that surrounds us now Shall be o'erpowered in aspect by the flesh, Which still to-day the earth doth cover up; Nor can so great a splendor weary us, For strong will be the organs of the body To everything which hath the power to please us." So sudden and alert appeared to me 55 60 Both one and the other choir to say Amen, The fathers, and the rest who had been dear Arose a lustre over what was there, Like an horizon that is clearing up. And as at rise of early eve begin Along the welkin new appearances, So that the sight seems real and unreal, Began there to be seen, and make a circle 65 70 75 O very sparkling of the Holy Spirit, How sudden and incandescent it became Unto mine eyes, that vanquished bore it not! But Beatrice so beautiful and smiling Appeared to me, that with the other sights That followed not my memory I must leave her. Then to uplift themselves mine eyes resumed The power, and I beheld myself translated To higher salvation with my Lady only. 80 Well was I ware that I was more uplifted That seemed to me more ruddy than its wont. With all my heart, and in that dialect Which is the same in all, such holocaust Splendors appeared to me in twofold rays, I said: "O Helios, who dost so adorn them!" Even as distinct with less and greater lights Glimmers between the two poles of the world The Galaxy that maketh wise men doubt, Thus constellated in the depths of Mars, Those rays described the venerable sign That quadrants joining in a circle make. Here doth my memory overcome my genius ; 85 90 95 105 Across the sunbeam move, wherewith is listed 115 120 Sometimes the shade, which for their own defence People with cunning and with art contrive. And as a lute and harp, accordant strung With many strings, a dulcet tinkling make To him by whom the notes are not distinguished, So from the lights that there to me appeared Upgathered through the cross a melody, Which rapt me, not distinguishing the hymn. Well was I ware it was of lofty laud, Because there came to me, "Arise and conquer!" 125 As unto him who hears and comprehends not. So much enamored I became therewith, That until then there was not anything 130 That e'er had fettered me with such sweet bonds. Perhaps my word appears somewhat too bold, Postponing the delight of those fair eyes, Into which gazing my desire hath rest; But who bethinks him that the living seals Of every beauty grow in power ascending, And that I there had not turned round to those, 135 Can me excuse, if I myself accuse To excuse myself, and see that I speak truly: Because it grows, ascending, more sincere. |