Many would be rejoicing who are sad, If God had thee surrendered to the Ema The first time that thou camest to the city. But it behoved the mutilated stone 145 [provide Which guards the bridge, that Florence should Florence beheld I in so great repose, And glorious her people, that the lily 150 CANTO XVII. S came to Clymene, to be made certain A of that which he had heard against himself, He who makes fathers chary still to children, Even such was I, and such was I perceived By Beatrice and by the holy light That first on my account had changed its place. Therefore my Lady said to me: "Send forth The flame of thy desire, so that it issue Imprinted well with the internal stamp ; Not that our knowledge may be greater made By speech of thine, but to accustom thee To tell thy thirst, that we may give thee drink." F 5 10 "O my beloved tree, (that so dost lift thee, Ere in themselves they are, fixing thine eyes Upon the point in which all times are present,) While I was with Virgilius conjoined Upon the mountain that the souls doth heal, And when descending into the dead world, Were spoken to me of my future life Some grievous words; although I feel myself In sooth foursquare against the blows of chance. On this account my wish would be content To hear what fortune is approaching me, Because foreseen an arrow comes more slowly." Thus did I say unto that selfsame light That unto me had spoken before; and even 15 20 25 As Beatrice willed was my own will confessed. 30 Not in vague. phrase, in which the foolish folk Ensnared themselves of old, ere yet was slain The Lamb of God who taketh sins away, But with clear words and unambiguous 66 Hid and revealed by its own proper smile : Of your materiality extends not, Is all depicted in the eternal aspect. Necessity however thence it takes not, Except as from the eye, in which 't is mirrored, 35 40 A ship that with the current down descends. From thence, e'en as there cometh to the ear By reason of his step-dame false and cruel, 45 And soon it shall be done by him who thinks it, 50 Where every day the Christ is bought and sold. The blame shall follow the offended party In outcry as is usual; but the vengeance Shall witness to the truth that doth dispense it. Thou shalt abandon everything beloved Most tenderly, and this the arrow is Which first the bow of banishment shoots forth. Thou shalt have proof how savoreth of salt 55 60 The bread of others, and how hard a road The going down and up another's stairs. And that which most shall weigh upon thy shoulders Will be the bad and foolish company With which into this valley thou shalt fall For all ingrate, all mad and impious ; Will they become against thee; but soon after 65 They, and not thou, shall have the forehead scarlet. Of their bestiality their own proceedings Shall furnish proof; so 't will be well for thee Shall be the mighty Lombard's courtesy, 70 Who such benign regard shall have for thee That 'twixt you twain, in doing and in asking, That shall be first which is with others last. Him shalt thou see, him who was so impressed At his nativity by this strong star, That notable shall his achievements be. Not yet the people are aware of him 75 Through his young age, since only nine years yet & Around about him have these wheels revolved. But ere the Gascon cheat the noble Henry, Some sparkles of his virtue shall appear In caring not for silver nor for toil. So recognized shall his magnificence Become hereafter, that his enemies 85 Will not have power to keep mute tongues about it. On him rely, and on his benefits; 90 By him shall many people be transformed, Changing condition rich and mendicant; And written in thy mind thou hence shalt bear Of him, but shalt not say it" - and things he said Incredible to those who shall be present. Then added: "Son, these are the commentaries On what was said to thee; behold the snares 95 When by its silence showed that sainted soul 100 Began I, even as he who yearneth after, The time towards me such a blow to deal me And o'er the mountain, from whose beauteous sum- I fear lest I may lose my life with those Or with its own or with another's shame, But ne'ertheless, all falsehood laid aside, Make manifest thy vision utterly, And let them scratch wherever is the itch; For if thine utterance shall offensive be At the first taste, a vital nutriment "T will leave thereafter, when it is digested. 120 125 130 |