The Divine Comedy - The Original Classic Edition. Dante Dante

I am, who thus with hov'ring flight enwheel The lofty rapture from that womb inspir'd, Where our desire did dwell: and round thee so, Lady of Heav'n! will hover; long as thou

       Thy Son shalt follow, and diviner joy

       Shall from thy presence gild the highest sphere."

       Such close was to the circling melody: And, as it ended, all the other lights

       Took up the strain, and echoed Mary's name.

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       The robe, that with its regal folds enwraps

       The world, and with the nearer breath of God

       Doth burn and quiver, held so far retir'd

       Its inner hem and skirting over us, That yet no glimmer of its majesty

       Had stream'd unto me: therefore were mine eyes

       Unequal to pursue the crowned flame, That rose and sought its natal seed of fire; And like to babe, that stretches forth its arms For very eagerness towards the breast,

       After the milk is taken; so outstretch'd Their wavy summits all the fervent band, Through zealous love to Mary: then in view There halted, and "Regina Coeli" sang

       So sweetly, the delight hath left me never.

       O what o'erflowing plenty is up-pil'd

       In those rich-laden coffers, which below

       Sow'd the good seed, whose harvest now they keep.

       Here are the treasures tasted, that with tears

       Were in the Babylonian exile won,

       When gold had fail'd them. Here in synod high Of ancient council with the new conven'd, Under the Son of Mary and of God,

       Victorious he his mighty triumph holds,

       To whom the keys of glory were assign'd.

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       CANTO XXIV

       "O ye! in chosen fellowship advanc'd

       To the great supper of the blessed Lamb,

       Whereon who feeds hath every wish fulfill'd!

       If to this man through God's grace be vouchsaf 'd

       Foretaste of that, which from your table falls, Or ever death his fated term prescribe;

       Be ye not heedless of his urgent will;

       But may some influence of your sacred dews

       Sprinkle him. Of the fount ye alway drink,

       Whence flows what most he craves." Beatrice spake,

       And the rejoicing spirits, like to spheres

       On firm-set poles revolving, trail'd a blaze

       Of comet splendour; and as wheels, that wind

       Their circles in the horologe, so work

       The stated rounds, that to th' observant eye The first seems still, and, as it flew, the last; E'en thus their carols weaving variously, They by the measure pac'd, or swift, or slow, Made me to rate the riches of their joy.

       From that, which I did note in beauty most

       Excelling, saw I issue forth a flame

       So bright, as none was left more goodly there.

       Round Beatrice thrice it wheel'd about,

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       With so divine a song, that fancy's ear

       Records it not; and the pen passeth on

       And leaves a blank: for that our mortal speech, Nor e'en the inward shaping of the brain,

       Hath colours fine enough to trace such folds.

       "O saintly sister mine! thy prayer devout

       Is with so vehement affection urg'd,

       Thou dost unbind me from that beauteous sphere."

       Such were the accents towards my lady breath'd

       From that blest ardour, soon as it was stay'd: To whom she thus: "O everlasting light

       Of him, within whose mighty grasp our Lord Did leave the keys, which of this wondrous bliss He bare below! tent this man, as thou wilt,

       With lighter probe or deep, touching the faith, By the which thou didst on the billows walk.

       If he in love, in hope, and in belief,

       Be steadfast, is not hid from thee: for thou Hast there thy ken, where all things are beheld In liveliest portraiture. But since true faith

       Has peopled this fair realm with citizens, Meet is, that to exalt its glory more,

       Thou in his audience shouldst thereof discourse."

       Like to the bachelor, who arms himself,

       And speaks not, till the master have propos'd

       The question, to approve, and not to end it;

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       So I, in silence, arm'd me, while she spake, Summoning up each argument to aid;

       As was behooveful for such questioner,

       And such profession: "As good Christian ought, Declare thee, What is faith?" Whereat I rais'd

       My forehead to the light, whence this had breath'd, Then turn'd to Beatrice, and in her looks

       Approval met, that from their inmost fount I should unlock the waters. "May the grace, That giveth me the captain of the church For confessor," said I, "vouchsafe to me

       Apt utterance for my thoughts!" then added: "Sire! E'en as set down by the unerring style

       Of thy dear brother, who with thee conspir'd

       To bring Rome in unto the way of life,

       Faith of things hop'd is substance, and the proof Of things not seen; and herein doth consist Methinks its essence,"--"Rightly hast thou deem'd," Was answer'd: "if thou well discern, why first

       He hath defin'd it, substance, and then proof."

       "The deep things," I replied, "which here I scan

       Distinctly, are below from mortal eye

       So hidden, they have in belief alone

       Their being, on which credence hope sublime Is built; and therefore substance it intends. And inasmuch as we must needs infer

       From such belief our reasoning, all respect

       To other view excluded, hence of proof

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       Th' intention is deriv'd." Forthwith I heard: "If thus, whate'er by learning men attain,

       Were understood, the sophist would want room

       To exercise his wit." So breath'd the flame Of love: then added: "Current is the coin Thou utter'st, both in weight and in alloy. But tell me, if thou hast it in thy purse."

       "Even so glittering and so round," said I, "I not a whit misdoubt of its assay."

       Next issued from the deep imbosom'd splendour: "Say, whence the costly jewel, on the which

       Is founded every virtue, came to thee."

       "The flood," I answer'd, "from the Spirit of God Rain'd down upon the ancient bond and new,-- Here is the reas'ning, that convinceth me

       So feelingly, each argument beside

       Seems blunt and forceless in comparison."

       Then heard I: "Wherefore holdest thou that each, The elder proposition and the new,

       Which so persuade thee, are the voice of heav'n?"

       "The works, that follow'd, evidence their truth;" I answer'd: "Nature did not make for these

       The iron hot, or on her anvil mould them."

       "Who voucheth to thee of the works themselves," Was the reply, "that they in very deed

       Are that they purport? None hath sworn so to thee."