So pricked me then the thorn of penitence, That of all other things the one which turned me O'erpowered I fell, and what I then became I saw, and she was saying, "Hold me, hold me." When I was near unto the blessed shore, Asperges me," I heard so sweetly sung, Remember it I cannot, much less write it. The beautiful lady opened wide her arms, Embraced my head, and plunged me underneath, Where I was forced to swallow of the water. Then forth she drew me, and all dripping brought Into the dance of the four beautiful, And each one with her arm did cover me. "We here are Nymphs, and in the Heaven are stars ; Light that within them is, shall sharpen thine Thus singing they began; and afterwards Unto the Griffin's breast they led me with them, Where Beatrice was standing, turned towards us. "See that thou dost not spare thine eyes," they said; "Before the emeralds have we stationed thee, Whence Love aforetime drew for thee his weapons." A thousand longings, hotter than the flame, Fastened mine eyes upon those eyes relucent, As in a glass the sun, not otherwise Within them was the twofold monster shining, While with amazement filled and jubilant, My soul was tasting of the food, that while Themselves revealing of the highest rank In 66 Thy face to him, so that he may discern O splendour of the living light eternal ! Who underneath the shadow of Parnassus 130 835 143 143 CANTO XXXII. So steadfast and attentive were mine eyes Walls of indifference, so the holy smile Towards my left hand by those goddesses, I say the less in reference to the greater I saw upon its right wing wheeled about The glorious host, returning with the sun. As underneath its shields, to save itself, A squadron turns, and with its banner wheels, Which marched in the advance had wholly passed us Then to the wheels the maidens turned themselves, Followed with Statius and myself the wheel By fault of her who in the serpent trusted, Then circled they about a tree despoiled As higher they ascend, had been by Indians Among their forests marvelled at for height. "Blessed art thou, O Griffin, who dost not Pluck with thy beak these branches sweet to taste. The others shouted; and the twofold creature: "Thus is preserved the seed of all the just." And turning to the pole which he had dragged, He drew it close beneath the widowed bough, In the same manner as our trees (when downward Begin to swell, and then renew themselves, Each one with its own colour, ere the Sun Less than of rose and more than violet A hue disclosing, was renewed the tree I never heard, nor here below is sung, The hymn which afterward that people sang, Had I the power to paint how fell asleep Those eyes compassionless, of Syrinx hearing, Even as a painter who from model paints I would portray how I was lulled asleep; N* Therefore I pass to what time I awoke, And say a splendour rent from me the veil Of slumber, and a calling: "Rise, what dost thou ?" As to behold the apple-tree in blossom Which makes the Angels greedy for its fruit, Peter and John and James conducted were, By which still greater slumbers have been broken, And saw their school diminished by the loss And the apparel of their Master changed; So I revived, and saw that piteous one Above me standing, who had been conductress Behold the company that circles her ; The rest behind the Griffin are ascending With more melodious song, and more profound." And if her speech were more diffuse I know not, Because already in my sight was she Who from the hearing of aught else had shut ne. Alone she sat upon the very earth, Left there as guardian of the chariot Which I had seen the biform monster fasten. Encircling her, a cloister made themselves The seven Nymphs, with those lights in their hands Which are secure from Aquilon and Auster. "Short while shalt thou be here a forester, And thou shalt be with me for evermore A citizen of that Rome where Christ is Roman. Therefore, for that world's good which liveth ill, Fix on the car thine eyes, and what thou seest, Of her commandments all devoted was, Fire from a heavy cloud, when it is raining As I beheld the bird of Jove descend Down through the tree, rending away the bark, And he with all his might the chariot smote, Whereat it reeled, like vessel in a tempest Tossed by the waves, now starboard and now larboa:d. Thereafter saw I leap into the body Of the triumphal vehicle a Fox, That seemed unfed with any wholesome food. But for his hideous sins upbraiding him, My Lady put him to as swift a flight Into the chariot's chest I saw the Eagle And such as issues from a heart that mourns, A voice from Heaven there issued, and it said : "My little bark, how badly art thou freighted!" Methought, then, that the earth did yawn between Both wheels, and I saw rise from it a Dragon, Drawing unto himself his tail malign, Thrust forward heads upon the parts of it, Firm as a rock upon a mountain high, Seated upon it, there appeared to me A shameless whore, with eyes swift glancing round, And, as if not to have her taken from him, But because she her wanton, roving eye Turned upon me, her angry paramour He loosed the monster, and across the forest |