And light I saw in fashion of a river Fulvid with its effulgence, 'twixt two banks Out of this river issued living sparks, And on all sides sank down into the flowers, And then, as if inebriate with the odours, They plunged again into the wondrous torrent, "The high desire, that now inflames and moves thee But of this water it behoves thee drink Before so great a thirst in thee be slaked." Thus said to me the sunshine of mine eyes; And added: "The river and the topazes Going in and out, and the laughing of the herbage, Not that these things are difficult in themselves, For yet thou hast not vision so exalted." With face towards the milk, if he awake As I did, that I might make better mirrors Still of mine eyes, down stooping to the wave The flowerets and the sparks, so that I saw Makes the Creator unto every creature, And it expands itself in circular form To such extent, that its circumference The semblance of it is all made of rays Reflected from the top of Primal Motion, Mirrors itself, as if to see its beauty Mirrored I saw in more ranks than a thousand And if the lowest row collect within it So great a light, how vast the amplitude There near and far nor add nor take away; For there where God immediately doth govern, Into the yellow of the Rose Eternal That spreads, and multiplies, and breathes an odour As one who silent is and fain would speak, Of the white stoles how vast the convent is ! Behold how vast the circuit of our city! Behold our seats so filled to overflowing, Shall sit the soul (that is to be Augustus On earth) of noble Henry, who shall come Blind covetousness, that casts its spell upon you, And in the sacred forum then shall be A Prefect such, that openly or covert In holy office; he shall be thrust down And make him of Alagna lower go!" ITC 115 120 125 :30 :་ 143 14 CANTO XXXI. IN fashion then as of a snow-white rose Displayed itself to me the saintly host, Whom Christ in his own blood had made his bride, With leaves so many, and thence reascended Their faces had they all of living flame, And wings of gold, and all the rest so white They carried something of the peace and ardour Nor did the interposing 'twixt the flower And what was o'er it of such plenitude Of flying shapes impede the sight and splendour; The universe, according to its merit, Crowded with ancient people and with modern, O Trinal Light, that in a single star Sparkling upon their sight so satisfies them, Were wonder-struck, what time the Lateran With what amazement must I have been filled! And as a pilgrim who delighteth him In gazing round the temple of his vow, And hopes some day to retell how it was, So through the living light my way pursuing Directed I mine eyes o'er all the ranks, Now up, now down, and now all round about. Embellished by His light and their own smile, My glance had comprehended as a whole, I thought I should see Beatrice, and saw With joy benign, in attitude of pity Whence he: " To put an end to thy desire, Of the first rank, again shalt thou behold her Upon the throne her merits have assigned her." Without reply I lifted up mine eyes, And saw her, as she made herself a crown Reflecting from herself the eternal rays. Was nothing unto me; because her image Descended not to me by medium blurred. "O Lady, thou in whom my hope is strong, And who for my salvation didst endure As coming from thy power and from thy goodness Thou from a slave hast brought me unto freedom, So that this soul of mine, which thou hast healed, Smiled, as it seemed, and looked once more at me; And said the Old Man holy: "That thou mayst Whereunto prayer and holy love have sent me, And she, the Queen of Heaven, for whom I burn As he who peradventure from Croatia Cometh to gaze at our Veronica, Who through its ancient fame is never sated, But says in thought, the while it is displayed, "My Lord, Christ Jesus, God of very God, Now was your semblance made like unto this? Even such was I while gazing at the living Charity of the man, who in this world By contemplation tasted of that peace. "Thou son of grace, this jocund life," began he, "Will not be known to thee by keeping ever Thine eyes below here on the lowest place; But mark the circles to the most remote, Until thou shalt behold enthroned the Queen The oriental part of the horizon To mount, I saw a part in the remoteness Gleamed brightest in the centre, and each side |