The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri

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236 PURGATORY. Cahto XXVII. Each of us of a step his couch had made, Since power to climb more than our bliss assailed, The nature of the hill to us forbade. ^^ As while they chew the cud the goats grow mild. Who ere they'd pastured on the herbage sweet Upon the hilltops bounded, wayward, wild, Still in some shady place, through midday's heat, Watched by the shepherd, on his long staff resting, Who serves as a guardian their retreat : And as the herdsman 'neath the bare sky nesting. Beside his flock, throughout the night lies still. To keep them from all beast of prey's molesting : So were we then all three upon the hill, I as the goat, the shepherds they I ween. Bound on that hillside by a higher Will. But little of the outward world was seen, Tet by that little on the stars I gaze More large than their old wont, and more serene. So deep in thought, and looking thus on these. Sleep fell upon me : sleep that oftenest. Before it comes to pass, the truth foresees. I think 'twas in the hour that from the east Upon the mount first rayed sweet Venus' beam. In which the flame of love seems aye increased : Touthfal and fair, there seemed to me in dream To see a lady on a wide plain go. Gathering flowers, and this her songful theme : " Whoe'er would wish to ask my name may know. For I am Leah, and my hands so fair I use a garland weaving evermo'. To please me in my glass, I deck me here ; My sister Eachel ever does remain Before the mirror, to her soul so dear, To look upon her fair eyes there, as fain. As I to deck me with my hands alway : Her contemplation, action me does chain." Now by the shepherds that precede the day. Ever more gladly by the pilgrim eyed. When turning home less distant grows the way,

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Line 74. The natare of the hill prevented further ascent, but not their bliss. Line 100.

Leah represents the active and Bachel the contemplative life, as afterwards the two ladies, Matilda and Beatrice, whom Dante meets in the Terrestrial Paradise, as the dream is. clearly intended to foreshow. Line 103. The glass is the Deity, to please whom Leah devotee herself to action, while Bachel never ceases gazing therein.

Canto XXVIII. PURGATORY. 237 The shadows fled away on every side, And with them fled my slumber, whence I rose And the masters risen already I descried. " That fruit so sweet, which through so many boughs ""* For ever seeking, goes the mortal care. To-day will bring your hunger to repose." Towards me Virgil, such a parlance fair Addrest ; and never yet were gifts could bring A pleasure that to these one could compare. ^'^^ Upon desire such new desire did spring To reach the height, that as each step I rise I feel my longing stiU expand its wing. When all the stair surmounted 'neath us lies. And we had reached unto the step supeme, ^^ Upon me Virgil fixed his loving eyes. And said : ** The temporal flames and the eteme You have beheld, my son, and reached a part Where for myself no farther I discern. With knowledge I have led you here, wid art : "® Accept henceforth your pleasure as your guide : Beyond the narrow ways and straits you are. Behold, before you beams the sun's bright tide : Behold the herbage, and the flowers and trees. This earth itself produces far and wide. ^^* Until there come witii joy the beauteous eyes, Which weeping, made me to your help incline, You mayst sit down, or you mayst walk 'mid these. Await no more my parlance, or my sign : Your judgment now is healthy, just, released, ^*^ And 'twould be sin its promptings to decline ; So o'er yourself I crown you king and priest."