The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri

260 PURGATORY. Cahto XXXIII. I will that, if not written, yet descried, You bear it in you, for a memory, As is the pilgrim's staff with palm-leaves tied.' " As with the seal the wax is stamped," said I, " That changes not the impression on it dight, ^^ So is my brain stamped with your seal. But why Does fly so soaringly beyond my sight Your speech, so long yearned after by my soul, Which most is lost when strove for most with might ?" " That you might' st clearly know," she said, " what school ^ You'st followed, and behold its doctrine fine, How it can follow on my word's control, And see how far your way from the divine Is distant, as discordant in their lot Earth, and the Heaven which highest hastes to shine." ^ On which I answered : " I remember not That I have ever turned away from you, Nor does my conscience sting me for such blot." " And if you can not that remember true," Smiling she answered, " call you now to mind '* How you have drunk but now of Lethe's dew : And if from smoke we. argue flame to find, This your oblivion proves very clear Sin in your will, to others too inclined. Within a little truly will be bare ^^ My words, as far as 'twill be fit to show Their meaning to your vision debonnair." More brilliant now, and with a step more slow, The sun attained the circle of the noon, (Different in different sites on earth below), ^^ When to a pause there came, as pauses one Who goes before as escort to a band. If on th6 track a novelty be known. The ladies seven, before a gloom at hand Such as 'neath verdant leaves and dusky boughs "® O'er the cool Alpine slopes the forests stand. Before them Tigris and Euphrates rose, Meseemed to see them in one fount embrace. Then like to friends that part each slowly goes. " light, O glory of the human race, ^'* What wave is this that here does spring to-day From its first source, and travels on in space ?" To such a prayer was told me, " You mayst pray Matilda that she teU you," here replied, As one who seeks some blame to clear away, ^

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Cakto xxxni. PUBGATORY. ^61 The lady fair. " This and much more beside Was told him erst by me ; and I am sure That Lethe's wave from him this cannot hide." And Beatrix : " Perchance some greater care, That oftentimes the memory deprives, ^* Has made his mental vision thus obscure. But Eunoe behold, which here derives : Lead him to it, and as you'rt wont to use See that his deadened virtue here revives," Like gentle spirit who makes no excuse, ^^ But of another's will creates her own, Soon as by outward sign the purpose shows ; When she had ta'en me by the hand, moved on The lady fair, to Statins who awaited, " Come you with him," she said in queenly tone. ^^ ^ader, if longer space to me were rated For writing, I would strive to sing in part That draught so sweet, which never could have sated. But since is now completely filled the chart Allotted for this second book, there leaves ^*® No power to wander more the curb of Art. I turned back from those most holy waves Created fresh, as plants made new once more, Eenewed through the birth of new green leaves. Pure, and prepared unto the stars to soar. ^** Line 139. The thirty-three Cantos allotted to each book being here completed for the " Purgatory," the poet says that the rule of art which he has imposed on himself prevents him from describing the rapture of this draught.

PARADISE.

CANTO I.

Affcer solemn invocation, Dante describes his ascent from tlie earthly Paradise towards the first sphere of Heaven : his ignorance of how he thus past ont of hnmanity, a^d Beatrice's explanation of his donbts. ^ His glory who moves all does penetrate Throughout the universe, and shines bright Here with a greater, there with lesser state. In the sky which most partakes of his light Was I, and things I saw, which to repeat * Knows not, and cannot whoe'er leaves that height. Because approaching to its yeamed-for seat The intellect deep divs there so long That memory behind it cannot fleet. Of what to the holy kingdom does belong ^® Which I had power to treasure in my mind, Truly shall now be subject of my song. To this last labour, O Apollo kind, Make me such vessel of your mysteries, To your loved laurel the best gift assigned. ^* One of the peaks that on Parnassus rise Till now sufficed me, now the twain beneath I must address me to the new emprise. Enter my breast, yourself within me breathe. As when of old you Marsyas conquerest, ^ And drewest all his limbs from out their sheath. O virtue most divine, now aid my 'hest. So that the shadow of the blessed reign Stampt on my brain I may make manifest. To your loved tree you'lt see me coming fain ^ With its own leaves to crown me then, which you. And the subject, will have made me fit to gain. If, rarely, father, there does pluck it now For triumph, either emperor, or bard, (The sin and shame of human will I trow,) ^