The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri
If evil avarice augbt eke hath cried, Ye should be men, not silly sheep or beeves, ' So that the Jew amongst je may deride. Be ye not like the lamb, who frisking leaves ^ " Its mother's milk, and in a simple fit, At its own pleasure, with its shadow strives.'' ' Thus Beatrix to me as I indite : ^ Then did she turn all yearning with desire XJnto that part where most the world is bright. Her will, and changing countenance of fire.
Silence imposed unto my questioning. Which much of new already would require. And like a dart that in the target's ring Is fixed before the trembling cord is still, So to the second kingdom did we spring. I saw my lady then such joy distil Entering that Heaven's bright glory undefiled That grew the planet's self more beaming still.
And if the star was thus transformed and smiled, What did I grow, who in my nature's sphere To change in every fashion am beguiled P As in a fishpond that is still and clear.
The fish are drawn to aught that comes above, Thinking from habit that their food is near ; So saw I more than thousand splendours move Attracted towards us, and in each was heard, ** Lo, who will bring addition to our love ?" ^°* And as came towards us each o' the holy herd The shadow full of joyousness was seen In the clear glory that from in it stirred.
Think, reader, if the inaugurated scene Were to proceed no more, what appetite To know what follows would possess thee keen : And by thyself thou'lt see the yearning might Which filled me then to hear the lots of these, Soon as their vision fell upon my sight.
" happy bom, to whom high grace decrees Thrones of the eternal triumph to behold, Ere from the militants thou'st gained release ; With the light that o'er the whole of Heaven is rolled Are we inflamed ; if therefore thou wouldst crave By us to grow more clear, thy will unfold." ^^ Line 79. Aa evident allasion to the sale of dispensations, which made the Boman Choroh a subject of derision even to the money.dealing Jew.
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p. 280Cahto VI. These words by one amongst the spirits grave Were told me, and by Beatrice, " Say, Secarely say, and as to Gods believe." " Clearly I see how thou in rest dost stay In thy own light, and draw'st it from thy eyes, ^^ That when thou smilest brighter beams their play : But who thou art I know not, nor the ties That bind thee to this sphere, most worthy sprite. Which in the sun is veiled to mortal eyes." Thus did I speak distinctly to that light Which first had spoken to me, whence it grew. Even more than it had been, all beaming bright. Just as the sun conceals itself from view By too much light, what time the heat has dried The tempering vapours of the thick-rolled dew : Through greater joyousness he so did hide His holy form from me, within his ray. And thus envelopt unto me replied As will be set forth in the following lay. Liae 129. The sphere of Mercury, which from its nearness is often hidden by the snn.
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CANTO VI. The spirit informs Dante that he is the Emperor Justinian, and after describing his own career he sketches the previous victories of tiie Boman eagle. He then states that this sphere is allotted to those who did high deeds on earth for the sake of fame rather than for higher aims. Amongst them is the soul of the pilgrim Bomeo, Minister of Connt Baimond. ** When Constantine had turned the eagle's flight Against Heaven's course, the which of old did move After Lavinia's wooer, following it. Two hundred years and more the bird of Jove Stayed in far Europe's comer, near the gloom * O' the hills from which it issued first to rove. And 'neath the shadow of its sacred plume There o'er the world from hand to hand did reign, Till it revolving unto mine did come. Line 1. Constantine in removing the seat of empire travelled towards the East, while ^neas first bore the Boman si^andard from Troy, conquering towards the West, following the sun. "Westward the course of empire holds its way."
Canto VI. PARADISE. 281
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If evil avarice augbt eke has cried, You should be men, not silly sheep or beeves, ' So that the Jew amongst je may deride. Be you not like the lamb, who frisking leaves ^ " Its mother's milk, and in a simple fit, At its own pleasure, with its shadow strives.'' ' Thus Beatrix to me as I indite : ^ Then did she turn all yearning with desire XJnto that part where most the world is bright. Her will, and changing countenance of fire. Silence imposed unto my questioning. Which much of new already would require. And like a dart that in the target's ring Is fixed before the trembling cord is still, So to the second kingdom did we spring. I saw my lady then such joy distil Entering that Heaven's bright glory undefiled That grew the planet's self more beaming still. And if the star was thus transformed and smiled, What did I grow, who in my nature's sphere To change in every fashion am beguiled P As in a fishpond that is still and clear. The fish are drawn to aught that comes above, Thinking from habit that their food is near ; So saw I more than thousand splendours move Attracted towards us, and in each was heard, ** Lo, who will bring addition to our love ?" ^°* And as came towards us each o' the holy herd The shadow full of joyousness was seen In the clear glory that from in it stirred. Think, reader, if the inaugurated scene Were to proceed no more, what appetite To know what follows would possess you keen : And by yourself you'lt see the yearning might Which filled me then to hear the lots of these, Soon as their vision fell upon my sight. " happy bom, to whom high grace decrees Thrones of the eternal triumph to behold, Ere from the militants you'st gained release ; With the light that o'er the whole of Heaven is rolled Are we inflamed ; if therefore you would crave By us to grow more clear, your will unfold." ^^ Line 79. Aa evident allasion to the sale of dispensations, which made the Boman Choroh a subject of derision even to the money.dealing Jew.
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280 PARADISE. Cahto VI. These words by one amongst the spirits grave Were told me, and by Beatrice, " Say, Secarely say, and as to Gods believe." " Clearly I see how you in rest do stay In your own light, and draw'st it from your eyes, ^^ That when you smilest brighter beams their play : But who you are I know not, nor the ties That bind you to this sphere, most worthy sprite. Which in the sun is veiled to mortal eyes." Thus did I speak distinctly to that light Which first had spoken to me, whence it grew. Even more than it had been, all beaming bright. Just as the sun conceals itself from view By too much light, what time the heat has dried The tempering vapours of the thick-rolled dew : Through greater joyousness he so did hide His holy form from me, within his ray. And thus envelopt unto me replied As will be set forth in the following lay. Liae 129. The sphere of Mercury, which from its nearness is often hidden by the snn.
p. 185
CANTO VI. The spirit informs Dante that he is the Emperor Justinian, and after describing his own career he sketches the previous victories of tiie Boman eagle. He then states that this sphere is allotted to those who did high deeds on earth for the sake of fame rather than for higher aims. Amongst them is the soul of the pilgrim Bomeo, Minister of Connt Baimond. ** When Constantine had turned the eagle's flight Against Heaven's course, the which of old did move After Lavinia's wooer, following it. Two hundred years and more the bird of Jove Stayed in far Europe's comer, near the gloom * O' the hills from which it issued first to rove. And 'neath the shadow of its sacred plume There o'er the world from hand to hand did reign, Till it revolving unto mine did come. Line 1. Constantine in removing the seat of empire travelled towards the East, while ^neas first bore the Boman si^andard from Troy, conquering towards the West, following the sun. "Westward the course of empire holds its way."
Canto VI. PARADISE. 281
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