The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri

ca:nto XI. When the spirits of the fathers of the Charch again come to a pause St. Thomas says that he has seen in God's mirror two difficulties which have arisea in Dante's mind. To solve the first he relates in glory of the founder of his own order, St. Dominic, the life of his great rival, St. Francis, and concludes by pointing out how the Dominicans have departed from the self-denying rules of their order. O IDLE objects for which mortals care, How are defective all the syllogisms Which ever down to earth your pinions bear ! One after laws, one after aphorisms Was searching, one on priesthood was intent, * And one to rule by force, and one by schisms, And one to rob, one lawsuits to invent, One wallowing in his sensual delight Grew sated, one on slothful ease was bent, While I, from all these things delivered quite, ^® With Beatrice soared to Heaven's high sphere. There to be greeted with such welcome bright. After that each to his former post drew near Within the circle ; motionless he shone Like candle burning in a chandelier, ^^ And I perceived within that beaming one Which first had parleyed with me, with a smile, Discourse commence, in light more lucid grown. " As from his ray I gather light the while On the eternal splendour gazing fair, ^° Your thoughts I apprehend, and whence they file. You doubtest, and do wish me to explain With words that clearly, fully may arrive To make my saying all before you plain. Both where I said before, * where well they thrive,' ^ And where you heard'st, * no second ever rose,' And here for clear distinction must we strive. The Providence which does the world dispose With counsel, into which all mortal sight Is lost, or ere unto its deeps it goes, ^ That she might walk towards her own delight, That bride of God (which with His blessed blood He spoused when on the Cross He cried with might), Line 25. See lines 96 and 114 of the last Canto. Line 31. The two guides chosen for Christ's bride, the Church, are St. Francis and St. Dominic, the founders of the two great orders.

302 PARADISE. Cahto H. Safe in herself, and with His faith endued, Two chiefs in her behalf did God endow, ^ Who on each side should guide her on the road. One was seraphic in his ardent glow, The other by his wisdom was on earth A splendour of the light which cherubs know. Of one will I now speak, because the worth *" Of each is told, whichever one we take, Since for one need the deeds of both had birth. Between Tupino and the streams that break Falling from blest TJbaldo's chosen hill, A fertile slope hangs from the mountain peak *^ From whence both heat and cold Peruge does feel By Porta Sole, while behind their yoke Gualdo with Nocera are wailing still. From that fair mountain side where the steep rock Is sloped upon the world, was bom a sun, ^ As this has often o'er the Giinges broke. Therefore whoe'er this place by words makes known Let him no more Assisi curtly say, But be it styled henceforth the East alone. Par from its rising had not reached his day " Ere he began to make the earth perceive Some comfort in his mighty virtue's ray. For while a youth, although his father grieve. He chose his lady, as to Death, the door Of Pleasure ne'er to her does entrance give : ^ And there the bishop's spiritual court before, Et c(yi*wm pcUre, he to her was wed. After from day to day he loved her more. She, of her former husband long bestead A thousand years and more, despised and poor, ** Till this one came was unsolicited, Nor 'vailed it aught that she was found secure Beside Amyclas when she heard the voice Which shook with fear the world, nor brave to endure. Line 43. A description of the birthplace of St. Francis, bom at Assisi, between the rivnlets of Tupino and Chiasi. Ubaldo was a saint of the Middle Ages. Line 48. GhiaJdo and Nooera were tribntaries of Perugia. Line 68. Alluding to the lines in Lucan's "Pharwlia," lib. t., where CsBsar, amidst the tumults of war, finds the fisherman Amyclas secure with poverty : — " vitaa tuta facultas Pauperis, angustique Lares ! munera nondum Intellecta Deum ! quibus hoc contingere tempUs, Aut potuit muris, nullo trepidare tumultu, Casare& pubante manu ?"

Cahto XI. PARADISE. 308 Availed her constant courage even in loss, ^" So that when Mary mother wept below She took her place with Christ upon the Cross. But that too far my riddle should not go, Francis and poverty, those lovers true, Henceforth through this description you mayst know. ^* Their concord, and their guise of joyful hne. Their love, their marvel, and their tender gaze. Were cause of holy thoughts in all who view, So that the venerable Bernard lays His sandals by the first, and for such peace ^ Hasts, and hasting thinks that he delays. O wealth unknown ! O good of sure increase ! Egidius and Sylvester bare their feet Behind that bridegroom, so the bride does please. Thence journeys on that sire and master sweet, ^ Leading his lady and that family. Who gird the rope already, symbol meet, Nor shame of heart did make him droop his eye That he was Pietro Bemardone*s son, Despised by those who watched him wonderingly. ^ But king-like he his rule austere made known To Innocent, and at his hand received The signet first to his religion won. Then, when the lowly people who believed Bound him increased, his marvellous renown ®* In Heavenly glory well in song is weaved. The eternal spirit with a second crown Through Pope Honorius did his scheme illume, Upon the patriarch's holy wish rained down. And afterwards by thirst of martyrdom, ^^ Within the presence of the Soldan's pride. He preached of Christ and those who with Him come. And when unripe that people he descried For their conversion, not to stay in vain To pluck Italian finitage back he hied. ^°* 'Twixt Tiber and the Amo of Christ slain The signet he received upon the hill. Until his death two years the marks remain. When unto him who did such grace instil It pleased to bear him upwards to the meed ^^^ Which he had conquered by his humble will. Line 106. On the hill of Alvernia St. Francis is stated, according to the legend, to have received the stigmata, or marks of Christ's woonds on his hands and feet. The reception of the stigmata was a favourite subject with €arly artists.