The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri

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832 PARADISE. Cahto XIX. The other blessedness, which seemed content At first with lilies to adorn the M, To the bird's impress with slow motion bent. you sweet star, how many a brilliant gem Was shown me there to prove our justice all . Bom of that Heaven which you do diadem ! Therefore with prayers the mind divine I call Whence springs your virtue to look forth abroad Where the smoke rises which your ray does pall, So that once more just anger be renewed 'Gainst purchasing and selling in that temple Erst buUt by miracles and. martyrs' blood. Militia of the sky I view so ample, pray for those who on our earth have strayed Far from the road, behind a bad example. Of old one went to battle with the blade, Now by denying either here or there The bread, a pious sire for all has laid. But you, who writest but to cancel dear, Think you that Paul and Peter, who have died For the vine You spoilest, still are living here. Well mayst you say : " My heart is so allied To him who ever sought to live alone, To him who for a dance was crucified, The Fisherman and Paul are both unknown."

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Line 112. The other band of beatified spirits formed the rest of the eagle. Line 122. The Chorch of Borne, polluted by the simony of the popes. Line 127. By interdicts and excommunications, refasing the rites of the sacrament, the bread (rod spreads for all. Line 130. Addressing Pope Boniface, who wrote his censures only to obtain as high a price as possible for cancelling them. Line 133. I cHng so to St. John the Baptist, at least to the coins of Florence stamped with his figure, that Paul and Peter are utterly forgotten.

CANTO XIX. The collected souls of just kings, which form the shape of the eagle, speak to Dante with one voice. They tell him that salvation is impossible without belief in Christ, but that many who profess such belief will in the last day be worse off than the heathen, and they declare that many Christian kings will make a sorry figure when all secrets are then revealed.

Appeared before me with wide-open wings That image fair, while in fruition sweet To its collected spirits gladness springs.

Canto XH. PARADISE. 333 Each one of them appeared a rabinet On which the sun's ray with such burning shone ^ That in my eyes was its refraction set. That which has now by me to be made known, Like never yet has wrote, nor voice did speak, Nor e'er was felt in fantasy alone : Because I clearly saw and heard that beak '® Speaking with voice that sounded I, and mine, Where we and ours as meaning we must take. ** Through being just and good," did it begin, " Am I exalted to such glory here. That leaves nought for which desire can pine. ^ And on the earth I left such memory clear. That even wicked people give it praise, Although they follow not its deeds severe." As one sole heat from many coals that blaze Makes itself felt, so from these numerous powers ^ That image but one single sound did raise. Whence I all eager : " perpetual flowers Of the eternal gladness, who as one Bring to my sentience all your odorous showers, Breathing, appease that mighty fast alone, ^ Which for so long has held me in its ties, Since upon earth no food for it was known. Well am I 'ware that if in other skies Makes its own mirror justice all Divine, That in your own no veil before you lies. ^ Te know with what attention I incline To listen, and you know what is the doubt With which I hunger from such weary syne." Like falcon who from hood does issue out, Moves his head, and shakes his wings abroad, ^ Showing his eagerness and grace throughout, So I beheld that symbol, who with laud Of grace Divine was interwoven through, And song they know who in Heaven's courts applaud. Then it began : " He who the compass drew ** Unto the world's extreme, and in that space So much both hid and manifest did show, On all the universe could not impress His power so far but that His wisdom's might Must aye remain in infinite excess. *^ Line 40. The Divine nature conld not so express itself in its works but that it most still remain incomprehensible, as was shown in the case even of the highest lower intellect, Lacifer, son of the morning.