The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri
iviii CONTENTS. PAGE CANTO XXV. As they ascend the stair, Dante expresses his wonder at the leanness of the spirits in the last circle, who as spirits stand in no need of nourishment. On Virgil's request, Statins, to explain his difficulty, describes the generation of the human body, its junction with the soul, and the nature of the latter after its passage to another world.
They then reach the seventh cornice, where those who have been guilty of incontinence are purified in fire. The spirits in the fire record celebrated examples of Chastity p. 226While the poets advance along the brink of the cornice, the spirits are astonished at the shadow cast on the flames by Dante's body.
Ere he can satisfy their curiosity, another troop of spirits advance in the fire from the opposite direction, and the two bands embrace and X)a88 on their way, reprobating their earthly sins. On their departure Dante tells the shadows beside him that he is still alive, and he is then addressed by Guido Guinicelli, the Italian poet, who afterwards points out to him Arnault Daniel, the ProvengaJ ....p. 230
As the day closes they reach the station of the Angel, who directs them to pass through the fire, to ascend the last staircase. While ascending this the sun sets, and the poets, unable to advance during the night, halt there until the morning. Dante, sleeping there, beholds in a dream two females repr^enting the active and contemplative life.
In the morning they reach the height, and Virgil directs Dante to follow alone his own promptings until the arrival of Beatrice, as his own guardianship has ceased . • . 234 CANTO XXVLII. Dante advances through the tranquil forest to explore the Terrestrial Paradise until his progress is stopped by a stream. On the other side he sees a lady, who advances at his prayer to the brink, and explains to him the mystery of the place.
She informs him that the river has two branches ; the one before him is Lethe, whose draught takes away the memory of sin, while the other is called Eunoe, by drinking which the spirit recovers only the recollection of good . p. 237As Dante advances by the side of the lady on opposite banks of the stream, its course turns towards the east, and on the side of the river opposite to Dante there descends an Apocalyptic vision . .
p. 241In the midst of a shower of roses strewn by an Angel choir, a lady descends from Heaven upon the car. Dante instinctively recognises Beatrice, and turning to Virgil, finds that his faithful guide has left him. Beatrice tells him not to weep on that account, but to reserve his tears for the rebuke with which she greets him for his sins .p. 245
Bebuked by Beatrice, Dante confesses his error, and falls senseless to the earth. On bis recovering perception he finds himself drawn through the stream by the lady he had first found on its bank.
Having drunk of the waters of Lethe he is welcomed to the shore by the four cardinal virtues, who lead him to the Gryphon, where the three spiritual virtues intercede for him with Beatrice, who at their request unveils to him all her celestial beauty 249
CONTENTS. xix CANTO XXXII. The whole procession "moTes on, followed hy Dante, Statins, and Matilda, nntil they reach the Tree of Life, to which the Gryphon fastens the car. Dante falls into a slumber, and on being ronsed finds that Beatrice, Matilda, and the cardinal virtnes alone remain nnder the Tree. The History of the Church is then typified to Dante in a vision of changes that befall the car ....p. 253
The seven virgins and Beatrice sing in lamentation on the vision. They then all leave the Tree, and Beatrice darkly prophesies to Dante the fntnre fate of the Church. They then all arrive at the fountain from which the rivers Lethe and Eunoe are derived, and issue on their several ways. Matilda leads Dante and Statins to drink of Eunoe's wave, from which he rises renewed in spirit and purified for Paradise 257 PAEADISE. CANTO I.
After solemn invocation, Dante describes his ascent from the earthly Paradise towards the first sphere of Heaven : his ignorance of how he thus past out of humanity, and Beatrice's explanation of his doubts 262 CANTO II. Dante and his gnide enter the sphere of the moon, and Beatrice explains to him the canse of the spots which appear on its surface . . 265 CANTO in. Dante beholds in the moon the spirits of the blessed.
He converses with Piccarda, the sister of Forese, and learns that she, with the rest, are confined to that lowest sphere through having been compelled to a breach of their vows, but that God's will makes every sphere perfect Paradise. She points out bo him the spirit of the Empress Constance 269 CANTO IV. Dante stands absorbed by two doubts arising from what he has just heard and seen.
Beatrice removes both his difficulties, first with r^erence to the place assigned to the blest in Heaven, and then as to the efiect of alien violence upon the will. Dante then inquires as to the possibility of making satisfaction for a broken vow . • . 273 CANTO V. Beatrice answers Dante's question concerning the possibility of rendering other satisfaction for a broken vow.
They then ascend to the sphere of Mercury, where they are met by a troop of spirits, one of whom offers to explain to Dante anything he may wish to know . p. 277The spirit informs Dante that he is the Emperor Justinian, and after describing his own career he sketches the previous victories of the 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 Borneo, Minister of Count Baimond p. 280Justinian and the other spirits disappear singing praises to God. Dante remains confused with doubt ^igendered by what he has heard. Beatrice for their satisfaction explains the whole scheme of human redemption 284
CANTO VIII. Dante ascends with Beatrice to the sphere of the planet Venus. Amongst the troop of spirits who greet him here he converses with Charles Martel, King of Hungary, who, after discoursing on the prospects of his descendants then alive, explains to him how the mfluence of the stars was used by God as a means for the advantage of human polityp. 288
The spirit of Charles Martel retires, and Dante is then addressed by Cunizza, the sister of Ezzelino, the tyrant of Bomano, who foretells to him certain near events in Italian history. She is followed by Folco, the Provin^al poet of Genoa, who informs him that the spirit of tiie harlot Bahab holds the highest place in their sphere, and inveighs against the Papacy for its neglect of the Holy Land, for which BaJmb served so faithfully 292 CANTO X.
They ascend to the sphere of the sun, the fourth Heaven, where they are surrounded by a garland of twelve blessed spirits. One of these, Thomas Aquinas, names the rest to Dante 296 CANTO XI. When the spirits of the fathers of the Church again come to a pause St. Thomas says that he has seen in God's mirror two difficalties which have arisen 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 ^*eat rival, St. Francis, and concludes by pointing out how the Dominicans have departed from the self-denying rules of their order 301 CANTO XII. As St. Thomas ceases speaking, a second circle of twelve blessed spirits surrounds the first.
One of these, St Buonaventura, relates to Dante the life of St. Dominic, and then regrets the decay of his own Franciscan order. He Uien names the twelve spirits who compose the outer wreath, newly arrived p. 804The two circles of beatified saints join in a chorus of praise to God.
Thomas Aquinas then explains the other difficulty, which his words concerning Solomon had raised in Dante's mind, adding tliat his superiority over all men in wisdom extended only to tings. He closes by warning Dante against rash judgments 308 CANTO XIV. In answer to Beatrice, the spirit of Solomon explains to Dante that after the final resurrection the blest will resume their glorified bodies now lying on earth.
Beatrice and Dante are then translated to the fifth Heaven, the sphere of Mars. There he sees the beatified spirits moving athwart a cross of glory which is stamped upon that planet, and is ravished by the melody of their hymn 812 CANTO XV. The hymn of the Crusaders subsides into silence, and a spirit glides to the foot of the Cross and welcomes Dante as his descendant.
He tells him that he is the spirit of his ancestor Cacciaguida, describes the simple life of the Florentines in his days, and sti^s how he died in Palestine, fighting for the Holy Land p. 316In answer to Dante's request, Cacciaguida relates to him the time of his birth, the extent of Florence at that period, and who were the chief families who then resided there 320
iviii CONTENTS. PAGE CANTO XXV. As they ascend the stair, Dante expresses his wonder at the leanness of the spirits in the last circle, who as spirits stand in no need of nourishment. On Virgil's request, Statins, to explain his difficulty, describes the generation of the human body, its junction with the soul, and the nature of the latter after its passage to another world.
They then reach the seventh cornice, where those who have been guilty of incontinence are purified in fire. The spirits in the fire record celebrated examples of Chastity 226 CANTO XXVI. While the poets advance along the brink of the cornice, the spirits are astonished at the shadow cast on the flames by Dante's body.
Ere he can satisfy their curiosity, another troop of spirits advance in the fire from the opposite direction, and the two bands embrace and X)a88 on their way, reprobating their earthly sins. On their departure Dante tells the shadows beside him that he is still alive, and he is then addressed by Guido Guinicelli, the Italian poet, who afterwards points out to him Arnault Daniel, the ProvengaJ .... 230 CANTO XXVII.
As the day closes they reach the station of the Angel, who directs them to pass through the fire, to ascend the last staircase. While ascending this the sun sets, and the poets, unable to advance during the night, halt there until the morning. Dante, sleeping there, beholds in a dream two females repr^enting the active and contemplative life.
In the morning they reach the height, and Virgil directs Dante to follow alone his own promptings until the arrival of Beatrice, as his own guardianship has ceased . • . 234 CANTO XXVLII. Dante advances through the tranquil forest to explore the Terrestrial Paradise until his progress is stopped by a stream. On the other side he sees a lady, who advances at his prayer to the brink, and explains to him the mystery of the place.
She informs him that the river has two branches ; the one before him is Lethe, whose draught takes away the memory of sin, while the other is called Eunoe, by drinking which the spirit recovers only the recollection of good . 237 CANTO XXIX. As Dante advances by the side of the lady on opposite banks of the stream, its course turns towards the east, and on the side of the river opposite to Dante there descends an Apocalyptic vision . .
241 CANTO XXX. In the midst of a shower of roses strewn by an Angel choir, a lady descends from Heaven upon the car. Dante instinctively recognises Beatrice, and turning to Virgil, finds that his faithful guide has left him. Beatrice tells him not to weep on that account, but to reserve his tears for the rebuke with which she greets him for his sins . 245 CANTO XXXI.
Bebuked by Beatrice, Dante confesses his error, and falls senseless to the earth. On bis recovering perception he finds himself drawn through the stream by the lady he had first found on its bank.
Having drunk of the waters of Lethe he is welcomed to the shore by the four cardinal virtues, who lead him to the Gryphon, where the three spiritual virtues intercede for him with Beatrice, who at their request unveils to him all her celestial beauty 249
CONTENTS. xix CANTO XXXII. The whole procession "moTes on, followed hy Dante, Statins, and Matilda, nntil they reach the Tree of Life, to which the Gryphon fastens the car. Dante falls into a slumber, and on being ronsed finds that Beatrice, Matilda, and the cardinal virtnes alone remain nnder the Tree. The History of the Church is then typified to Dante in a vision of changes that befall the car .... 253 CANTO XXXIII.
The seven virgins and Beatrice sing in lamentation on the vision. They then all leave the Tree, and Beatrice darkly prophesies to Dante the fntnre fate of the Church. They then all arrive at the fountain from which the rivers Lethe and Eunoe are derived, and issue on their several ways. Matilda leads Dante and Statins to drink of Eunoe's wave, from which he rises renewed in spirit and purified for Paradise 257 PAEADISE. CANTO I.
After solemn invocation, Dante describes his ascent from the earthly Paradise towards the first sphere of Heaven : his ignorance of how he thus past out of humanity, and Beatrice's explanation of his doubts 262 CANTO II. Dante and his gnide enter the sphere of the moon, and Beatrice explains to him the canse of the spots which appear on its surface . . 265 CANTO in. Dante beholds in the moon the spirits of the blessed.
He converses with Piccarda, the sister of Forese, and learns that she, with the rest, are confined to that lowest sphere through having been compelled to a breach of their vows, but that God's will makes every sphere perfect Paradise. She points out bo him the spirit of the Empress Constance 269 CANTO IV. Dante stands absorbed by two doubts arising from what he has just heard and seen.
Beatrice removes both his difficulties, first with r^erence to the place assigned to the blest in Heaven, and then as to the efiect of alien violence upon the will. Dante then inquires as to the possibility of making satisfaction for a broken vow . • . 273 CANTO V. Beatrice answers Dante's question concerning the possibility of rendering other satisfaction for a broken vow.
They then ascend to the sphere of Mercury, where they are met by a troop of spirits, one of whom offers to explain to Dante anything he may wish to know . 277 CANTO VI. The spirit informs Dante that he is the Emperor Justinian, and after describing his own career he sketches the previous victories of the 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 Borneo, Minister of Count Baimond 280 CANTO VII. Justinian and the other spirits disappear singing praises to God. Dante remains confused with doubt ^igendered by what he has heard. Beatrice for their satisfaction explains the whole scheme of human redemption 284
CANTO VIII. Dante ascends with Beatrice to the sphere of the planet Venus. Amongst the troop of spirits who greet him here he converses with Charles Martel, King of Hungary, who, after discoursing on the prospects of his descendants then alive, explains to him how the mfluence of the stars was used by God as a means for the advantage of human polity 288 CANTO IX.
The spirit of Charles Martel retires, and Dante is then addressed by Cunizza, the sister of Ezzelino, the tyrant of Bomano, who foretells to him certain near events in Italian history. She is followed by Folco, the Provin^al poet of Genoa, who informs him that the spirit of tiie harlot Bahab holds the highest place in their sphere, and inveighs against the Papacy for its neglect of the Holy Land, for which BaJmb served so faithfully 292 CANTO X.
They ascend to the sphere of the sun, the fourth Heaven, where they are surrounded by a garland of twelve blessed spirits. One of these, Thomas Aquinas, names the rest to Dante 296 CANTO XI. When the spirits of the fathers of the Church again come to a pause St. Thomas says that he has seen in God's mirror two difficalties which have arisen 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 ^*eat rival, St. Francis, and concludes by pointing out how the Dominicans have departed from the self-denying rules of their order 301 CANTO XII. As St. Thomas ceases speaking, a second circle of twelve blessed spirits surrounds the first.
One of these, St Buonaventura, relates to Dante the life of St. Dominic, and then regrets the decay of his own Franciscan order. He Uien names the twelve spirits who compose the outer wreath, newly arrived 804 CANTO XIII. The two circles of beatified saints join in a chorus of praise to God.
Thomas Aquinas then explains the other difficulty, which his words concerning Solomon had raised in Dante's mind, adding tliat his superiority over all men in wisdom extended only to tings. He closes by warning Dante against rash judgments 308 CANTO XIV. In answer to Beatrice, the spirit of Solomon explains to Dante that after the final resurrection the blest will resume their glorified bodies now lying on earth.
Beatrice and Dante are then translated to the fifth Heaven, the sphere of Mars. There he sees the beatified spirits moving athwart a cross of glory which is stamped upon that planet, and is ravished by the melody of their hymn 812 CANTO XV. The hymn of the Crusaders subsides into silence, and a spirit glides to the foot of the Cross and welcomes Dante as his descendant.
He tells him that he is the spirit of his ancestor Cacciaguida, describes the simple life of the Florentines in his days, and sti^s how he died in Palestine, fighting for the Holy Land 316 CANTO XVI. In answer to Dante's request, Cacciaguida relates to him the time of his birth, the extent of Florence at that period, and who were the chief families who then resided there 320
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