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the same aspects Which at the final judgment thou shalt see。〃
Even as a sudden lightning that disperses The visual spirits； so that it
deprives The eye of impress from the strongest objects；
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Thus round about me flashed a living light； And left me swathed
around with such a veil Of its effulgence； that I nothing saw。
〃Ever the Love which quieteth this heaven Welcomes into itself with
such salute； To make the candle ready for its flame。〃
No sooner had within me these brief words An entrance found； than I
perceived myself To be uplifted over my own power；
And I with vision new rekindled me； Such that no light whatever is so
pure But that mine eyes were fortified against it。
And light I saw in fashion of a river Fulvid with its effulgence； 'twixt
two banks Depicted with an admirable Spring。
Out of this river issued living sparks； And on all sides sank down into
the flowers； Like unto rubies that are set in gold；
And then； as if inebriate with the odours； They plunged again into the
wondrous torrent； And as one entered issued forth another。
〃The high desire； that now inflames and moves thee To have
intelligence of what thou seest； Pleaseth me all the more； the more it
swells。
But of this water it behoves thee drink Before so great a thirst in thee
be slaked。〃 Thus said to me the sunshine of mine eyes；
And added： 〃The river and the topazes Going in and out； and the
laughing of the herbage； Are of their truth foreshadowing prefaces；
Not that these things are difficult in themselves； But the deficiency is
on thy side； For yet thou hast not vision so exalted。〃
There is no babe that leaps so suddenly With face towards the milk； if
he awake Much later than his usual custom is；
As I did； that I might make better mirrors Still of mine eyes； down
stooping to the wave Which flows that we therein be better made。
And even as the penthouse of mine eyelids Drank of it； it forthwith
appeared to me Out of its length to be transformed to round。
Then as a folk who have been under masks Seem other than before； if
they divest The semblance not their own they disappeared in；
Thus into greater pomp were changed for me The flowerets and the
sparks； so that I saw Both of the Courts of Heaven made manifest。
O splendour of God！ by means of which I saw The lofty triumph of the
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realm veracious； Give me the power to say how it I saw！
There is a light above； which visible Makes the Creator unto every
creature； Who only in beholding Him has peace；
And it expands itself in circular form To such extent； that its
circumference Would be too large a girdle for the sun。
The semblance of it is all made of rays Reflected from the top of
Primal Motion； Which takes therefrom vitality and power。
And as a hill in water at its base Mirrors itself； as if to see its beauty
When affluent most in verdure and in flowers；
So； ranged aloft all round about the light； Mirrored I saw in more ranks
than a thousand All who above there have from us returned。
And if the lowest row collect within it So great a light； how vast the
amplitude Is of this Rose in its extremest leaves！
My vision in the vastness and the height Lost not itself； but
comprehended all The quantity and quality of that gladness。
There near and far nor add nor take away； For there where God
immediately doth govern； The natural law in naught is relevant。
Into the yellow of the Rose Eternal That spreads； and multiplies； and
breathes an odour Of praise unto the ever…vernal Sun；
As one who silent is and fain would speak； Me Beatrice drew on； and
said： 〃Behold Of the white stoles how vast the convent is！
Behold how vast the circuit of our city！ Behold our seats so filled to
overflowing； That here henceforward are few people wanting！
On that great throne whereon thine eyes are fixed For the crown's sake
already placed upon it； Before thou suppest at this wedding feast
Shall sit the soul （that is to be Augustus On earth） of noble Henry； who
shall come To redress Italy ere she be ready。
Blind covetousness； that casts its spell upon you； Has made you like
unto the little child； Who dies of hunger and drives off the nurse。
And in the sacred forum then shall be A Prefect such； that openly or
covert On the same road he will not walk with him。
But long of God he will not be endured In holy office； he shall be
thrust down Where Simon Magus is for his deserts；
And make him of Alagna lower go！〃
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Paradiso： Canto XXXI
In fashion then as of a snow…white rose Displayed itself to me the
saintly host； Whom Christ in his own blood had made his bride；
But the other host； that flying sees and sings The glory of Him who
doth enamour it； And the goodness that created it so noble；
Even as a swarm of bees； that sinks in flowers One moment； and the
next returns again To where its labour is to sweetness turned；
Sank into the great flower； that is adorned With leaves so many； and
thence reascended To where its love abideth evermore。
Their faces had they all of living flame； And wings of gold； and all the
rest so white No snow unto that limit doth attain。
From bench to bench； into the flower descending； They carried
something of the peace and ardour Which by the fanning of their flanks
they won。
Nor did the interposing 'twixt the flower And what was o'er it of such
plenitude Of flying shapes impede the sight and splendour；
Because the light divine so penetrates The universe； according to its
merit； That naught can be an obstacle against it。
This realm secure and full of gladsomeness； Crowded with ancient
people and with modern； Unto one mark had all its look and love。
O Trinal Light； that in a single star Sparkling upon their sight so
satisfies them； Look down upon our tempest here below！
If the barbarians； coming from some region That every day by Helice
is covered； Revolving with her son whom she delights in；
Beholding Rome and all her noble works； Were wonder…struck； what
time the Lateran Above all mortal things was eminent；
I who to the divine had from the human； From time unto eternity； had
come； From Florence to a people just and sane；
With what amazement must I have been filled！ Truly between this and
the joy； it was My pleasure not to hear； and to be mute。
And as a pilgrim who delighteth him In gazing round the temple of his
vow； And hopes some day to retell how it was；
So through the living light my way pursuing Directed I mine eyes o'er
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all the ranks； Now up； now down； and now all round about。
Faces I saw of charity persuasive； Embellished by His light and their
own smile； And attitudes adorned with every grace。
The general form of Paradise already My glance had comprehended as
a whole； In no part hitherto remaining fixed；
And round I turned me with rekindled wish My Lady to interrogate of
things Concerning which my mind was in suspense。
One thing I meant； another answered me； I thought I should see
Beatrice； and saw An Old Man habited like the glorious people。
O'erflowing was he in his eyes and cheeks With joy benign； in attitude
of pity As to a tender father is becoming。
And 〃She； where is she？〃 instantly I said； Whence he： 〃To put an end
to thy desire； Me Beatrice hath sent from mine own place。
And if thou lookest up to the third round Of the first rank； again shalt
thou behold her Upon the throne her merits have assigned her。〃
Without reply I lifted up mine eyes； And saw her； as she made herself a
crown Reflecting from herself the eternal rays。
Not from that region which the highest thunders Is any mortal eye so
fa