English

CANTO X.

Argument.

The Sun, the fourth heavenly sphere, where dwell the Teachers of the Church. — Discourse of St. Thomas Aquinas.

G AZING upon his Son with love divine,
Breath'd forth by each from all eternity,
He who in light ineffable doth shine,
The Primal Being, far as ye may see
With eye or mind, made all things in such wise
That, looking on his works, it cannot be

CANTO IX.

Argument.

Cunizza, sister of Ezzelino da Romano. — The Troubadour, Foulques of Marseilles.
T HEN , fair Clemenza, when thy Charles had freed
My mind from doubt, yet further did he show
The injuries in store for all his seed;
But said: " Be silent; let the years still flow. "
I may but tell thee that just punishment
Shall come, as retribution for your woe.

CANTO VIII.

Argument.

Ascent into the third heaven, that of Venus; where dwell the souls of those who have lived on earth in friendship and sinless love. — Charles Martel, King of Hungary.

T HE world believed, in her old perilous days,
That, turn'd in the third epicycle, aye
The beauteous Cypriote shed down her rays
On earthly love: and thus, with votive cry
And sacrifice, to her much honour brought

CANTO VII.

Argument.

The Incarnation of the Word, the Immortality of the Soul, and the Resurrection.

" God of Sabaoth, glory unto thee,
Who with surpassing splendour dost o'ershine
The bright, blest spirits of the golden sea! "
Thus, moving ever to its strain divine,
This soul, on whom a double light was shed
Was manifest unto my mortal eyne;
And with the others in its dance it sped,

CANTO V.

Argument.

Beatrice replies to the questions of Dante concerning Vows — Ascent into Mercury, where are seen the souls of those who have laboured for Fame.

" I F in love's burning beams to thee I glow,
Beyond the manner which on earth ye see,
And thou thereby with dazzled eyes dost go,
This should not seem a wondrous thing to thee,
For perfect vision aye, as it doth learn,

CANTO IV.

Argument.

Plato's doctrine of the Stars. — The different degrees of bliss in Heaven. — Absolute and relative Will.

B ETWEEN two kinds of food, equal in taste,
And equidistant, man might die, ere yet
He stretchid out his hand to be possest
Of either: and thus stands a lamb, when set
Between two hungry wolves, on either hand;
And thus a dog between two deer doth wait.

CANTO III.

Argument.

In the Moon are seen the souls of those who have broken religious Vows. — Piccarda Donati relates her own History, and that of the Empress Constance.

T HAT Sun, which first had warm'd my heart with love,
Thus of fair truth disclosed the sweet aspect,
While she did prove and eke again reprove;
And, to confess that now my intellect,
From error freed, with certitude was fraught,

CANTO II.

Argument.

The Lunar Sphere. — Discourse concerning the nature of the Spots on the Moon.

O YE who in a little bark would fain
List to my words, and pass the surges o'er,
Behind my ship that, singing, ploughs the main,
Turn ye again to look upon the shore:
Seek not the ocean; for it well may be,
Losing my track, ye err in peril sore.
The waves whereon I sail are, save by me,

PARADISO

CANTO I.

Argument.

Invocation to Apollo. — Dante ascends from the terrestrial Paradise to the first sphere of Heaven. — Beatrice replies to some of his doubts.

T HE glory of the Mover of each sphere
Pierces the Universe; and yet doth shine
In one place more, in other parts less clear.
In heaven, where brightest is that light divine,

" Deus venerunt gentes , " in sweet hymn,
Of voice alternating, now three, now four,
The damsels 'gan to chaunt, with weeping dim;
And Beatrice gave ear unto their lore,
With mien that bore well nigh as sad a trace
As Mary's at the cross. And when no more
The maidens sang, but unto her gave place,
Rising to her full height of majesty
She spake, a burning flush upon her face:
" A little while, and me ye shall not see,