Classic Poem

CANTO XVIII.

Argument.

Ascent into Jupiter, the heaven of sovereigns. — The spirits form letters of light, symbolising the justice of the Imperial sway.

R EJOICING only in thought's inward power,
That blessid spirit paused; and I did take
Like joy within me, temp'ring sweet with sour.
And she who led me unto God thus spake:
" To other musings pass, and think that I
Am near to Him who from all ill doth make
Us free. " Then did I turn right speedily,
To this dear sound of comfort; yet to paint
The love within her eyes I may not try:
Not only since my speech is all too faint;
But, sooth, the mind may not return again
So far, if by a higher power unbent.
But yet to tell so much I may attain,
That, gazing upon her, no wish might be
Within my heart which for aught else did strain.
While the eternal joy that, full and free,
Beam'd forth on Beatrice, from her fair eyes
Reflected, wholly gave content to me,
And vanquish'd me with the sweet light that lies
Within a smile, she said: " Now turn and hear;
Not only on my brow is paradise. "
As, pictured on the countenance, appear
Emotions, if they wholly do inspire
The spirit's depths, even so, within the clear
Resplendent flashing of the holy fire,
To which I turn'd me now, I well perceived
That somewhat yet to speak did it desire.
It said: " On this fifth grade of the fresh-leaved
And mighty tree which from its crown hath life,
And ever beareth fruit, nor is bereaved
Of foliage, are blest souls who in the strife
Of Earth, before they rose unto the sky,
Were mighty, so that every Muse was rife
With their great histories. Then fix thine eye
Upon the cross: he whom I now do name
Shall flash as fire that from the cloud doth fly. "
And through the cross there flash'd a light'ning flame,
At the word " Joshua " : nor yet by me
The speech was heard, ere deeds responsive came.
And, at the name of lofty Maccabee,
Another sped from out the starry train,
And gladness seemid a sharp spur to be.
Thus, for Orlando and for Charlemagne,
Two I perceived, the while I gazed intent,
As eyes that for a soaring falcon strain.
On William and on Rinoard I bent
My glance; and now unto mine eye was given
Duke Godfrey, with the Cross of splendour blent,
And Robert Guiscard. Then the soul, who even
Thus spake, now mingled with the starry band,
And show'd his skill in the sweet songs of Heaven
Full swiftly did I turn to my right hand,
As deeming that my duty should appear
In Beatrice, by look or by command;
And saw her shining orbs gleam forth so clear
And joyous, that the radiance of her glance
Vanquish'd all former brightness which it here
Had worn. As greater joy, it oft may chance,
A man doth feel when he from day to day
Perceiveth in good deeds he doth advance,
Thus was I 'ware that on my heavenly way
I sped in larger orbit; while to me
Was shown this wondrous being's brightest ray.
And as, with transmutation swift, ye see
A maiden's cheek resume its pallid hue,
When from the weight of timid shame set free;
E'en such the change in Beatrice I knew,
Caused by the whiteness and the temper'd beam
Of the sixth star which to itself me drew.
I saw within this torch of Jove the gleam
Of love which dwelt therein, and to mine eye
As written signs of this our speech did seem.
And, as the birds, where fertile fields do lie,
Arise in gladness from their food; and now
In circles, now in a long line they fly:
Thus holy beings in this radiant glow
Sang, while in lines of heavenly light array'd,
Now D, or I, or L, they seem'd to show.
First, to their music in the dance they sped;
Next, when they one of those bright signs did trace,
A little while they silently were stay'd.
O Pegasean Goddess, by whose grace
The minds of men win long and glorious fame,
And by thine aid bestow it on each race
And city, give me light, that I proclaim
Their forms as I perceivid them; and shed
On these brief verses thy poetic flame.
Seven times quintupled show'd they, as they sped,
Vowels and consonants: I noted well
The course wherein, methought, that they were said
And first those forms of radiance seem'd to spell
Justitiam diligite : they unfold
This sentence last, in splendour visible,
Qui judicatis terram . When was told
All, even to the last M, they stay'd, and Jove
A silver setting seem'd to lines of gold.
Then other lights I saw descend, above
The M; and there they still'd themselves to sing,
Methinks, the Highest Good which them doth move
As, when ye strike the burning brand, there spring
Innumerable sparks; whence unskill'd wights
Are wont the dreams of augury to bring:
Even thus, meseem'd, there rose a thousand lights,
And upward soar'd, some higher, some more low,
As the Great Sun which kindled them invites.
Their airy flight did then no further go;
And I an eagle's head and neck beheld,
Depicted brightly on the fiery glow.
The pencil which this painter's hand doth wield
No guidance needs; but ruleth all, and e'en
The instinct that doth teach the bird to build.
Those Blessid Ones, who first content had been
To form a lily-crown above the M,
With motion slight took their new form, I ween.
O sweetest star, how many a dazzling gem
Show'd me that all our justice doth arise
Within the heaven where shines thy diadem!
Therefore I pray the mind wherein there lies
Thy primal motion and thy power, to glance
Where the dark cloud is born, which from all eyes
Doth hide thy rays. And thus again, perchance,
His wrath shall glow 'gainst them who buy and sell,
Within the temple built by martyrs once,
And signs portentous. O ye hosts who dwell
In this fair planet, pray for those afar
On earth, misled by ill example fell.
Erst with the sword were done the deeds of war;
Now, by depriving souls, on every side,
Of bread which God from no man doth debar.
O thou who but to cancel, sooth, dost guide
Thy writing, think that Peter and that Paul,
Who for the vineyard which thou spoilest died,
Still live. Well may'st thou say: " My heart doth call
On him who did a lonely portion take,
And by a dance in martyrdom did fall;
Thus Paul I know not, nor the Fisher of the Lake."