Classic Poem

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,
To speak once more I raised my head erect.
But lo! mine eyes a wondrous vision sought,
Which so intently kept my mind, that here
Of my confession I remember'd nought.
For even as in transparent glass and clear,
Or, it may be, in waters pure and still,
So shallow that their bed doth yet appear,
Our features seem the shadowy depths to fill,
So faintly that a pearl on forehead white
More plainly to our eyes is visible;
Thus many faces dimly met my sight,
Intent to speak; and error, contrary
To that which love 'twixt man and fount did light,
Now drew me to itself. Then suddenly,
Because of these as mirror'd forms I deem'd,
I turn'd, their semblance better to descry,
And nought I saw; and turn'd again, where gleam'd
The lovely radiance of my gentle guide,
Which, smiling, from her holy glances beam'd.
" Marvel not though I smile, " she then replied,
" At this thy childish fantasy and low,
Because not yet on truth thy feet abide,
But wand'ring round, as is their wont, they go.
True substances are those thou dost perceive,
Allotted to this place by broken vow:
But speak with them, and hear, and then believe;
For the true light which aye doth them inspire
Doth let them ne'er of truth the footsteps leave. "
Then I unto the Shade who did respire
Most eagerly for speech began to say,
Like one bewilder'd with too strong desire:
" O spirit fortunate, who in the ray
Of life eternal dost the sweetness know,
Which he who hath not tasted never may
Attain to comprehend, I pray thee show
To me thy name and somewhat of your lot. "
She answer'd readily with smiling brow:
" Our charity the gateway closeth not
To a just wish, save but as He who well
Would have his court with his own likeness fraught.
On earth a virgin sister did I dwell:
If heedfully on me thy mind be placed,
Though much my former beauty I excel,
This should not hide me. I, who here do rest,
Was erst Piccarda; who, in soften'd light,
With others in the lowest sphere am blest.
Our hearts, which only in the pure delight
Of God's own Holy Spirit ever glow,
Rejoice at this his order form'd aright.
Our lot, which seemeth unto thee so low,
Is given to us, because by sad mischance,
Neglected or made void hath been our vow. "
Whence I to her: " Within your wondrous glance
There shines, resplendent, somewhat so divine,
It wholly changes that which I did once
Remember; thus so tardy were my eyne.
But now the words thou speak'st do aid me well,
And thence a clearer memory is mine.
But ye who here are blest, I pray you, tell
If ye desire a higher place above,
More to behold, or nearer God to dwell? "
That company my words appear'd to move
Somewhat to smile; then, joyful, she replied,
And seem'd to glow in the first fire of love:
" Brother, our will doth tranquilly abide
In charity, which makes us but desire
The thing we have, nor long for aught beside.
If to supernal heights we should aspire,
Our wills were then discordantly inclined
From His, who bade our wishes soar no higher;
And discord in these zones ye may not find,
If here we needs must charity possess,
And to its nature well thou bend'st thy mind.
For 'tis essential to this life of bliss,
To hold ourselves within the Will Divine,
That thus our wills should be at one with His.
And we from threshold unto threshold shine,
Throughout this realm; yet all it pleaseth well,
As pleasing Him who doth to his design
Conform our hearts. And surely here we dwell
In peace for evermore; this is the sea
Whereto all Nature and Creation still
Are moved " And thus it was made clear to me
How everywhere is Paradise in Heaven,
Although God's highest favour therein be
In divers ways and divers measures given.
As it doth chance, when sated with one kind
Of food, we for another long, and even
The one is ask'd, the other is declined;
With words and gesture now I sought to learn
What toil, unfinish'd thus, she had resign'd.
" A Lady dwelleth in a loftier bourne,
There shrined by perfect life and deeds, " she said,
" According to whose rule the veil is worn,
On earth; that day and night be wholly sped
Aye with the spouse who doth each vow receive,
Which love conform'd unto his will hath made.
Her steps to follow, early did I leave
The world, and clothed me in her garb, and vow'd
Obedience to her holy rule to give.
But men more used to evil than to good
Forth from the pleasant cloister me did bear:
God knoweth then in what sore plight I stood!
This other splendour which thou seist here,
At my right hand, with light which doth excel
In all the soften'd glory of our sphere,
Had the same lot which unto me befel;
She was a sister, and from off her brow
They tore the shadow of the sacred veil.
Though back unto the world constrain'd to go,
Against her will, and customs fair and right,
The veil she never from her heart did throw.
For the great Constance dwells within yon light:
The third and last of Suabia's race did spring
From her, and from the second Storm-wind's might. "
Thus did she speak; and then began to sing,
And singing " Ave Mary " pass'd away,
As in dark water sinks some heavy thing.
Mine eyes, that follow'd her departing ray
Far as they might, when she was wholly gone,
Return'd to where my greatest gladness lay,
And upon Beatrice they gazed alone;
But, sooth, at first they scarcely might withstand
The dazzling light that in her visage shone:
Thus linger'd I, ere yet I utter'd my demand.