Through various openings bursts on mortal eyes

The lamp of this our world; but that which joins
Four circles with three crosses best supplies
His light; as, rising by a fairer road,

And happier star, he tempers and combines

37

The mundane wax in more congenial mode.-
Through such an opening, morn was there display'd, 43
And twilight here ;—that hemisphere was bright,
While all the other was enwrapt in shade;
When Beatrice I saw her eyes upraise,

And on the left confront the sun's full light ;-
So never eagle fix'd his stedfast gaze.
As from the first proceeds the second ray,

Reflected, as though heaven again it sought,

upon

Like pilgrim bent his homeward way; So, looking upon her, the while she stood

Contemplative, her very act I caught;

And with unearthly ken the sun I view'd.

49

Much is accorded in that holy place

55

Denied us here ;—thanks to the abode that erst

Was destin'd to receive the human race.

Not long could I endure the ardent glow;
Yet long enough to see sparks round us burst,
Like unto those from heated iron that flow.

Suddenly day seem'd added unto day ;

As though another sun had in the skies

Been set by Him who rules with boundless sway. In raptured gaze stood Beatrice, intent

Upon the eternal wheels; and I-mine eyes

Drawn from the sun, and on her face now bent
Felt, as they looked upon her, such emotion,

As Glaucus, tasting of the herb, which made
Him fit companion for the Gods of ocean.
That superhuman change words cannot show
Then let suffice the example now displayed:-
Grace may hereafter fuller proof bestow.

Whether in spirit only I was there,

Illumed by thee, O Love, that rul'st the skies,

61

67

73

Thou know'st who raised me to that heavenly sphere.—

What time the wheel thou mov'st eternally

By thy attractive power, had drawn mine eyes
With the sweet harmony attuned by Thee,
The sun so lighted up the heaven, that ne'er
Did lake, augmented or by flood or rain,
Of such a broad and vast expanse appear.
The novel sound and ample light inspired
Desire so strong the cause to ascertain
As never had before my bosom fired;

79

When she, to whom were all my thoughts reveal'd 85 As to myself, ere I my wish could tell,

To calm my troubled mind, her lips unseal'd. "Fancies untrue have dull'd thy mental sight;

And things, that otherwise were seen full well,
Are thus enveloped in perpetual night.
Thou art not, as thou thinkest, upon earth;
But mountest, swifter than the lightning's flame,
Flash'd from the proper region of its birth."
If these her words concise, to me address'd
With smiling lip, my former doubt o'ercame,
Now by another was I still oppress'd;
And said:" My greatest doubt is at an end;
But yet it wakens in me wonderment,

How through these lighter bodies I ascend."
With pitying sigh her eyes on me were thrown;
And her's was like a mother's gaze, intent
Upon the face of her delirious son.
She then began: "The law of order reigns
Throughout Creation's ample space; and this
The world in likeness unto God sustains.
Herein the higher creatures see display'd
The trace of the Eternal Might, that is
The end for which such ordinance was made:

91

97

103

All natures to this heavenly law incline,
Approaching each according to their kind,
Some more, some less, unto the Source Divine.
Hence move they on unto their different ends

109

Through the great sea of Being—each design'd

To reach the port tow'rds which its instinct tends. This to the lunar regions fire directs;

This to the human heart its impulse gives; This binds the earth, and to itself connects. Nor creatures void of intellect alone

Partake this influence ;-with those it lives In whom intelligence and love are shown. The Providence which regulates the whole

Makes always with its light that heaven content
In which the heaven of greater speed doth roll:
And thither now, as to a destin'd site,

Are we impell'd by this instinctive bent,
Which ever doth to virtuous end invite.
'Tis true, that oft,-as from the artist's hand
A form proceeds, not answering his design,
Because the matter hears not his command :-

115

121

127

So will the creature, moved by adverse force,
Being free to stand or fall, sometimes decline,
And swerve, thus tempted, from the appointed course,

(E'en as we see fire falling from a cloud,)

If the first impulse that would mount the sky

To earth is by fallacious pleasure bow'd.
Thou should'st not marvel more, if right I deem,
At thy ascent, than that from mountain high
Down to the lowest plain descends a stream.
More wonder, truly, if thou hadst remain'd

Inert below, although made free to rise,-
Like living fire to creep on earth constrain'd:"
Then unto heaven again she raised her eyes.

133

139

NOTES

Page 1. (Line 3.) "Caught up into Paradise, the third heaven," like St. Paul, Dante heard "unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."-2 Cor. xii. 4. See line 73, and note. "If it were given to any of us to see Paradise, or the third heaven, as it was to St. Paul, could it be, that ever we should love any thing but Christ, or follow any guide but the Spirit, or desire any thing but heaven?"— Jeremy Taylor, Of the Spirit of Grace. "The unspeakable words,' which he heard there, and which it was not possible for man to utter,' might furnish another proof, if any were wanting, of the indescribable happiness of that place."-Dr. Edward Burton, Works, vol. i. Serm. 6. (9.) "One may say of