Another good there is not cause of bliss- Of every good the source :-the love of this, The inmates of the higher circles rue; How triply shared is not by me divulgedThe search of this thou mayst thyself pursue." 133 NOTES. Page 156. (Line 16.) Dante, being about to give pictures of anger, asks what power it is, that when the senses are lulled asleep and cease to perform their operations, raises up the images which fancy presents to the view. He answers-that they emanate directly or indirectly from the Supreme Beingeither through the medium of stars and Angels, or by the direct infusion of his grace. (20.) The bird is Progne, wife of Tereus, and sister of Philomela. To avenge herself on her husband for his infidelity and incest with her sister, she slew and served up to her husband their son Itys. According to most poets, Progne was changed into a swallow, Philomela into a nightingale. Dante, however, follows those, according to whom Progne was changed into a nightingale ;-" the wakeful bird," that "Sings darkling, and in shadiest covert hid Tunes her nocturnal note." Par. Lost. iii. 39. M (26.) Haman, prime minister of king Ahasuerus. (34.) Lavinia-mourning for her mother Amata, who, infuriated at the supposed death of Turnus, hanged herself. Virgil, Æn. xii. 601. "Multaque per mæstum demens effata furorem, Et nodum informis lethi trabe nectit ab alta." Thyself invisible Amidst the glorious brightness where thou sit'st Dark with excessive bright thy skirts appear." Page 158. (Line 67.) "This fanning of the wing signifies that the Angel thereby removed from Dante's forehead the mark designating the sin of anger."—Vellutello. (69.) "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."-St. Matthew. v. 9. Page 159. (Line 108.) "It is impossible for any being, either to hate itself, or to hate the First Cause of all by which it exists. We can therefore only rejoice in the evil which befalls others."-Cary. Of this evil pleasure in the misfortune of others, Dante makes a triple division-pride, envy, and anger. These three vices, which have been punished in the preceding rounds, are here severely described, lines 115, 118, 121. CANTO XVIII. ARGUMENT. VIRGIL Continuing his discourse concerning love, explains its origin. Free-will. Reason. Spirits rush by in great eagerness to ascend, recording as they pass instances of zeal and affection. Others follow, suffering for their lukewarmness, and recording instances of their crime. Dante falls asleep. His reasoning ended, my exalted guide 1 Spake not aloud, but said within: "Perchance And I, by further cravings now possest, He by my constant questions is opprest." But that true father, who at once perceived The timid wish I had not dared to tell, Soon by his speech my fear to speak relieved. Then I: "My sight, O master, gains such force In thy clear rays, that I discern full well 7 Show me, I therefore pray thee, sire revered, That love, to which all virtuous deeds, and those Their opposite in kind thou hast referr'd." "Direct to me thine intellectual sight," 13 He said, "and I their error will disclose, Who, blind themselves, would fain lead others right. The soul, which is created prone to love, 19 Awaken'd into action by delight, To all that pleases doth obedient move. Your apprehension from some object true An image draws, unfolding it to sight, So that the soul is tempted to pursue. And if the soul, thus wrought on, is inclined,- 25 Newly produced by pleasure in your mind. Thus, e'en as fire spontaneous mounts on high, Created apt to raise itself above, And reach again its storehouse in the sky; The soul, so smitten, enters on desire A spiritual motion, resting never Till the beloved object it acquire. Now will appear to thee how far they err From truth, who love of every kind whatever, 31 Love may itself perhaps be understood As always good; but still we sometimes find The impression bad, although the wax be good." I answer'd: "Love to me is render'd plain By thy discourse, and my attentive mind; But this hath fill'd me with my doubts again. For, if from outward objects love gains force, And the mind acts from such sole impulse- then No merit has it, right or wrong its course." "As far as reason," he replied, 66 can reach, I may direct thee; but beyond its ken 'Tis faith that works, and Beatrice must teach. Each spiritual essence, that is join'd With matter that in separate state exists, Contains within the virtue of its kind; Which, if it worketh not, remains unseen, Or whence comes passion for the first loved things. It lives in man, as instinct in the bee For making honey; and this first desire Nor praise nor censure can infer to thee. 37 43 49 55 |