But all that erst seem'd sweet now seems offence,
And all that pleased erst now seems to pain.
Their joy, their comfort, their desire, their gain,
Is fixed all on that which now they see:
All other sights but feigned shadows be."

Spenser. Hymn to Heavenly Beauty.

"No-rather strive thy grovelling mind to raise
Up to that unclouded blaze,

That heavenly radiance of eternal light,
In which enthroned she now with pity sees
How frail, how insecure, how slight

Lord Littleton. Monody.

Is every mortal bliss." Page 287. (Line 61.) By this proverb Beatrice exemplifies the folly of a man of mature age reverting to earthly pleasures. Hence the irony of telling him to "raise his beard," line 68, since, having arrived at manhood he ought to possess more wisdom. (77.) i.e. The Angels-who, canto xxx. 20, were represented as scattering flowers around Beatrice.

Page 288. (Line 92.) Matelda-whom Dante first saw in the meadow, xxviii. 37. Lo, the vision of the author in the preceding canto is actually verified."-Ottimo Commento. Thus Leah and Rachel, figures of active and contemplative life, are the same with Matelda and Beatrice. (98.) "Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."-Psalm, li. 7. (104.) The four cardinal virtues-stars in heaven till they accompanied Beatrice on her descent from heaven: the same mentioned canto i. 23; and xxix. 130. They conduct Dante to the Griffon.

Page 289. (Line 116.) The eyes of Beatrice.-St. John, speaking of the throne on which our Saviour sate, says: "There was a rainbow round about the throne in sight like

unto an emerald."-Rev. iv. 3. In the emerald eyes of the bride, the Griffon is supposed to be reflected, alternately displaying the human nature and the divine. (123.) The meaning of the "due reggimenti" may be gathered from the analogous use of the same words, canto xvi. 108, where they signify the two powers-that of the Emperor and of the Pope,

Page 290. (Line 139.) Dante acknowledges his inability to describe Beatrice; although as a votary of the Muses, he says, canto xxix. 38, that he had "suffered hunger, watching, cold.” (144.) The harmony is that of Angels, who circle the throne of God, rejoicing;—so beautifully described by Milton, Par. Lost. iii. 344.

"No sooner had the Almighty ceased, but (all
The multitude of Angels with a shout,

Loud, as from numbers without number-sweet
As from blest voices uttering joy) heaven rung
With jubilee, and loud hosannas_fill'd
The eternal regions."

CANTO XXXII.

ARGUMENT.

DANTE, in company with Matelda and Statius, follows the procession of the blest to the tree of knowledge. After a hymn, Dante falls asleep, and is awakened by a flash of splendour. Beatrice tells him to observe the car, and, on his return to earth, to record all he sees.

BENT were mine eyes with ardour so intense

To sate their ten years' thirst, that all the while
Lost in oblivion was each other sense :-

On either side of them a wall was set,

To exclude ought else; so did that sacred smile
Again enthral them with its ancient net;
When towards the left my looks were forcibly

Diverted by those Nymphs, on hearing one
Exclaim, addressing me; "Too earnestly:"
And a sensation of o'erpowering light,

As when the eyes are dazzled by the sun,
Deprived me for some moments of my sight.

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But when my vision was in part renew'd,
So that mine eyes were able to discern
Objects less splendid than those lately view'd,
I saw that on the right that glorious host

Had wheel'd around; and, making now a turn,
Before the flames and sun took up their post.
E'en as a troop, beneath their bucklers ranged

For greater safety, turn on either hand,
Ere their direction can be wholly changed;
So now, of that celestial armament

Pass'd onward in like guize the leading band,
Ere the triumphal car its beam had bent.

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Then to the wheels those Nymphs themselves betaking,

The Griffon moved his blessed burden thence,
Although so gently, not a plume was shaking.
The beauteous maid who drew me o'er the tide
Follow'd the wheel of less circumference,
By Statius and myself accompanied.

As thus we pass'd throughout the lofty wood,
Void through the fault of Eve, in unison
With angel notes our journey we pursued.

About the distance that an arrow, thrice

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Loosed from the string, might compass, had we gone, When from the car descended Beatrice.

Then "Adam" mutter'd by them all I heard;
And in a circle round a tree they went,

Whose every bough of leaves and flowers was bared. Its head, which, as it rises, doth dilate

The more, so lofty grows, that wonderment

In Indians 'mid their groves it would create. "Blessed, O Griffon! art thou not to rend

This tree, which needs must be surpassing sweet,
Since it allured our Parents to offend."

Thus cried they, as they circled round the tree;
And He in whom the twofold natures meet:
"Yea, so fulfill'd all righteousness must be.”
Then to the chariot's beam straight turning round,
He drew it to the tree bereft of spray,

And left it, by a twig together bound.
As, when from heaven descends the glorious light,
Mingled with that which, when the Pisces' ray
Departs, beams forth with more effective might,-
Our plants swell out, and re-enliven❜d are

With its own hues, or ere the sun unite
His fiery steeds beneath some other star;

With tints less vivid than the rose, but more

Deep than the violet, was that plant now dight,
Which of its foliage was so stript before.

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