W1 CANTO XXX. HEN the Septentrion of the highest heaven (Which never either setting knew or rising, Nor veil of other cloud than that of sin, And which made every one therein aware Of his own duty, as the lower makes Whoever turns the helm to come to port) Motionless halted, the veracious people, That came at first between it and the Griffin, Turned themselves to the car, as to their peace. And one of them, as if by Heaven commissioned, Singing," Veni, sponsa, de Libano" Shouted three times, and all the others after. Even as the Blessed at the final summons 5 Shall rise up quickened each one from his cavern, Uplifting light the reinvested flesh, So upon that celestial chariot A hundred rose ad vocem tanti senis, Ministers and messengers of life eternal. They all were saying, "Benedictus qui venis," And, scattering flowers above and round about, "Manibus o date lilia plenis." Ere now have I beheld, as day began, The eastern hemisphere all tinged with rose, And the other heaven with fair serene adorned; 15 20 And the sun's face, uprising, overshadowed And my own spirit, that already now So long a time had been, that in her presence Trembling with awe it had not stood abashed, Without more knowledge having by mine eyes, Through occult virtue that from her proceeded Of ancient love the mighty influence felt. As soon as on my vision smote the power Sublime, that had already pierced me through Ere from my boyhood I had yet come forth, To the left hand I turned with that reliance With which the little child runs to his mother, When he has fear, or when he is afflicted, To say unto Virgilius : 66 Not a drachm Of blood remains in me, that doth not tremble; I know the traces of the ancient flame." But us Virgilius of himself deprived Had left, Virgilius, sweetest of all fathers, Virgilius, to whom I for safety gave me : Nor whatsoever lost the ancient mother 25 30 35 40 45 50 Availed my cheeks now purified from dew, "Dante, because Virgilius has departed Do not weep yet, do not weep yet awhile; For by another sword thou need'st must weep." E'en as an admiral, who on poop and prow 55 Comes to behold the people that are working In other ships, and cheers them to well-doing, 60 Upon the left-hand border of the car, When at the sound I turned of my own name, Which of necessity is here recorded, I saw the Lady, who erewhile appeared Veiled underneath the angelic festival, Direct her eyes to me across the river. Although the veil, that from her head descended, Encircled with the foliage of Minerva, Did not permit her to appear distinctly, In attitude still royally majestic Continued she, like unto one who speaks, And keeps his warmest utterance in reserve : "Look at me well; in sooth I'm Beatrice! 65 70 How didst thou deign to come unto the Mountain? So she appeared to me; for somewhat bitter 80 Even as the snow among the living rafters Before the song of those who sing forever 85 90 95 Compassion for me, more than had they said, "O wherefore, lady, dost thou thus consume him?" The ice, that was about my heart congealed, To air and water changed, and in my anguish Through mouth and eyes came gushing from my She, on the right-hand border of the car Still firmly standing, to those holy beings "Ye keep your watch in the eternal day, [breast. So that nor night nor sleep can steal from you One step the make ages upon their path; Which have such lofty vapors for their rain That near to them our sight approaches not, ΙΟΙ 105 110 Such had this man become in his new life Potentially, that every righteous habit I was upon the threshold and changed life, Nor prayer for inspiration me availed, By means of which in dreams and otherwise 115 120 125 130 I called him back, so little did he heed them. 135 So low he fell, that all appliances For his salvation were already short, Save showing him the people of perdition. For this I visited the gates of death, And unto him, who so far up hath led him, My intercessions were with weeping borne. God's lofty fiat would be violated, If Lethe should be passed, and if such viands Should tasted be, withouten any scot Of penitence, that gushes forth in tears." 140 145 |