CANTO XXXII. O steadfast and attentive were mine eyes That all my other senses were extinct, Towards my left hand by those goddesses, Because I heard from them a "Too intently!" And that condition of the sight which is In eyes but lately smitten by the sun Bereft me of my vision some short while; But to the less when sight re-shaped itself, 5 ΙΟ I say the less in reference to the greater Splendor from which perforce I had withdrawn, 15 I saw upon its right wing wheeled about The glorious host, returning with the sun And with the sevenfold flames upon their faces. As underneath its shields, to save itself, 20 A squadron turns, and with its banner wheels, Before the whole thereof can change its front, That soldiery of the celestial kingdom Which marched in the advance had wholly passed Before the chariot had turned its pole. [us 26 30 Then to the wheels the maidens turned themselves, 40 As higher they ascend, had been by Indians Among their forests marvelled at for height. "Blessed art thou, O Griffin, who dost not Pluck with thy beak these branches sweet to taste, Since appetite by this was turned to evil." After this fashion round the tree robust The others shouted; and the twofold creature: "Thus is preserved the seed of all the just." And turning to the pole which he had dragged, 45 He drew it close beneath the widowed bough, 50 And what was of it unto it left bound. In the same manner as our trees (when downward Falls the great light, with that together mingled Which after the celestial Lasca shines) Begin to swell, and then renew themselves, A hue disclosing, was renewed the tree The hymn which afterward that people sang, 55 60 Those eyes compassionless, of Syrinx hearing, 65 Those eyes to which more watching cost so dear, Even as a painter who from model paints I would portray how I was lulled asleep; He may, who well can picture drowsihood. Therefore I pass to what time I awoke, 70 And say a splendor rent from me the veil Of slumber, and a calling: "Rise, what dost thou?" As to behold the apple-tree in blossom Which makes the Angels greedy for its fruit, And keeps perpetual bridals in the Heaven, Peter and John and James conducted were, And, overcome, recovered at the word 75 By which still greater slumbers have been broken, And saw their school diminished by the loss Not only of Elias, but of Moses, And the apparel of their Master changed; So I revived, and saw that piteous one Above me standing, who had been conductress Aforetime of my steps beside the river, 80 And all in doubt I said, "Where's Beatrice?" The leafage new, upon the root of it. The rest behind the Griffin are ascending 85 With more melodious song, and more profound." 90 And if her speech were more diffuse I know not, Because already in my sight was she Who from the hearing of aught else had shut me. Alone she sat upon the very earth, Left there as guardian of the chariot Which I had seen the biform monster fasten. Encircling her, a cloister made themselves 95 The seven Nymphs, with those lights in their hands Which are secure from Aquilon and Auster. "Short while shalt thou be here a forester, And thou shalt be with me forevermore 100 A citizen of that Rome where Christ is Roman. Therefore, for that world's good which liveth ill, Fix on the car thine eyes, and what thou seest, Having returned to earth, take heed thou write." 105 Thus Beatrice; and I, who at the feet Of her commandments all devoted was, Fire from a heavy cloud, when it is raining As I beheld the bird of Jove descend Down through the tree, rending away the bark, As well as blossoms and the foliage new ; 110 And he with all his might the chariot smote, Whereat it reeled, like vessel in a tempest [board. Tossed by the waves, now starboard and now larThereafter saw I leap into the body Of the triumphal vehicle a Fox, That seemed unfed with any wholesome food. But for his hideous sins upbraiding him, My Lady put him to as swift a flight 120 As such a fleshless skeleton could bear. Then by the way that it before had come, Into the chariot's chest I saw the Eagle Descend, and leave it feathered with his plumes. And such as issues from a heart that mourns, 125 A voice from Heaven there issued, and it said: "My little bark, how badly art thou freighted!" Methought, then, that the earth did yawn between 130 Both wheels, and I saw rise from it a Dragon, Who through the chariot upward fixed his tail, And as a wasp that draweth back its sting, Drawing unto himself his tail malign, Drew out the floor, and went his way rejoicing. 135 That which remained behind, even as with grass A fertile region, with the feathers, offered Thrust forward heads upon the parts of it, Three on the pole and one at either corner. 140 |