Thus, to the faithful footsteps of my Master ΤΟ So from without sometimes, that man perceives not, Although around may sound a thousand trumpets, Who moveth thee, if sense impel thee not? 16 Moves thee a light, which in the heaven takes form, Into the bird that most delights in singing, One crucified, disdainful and ferocious In countenance, and even thus was dying. And even as this image burst asunder There rose up in my vision a young maiden Bitterly weeping, and she said: "O queen, Why hast thou wished in anger to be naught? Thou 'st slain thyself, Lavinia not to lose ; Now hast thou lost me; I am she who mourns, Mother, at thine ere at another's ruin." F 20 25 30 35 As sleep is broken, when upon a sudden New light strikes in upon the eyelids closed, As soon as the effulgence smote my face, I turned me round to see where I might be, To look and see who was it that was speaking, Of going up directs us without asking, And who with his own light himself_conceals. He does with us as man doth with himself; 40 45 For he who sees the need, and waits the asking, Malignly leans already tow'rds denial. Accord we now our feet to such inviting, Let us make haste to mount ere it grow dark ; For then we could not till the day return." Thus my Conductor said; and I and he Together turned our footsteps to a stairway; Near me perceived a motion as of wings, And fanning in the face, and saying, “Beati 50 55 60 65 Already over us were so uplifted The latest sunbeams, which the night pursues, The vigor of my legs was put in truce. And I gave heed a little, if I might hear Aught whatsoever in the circle new; Then to my Master turned me round and said : "Say, my sweet Father, what delinquency 70 75 80 Is purged here in the circle where we are? Although our feet may pause, pause not thy speech." And he to me : "The love of good, remiss In what it should have done, is here restored; Here plied again the ill-belated oar; But still more openly to understand, Turn unto me thy mind, and thou shalt gather Some profitable fruit from our delay. Neither Creator nor a creature ever, Son," he began, was destitute of love Natural or spiritual; and thou knowest it. The natural was ever without error; But err the other may by evil object, While in the first it well directed is, And in the second moderates itself, It cannot be the cause of sinful pleasure; 85 90 95 But when to ill it turns, and, with more care Of its own subject can love turn its sight, Standing alone, nor from the First divided, 105 ΙΙΟ The evil that one loves is of one's neighbor, And this is born in three modes in your clay. There are, who, by abasement of their neighbor, 115 Hope to excel, and therefore only long That from his greatness he may be cast down; There are, who power, grace, honor, and renown Fear they may lose because another rises, Thence are so sad that the reverse they love; 120 And there are those whom injury seems to chafe, So that it makes them greedy for revenge, And such must needs shape out another's harm. This threefold love is wept for down below; Now of the other will I have thee hear, That after good disordinately runs. Each one confusedly a good conceives Wherein the mind may rest, and longeth for it; Therefore to overtake it each one strives. 125 If languid love to look on this attract you, 130 After just penitence, torments you for it. There's other good that doth not make man happy; 'T is not felicity, 't is not the good Essence, of every good the fruit and root. 135 CANTO XVIII. N end had put unto his reasoning AN The lofty Teacher, and attent was looking Into my face, if I appeared content; And I, whom a new thirst still goaded on, Without was mute, and said within: "Perchance 5 By speaking gave me hardihood to speak. 10 15 |