Because our bliss is doubly sanctified, (Making my feeble vision more intense) Their flames together with its accents move, Like the accordant twinkling of the eyes. CANTO XXI. ARGUMENT. 139 145 In the planet Saturn, or seventh heaven, are found contemplative spirits. A vision of Jacob's ladder. St. Pietro Damiano reproves the luxury of modern prelates. The voice of vengeance against them is heard to sound. Now on the face of my loved Lady were 1 Her look bore not the accustomed smile divine; 7 Towards the eternal palace, glows more bright Were not a veil before its radiance cast, Would shrink as leaves before the lightning blast. 13 Your mortal vision, dazzled at the sight, Now to the seventh Light have we ascended, Unto thy mind, that there may be expressed 6. Semele having excited the jealousy of Juno, was instigated by her to ask Jupiter to reveal himself in all his majesty. He did so, and she was reduced to ashes. 13. The planet Saturn-in conjunction with Leo. He who had relished the repast, whereon Her voice, which led me by celestial grace 19 The one against the other pleasure weighing. Within the crystal circling round the sky, 25 That bears its leader's name, beneath whose sway Beheld a stair of golden colours bright, On which so sharply fell the solar ray, And as with one accord, at break of day, 31 The rooks bestir themselves, by nature taught 37 Some flying off, to re-appear no more— Some whirling round-then settling as before ; Such to my fancy, and in substance like To these, was that irradiate sparkling train, As in their course a certain stair they strike: And one among them, which approached the nearest, 43 Became so bright, I thought within my breast, Full well I see the love to me thou bearest! But she was silent, at whose signal I Was wont to proffer or withhold request; Makes me deserving of reply from thee: But for her sake who bids me thee address, 49 19. i.e. "He only who knows the delight I experienced in gazing on Beatrice, can tell the pleasure wherewith I obeyed her voice." Saturn. 25 28." And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold the Angels of God ascending and descending on it." Gen. xxviii. 12. Damiano. See line 121. 43 Pistro O spirit blest, that dost thy form conceal Solely thy festive joyance to prolong, Since love on high as great or greater shines, Through love alone, that works spontaneously: Is, why selection hath of thee been made Ere on its centre turned that Light, like mill "A heavenly lustre doth my spirit fill, Piercing the radiant vest that wraps me round; Whose ardent power, united with my sight, So raises me above myself, I view The essential Source of this celestial light, Hence is derived the joy wherewith I glow; Since in proportion as my sight is true, Of heaven is brightest-not the Seraphin When thou returnest to the abode of man, How can it then discern those things, which one I persevered not; but, with reverent fear, To ask his name my question I confined. ""Twixt the two shores of Italy are found A line of hills so steep, thy country near, Thus the third time the spirit spake ;-then said, His speech continuing:-" My thoughts were there That though on olives it were mine to live, I bore with ease the extremes of heat and cold, (Pietro the Sinner dwelt upon the shore To wear that hat, degraded more and more, Attendants they require, a numerous host, 97 103 109 115 121 127 106. i.e. Betwixt the Tuscan Sea and the Adriatic rise the Apennines. 109. Of these Catria is the highest, and at the foot of it is the Abbey, now called Santa Croce. 118. By "that cloister" is mean: the Abbey. 121. A Bishop of Ostia, distinguished by the pains he took to correct the abuses of the clergy. He here distinguishes himself from Pietro degli Onesti, surnamed Il Peccator." 125. He says the clergy in his time were so depraved that he was reluctantly made a Cardinal. To ease their sides and prop them from behind. Their palfreys they o'erlay with mantles wide, 133 So that one skin doth o'er two beasts extend: How long will heaven with patience view such pride!" This spoken, I beheld full many a flame From step to step in circling form descend; While, every turn, more beauteous they became. About the flame which spake to me they drew, Uttering a cry that in my ears so sounded, Nought upon earth might give a semblance true: I understood not, by the crash confounded. CANTO XXII. ARGUMENT. 139 Among other contemplative spirits in the planet Saturn, Dante meets St. Benedict, who inveighs against the corruption of the monks. Mounting to the constellation of the Gemini, or eighth heaven, he looks down upon the earth. OPPRESSED with stupor, turned I to my guide, E'en as an infant, ever wont to run 1 "Dost thou not know thou art in heaven ?—not know 7 And had the entreaty uttered in that cry Been understood, to thee had then been known Not hastily the sword is brandished here, 137. i.e. From the steps of the above mentioned stair. 13 140. In this cry are denounced the vices of the Priests. See next canto, line 13. 1 See note to last canto, line 140. 7. Beatrice tells him that the 13. i.e." If the shout he heard was the effect of righteous zeal. prayer of that cry had been understood, you would have foreknown the vengeance impending upon the Priests."" |