By us the eternal edicts are not broken ; Since this one lives, and Minos binds not me; I will take back this grace from thee to her, While I was on the other side," then said he, She can no longer move me, by that law But if a Lady of Heaven do move and rule thee, Go, then, and see thou gird this one about With a smooth rush, and that thou wash his face, For 'twere not fitting that the eye o'ercast This little island round about its base Below there, yonder, where the billow beats it, Or that doth indurate, can there have life, The sun, which now is rising, will direct you Without a word, and wholly drew myself As one who unto the lost road returns, As soon as we were come to where the dew In gentle manner did my Master place; There did he make in me uncovered wholly That hue which Hell had covered up in me. Then came we down upon the desert shore Which never yet saw navigate its waters Any that afterward had known return. There he begirt me as the other pleased; O marvellous! for even as he culled The humble plant, such it sprang up again Suddenly there where he uprooted it. CANTO II. ALREADY had the sun the horizon reached Was issuing forth from Ganges with the Scales Of beautiful Aurora, where I was, By too great age were changing into orange. Like people who are thinking of their road, A light along the sea so swiftly coming, Mine eyes, that I might question my Conductor, Then on each side of it appeared to me I knew not what of white, and underneath it My Master yet had uttered not a word While the first whiteness into wings unfolded; But when he clearly recognised the pilot, He cried: "Make haste, make haste to bow the knee See how he scorneth human arguments, So that nor oar he wants, nor other sail Fanning the air with the eternal pinions, .The Bird Divine, more radiant he appeared, With a small vessel, very swift and light, Beatitude seemed written in his face, They chanted all together in one voice, With whatso in that psalm is after written. Then made he sign of holy rood upon them, Whereat all cast themselves upon the shore, And he departed swiftly as he came. The throng which still remained there unfamiliar Seemed with the place, all round about them gazing, On every side was darting forth the day The sun, who had with his resplendent shafts From the mid-heaven chased forth the Capricorn, When the new people lifted up their faces Towards us, saying to us: "If ye know, Show us the way to go unto the mountain." And answer made Virgilius: "Ye believe Perchance that we have knowledge of this place, Another way, which was so rough and steep, Pallid in their astonishment became ; And as to messenger who bears the olive The people throng to listen to the news, Those fortunate spirits, all of them, as if As to embrace me, with such great affection, O empty shadows, save in aspect only! Three times behind it did I clasp my hands, I think with wonder I depicted me; Whereat the shadow smiled and backward drew; Then knew I who it was, and I entreated There where I am, I make this journey," said I; If he who takes both when and whom he pleases For of a righteous will his own is made. He, sooth to say, for three months past has taken Whence I, who now had turned unto that shore Unto that outlet now his wing is pointed, And I: "If some new law take not from thee Thee may it please to comfort therewithal Somewhat this soul of mine, that with its body The melody within me still is sounding. 7c 75 80 My Master, and myself, and all that people Which with him were, appeared as satisfied Unto his notes; and lo! the grave old man, Run to the mountain to strip off the slough, That lets not God be manifest to you." Even as when, collecting grain or tares, The doves, together at their pasture met, Quiet, nor showing their accustomed pride, If aught appear of which they are afraid, Upon a sudden leave their food alone, Because they are assailed by greater care; So that fresh company did I behold The song relinquish, and go tow'rds the hill, As one who goes, and knows not whitherward; Nor was our own departure less in haste. 115 120 125 130 CANTO III. INASMUCH as the instantaneous flight Had scattered them asunder o'er the plain, O noble conscience, and without a stain, Which mars the dignity of every act, My mind, that hitherto had been restrained, Let loose its faculties as if delighted, And I my sight directed to the hill The sun, that in our rear was flaming red, Was broken in front of me into the figure Unto one side I turned me, with the fear Of being left alone, when I beheld 5 15 20 |