Canto 14

From the centre to the rim, and so from the rim to the centre, the water in a round vessel moves, according as it is struck from without or within. This which I say fell suddenly into my mind when the glorious life of Thomas became silent, because of the similitude which was born of his speech and that of Beatrice, whom after him it pleased thus to begin,²⁹⁹ “This man has need, and he tells it not to you, neither with his voice nor as yet in thought, of going to the root of another truth. Tell him if the light wherewith your substance blossoms will remain with you eternally even as it is now; and if it remain, tell how, after you shall be again made visible, it will be possible that it hurt not your sight.”³⁰⁰

Water in a round vessel moves from the center to the rim, or from the rim to the center. Its direction depends on whether it is struck from within or from outside. This image suddenly came to mind when the glorious spirit of Thomas fell silent. It came to me because his speech and Beatrice’s next words resembled that movement.²⁹⁹ “This man needs to get to the root of another truth. He has not told you so, either aloud or even in thought. Tell him whether the light in which your being blossoms will remain with you forever as it is now. And if it does, tell him how it can keep from hurting your sight after you become visible again.”³⁰⁰

As, when urged and drawn by greater pleasure, those who are dancing in a ring with one accord lift their voice and gladden their motions, so, at that prompt and devout petition, the holy circles showed new joy in their turning and in their marvellous melody. Whoso laments because man dies here in order to live thereabove, has not seen here the refreshment of the eternal rain.

When dancers in a circle are moved by greater joy, they raise their voices together and dance more joyfully. So, at that eager and devout request, the holy circles showed new joy in their turning and their marvelous song. Anyone who mourns because people die here to live in heaven has not seen the refreshment of the eternal rain here.

That One and Two and Three which ever lives, and ever reigns in Three and Two and One, uncircumscribed, and circumscribing everything, was thrice sung by each of those spirits with such a melody that for every merit it would be a just reward. And I heard in the divinest light of the small circle a modest voice,³⁰¹ perhaps such as was that of the Angel to Mary, make answer, “As long as the festival of Paradise shall be, so long will our love radiate around us such a garment. Its brightness follows our ardor, the ardor our vision, and that is great in proportion as it receives of grace above its own worth. When the glorious and sanctified flesh shall be put on us again, our persons will be more pleasing through being all complete; wherefore whatever of gratuitous light the Supreme Good gives us will be increased,—light which enables us to see him; so that our vision needs must increase, our ardor increase which by that is kindled, our radiance increase which comes from this. But even as a coal which gives forth flame, and by a vivid glow surpasses it, so that it defends its own aspect,³⁰² thus this effulgence, which already encircles us, will be vanquished in appearance by the flesh which all this while the earth covers. Nor will so great a light be able to fatigue us, for the organs of the body will be strong for everything which shall have power to delight us.” So sudden and ready both one and the other choir seemed to me in saying “Amen,” that truly they showed desire for their dead bodies, perhaps not only for themselves, but also for their mothers, for their fathers, and for the others who were dear before they became sempiternal flames.

The One and Two and Three lives forever and reigns forever as Three and Two and One. Nothing contains him, and he contains everything. Each of those spirits sang of him three times. Their melody was so beautiful that it would be a just reward for any merit. Then I heard a modest voice³⁰¹ in the most divine light of the small circle. Perhaps it was like the Angel’s voice to Mary. The voice answered, “As long as the festival of Paradise lasts, our love will shine around us like this garment. Its brightness matches the intensity of our love. Our love matches our vision of God, and our vision grows as it receives grace beyond its own worth. “When our glorious and holy flesh is restored to us, we will be more pleasing because we will be complete. So the Supreme Good will give us more of the freely given light that enables us to see him. Our vision must therefore increase, as must the love our vision kindles and the radiance that comes from our love. “But a coal gives off flame and glows more brightly than the flame, so that its own shape remains visible.³⁰² In the same way, our flesh, which the earth now covers, will outshine the radiance already surrounding us. Nor will such great light be able to tire us. For our bodily organs will be strong enough for everything that can delight us.” Both choirs seemed so quick and eager to say “Amen” that they clearly showed their desire for their dead bodies. Perhaps they desired them not only for themselves, but also for their mothers, their fathers, and the others dear to them before they became eternal flames.

And lo! round about, of a uniform brightness, arose a lustre, outside that which was there, like an horizon which is growing bright. And even as at rise of early evening new appearances begin in the heavens, so that the sight seems and seems not true, it seemed to me that there I began to see new subsistences, and a circle forming outside the other two circumferences. O true sparkling of the Holy Spirit, how sudden and glowing it became to mine eyes, which, vanquished, endured it not! But Beatrice showed herself to me so beautiful and smiling that she must be left among those sights which have not followed my memory.

And there, all around the light already present, another glow arose, even in brightness, like a brightening horizon. At the start of evening, new lights appear in the sky, and you are not sure whether you see them. Just so, I thought I began to see new beings there, forming a circle outside the other two rings. O true sparkle of the Holy Spirit, how suddenly and brightly you appeared to my eyes! Overcome, my eyes could not bear the light. But Beatrice appeared to me so beautiful and smiling that I cannot recall the sight of her.

Thence my eyes regained power to raise themselves again, and I saw myself alone with my Lady transferred to higher salvation.

Then I could lift my eyes again. I saw that my Lady and I had been carried alone to a higher state of salvation.

That I was more uplifted I perceived clearly by the fiery smile of the star, which seemed to me ruddier than its wont. With all my heart and with that speech which is one in all men,³⁰³³⁰⁴ I made to God a holocaust such as was befitting to the new grace; and the ardor of the sacrifice was not yet exhausted in my breast when I knew that offering had been accepted and propitious; for with such great glow and such great ruddiness splendors appeared to me within two rays, that I said, “O Helios,³⁰⁵ who dost so array them!”

I could clearly tell that I had risen higher from the star’s fiery smile, which seemed redder than usual. With all my heart and in the language all people share,³⁰³³⁰⁴ I made a burnt offering to God, as was fitting for this new grace. The fire of that sacrifice had not yet faded in my heart when I knew that the offering had been accepted with favor. For brilliant lights appeared to me in two rays, glowing so brightly and so red that I said, “O Helios,³⁰⁵ who dresses them so!”

Even as, marked out by less and greater lights, the Galaxy so whitens between the poles of the world that it indeed makes the wise to doubt,³⁰⁶ thus, constellated in the depth of Mars, those rays made the venerable sign which joinings of quadrants in a circle make. Here my memory overcomes my genius, for that Cross was flashing forth Christ, so that I know not to find worthy comparison. But be who takes his cross and follows Christ will yet excuse me for that which I omit, when in that brightness he beholds Christ gleaming.

The Galaxy shines white between the poles of the world, marked by brighter and dimmer lights. Even the wise are uncertain about it.³⁰⁶ In the same way, those rays formed a constellation deep within Mars. They made the venerable sign formed by the meeting of four quarters of a circle. Here my memory surpasses my creative power. Christ flashed forth from that Cross, and I cannot find a comparison worthy of it. But anyone who takes up his cross and follows Christ will yet excuse what I leave unsaid, when he sees Christ gleaming in that brightness.

From horn to horn³⁰⁷ and between the top and the base lights were moving, brightly scintillating as they met together and in their passing by. Thus here³⁰⁸ are seen, straight and athwart, swift and slow, changing appearance, the atoms of bodies, long and short, moving through the sunbeam, wherewith sometimes the shade is striped which people contrive with skill and art for their protection. And as a viol or harp, strung in harmony of many strings, makes a sweet tinkling to one by whom the tune is not caught, thus from the lights which there appeared to me a melody was gathered through the Cross, which rapt me without understanding of the hymn. Truly was I aware that it was of holy praise, because there came to me “Arise and conquer!” as unto one who understands not, and yet bears. I was so enamoured therewith that until then had not been anything which had fettered me with such sweet bonds. Perchance my word appears too daring, in setting lower the pleasure from the beautiful eyes, gazing into which my desire has repose. But he who considers that the living seals³⁰⁹ of every beauty have more effect the higher they are, and that I there had not turned round to those eyes, can excuse me for that whereof I accuse myself in order to excuse myself, and see that I speak truth; for the holy pleasure is not here excluded, because it becomes the purer as it mounts.

Lights moved from horn to horn³⁰⁷ and between the top and the base, sparkling brightly as they met and passed one another. In the same way, here on earth³⁰⁸ we see particles of matter moving through a sunbeam. They travel straight and across, quickly and slowly, changing in appearance, some long and some short. Sometimes a sunbeam like this cuts through a shaded place that people skillfully make for protection. A viol or harp, with its many strings tuned in harmony, makes a sweet sound even to someone who cannot make out the tune. So, too, a melody rose through the Cross from the lights I saw there. It delighted me, though I could not understand the hymn. I knew it was a hymn of holy praise because I heard “Arise and conquer!” I heard those words as someone who hears but does not understand. I was so enchanted by the melody that, until then, nothing had held me in such sweet bonds. Perhaps my words seem too bold, since I place this pleasure above the pleasure of the beautiful eyes that give my desire rest when I gaze into them. But consider that the living seals³⁰⁹ of every beauty have more power the higher they are. Also consider that I had not yet turned back to those eyes there. Anyone who considers these things can excuse me for the claim I make against myself in order to excuse myself, and see that I speak the truth. For my words do not exclude that holy pleasure. It grows purer as it rises.