English Edition, translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
| 1 | WHEN the Septentrion of the highest heaven |
| 2 | (Which never either setting knew or rising, |
| 3 | Nor veil of other cloud than that of sin, |
| 4 | And which made every one therein aware |
| 5 | Of his own duty, as the lower makes |
| 6 | Whoever turns the helm to come to port) |
| 7 | Motionless halted, the veracious people, |
| 8 | That came at first between it and the Griffin, |
| 9 | Turned themselves to the car, as to their peace. |
| 10 | And one of them, as if by Heaven commissioned, |
| 11 | Singing, Veni, sponsa, de Libano |
| 12 | Shouted three times, and all the others after. |
| 13 | Even as the Blessed at the final summons |
| 14 | Shall rise up quickened each one from his cavern, |
| 15 | Uplifting light the reinvested flesh. |
| 16 | So upon that celestial chariot |
| 17 | A hundred rose ad vocem tanti senis, |
| 18 | Ministers and messengers of life eternal. |
| 19 | They all were saying, Benedictus qui venis, |
| 20 | And, scattering flowers above and round about, |
| 21 | Manibus o date lilia plenis. |
| 22 | Ere now have I beheld, as day began, |
| 23 | The eastern hemisphere all tinged with rose, |
| 24 | And the other heaven with fair serene adorned; |
| 25 | And the sun’s face, uprising, overshadowed |
| 26 | So that by tempering influence of vapours |
| 27 | For a long interval the eye sustained it; |
| 28 | Thus in the bosom of a cloud of flowers |
| 29 | Which from those hands angelical ascended, |
| 30 | And downward fell again inside and out, |
| 31 | Over her snow-white veil with olive cinct |
| 32 | Appeared a lady under a green mantle, |
| 33 | Vested in colour of the living flame. |
| 34 | And my own spirit, that already now |
| 35 | So long a time had been, that in her presence |
| 36 | Trembling with awe it had not stood abashed, |
| 37 | Without more knowledge having by mine eyes, |
| 38 | Through occult virtue that from her proceeded |
| 39 | Of ancient love the mighty influence felt. |
| 40 | As soon as on my vision smote the power |
| 41 | Sublime, that had already pierced me through |
| 42 | Ere from my boyhood I had yet come forth, |
| 43 | To the left hand I turned with that reliance |
| 44 | With which the little child runs to his mother, |
| 45 | When he has fear, or when he is afflicted, |
| 46 | To say unto Virgilius: Not a drachm |
| 47 | Of blood remains in me, that does not tremble; |
| 48 | I know the traces of the ancient flame. |
| 49 | But us Virgilius of himself deprived |
| 50 | Had left, Virgilius, sweetest of all fathers, |
| 51 | Virgilius, to whom I for safety gave me: |
| 52 | Nor whatsoever lost the ancient mother |
| 53 | Availed my cheeks now purified from dew, |
| 54 | That weeping they should not again be darkened. |
| 55 | Dante, because Virgilius has departed |
| 56 | Do not weep yet, do not weep yet awhile; |
| 57 | For by another sword thou need’st must weep. |
| 58 | E’en as an admiral, who on poop and prow |
| 59 | Comes to behold the people that are working |
| 60 | In other ships. and cheers them to well-doing, |
| 61 | Upon the left hand border of the car, |
| 62 | When at the sound I turned of my own name, |
| 63 | Which of necessity is here recorded, |
| 64 | I saw the Lady, who erewhile appeared |
| 65 | Veiled underneath the angelic festival, |
| 66 | Direct her eyes to me across the river. |
| 67 | Although the veil, that from her head descended, |
| 68 | Encircled with the foliage of Minerva, |
| 69 | Did not permit her to appear distinctly, |
| 70 | In attitude still royal]y majestic |
| 71 | Continued she, like unto one who speaks, |
| 72 | And keeps his warmest utterance in reserve: |
| 73 | Look at me well; in sooth I’m Beatrice! |
| 74 | How didst thou deign to come unto the Mountain? |
| 75 | Didst thou not know that man is happy here? |
| 76 | Mine eyes fell downward into the clear fountain, |
| 77 | But, seeing myself therein, I sought the grass, |
| 78 | So great a shame did weigh my forehead down. |
| 79 | As to the son the mother seems superb, |
| 80 | So she appeared to me; for somewhat bitter |
| 81 | Tasteth the savour of severe compassion. |
| 82 | Silent became she, and the Angels sang |
| 83 | Suddenly, In te, Domine, speravi: |
| 84 | But beyond pedes meos did not pass. |
| 85 | Even as the snow among the living rafters |
| 86 | Upon the back of Italy congeals, |
| 87 | Blown on and drifted by Sclavonian winds, |
| 88 | And then, dissolving, trickles through itself |
| 89 | Whene’er the land that loses shadow breathes, |
| 90 | So that it seems a fire that melts a taper; |
| 91 | E’en thus was I without a tear or sigh, |
| 92 | Before the song of those who sing for ever |
| 93 | After the music of the eternal spheres. |
| 94 | But when I heard in their sweet melodies |
| 95 | Compassion for me, more than had they said, |
| 96 | O wherefore, lady, dost thou thus upbraid him? |
| 97 | The ice, that was about my heart congealed, |
| 98 | To air and water changed, and in my anguish |
| 99 | Through mouth and eyes came gushing from my breast. |
| 100 | She, on the right-hand border of the car |
| 101 | Still firmly standing, to those holy beings |
| 102 | Thus her discourse directed afterwards: |
| 103 | Ye keep your watch in the eternal day, |
| 104 | So that nor night nor sleep can steal from you |
| 105 | One step the ages make upon their path; |
| 106 | Therefore my answer is with greater care, |
| 107 | That he may hear me who is weeping yonder, |
| 108 | So that the sin and dole be of one measure. |
| 109 | Not only by the work of those great wheels, |
| 110 | That destine every seed unto some end, |
| 111 | According as the stars are in conjunction, |
| 112 | But by the largess of celestial graces, |
| 113 | Which have such lofty vapours for their rain |
| 114 | That near to them our sight approaches not, |
| 115 | Such had this man become in his new life |
| 116 | Potentially, that every righteous habit |
| 117 | Would have made admirable proof in him; |
| 118 | But so much more malignant and more savage |
| 119 | Becomes the land untilled and with bad seed, |
| 120 | The more good earthly vigour it possesses. |
| 121 | Some time did I sustain him with my look; |
| 122 | Revealing unto him my youthful eyes, |
| 123 | I led him with me turned in the right way. |
| 124 | As soon as ever of my second age |
| 125 | I was upon the threshold and changed life, |
| 126 | Himself from me he took and gave to others. |
| 127 | When from the flesh to spirit I ascended, |
| 128 | And beauty and virtue were in me increased, |
| 129 | I was to him less dear and less delightful; |
| 130 | And into ways untrue he turned his steps, |
| 131 | Pursuing the false images of good, |
| 132 | That never any promises fulfil; |
| 133 | Nor prayer for inspiration me availed, |
| 134 | By means of which in dreams and otherwise |
| 135 | I called him back, so little did he heed them. |
| 136 | So low he fell, that all appliances |
| 137 | For his salvation were already short, |
| 138 | Save showing him the people of perdition. |
| 139 | For this I visited the gates of death, |
| 140 | And unto him, who so far up has led him, |
| 141 | My intercessions were with weeping borne. |
| 142 | God’s lofty fiat would be violated, |
| 143 | If Lethe should be passed, and if such viands |
| 144 | Should tasted be, withouten any scot |
| 145 | Of penitence that gushes forth in tears. |