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PARADISO CANTO 28
Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr. Notes Ann.

After the lady who imparadises my mind disclosed the truth that is unlike the present life of miserable mortals, AFTER the truth against the present life Of miserable mortals was unfolded By her who doth imparadise my mind,

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then, just as one who sees a mirrored flame- its double candle stands behind his back- even before he thought of it or gazed As in a looking-glass a taper's flame He sees who from behind is lighted by it, Before he has it in his sight or thought,

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directly at it, and he turns to gauge if that glass tells the truth to him, and sees that it accords, like voice and instrument, And turns him round to see if so the glass Tell him the truth, and sees that it accords Therewith as doth a music with its metre,

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so-does my memory recall-I did after I looked into the lovely eyes of which Love made the noose that holds me tight. In similar wise my memory recollecteth That I did, looking into those fair eyes, Of which Love made the springes to ensnare me.

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And when I turned and my own eyes were met by what appears within that sphere whenever one looks intently at its revolution, And as I turned me round, and mine were touched By that which is apparent in that volume, Whenever on its gyre we gaze intent,

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I saw a point that sent forth so acute a light, that anyone who faced the force with which it blazed would have to shut his eyes, A point beheld I, that was raying out Light so acute, the sight which it enkindles Must close perforce before such great acuteness.

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and any star that, seen from earth, would seem to be the smallest, set beside that point, as star conjoined with star, would seem a moon. And whatsoever star seems smallest here Would seem to be a moon, if placed beside it. As one star with another star is placed.

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Around that point a ring of fire wheeled, a ring perhaps as far from that point as a halo from the star that colors it Perhaps at such a distance as appears A halo cincturing the light that paints it, When densest is the vapour that sustains it,

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when mist that forms the halo is most thick. It wheeled so quickly that it would outstrip the motion that most swiftly girds the world. Thus distant round the point a circle of fire So swiftly whirled, that it would have surpassed Whatever motion soonest girds the world;

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That ring was circled by a second ring, the second by a third, third by a fourth, fourth by a fifth, and fifth ring by a sixth. And this was by another circumcinct, That by a third, the third then by a fourth, By a fifth the fourth, and then by a sixth the fifth;

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Beyond, the seventh ring, which followed, was so wide that all of Juno's messenger would be too narrow to contain that circle. The seventh followed thereupon in width So ample now, that Juno's messenger Entire would be too narrow to contain it.

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The eighth and ninth were wider still; and each, even as greater distance lay between it and the first ring, moved with lesser speed; Even so the eighth and ninth; and every one More slowly moved, according as it was In number distant farther from the first.

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and, I believe, the ring with clearest flame was that which lay least far from the pure spark because it shares most deeply that point's truth. And that one had its flame most crystalline From which less distant was the stainless spark, I think because more with its truth imbued.

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My lady, who saw my perplexity- I was in such suspense-said: "On that Point depend the heavens and the whole of nature. My Lady, who in my anxiety Beheld me much perplexed, said: "From that point Dependent is the heaven and nature all.

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Look at the circle that is nearest It, and know: its revolutions are so swift because of burning love that urges it." Behold that circle most conjoined to it, And know thou, that its motion is so swift Through burning love whereby it is spurred on."

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And I to her: "If earth and the nine spheres were ordered like those rings, then I would be content with what you have set out before me, And I to her: "If the world were arranged In the order which I see in yonder wheels, What's set before me would have satisfied me;

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but in the world of sense, what one can see are spheres becoming ever more divine as they are set more distant from the center. But in the world of sense we can perceive That evermore the circles are diviner As they are from the centre more remote

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Thus, if my longing is to gain its end in this amazing and angelic temple that has, as boundaries, only love and light, Wherefore if my desire is to be ended In this miraculous and angelic temple, That has for confines only love and light,

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then I still have to hear just how the model and copy do not share in one same plan- for by myself I think on this in vain." To hear behoves me still how the example And the exemplar go not in one fashion, Since for myself in vain I contemplate it."

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"You need not wonder if your fingers are unable to undo that knot: no one has tried, and so that knot is tightened, taut!" "If thine own fingers unto such a knot Be insufficient, it is no great wonder, So hard hath it become for want of trying."

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my lady said, and then continued: "If you would be satisfied, take what I tell you- and let your mind be sharp as I explain. My Lady thus; then said she: "Do thou take What I shall tell thee, if thou wouldst be sated, And exercise on that thy subtlety.

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The size of spheres of matter-large or small- depends upon the power-more and less- that spreads throughout their parts. More excellence The circles corporal are wide and narrow According to the more or less of virtue Which is distributed through all their parts.

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yields greater blessedness; more blessedness must comprehend a greater body when that body's parts are equally complete. The greater goodness works the greater weal, The greater weal the greater body holds, If perfect equally are all its parts.

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And thus this sphere, which sweeps along with it the rest of all the universe, must match the circle that loves most and knows the most, Therefore this one which sweeps along with it The universe sublime, doth correspond Unto the circle which most loves and knows.

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so that, if you but draw your measure round the power within-and not the semblance of- the angels that appear to you as circles, On which account, if thou unto the virtue Apply thy measure, not to the appearance Of substances that unto thee seem round,

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you will discern a wonderful accord between each sphere and its Intelligence: greater accords with more, smaller with less." Thou wilt behold a marvellous agreement, Of more to greater, and of less to smaller, In every heaven, with its Intelligence."

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Just as the hemisphere of air remains splendid, serene, when from his gentler cheek Boreas blows and clears the scoriae, Even as remaineth splendid and serene The hemisphere of air, when Boreas Is blowing from that cheek where he is mildest,

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dissolves the mist that had defaced the sky, so that the heavens smile with loveliness in all their regions; even so did I Because is purified and resolved the rack That erst disturbed it, till the welkin laughs With all the beauties of its pageantry;

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become after my lady had supplied her clear response to me, and-like a star in heaven-truth was seen. And when her words Thus did I likewise, after that my Lady Had me provided with her clear response, And like a star in heaven the truth was seen.

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were done, even as incandescent iron will shower sparks, so did those circles sparkle; and each spark circled with its flaming ring- And soon as to a stop her words had come, Not otherwise does iron scintillate When molten, than those circles scintillated.

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sparks that were more in number than the sum one reaches doubling in succession each square of a chessboard, one to sixty-four. Their coruscation all the sparks repeated, And they so many were, their number makes More millions than the doubling of the chess.

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I heard "Hosanna" sung, from choir to choir to that fixed Point which holds and always shall hold them to where they have forever been. I heard them sing hosanna choir by choir To the fixed point which holds them at the Ubi, And ever will, where they have ever been.

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And she who saw my mind's perplexities said: "The first circles have displayed to you the Seraphim and Cherubim. They follow And she, who saw the dubious meditations Within my mind, "The primal circles," said, "Have shown thee Seraphim and Cherubim.

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the ties of love with such rapidity because they are as like the Point as creatures can be, a power dependent on their vision. Thus rapidly they follow their own bonds, To be as like the point as most they can, And can as far as they are high in vision.

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Those other loves that circle round them are called Thrones of the divine aspect, because they terminated the first group of three; Those other Loves, that round about them go, Thrones of the countenance divine are called, Because they terminate the primal Triad.

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and know that all delight to the degree to which their vision sees-more or less deeply- that truth in which all intellects find rest. And thou shouldst know that they all have delight As much as their own vision penetrates The Truth, in which all intellect finds rest.

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From this you see that blessedness depends upon the act of vision, not upon the act of love-which is a consequence; From this it may be seen how blessedness Is founded in the faculty which sees, And not in that which loves, and follows next;

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the measure of their vision lies in merit, produced by grace and then by will to goodness: and this is the progression, step by step. And of this seeing merit is the measure, Which is brought forth by grace, and by good will; Thus on from grade to grade doth it proceed.

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The second triad-blossoming in this eternal springtime that the nightly Ram does not despoil-perpetually sings The second Triad, which is germinating In such wise in this sempiternal spring, That no nocturnal Aries despoils,

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'Hosanna' with three melodies that sound in the three ranks of bliss that form this triad; within this hierarchy there are three Perpetually hosanna warbles forth With threefold melody, that sounds in three Orders of joy, with which it is intrined.

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kinds of divinities: first, the Dominions, and then the Virtues; and the final order contains the Powers. The two penultimate The three Divine are in this hierarchy, First the Dominions, and the Virtues next; And the third order is that of the Powers.

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groups of rejoicing ones within the next triad are wheeling Principalities and the Archangels; last, the playful Angels. Then in the dances twain penultimate The Principalities and Archangels wheel; The last is wholly of angelic sports.

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These orders all direct-ecstatically- their eyes on high; and downward, they exert such force that all are drawn and draw to God. These orders upward all of them are gazing, And downward so prevail, that unto God They all attracted are and all attract.

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And Dionysius, with much longing, set himself to contemplate these orders: he named and distinguished them just as I do. And Dionysius with so great desire To contemplate these Orders set himself He named them and distinguished them as I do.

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Though, later, Gregory disputed him, when Gregory came here-when he could see with opened eyes-he smiled at his mistake. But Gregory afterwards dissented from him; Wherefore, as soon as he unclosed his eyes Within this heaven, he at himself did smile.

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You need not wonder if a mortal told such secret truth on earth: it was disclosed to him by one who saw it here above- And if so much of secret truth a mortal Proffered on earth, I would not have thee marvel, For he who saw it here revealed it to him,

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both that and other truths about these circles." With much more of the truth about these circles."

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Previous or Next Canto

PARADISO CANTO 28 Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr.	*Notes*	*Ann.*
After the lady who imparadises my mind disclosed the truth that is unlike the present life of miserable mortals, AFTER the truth against the present life Of miserable mortals was unfolded By her who doth imparadise my mind,	28.003
then, just as one who sees a mirrored flame- its double candle stands behind his back- even before he thought of it or gazed As in a looking-glass a taper's flame He sees who from behind is lighted by it, Before he has it in his sight or thought,	28.006
directly at it, and he turns to gauge if that glass tells the truth to him, and sees that it accords, like voice and instrument, And turns him round to see if so the glass Tell him the truth, and sees that it accords Therewith as doth a music with its metre,	28.009
so-does my memory recall-I did after I looked into the lovely eyes of which Love made the noose that holds me tight. In similar wise my memory recollecteth That I did, looking into those fair eyes, Of which Love made the springes to ensnare me.	28.012
And when I turned and my own eyes were met by what appears within that sphere whenever one looks intently at its revolution, And as I turned me round, and mine were touched By that which is apparent in that volume, Whenever on its gyre we gaze intent,	28.015
I saw a point that sent forth so acute a light, that anyone who faced the force with which it blazed would have to shut his eyes, A point beheld I, that was raying out Light so acute, the sight which it enkindles Must close perforce before such great acuteness.	28.018
and any star that, seen from earth, would seem to be the smallest, set beside that point, as star conjoined with star, would seem a moon. And whatsoever star seems smallest here Would seem to be a moon, if placed beside it. As one star with another star is placed.	28.021
Around that point a ring of fire wheeled, a ring perhaps as far from that point as a halo from the star that colors it Perhaps at such a distance as appears A halo cincturing the light that paints it, When densest is the vapour that sustains it,	28.024
when mist that forms the halo is most thick. It wheeled so quickly that it would outstrip the motion that most swiftly girds the world. Thus distant round the point a circle of fire So swiftly whirled, that it would have surpassed Whatever motion soonest girds the world;	28.027
That ring was circled by a second ring, the second by a third, third by a fourth, fourth by a fifth, and fifth ring by a sixth. And this was by another circumcinct, That by a third, the third then by a fourth, By a fifth the fourth, and then by a sixth the fifth;	28.030
Beyond, the seventh ring, which followed, was so wide that all of Juno's messenger would be too narrow to contain that circle. The seventh followed thereupon in width So ample now, that Juno's messenger Entire would be too narrow to contain it.	28.033
The eighth and ninth were wider still; and each, even as greater distance lay between it and the first ring, moved with lesser speed; Even so the eighth and ninth; and every one More slowly moved, according as it was In number distant farther from the first.	28.036
and, I believe, the ring with clearest flame was that which lay least far from the pure spark because it shares most deeply that point's truth. And that one had its flame most crystalline From which less distant was the stainless spark, I think because more with its truth imbued.	28.039
My lady, who saw my perplexity- I was in such suspense-said: "On that Point depend the heavens and the whole of nature. My Lady, who in my anxiety Beheld me much perplexed, said: "From that point Dependent is the heaven and nature all.	28.042
Look at the circle that is nearest It, and know: its revolutions are so swift because of burning love that urges it." Behold that circle most conjoined to it, And know thou, that its motion is so swift Through burning love whereby it is spurred on."	28.045
And I to her: "If earth and the nine spheres were ordered like those rings, then I would be content with what you have set out before me, And I to her: "If the world were arranged In the order which I see in yonder wheels, What's set before me would have satisfied me;	28.048
but in the world of sense, what one can see are spheres becoming ever more divine as they are set more distant from the center. But in the world of sense we can perceive That evermore the circles are diviner As they are from the centre more remote	28.051
Thus, if my longing is to gain its end in this amazing and angelic temple that has, as boundaries, only love and light, Wherefore if my desire is to be ended In this miraculous and angelic temple, That has for confines only love and light,	28.054
then I still have to hear just how the model and copy do not share in one same plan- for by myself I think on this in vain." To hear behoves me still how the example And the exemplar go not in one fashion, Since for myself in vain I contemplate it."	28.057
"You need not wonder if your fingers are unable to undo that knot: no one has tried, and so that knot is tightened, taut!" "If thine own fingers unto such a knot Be insufficient, it is no great wonder, So hard hath it become for want of trying."	28.060
my lady said, and then continued: "If you would be satisfied, take what I tell you- and let your mind be sharp as I explain. My Lady thus; then said she: "Do thou take What I shall tell thee, if thou wouldst be sated, And exercise on that thy subtlety.	28.063
The size of spheres of matter-large or small- depends upon the power-more and less- that spreads throughout their parts. More excellence The circles corporal are wide and narrow According to the more or less of virtue Which is distributed through all their parts.	28.066
yields greater blessedness; more blessedness must comprehend a greater body when that body's parts are equally complete. The greater goodness works the greater weal, The greater weal the greater body holds, If perfect equally are all its parts.	28.069
And thus this sphere, which sweeps along with it the rest of all the universe, must match the circle that loves most and knows the most, Therefore this one which sweeps along with it The universe sublime, doth correspond Unto the circle which most loves and knows.	28.072
so that, if you but draw your measure round the power within-and not the semblance of- the angels that appear to you as circles, On which account, if thou unto the virtue Apply thy measure, not to the appearance Of substances that unto thee seem round,	28.075
you will discern a wonderful accord between each sphere and its Intelligence: greater accords with more, smaller with less." Thou wilt behold a marvellous agreement, Of more to greater, and of less to smaller, In every heaven, with its Intelligence."	28.078
Just as the hemisphere of air remains splendid, serene, when from his gentler cheek Boreas blows and clears the scoriae, Even as remaineth splendid and serene The hemisphere of air, when Boreas Is blowing from that cheek where he is mildest,	28.081
dissolves the mist that had defaced the sky, so that the heavens smile with loveliness in all their regions; even so did I Because is purified and resolved the rack That erst disturbed it, till the welkin laughs With all the beauties of its pageantry;	28.084
become after my lady had supplied her clear response to me, and-like a star in heaven-truth was seen. And when her words Thus did I likewise, after that my Lady Had me provided with her clear response, And like a star in heaven the truth was seen.	28.087
were done, even as incandescent iron will shower sparks, so did those circles sparkle; and each spark circled with its flaming ring- And soon as to a stop her words had come, Not otherwise does iron scintillate When molten, than those circles scintillated.	28.090
sparks that were more in number than the sum one reaches doubling in succession each square of a chessboard, one to sixty-four. Their coruscation all the sparks repeated, And they so many were, their number makes More millions than the doubling of the chess.	28.093
I heard "Hosanna" sung, from choir to choir to that fixed Point which holds and always shall hold them to where they have forever been. I heard them sing hosanna choir by choir To the fixed point which holds them at the Ubi, And ever will, where they have ever been.	28.096
And she who saw my mind's perplexities said: "The first circles have displayed to you the Seraphim and Cherubim. They follow And she, who saw the dubious meditations Within my mind, "The primal circles," said, "Have shown thee Seraphim and Cherubim.	28.099
the ties of love with such rapidity because they are as like the Point as creatures can be, a power dependent on their vision. Thus rapidly they follow their own bonds, To be as like the point as most they can, And can as far as they are high in vision.	28.102
Those other loves that circle round them are called Thrones of the divine aspect, because they terminated the first group of three; Those other Loves, that round about them go, Thrones of the countenance divine are called, Because they terminate the primal Triad.	28.105
and know that all delight to the degree to which their vision sees-more or less deeply- that truth in which all intellects find rest. And thou shouldst know that they all have delight As much as their own vision penetrates The Truth, in which all intellect finds rest.	28.108
From this you see that blessedness depends upon the act of vision, not upon the act of love-which is a consequence; From this it may be seen how blessedness Is founded in the faculty which sees, And not in that which loves, and follows next;	28.111
the measure of their vision lies in merit, produced by grace and then by will to goodness: and this is the progression, step by step. And of this seeing merit is the measure, Which is brought forth by grace, and by good will; Thus on from grade to grade doth it proceed.	28.114
The second triad-blossoming in this eternal springtime that the nightly Ram does not despoil-perpetually sings The second Triad, which is germinating In such wise in this sempiternal spring, That no nocturnal Aries despoils,	28.117
'Hosanna' with three melodies that sound in the three ranks of bliss that form this triad; within this hierarchy there are three Perpetually hosanna warbles forth With threefold melody, that sounds in three Orders of joy, with which it is intrined.	28.120
kinds of divinities: first, the Dominions, and then the Virtues; and the final order contains the Powers. The two penultimate The three Divine are in this hierarchy, First the Dominions, and the Virtues next; And the third order is that of the Powers.	28.123
groups of rejoicing ones within the next triad are wheeling Principalities and the Archangels; last, the playful Angels. Then in the dances twain penultimate The Principalities and Archangels wheel; The last is wholly of angelic sports.	28.126
These orders all direct-ecstatically- their eyes on high; and downward, they exert such force that all are drawn and draw to God. These orders upward all of them are gazing, And downward so prevail, that unto God They all attracted are and all attract.	28.129
And Dionysius, with much longing, set himself to contemplate these orders: he named and distinguished them just as I do. And Dionysius with so great desire To contemplate these Orders set himself He named them and distinguished them as I do.	28.132
Though, later, Gregory disputed him, when Gregory came here-when he could see with opened eyes-he smiled at his mistake. But Gregory afterwards dissented from him; Wherefore, as soon as he unclosed his eyes Within this heaven, he at himself did smile.	28.135
You need not wonder if a mortal told such secret truth on earth: it was disclosed to him by one who saw it here above- And if so much of secret truth a mortal Proffered on earth, I would not have thee marvel, For he who saw it here revealed it to him,	28.138
both that and other truths about these circles." With much more of the truth about these circles."	28.139