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PARADISO CANTO 31
Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr. Notes Ann.

So, in the shape of that white Rose, the holy legion was shown to me-the host that Christ, with His own blood, had taken as His bride. IN fashion then as of a snow-white rose Displayed itself to me the saintly host, Whom Christ in his own blood had made his bride,

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The other host, which, flying, sees and sings the glory of the One who draws its love, and that goodness which granted it such glory, But the other host, that flying sees and sings The glory of Him who doth enamour it, And the goodness that created it so noble,

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just like a swarm of bees that, at one moment, enters the flowers and, at another, turns back to that labor which yields such sweet savor, Even as a swarm of bees, that sinks in flowers One moment, and the next returns again To where its labour is to sweetness turned,

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descended into that vast flower graced with many petals, then again rose up to the eternal dwelling of its love. Sank into the great flower, that is adorned With leaves so many, and thence reascended To where its love abideth evermore.

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Their faces were all living flame; their wings were gold; and for the rest, their white was so intense, no snow can match the white they showed. Their faces had they all of living flame, And wings of gold, and all the rest so white No snow unto that limit doth attain.

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When they climbed down into that flowering Rose, from rank to rank, they shared that peace and ardor which they had gained, with wings that fanned their sides. From bench to bench, into the flower descending, They carried something of the peace and ardour Which by the fanning of their flanks they won.

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Nor did so vast a throng in flight, although it interposed between the candid Rose and light above, obstruct the sight or splendor, Nor did the interposing 'twixt the flower And what was o'er it of such plenitude Of flying shapes impede the sight and splendour;

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because the light of God so penetrates the universe according to the worth of every part, that no thing can impede it. Because the light divine so penetrates The universe, according to its merit, That naught can be an obstacle against it.

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This confident and joyous kingdom, thronged with people of both new and ancient times, turned all its sight and ardor to one mark. This realm secure and full of gladsomeness, Crowded with ancient people and with modern, Unto one mark had all its look and love.

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O threefold Light that, in a single star sparkling into their eyes, contents them so, look down and see our tempest here below! O Trinal Light, that in a single star Sparkling upon their sight so satisfies them, Look down upon our tempest here below!

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If the Barbarians, when they came from a region that is covered every day by Helice, who wheels with her loved son, If the barbarians, coming from some region That every day by Helice is covered, Revolving with her son whom she delights in,

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were, seeing Rome and her vast works, struck dumb (when, of all mortal things, the Lateran was the most eminent), then what amazement Beholding Rome and all her noble works, Were wonder-struck, what time the Lateran Above all mortal things was eminent, --

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must have filled me when I to the divine came from the human, to eternity from time, and to a people just and sane I who to the divine had from the human, From time unto eternity, had come, From Florence to a people just and sane,

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from Florence came! And certainly, between the wonder and the joy, it must have been welcome to me to hear and speak nothing. With what amazement must I have been filled! Truly between this and the joy, it was My pleasure not to hear, and to be mute.

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And as a pilgrim, in the temple he had vowed to reach, renews himself-he looks and hopes he can describe what it was like- And as a pilgrim who delighteth him In gazing round the temple of his vow, And hopes some day to retell how it was,

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so did I journey through the living light, guiding my eyes, from rank to rank, along a path now up, now down, now circling round. So through the living light my way pursuing Directed I mine eyes o'er all the ranks, Now up, now down, and now all round about.

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There I saw faces given up to love- graced with Another's light and their own smile- and movements graced with every dignity. Faces I saw of charity persuasive, Embellished by His light and their own smile, And attitudes adorned with every grace.

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By now my gaze had taken in the whole of Paradise-its form in general- but without looking hard at any part; The general form of Paradise already My glance had comprehended as a whole, In no part hitherto remaining fixed,

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and I, my will rekindled, turning toward my lady, was prepared to ask about those matters that inclined my mind to doubt. And round I turned me with rekindled wish My Lady to interrogate of things Concerning which my mind was in suspense.

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Where I expected her, another answered: I thought I should see Beatrice, and saw an elder dressed like those who are in glory. One thing I meant, another answered me; I thought I should see Beatrice, and saw An Old Man habited like the glorious people.

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His gracious gladness filled his eyes, suffused his cheeks; his manner had that kindliness which suits a tender father. "Where is she?" O'erflowing was he in his eyes and cheeks With joy benign, in attitude of pity As to a tender father is becoming.

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I asked him instantly. And he replied: "That all your longings may be satisfied, Beatrice urged me from my place. If you And "She, where is she ?" instantly I said; Whence he: "To put an end to thy desire, Me Beatrice hath sent from mine own place.

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look up and to the circle that is third from that rank which is highest, you will see her on the throne her merits have assigned her." And if thou lookest up to the third round Of the first rank, again shalt thou behold her Upon the throne her merits have assigned her."

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I, without answering, then looked on high and saw that round her now a crown took shape as she reflected the eternal rays. Without reply I lifted up mine eyes, And saw her, as she made herself a crown Reflecting from herself the eternal rays.

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No mortal eye, not even one that plunged into deep seas, would be so distant from that region where the highest thunder forms, Not from that region which the highest thunders Is any mortal eye so far removed, In whatsoever sea it deepest sinks,

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as-there-my sight was far from Beatrice; but distance was no hindrance, for her semblance reached me-undimmed by any thing between. As there from Beatrice my sight; but this Was nothing unto me; because her image Descended not to me by medium blurred.

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"O lady, you in whom my hope gains strength, you who, for my salvation, have allowed your footsteps to be left in Hell, in all "O Lady, thou in whom my hope is strong, And who for my salvation didst endure In Hell to leave the imprint of thy feet,

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the things that I have seen, I recognize the grace and benefit that I, depending upon your power and goodness, have received. Of whatsoever things I have beheld, As coming from thy power and from thy goodness I recognise the virtue and the grace.

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You drew me out from slavery to freedom by all those paths, by all those means that were within your power. Do, in me, preserve Thou from a slave hast brought me unto freedom, By all those ways, by all the expedients, Whereby thou hadst the power of doing it.

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your generosity, so that my soul, which you have healed, when it is set loose from my body, be a soul that you will welcome." Preserve towards me thy magnificence, So that this soul of mine, which thou hast healed, Pleasing to thee be loosened from the body."

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So did I pray. And she, however far away she seemed, smiled, and she looked at me. Then she turned back to the eternal fountain. Thus I implored ; and she, so far away, Smiled, as it seemed, and looked once more at me Then unto the eternal fountain turned.

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And he, the holy elder, said: "That you may consummate your journey perfectly- for this, both prayer and holy love have sent me And said the Old Man holy: "That thou mayst Accomplish perfectly thy journeying, Whereunto prayer and holy love have sent me,

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to help you-let your sight fly round this garden; by gazing so, your vision will be made more ready to ascend through God's own ray. Fly with thine eyes all round about this garden For seeing it will discipline thy sight Farther to mount along the ray divine.

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The Queen of Heaven, for whom I am all aflame with love, will grant us every grace: I am her faithful Bernard." Just as one And she, the Queen of Heaven, for whom I burn Wholly with love, will grant us every grace, Because that I her faithful Bernard am.''

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who, from Croatia perhaps, has come to visit our Veronica-one whose old hunger is not sated, who, as long As he who peradventure from Croatia Cometh to gaze at our Veronica, Who through its ancient fame is never sated,

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as it is shown, repeats these words in thought: "O my Lord Jesus Christ, true God, was then Your image like the image I see now?"- But says in thought, the while it is displayed, "My Lord, Christ Jesus, God of very God, Now was your semblance made like unto this ?"

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such was I as I watched the living love of him who, in this world, in contemplation, tasted that peace. And he said: "Son of grace, Even such was I while gazing at the living Charity of the man, who in this world By contemplation tasted of that peace.

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you will not come to know this joyous state if your eyes only look down at the base; but look upon the circles, look at those "Thou son of grace, this jocund life," began he, "Will not be known to thee by keeping ever Thine eyes below here on the lowest place

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that sit in a position more remote, until you see upon her seat the Queen to whom this realm is subject and devoted." But mark the circles to the most remote, Until thou shalt behold enthroned the Queen To whom this realm is subject and devoted."

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I lifted up my eyes; and as, at morning, the eastern side of the horizon shows more splendor than the side where the sun sets, I lifted up mine eyes, and as at morn The oriental part of the horizon Surpasses that wherein the sun goes down,

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so, as if climbing with my eyes from valley to summit, I saw one part of the farthest rank of the Rose more bright than all the rest. Thus, as if going with mine eyes from vale To mount, I saw a part in the remoteness Surpass in splendour all the other front.

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And as, on earth, the point where we await the shaft that Phaethon had misguided glows brightest, while, to each side, the light shades off, And even as there where we await the pole That Phaeton drove badly, blazes more The light, and is on either side diminished,

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so did the peaceful oriflamme appear brightest at its midpoint, so did its flame, on each side, taper off at equal pace. So likewise that pacific oriflamme Gleamed brightest in the centre, and each side In equal measure did the flame abate.

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I saw, around that midpoint, festive angels- more than a thousand-with their wings outspread; each was distinct in splendor and in skill. And at that centre, with their wings expanded, More than a thousand jubilant Angels saw I, Each differing in effulgence and in kind.

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And there I saw a loveliness that when it smiled at the angelic songs and games made glad the eyes of all the other saints. I saw there at their sports and at their songs A beauty smiling, which the gladness was Within the eyes of all the other saints

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And even if my speech were rich as my imagination is, I should not try to tell the very least of her delights. And if I had in speaking as much wealth As in imagining, I should not dare To attempt the smallest part of its delight

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Bernard-when he had seen my eyes intent, fixed on the object of his burning fervor- turned his own eyes to her with such affection Bernard, as soon as he beheld mine eyes Fixed and intent upon its fervid fervour, His own with such affection turned to her

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that he made mine gaze still more ardently. That it made mine more ardent to behold.

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PARADISO CANTO 31 Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr.	*Notes*	*Ann.*
So, in the shape of that white Rose, the holy legion was shown to me-the host that Christ, with His own blood, had taken as His bride. IN fashion then as of a snow-white rose Displayed itself to me the saintly host, Whom Christ in his own blood had made his bride,	31.003
The other host, which, flying, sees and sings the glory of the One who draws its love, and that goodness which granted it such glory, But the other host, that flying sees and sings The glory of Him who doth enamour it, And the goodness that created it so noble,	31.006
just like a swarm of bees that, at one moment, enters the flowers and, at another, turns back to that labor which yields such sweet savor, Even as a swarm of bees, that sinks in flowers One moment, and the next returns again To where its labour is to sweetness turned,	31.009
descended into that vast flower graced with many petals, then again rose up to the eternal dwelling of its love. Sank into the great flower, that is adorned With leaves so many, and thence reascended To where its love abideth evermore.	31.012
Their faces were all living flame; their wings were gold; and for the rest, their white was so intense, no snow can match the white they showed. Their faces had they all of living flame, And wings of gold, and all the rest so white No snow unto that limit doth attain.	31.015
When they climbed down into that flowering Rose, from rank to rank, they shared that peace and ardor which they had gained, with wings that fanned their sides. From bench to bench, into the flower descending, They carried something of the peace and ardour Which by the fanning of their flanks they won.	31.018
Nor did so vast a throng in flight, although it interposed between the candid Rose and light above, obstruct the sight or splendor, Nor did the interposing 'twixt the flower And what was o'er it of such plenitude Of flying shapes impede the sight and splendour;	31.021
because the light of God so penetrates the universe according to the worth of every part, that no thing can impede it. Because the light divine so penetrates The universe, according to its merit, That naught can be an obstacle against it.	31.024
This confident and joyous kingdom, thronged with people of both new and ancient times, turned all its sight and ardor to one mark. This realm secure and full of gladsomeness, Crowded with ancient people and with modern, Unto one mark had all its look and love.	31.027
O threefold Light that, in a single star sparkling into their eyes, contents them so, look down and see our tempest here below! O Trinal Light, that in a single star Sparkling upon their sight so satisfies them, Look down upon our tempest here below!	31.030
If the Barbarians, when they came from a region that is covered every day by Helice, who wheels with her loved son, If the barbarians, coming from some region That every day by Helice is covered, Revolving with her son whom she delights in,	31.033
were, seeing Rome and her vast works, struck dumb (when, of all mortal things, the Lateran was the most eminent), then what amazement Beholding Rome and all her noble works, Were wonder-struck, what time the Lateran Above all mortal things was eminent, --	31.036
must have filled me when I to the divine came from the human, to eternity from time, and to a people just and sane I who to the divine had from the human, From time unto eternity, had come, From Florence to a people just and sane,	31.039
from Florence came! And certainly, between the wonder and the joy, it must have been welcome to me to hear and speak nothing. With what amazement must I have been filled! Truly between this and the joy, it was My pleasure not to hear, and to be mute.	31.042
And as a pilgrim, in the temple he had vowed to reach, renews himself-he looks and hopes he can describe what it was like- And as a pilgrim who delighteth him In gazing round the temple of his vow, And hopes some day to retell how it was,	31.045
so did I journey through the living light, guiding my eyes, from rank to rank, along a path now up, now down, now circling round. So through the living light my way pursuing Directed I mine eyes o'er all the ranks, Now up, now down, and now all round about.	31.048
There I saw faces given up to love- graced with Another's light and their own smile- and movements graced with every dignity. Faces I saw of charity persuasive, Embellished by His light and their own smile, And attitudes adorned with every grace.	31.051
By now my gaze had taken in the whole of Paradise-its form in general- but without looking hard at any part; The general form of Paradise already My glance had comprehended as a whole, In no part hitherto remaining fixed,	31.054
and I, my will rekindled, turning toward my lady, was prepared to ask about those matters that inclined my mind to doubt. And round I turned me with rekindled wish My Lady to interrogate of things Concerning which my mind was in suspense.	31.057
Where I expected her, another answered: I thought I should see Beatrice, and saw an elder dressed like those who are in glory. One thing I meant, another answered me; I thought I should see Beatrice, and saw An Old Man habited like the glorious people.	31.060
His gracious gladness filled his eyes, suffused his cheeks; his manner had that kindliness which suits a tender father. "Where is she?" O'erflowing was he in his eyes and cheeks With joy benign, in attitude of pity As to a tender father is becoming.	31.063
I asked him instantly. And he replied: "That all your longings may be satisfied, Beatrice urged me from my place. If you And "She, where is she ?" instantly I said; Whence he: "To put an end to thy desire, Me Beatrice hath sent from mine own place.	31.066
look up and to the circle that is third from that rank which is highest, you will see her on the throne her merits have assigned her." And if thou lookest up to the third round Of the first rank, again shalt thou behold her Upon the throne her merits have assigned her."	31.069
I, without answering, then looked on high and saw that round her now a crown took shape as she reflected the eternal rays. Without reply I lifted up mine eyes, And saw her, as she made herself a crown Reflecting from herself the eternal rays.	31.072
No mortal eye, not even one that plunged into deep seas, would be so distant from that region where the highest thunder forms, Not from that region which the highest thunders Is any mortal eye so far removed, In whatsoever sea it deepest sinks,	31.075
as-there-my sight was far from Beatrice; but distance was no hindrance, for her semblance reached me-undimmed by any thing between. As there from Beatrice my sight; but this Was nothing unto me; because her image Descended not to me by medium blurred.	31.078
"O lady, you in whom my hope gains strength, you who, for my salvation, have allowed your footsteps to be left in Hell, in all "O Lady, thou in whom my hope is strong, And who for my salvation didst endure In Hell to leave the imprint of thy feet,	31.081
the things that I have seen, I recognize the grace and benefit that I, depending upon your power and goodness, have received. Of whatsoever things I have beheld, As coming from thy power and from thy goodness I recognise the virtue and the grace.	31.084
You drew me out from slavery to freedom by all those paths, by all those means that were within your power. Do, in me, preserve Thou from a slave hast brought me unto freedom, By all those ways, by all the expedients, Whereby thou hadst the power of doing it.	31.087
your generosity, so that my soul, which you have healed, when it is set loose from my body, be a soul that you will welcome." Preserve towards me thy magnificence, So that this soul of mine, which thou hast healed, Pleasing to thee be loosened from the body."	31.090
So did I pray. And she, however far away she seemed, smiled, and she looked at me. Then she turned back to the eternal fountain. Thus I implored ; and she, so far away, Smiled, as it seemed, and looked once more at me Then unto the eternal fountain turned.	31.093
And he, the holy elder, said: "That you may consummate your journey perfectly- for this, both prayer and holy love have sent me And said the Old Man holy: "That thou mayst Accomplish perfectly thy journeying, Whereunto prayer and holy love have sent me,	31.096
to help you-let your sight fly round this garden; by gazing so, your vision will be made more ready to ascend through God's own ray. Fly with thine eyes all round about this garden For seeing it will discipline thy sight Farther to mount along the ray divine.	31.099
The Queen of Heaven, for whom I am all aflame with love, will grant us every grace: I am her faithful Bernard." Just as one And she, the Queen of Heaven, for whom I burn Wholly with love, will grant us every grace, Because that I her faithful Bernard am.''	31.102
who, from Croatia perhaps, has come to visit our Veronica-one whose old hunger is not sated, who, as long As he who peradventure from Croatia Cometh to gaze at our Veronica, Who through its ancient fame is never sated,	31.105
as it is shown, repeats these words in thought: "O my Lord Jesus Christ, true God, was then Your image like the image I see now?"- But says in thought, the while it is displayed, "My Lord, Christ Jesus, God of very God, Now was your semblance made like unto this ?"	31.108
such was I as I watched the living love of him who, in this world, in contemplation, tasted that peace. And he said: "Son of grace, Even such was I while gazing at the living Charity of the man, who in this world By contemplation tasted of that peace.	31.111
you will not come to know this joyous state if your eyes only look down at the base; but look upon the circles, look at those "Thou son of grace, this jocund life," began he, "Will not be known to thee by keeping ever Thine eyes below here on the lowest place	31.114
that sit in a position more remote, until you see upon her seat the Queen to whom this realm is subject and devoted." But mark the circles to the most remote, Until thou shalt behold enthroned the Queen To whom this realm is subject and devoted."	31.117
I lifted up my eyes; and as, at morning, the eastern side of the horizon shows more splendor than the side where the sun sets, I lifted up mine eyes, and as at morn The oriental part of the horizon Surpasses that wherein the sun goes down,	31.120
so, as if climbing with my eyes from valley to summit, I saw one part of the farthest rank of the Rose more bright than all the rest. Thus, as if going with mine eyes from vale To mount, I saw a part in the remoteness Surpass in splendour all the other front.	31.123
And as, on earth, the point where we await the shaft that Phaethon had misguided glows brightest, while, to each side, the light shades off, And even as there where we await the pole That Phaeton drove badly, blazes more The light, and is on either side diminished,	31.126
so did the peaceful oriflamme appear brightest at its midpoint, so did its flame, on each side, taper off at equal pace. So likewise that pacific oriflamme Gleamed brightest in the centre, and each side In equal measure did the flame abate.	31.129
I saw, around that midpoint, festive angels- more than a thousand-with their wings outspread; each was distinct in splendor and in skill. And at that centre, with their wings expanded, More than a thousand jubilant Angels saw I, Each differing in effulgence and in kind.	31.132
And there I saw a loveliness that when it smiled at the angelic songs and games made glad the eyes of all the other saints. I saw there at their sports and at their songs A beauty smiling, which the gladness was Within the eyes of all the other saints	31.135
And even if my speech were rich as my imagination is, I should not try to tell the very least of her delights. And if I had in speaking as much wealth As in imagining, I should not dare To attempt the smallest part of its delight	31.138
Bernard-when he had seen my eyes intent, fixed on the object of his burning fervor- turned his own eyes to her with such affection Bernard, as soon as he beheld mine eyes Fixed and intent upon its fervid fervour, His own with such affection turned to her	31.141
that he made mine gaze still more ardently. That it made mine more ardent to behold.	31.142