查士丁尼皇帝谈罗马鹰旗的历史；谴责贵尔弗派和吉伯林派。罗密欧。
“自从那鹰随从了强娶拉维尼亚的古英雄，顺着天令之道飞去，君士坦丁又叫他逆着方向飞回来，二百多年以来，那神鸟栖息在欧罗巴的边界，与群山为邻，那里就是他最初出发之地；在他神圣的翅膀的荫蔽下，那里君士坦丁统治世界，代代相传，几经变迁，那鹰就到了我的手里。
“我过去是凯撒，我是查士丁尼，我因为现在感受到原始爱的意志而编纂诸法典。在我开始这件大事业之前，我相信基督只有一种性质，而无其他，我就满意于这种信仰。但是有福的阿加佩图斯他是大牧师用他的理论把我引到纯净的信仰。我信任了他的话，我现在看清他的教理，毫无疑惑，像你能在两句矛盾的言词之中，知道必有一真一伪。在我和教会一步步和谐以后，我蒙受上帝的感应，立即把我的全部精力，用在那件大事业上面。把军队的指挥权交给我的贝利萨留；他常常得到天的帮助，这是天叫我信任他而专心于和平的信号。
“现在我已经回答了你第一个问题；但是我不得不再说些事情，为此使你知道：对于神圣的国徽，无论是支持他的一方面，或是反对他的一方面，理由都是不充足。请看他所担负的使命，便知道他应得到尊敬了。
“自从帕拉斯死后，那鹰便有权力了。你知道他栖息在阿尔巴有三百多年；直到三个勇士和三个勇士为着他相战而有了结局的一天。你知道他的所做所为，从萨宾女人的被辱到卢柯蕾齐亚的灾难，历经七王，而且征服了许多邻国。你知道他的所做为，光荣的罗马人执着他，攻击布伦努斯，攻击皮洛士，攻击其他国王和他们的联合者；由此，托尔夸图斯和从他的乱发得了一个外号的辛辛纳图斯，还有德奇乌斯族和法比乌斯族都获得了盛名；我说着他们都觉得口里甜香。他粉碎了跟随汉尼拔越过波河从那里涌出的阿尔卑斯山峦的阿拉伯人的骄傲。在他的羽翼下，西庇阿和庞培在很年轻的时候就获得战果辉煌；只是他飞到那小山的时候，未免有些伤神，那个山脚下就是你出生之地。
“后来，接近了天希望使世界达到和他自己一样安宁的时代，凯撒按着罗马的意志，获取了那鹰旗。他的作为，是从瓦尔河到莱茵河；他目睹伊泽尔河，他目睹卢瓦尔河和索恩河，还有罗讷河流域的全部。至于他从腊万纳出发，渡过鲁比孔河，他的辉煌不是言语和笔墨可以追术的；他率领着兵到西班牙，又到都拉斯，又挺进到法尔萨利亚，直到尼罗河的热流，才感觉到悲哀的事情。他又回访一次安但德洛斯和西摩伊斯，那里是赫克托尔躺下之地；于是再振作精神去惩戒托勒密。从此，他像闪电一样攻打朱巴，于是回到你们的西方，因为那里庞培的喇叭又吹响了。
“他在后继者的手里，他看见布鲁都和卡修斯在地狱里痛哭着；他使摩德纳和佩鲁贾遭受着痛苦；他又使克利奥帕特拉哭泣，她想逃避他，甘受毒蛇的咬，达到她突然的悲惨的死。陪伴着这位皇帝，那鹰远达到红海之岸；陪伴着他，那鹰使世界和平，竟使雅努斯的庙门关闭着不开。
“但我所叙述的罗马鹰旗的一切胜利，若用清晰的目光和纯正的心意去看，他的后继者，就是第三凯撒，手里的作为，那就不免渺小而暗淡了。因为在他的手里，庄严的正义使我把为神怒报仇这件光荣归于他。现在，我告诉你吧，天下奇事莫过于此！他后来随着提图斯去报复那为旧罪的报复。
“末了，当伦巴第人的牙齿插进圣教会的时候，在他的羽翼下，查理曼帮助她得胜利。
“现在，你可以明白我刚才谴责他们的话了，你也可以了解他们的罪恶，这些是你们一切痛苦的根源。对于公共的旗帜，这一个依从了金色的百台花出来反抗，那一个为着自己党派的利益侵吞占有，要辨别他们的错误谁大谁小，实在不易。吉伯林派呀！你们还是隐藏在别种旗帜下面干你们的勾当吧；因为使他和正义分离的人决不会用之得当的。小查理和他的贵尔弗派呀！你们不要想攻打他，还是怕他的双爪为好，因为比你们还要强的狮子也被他剥了皮呢。已经有多少次那些子孙哭着他们父辈的罪恶了；不要相信上帝宠爱他的百合花而想更换旗帜呀！
“这小星装饰着许多善良的灵魂，他们都曾为着光荣和名利而努力；因为他们的志趣偏颇一些，所以投射在他们身上的真爱之光也不那么执烈。但我们的报酬和我们的功德是成正比例，因为我们不觉得太大，也不觉得太小，这个也是我们快乐的一部分。因此我们的欲望被鲜明的正义所净化了，我们决不再起非分之念。在地上，各种的语言合成一个甜美的歌声；同样，在诸天，各种的地位合成一个和谐的节奏。
“在这珍珠上照亮看罗密欧的光，他的美好而伟大的工作竟得着恶报。”但反对他的普洛旺斯人不会有欢笑了；他们把别人所做的善事，视为对他们的损害；他们的路走错了。莱蒙德·贝朗奇有四个女儿，每个都是王后：这该归功于平凡的外乡人罗密欧。后来伯爵听了谗言，竟要查问这个正人的账目，实际他已使十成为十二了。因此他离开那里，既贫苦又衰老；如果世人要知道他的内心，知道他是乞食为生，那末世人会很称赞他，将来更要称赞他。”
"After that Constantine the eagle turn'd
Against the motions of the heav'n, that roll'd
Consenting with its course, when he of yore,
Lavinia's spouse, was leader of the flight,
A hundred years twice told and more, his seat
At Europe's extreme point, the bird of Jove
Held, near the mountains, whence he issued first.
There, under shadow of his sacred plumes
Swaying the world, till through successive hands
To mine he came devolv'd. Caesar I was,
And am Justinian; destin'd by the will
Of that prime love, whose influence I feel,
From vain excess to clear th' encumber'd laws.
Or ere that work engag'd me, I did hold
Christ's nature merely human, with such faith
Contented. But the blessed Agapete,
Who was chief shepherd, he with warning voice
To the true faith recall'd me. I believ'd
His words: and what he taught, now plainly see,
As thou in every contradiction seest
The true and false oppos'd. Soon as my feet
Were to the church reclaim'd, to my great task,
By inspiration of God's grace impell'd,
I gave me wholly, and consign'd mine arms
To Belisarius, with whom heaven's right hand
Was link'd in such conjointment, 't was a sign
That I should rest. To thy first question thus
I shape mine answer, which were ended here,
But that its tendency doth prompt perforce
To some addition; that thou well, mayst mark
What reason on each side they have to plead,
By whom that holiest banner is withstood,
Both who pretend its power and who oppose.
"Beginning from that hour, when Pallas died
To give it rule, behold the valorous deeds
Have made it worthy reverence. Not unknown
To thee, how for three hundred years and more
It dwelt in Alba, up to those fell lists
Where for its sake were met the rival three;
Nor aught unknown to thee, which it achiev'd
Down to the Sabines' wrong to Lucrece' woe,
With its sev'n kings conqu'ring the nation round;
Nor all it wrought, by Roman worthies home
'Gainst Brennus and th' Epirot prince, and hosts
Of single chiefs, or states in league combin'd
Of social warfare; hence Torquatus stern,
And Quintius nam'd of his neglected locks,
The Decii, and the Fabii hence acquir'd
Their fame, which I with duteous zeal embalm.
By it the pride of Arab hordes was quell'd,
When they led on by Hannibal o'erpass'd
The Alpine rocks, whence glide thy currents, Po!
Beneath its guidance, in their prime of days
Scipio and Pompey triumph'd; and that hill,
Under whose summit thou didst see the light,
Rued its stern bearing. After, near the hour,
When heav'n was minded that o'er all the world
His own deep calm should brood, to Caesar's hand
Did Rome consign it; and what then it wrought
From Var unto the Rhine, saw Isere's flood,
Saw Loire and Seine, and every vale, that fills
The torrent Rhone. What after that it wrought,
When from Ravenna it came forth, and leap'd
The Rubicon, was of so bold a flight,
That tongue nor pen may follow it. Tow'rds Spain
It wheel'd its bands, then tow'rd Dyrrachium smote,
And on Pharsalia with so fierce a plunge,
E'en the warm Nile was conscious to the pang;
Its native shores Antandros, and the streams
Of Simois revisited, and there
Where Hector lies; then ill for Ptolemy
His pennons shook again; lightning thence fell
On Juba; and the next upon your west,
At sound of the Pompeian trump, return'd.
"What following and in its next bearer's gripe
It wrought, is now by Cassius and Brutus
Bark'd off in hell, and by Perugia's sons
And Modena's was mourn'd. Hence weepeth still
Sad Cleopatra, who, pursued by it,
Took from the adder black and sudden death.
With him it ran e'en to the Red Sea coast;
With him compos'd the world to such a peace,
That of his temple Janus barr'd the door.
"But all the mighty standard yet had wrought,
And was appointed to perform thereafter,
Throughout the mortal kingdom which it sway'd,
Falls in appearance dwindled and obscur'd,
If one with steady eye and perfect thought
On the third Caesar look; for to his hands,
The living Justice, in whose breath I move,
Committed glory, e'en into his hands,
To execute the vengeance of its wrath.
"Hear now and wonder at what next I tell.
After with Titus it was sent to wreak
Vengeance for vengeance of the ancient sin,
And, when the Lombard tooth, with fangs impure,
Did gore the bosom of the holy church,
Under its wings victorious, Charlemagne
Sped to her rescue. Judge then for thyself
Of those, whom I erewhile accus'd to thee,
What they are, and how grievous their offending,
Who are the cause of all your ills. The one
Against the universal ensign rears
The yellow lilies, and with partial aim
That to himself the other arrogates:
So that 't is hard to see which more offends.
Be yours, ye Ghibellines, to veil your arts
Beneath another standard: ill is this
Follow'd of him, who severs it and justice:
And let not with his Guelphs the new-crown'd Charles
Assail it, but those talons hold in dread,
Which from a lion of more lofty port
Have rent the easing. Many a time ere now
The sons have for the sire's transgression wail'd;
Nor let him trust the fond belief, that heav'n
Will truck its armour for his lilied shield.
"This little star is furnish'd with good spirits,
Whose mortal lives were busied to that end,
That honour and renown might wait on them:
And, when desires thus err in their intention,
True love must needs ascend with slacker beam.
But it is part of our delight, to measure
Our wages with the merit; and admire
The close proportion. Hence doth heav'nly justice
Temper so evenly affection in us,
It ne'er can warp to any wrongfulness.
Of diverse voices is sweet music made:
So in our life the different degrees
Render sweet harmony among these wheels.
"Within the pearl, that now encloseth us,
Shines Romeo's light, whose goodly deed and fair
Met ill acceptance. But the Provencals,
That were his foes, have little cause for mirth.
Ill shapes that man his course, who makes his wrong
Of other's worth. Four daughters were there born
To Raymond Berenger, and every one
Became a queen; and this for him did Romeo,
Though of mean state and from a foreign land.
Yet envious tongues incited him to ask
A reckoning of that just one, who return'd
Twelve fold to him for ten. Aged and poor
He parted thence: and if the world did know
The heart he had, begging his life by morsels,
'T would deem the praise, it yields him, scantly dealt." 贝雅特丽齐解释疑问：基督赎罪；灵魂不灭。
“和散那！众军队之神圣上帝！用你的光辉，照耀这些国度的幸福灵魂！”
就是这样唱着，我看见那被双重光所包裹的神识回到他的歌队去了；他和其他的灵魂舞蹈着，像火星迸射一样快，他们突然离开了我的视线。
我满腹的的疑问，在心里说：“对她说吧，对她说吧，问那高贵的女人，她用甜美的露水来解你的口渴呢。”但是那种尊敬充满着我的全身，只要听见一个“贝”或一个“特”字，就足以叫我把头低下，像一个要睡的人。
贝雅特丽齐让我为难了一会儿，于是用她那微笑的光照耀我，使一个虽在火焰之中的人也感着愉快；她开始说：“我的判断是不会错的，你所不懂的是：正义的报复为什么还需要正义的报复。我要拨开你思想上的疑云；请你听好，因为我对于高深教义的讲解就是我给你的赠品。
“一个不是由从生育而来的人，因为他不愿忍受对于自己有利益的约束，他自己堕落了，累积他所有的后裔也堕落了；从此人类奄奄一息了许多世纪，自己沉溺于大错误之中，直到上帝的道降临，那里他把离开创造者的性质和他肉身结合，他的这种行为是由于他的永久的爱。
“现在，听着我说道理：这种和创造者结合的性质，在他被创造的时候，诚然是纯洁而善良；但因他自己的错误，才被驱逐于天堂，因为他离开了真理的路和他生命的路。如果从这种性质上衡量，那末十字架上所受的痛苦，没有比这再公平的了；但从那受痛苦者的本身上着想，没有比这再残酷的了。于是从一种行为产生多种的结果。上帝和犹太人欢喜着同样一个死；由此，地震动而开了天门。以后你就容易懂了，如果有人说：正义的报复，经过正义的法庭，而再被报复。
“但我知晓你的心思，由这个联想到那个，又打了一个结，很希望着我来解开。你说：我所听到的我都明白，但是为我们的赎罪起见上帝为什么采用这唯一的方法，这个我不明白。兄弟！上帝的用意，瞒过了尘世间人的眼睛，因为他们的智慧并不是在神爱的火里长成的。不过，许多人都望着这个目标，看得透的还是很少，我愿意说明为什么这种方法比较有价值。
“神善是没有嫉妒的，因为他内心的热能，迸射着火光出来，用以散发他永久的美德。凡从神善不通过媒介而直接流出的，是没有穷尽，因为他盖一次印以后，那印迹便不再改变的。凡从神善不掺媒介而直接生出来的，是完全自由，因为他不受管辖其他造物之势力的控制。一物愈和他相同，便愈被他所喜悦喜欢；神圣的热能辐射一切的东西，但在那最和他相似的东西上面最为浓烈。这些优越之处，称为人类的造物是拥有的，如果有所缺失，人类就要从他的尊位堕落下来。只有罪恶使人类剥夺自由，使他和至善不相近，因为那时他只有些微弱的光照耀着；他永不能回复原来的尊贵，除非他反抗罪恶的乐事，甘受正义的惩罚，以弥补过失所造成的空无。
“当你们的性质全部的在种子里有了罪恶，便失去了这些尊贵和天堂；如果你用心观察，便知道他们是不能复归原状的，除非经过两个渡口之一：或者由于上帝的宽恕，免除他们的欠债；或者人类自己对于他的罪行能够赎罪。现在，你要努力注意我的讲话，把你的目光射到这永久言论的深渊。
“因他所限定的地位，人类是永远没有能力赎罪的，因为他既然以不服从而趾高气扬，决不肯再服从而俯首帖耳；这就是人类不能自己赎罪的原因。因此上帝必须用他自己的方法，以回复人类完美的生活，就是用一种方法，或二种并用。
“但因一种行为愈加表示心底的善良，则愈加使人觉得和善可亲；所以那留有印迹在世界的神善，愿意用一切的方法把你们再拉起来。从第一日到未日夜，上帝对于人类的行为，从未有过。而且将来也不会有，在彼此两方面做到如此崇高，如此伟大；上帝不仅宽恕他们的罪恶，而且牺牲自己，为人类能够自立起来；所有任何方法，都不足以表示无私，除非那上帝的儿子降生人世。
现在，为满足你的愿望我再解说一点，这样可以使你和我一样明白了。你说：我看见水，看见火、气和地，以及一切他们的混合物，最终都要败坏而不可以久存；但这些东西都是造物，如果你刚才对我说的是真实的，那末他们都不应当败坏呀。兄弟！那些天使和现在你所经历的清白的境界，可以说全部为上帝所直接创造；但你所说的那些原素和由他们合成的东西，乃是被一种已创造的势力所形成的。他们所含有的物质是创造的；在这些围绕着他们的众星内的形成势力是创造的。走兽和植物的生命，是由于神圣的光之发射和移动，从含有潜能的合成物内形成的。但你们的生命是由于至善不借媒介而直接吹入的，至善使他爱慕着他自己，如此则他也永远盼望着至善。
“由以论述，你可以再推知你们的复活，如果你想到你们的两位祖先是怎样被造成了人类内体的。”
"Hosanna Sanctus Deus Sabaoth
Superillustrans claritate tua
Felices ignes horum malahoth!"
Thus chanting saw I turn that substance bright
With fourfold lustre to its orb again,
Revolving; and the rest unto their dance
With it mov'd also; and like swiftest sparks,
In sudden distance from my sight were veil'd.
Me doubt possess'd, and "Speak," it whisper'd me,
"Speak, speak unto thy lady, that she quench
Thy thirst with drops of sweetness." Yet blank awe,
Which lords it o'er me, even at the sound
Of Beatrice's name, did bow me down
As one in slumber held. Not long that mood
Beatrice suffer'd: she, with such a smile,
As might have made one blest amid the flames,
Beaming upon me, thus her words began:
"Thou in thy thought art pond'ring (as I deem),
And what I deem is truth how just revenge
Could be with justice punish'd: from which doubt
I soon will free thee; so thou mark my words;
For they of weighty matter shall possess thee.
"That man, who was unborn, himself condemn'd,
And, in himself, all, who since him have liv'd,
His offspring: whence, below, the human kind
Lay sick in grievous error many an age;
Until it pleas'd the Word of God to come
Amongst them down, to his own person joining
The nature, from its Maker far estrang'd,
By the mere act of his eternal love.
Contemplate here the wonder I unfold.
The nature with its Maker thus conjoin'd,
Created first was blameless, pure and good;
But through itself alone was driven forth
From Paradise, because it had eschew'd
The way of truth and life, to evil turn'd.
Ne'er then was penalty so just as that
Inflicted by the cross, if thou regard
The nature in assumption doom'd: ne'er wrong
So great, in reference to him, who took
Such nature on him, and endur'd the doom.
God therefore and the Jews one sentence pleased:
So different effects flow'd from one act,
And heav'n was open'd, though the earth did quake.
Count it not hard henceforth, when thou dost hear
That a just vengeance was by righteous court
Justly reveng'd. But yet I see thy mind
By thought on thought arising sore perplex'd,
And with how vehement desire it asks
Solution of the maze. What I have heard,
Is plain, thou sayst: but wherefore God this way
For our redemption chose, eludes my search.
"Brother! no eye of man not perfected,
Nor fully ripen'd in the flame of love,
May fathom this decree. It is a mark,
In sooth, much aim'd at, and but little kenn'd:
And I will therefore show thee why such way
Was worthiest. The celestial love, that spume
All envying in its bounty, in itself
With such effulgence blazeth, as sends forth
All beauteous things eternal. What distils
Immediate thence, no end of being knows,
Bearing its seal immutably impress'd.
Whatever thence immediate falls, is free,
Free wholly, uncontrollable by power
Of each thing new: by such conformity
More grateful to its author, whose bright beams,
Though all partake their shining, yet in those
Are liveliest, which resemble him the most.
These tokens of pre-eminence on man
Largely bestow'd, if any of them fail,
He needs must forfeit his nobility,
No longer stainless. Sin alone is that,
Which doth disfranchise him, and make unlike
To the chief good; for that its light in him
Is darken'd. And to dignity thus lost
Is no return; unless, where guilt makes void,
He for ill pleasure pay with equal pain.
Your nature, which entirely in its seed
Trangress'd, from these distinctions fell, no less
Than from its state in Paradise; nor means
Found of recovery (search all methods out
As strickly as thou may) save one of these,
The only fords were left through which to wade,
Either that God had of his courtesy
Releas'd him merely, or else man himself
For his own folly by himself aton'd.
"Fix now thine eye, intently as thou canst,
On th' everlasting counsel, and explore,
Instructed by my words, the dread abyss.
"Man in himself had ever lack'd the means
Of satisfaction, for he could not stoop
Obeying, in humility so low,
As high he, disobeying, thought to soar:
And for this reason he had vainly tried
Out of his own sufficiency to pay
The rigid satisfaction. Then behooved
That God should by his own ways lead him back
Unto the life, from whence he fell, restor'd:
By both his ways, I mean, or one alone.
But since the deed is ever priz'd the more,
The more the doer's good intent appears,
Goodness celestial, whose broad signature
Is on the universe, of all its ways
To raise ye up, was fain to leave out none,
Nor aught so vast or so magnificent,
Either for him who gave or who receiv'd
Between the last night and the primal day,
Was or can be. For God more bounty show'd.
Giving himself to make man capable
Of his return to life, than had the terms
Been mere and unconditional release.
And for his justice, every method else
Were all too scant, had not the Son of God
Humbled himself to put on mortal flesh.
"Now, to fulfil each wish of thine, remains
I somewhat further to thy view unfold.
That thou mayst see as clearly as myself.
"I see, thou sayst, the air, the fire I see,
The earth and water, and all things of them
Compounded, to corruption turn, and soon
Dissolve. Yet these were also things create,
Because, if what were told me, had been true
They from corruption had been therefore free.
"The angels, O my brother! and this clime
Wherein thou art, impassible and pure,
I call created, as indeed they are
In their whole being. But the elements,
Which thou hast nam'd, and what of them is made,
Are by created virtue' inform'd: create
Their substance, and create the' informing virtue
In these bright stars, that round them circling move
The soul of every brute and of each plant,
The ray and motion of the sacred lights,
With complex potency attract and turn.
But this our life the' eternal good inspires
Immediate, and enamours of itself;
So that our wishes rest for ever here.
"And hence thou mayst by inference conclude
Our resurrection certain, if thy mind
Consider how the human flesh was fram'd,
When both our parents at the first were made." 到第三重天金星天；多情的灵魂。查理·马德罗。
世界处在其危险信仰的时代，人民常常设想那美丽的西伯里娜旋转在第三本轮上面，而发散疯狂的恋爱。古代的人民，在他们传播的错误之中，不仅向她献供品，虔诚祈祷，而且同时尊崇狄俄说是她的母亲，尊崇丘比德说是她的儿子，又说他曾经在狄多膝上坐过；就是我刚才说的她，他们替那颗星取了名字，那颗星有时在太阳之前，有时又在其后，向他表示献媚。
我不知道是怎样上升到那星；但贝雅特丽齐变得更加美丽了，我相信我已经到了那里。
像在光亮中我们看见了火星，像在合奏中我们辨别了声音，假如一个定着不动，而其他来来往往；同样，我在那星上看见许多光辉，循着圆圈行动着，有的快些，有的慢些，我想这是要看他们永久眼力的深浅吧。
从高高的冷云，降落可见和不可见的风，似乎都感觉到他们的迂缓和阻滞，要是一个人看见那些神光飞快地向我们跑来，离开那由崇高的撤拉弗转动的圈子。在出现于我们最前一排的后面，听见唱出“和散那”的歌声；我听了一次以后，还想再听呢。
后来其中有一位跑上前来，开始对我说：“我们都准备使你高兴。我们和那些天上王子在同一个圈子，用同样的速度，同样的渴望旋转着，对于他们，你在地上早已写过：“你们呀！用你们的智慧推动第三重天，’我们是如此多情，为使你愉快起见，我们稍停一会，其乐趣也不小。”
我抬头望着我的贵妇人，向她表示尊敬和礼貌，她满足了我的要求和保证后，我又把目光转向刚寸对我说话的神光，我和颜悦色地对他说：“那末你是准？”
他听了我的话，我看见那光辉更加明亮，新的愉快更加增长了他的欢乐！就在这种状态中，他回答我说：“我在尘世的岁月很短；如果我在那里多些时候，有许多来的不幸，结果也许可以下来。快乐包围着我，遮住了你的目光，像吐丝自缚的蚕物。你曾经很爱我，这不是没原因的；如果我处在人间更久些，则我对你所表示的帮助不仅只是些叶子。
“在罗讷河的左岸，在那和素尔格河泄合的地方，时间一到，那里等着我去做主人翁；同样，在奥索尼亚的一角，那里有特龙托河、佛得河流入海中，那里有巴里、加埃塔和卡托纳等城，那里也等着我。”在我的额上，已经闪耀着那个国度的王冠，就是那多瑙河离开日耳曼的河岸以后所经过的国家。还有那美丽的特利那克利，在帕基诺和佩洛罗之间，最使欧洛斯所苦恼的海湾之上，那里昏暗，并不是因为提佛乌斯而是因为硫磺生出的原因，那里也要等着我的从查理和鲁道夫生出的后代做他的国王，如果不是一个坏的政权伤了百姓的心，使巴勒莫喊出：“死呀！死呀！’
“如果我的弟弟有先见之明，他应当辞退那班贫穷而婪贪的加泰隆人，这样不要弄坏他的政权；无论他或别人，都应当知道：已经装满的船，不能再添新货了。他的贪鄙性质，竟是从一个慷慨的父亲生出的，他所使用的官吏，并不需要他们去装满他的箱子呀！”
那时我说：“我的主人！我听了你的话，多么感到愉快呀！你和我都见到在上帝中的欢乐，这是一切善的始终；尤其使我愉快的是你的话已经入道了。你再使我高兴而指教我一下罢！从刚才谈话之间，你叫我提起一个问题，就是甜的种子为什么会生出苦的果子？”
于是那灵魂对我说：“我可以把一个真理指给你看，无异把你背后的东西拿到你的面前。那使你所经历的国度旋转且满意的至善，他不吝惜赐给这些大天体以神智；不仅使他们在精神上具备各种性质，而且要使他们具备和他一样完善的存在条件：因此这些弓所发的箭，都有一个前定目的，像箭向着他的靶子。不然的话，那末在你目下的各重天，将没有这般的秩序，不是艺术品而是一堆零落不堪的东西了；除非推动这些天体的智慧有缺欠，因而原动者不能完善，否则是不会如此的。你看，还有比这个更清楚的真理么？”
我说：“决不会如此，因为自然有他的必需，不至半途而废。”
于是他又说：“你说在地上一个人假使不走入社会，境况是否要更坏些？”
我答道：“当然，这个用不着说明理由。”
“如果人类没有种种的差异，便没有业务上的差异，如何可以生活呢？不可以的，如果你的老师写给你的是真理。”
那灵魂推论到此，便下断语说：”由此可见你们行为的根本是有差别的：这个生为梭伦，那个生为薛西斯；一个是麦基洗德，另一个使他的儿子飞行在天空而丧命，自然由于其圆运动，使有生命的蜡上印上痕迹，完成他的使命，但他并不分别此家和彼家。因此以扫和雅各是同其种子而异其性质，基利诺从卑贱的父亲所生，而世人竟认为他是玛尔斯的儿子。被生者的性质将取决于生育者，如果神智不特别参加意见。
“现在，在你背后的东西在你面前了；但因表示我爱你起见，我要再给你一个推论。一粒种子落在不良的土里不易发育，同样，一种性质遇着逆境也就不能发展。在尘世，人们如果能顺着性质的倾向，那就好了。然而如你的生性是在腰挂刀剑，而你却就了宗教上的职务，或者叫一个宣教师去做国王，如此则你们的脚步就踏在正路之外了。”
The world was in its day of peril dark
Wont to believe the dotage of fond love
From the fair Cyprian deity, who rolls
In her third epicycle, shed on men
By stream of potent radiance: therefore they
Of elder time, in their old error blind,
Not her alone with sacrifice ador'd
And invocation, but like honours paid
To Cupid and Dione, deem'd of them
Her mother, and her son, him whom they feign'd
To sit in Dido's bosom: and from her,
Whom I have sung preluding, borrow'd they
The appellation of that star, which views,
Now obvious and now averse, the sun.
I was not ware that I was wafted up
Into its orb; but the new loveliness
That grac'd my lady, gave me ample proof
That we had entered there. And as in flame
A sparkle is distinct, or voice in voice
Discern'd, when one its even tenour keeps,
The other comes and goes; so in that light
I other luminaries saw, that cours'd
In circling motion rapid more or less,
As their eternal phases each impels.
Never was blast from vapour charged with cold,
Whether invisible to eye or no,
Descended with such speed, it had not seem'd
To linger in dull tardiness, compar'd
To those celestial lights, that tow'rds us came,
Leaving the circuit of their joyous ring,
Conducted by the lofty seraphim.
And after them, who in the van appear'd,
Such an hosanna sounded, as hath left
Desire, ne'er since extinct in me, to hear
Renew'd the strain. Then parting from the rest
One near us drew, and sole began: "We all
Are ready at thy pleasure, well dispos'd
To do thee gentle service. We are they,
To whom thou in the world erewhile didst Sing
'O ye! whose intellectual ministry
Moves the third heaven!' and in one orb we roll,
One motion, one impulse, with those who rule
Princedoms in heaven; yet are of love so full,
That to please thee 't will be as sweet to rest."
After mine eyes had with meek reverence
Sought the celestial guide, and were by her
Assur'd, they turn'd again unto the light
Who had so largely promis'd, and with voice
That bare the lively pressure of my zeal,
"Tell who ye are," I cried. Forthwith it grew
In size and splendour, through augmented joy;
And thus it answer'd: "A short date below
The world possess'd me. Had the time been more,
Much evil, that will come, had never chanc'd.
My gladness hides thee from me, which doth shine
Around, and shroud me, as an animal
In its own silk unswath'd. Thou lov'dst me well,
And had'st good cause; for had my sojourning
Been longer on the earth, the love I bare thee
Had put forth more than blossoms. The left bank,
That Rhone, when he hath mix'd with Sorga, laves."
"In me its lord expected, and that horn
Of fair Ausonia, with its boroughs old,
Bari, and Croton, and Gaeta pil'd,
From where the Trento disembogues his waves,
With Verde mingled, to the salt sea-flood.
Already on my temples beam'd the crown,
Which gave me sov'reignty over the land
By Danube wash'd, whenas he strays beyond
The limits of his German shores. The realm,
Where, on the gulf by stormy Eurus lash'd,
Betwixt Pelorus and Pachynian heights,
The beautiful Trinacria lies in gloom
(Not through Typhaeus, but the vap'ry cloud
Bituminous upsteam'd), THAT too did look
To have its scepter wielded by a race
Of monarchs, sprung through me from Charles and Rodolph;
had not ill lording which doth spirit up
The people ever, in Palermo rais'd
The shout of 'death,' re-echo'd loud and long.
Had but my brother's foresight kenn'd as much,
He had been warier that the greedy want
Of Catalonia might not work his bale.
And truly need there is, that he forecast,
Or other for him, lest more freight be laid
On his already over-laden bark.
Nature in him, from bounty fall'n to thrift,
Would ask the guard of braver arms, than such
As only care to have their coffers fill'd."
"My liege, it doth enhance the joy thy words
Infuse into me, mighty as it is,
To think my gladness manifest to thee,
As to myself, who own it, when thou lookst
Into the source and limit of all good,
There, where thou markest that which thou dost speak,
Thence priz'd of me the more. Glad thou hast made me.
Now make intelligent, clearing the doubt
Thy speech hath raised in me; for much I muse,
How bitter can spring up, when sweet is sown."
I thus inquiring; he forthwith replied:
"If I have power to show one truth, soon that
Shall face thee, which thy questioning declares
Behind thee now conceal'd. The Good, that guides
And blessed makes this realm, which thou dost mount,
Ordains its providence to be the virtue
In these great bodies: nor th' all perfect Mind
Upholds their nature merely, but in them
Their energy to save: for nought, that lies
Within the range of that unerring bow,
But is as level with the destin'd aim,
As ever mark to arrow's point oppos'd.
Were it not thus, these heavens, thou dost visit,
Would their effect so work, it would not be
Art, but destruction; and this may not chance,
If th' intellectual powers, that move these stars,
Fail not, or who, first faulty made them fail.
Wilt thou this truth more clearly evidenc'd?"
To whom I thus: "It is enough: no fear,
I see, lest nature in her part should tire."
He straight rejoin'd: "Say, were it worse for man,
If he liv'd not in fellowship on earth?"
"Yea," answer'd I; "nor here a reason needs."
"And may that be, if different estates
Grow not of different duties in your life?
Consult your teacher, and he tells you 'no."'
Thus did he come, deducing to this point,
And then concluded: "For this cause behooves,
The roots, from whence your operations come,
Must differ. Therefore one is Solon born;
Another, Xerxes; and Melchisidec
A third; and he a fourth, whose airy voyage
Cost him his son. In her circuitous course,
Nature, that is the seal to mortal wax,
Doth well her art, but no distinctions owns
'Twixt one or other household. Hence befalls
That Esau is so wide of Jacob: hence
Quirinus of so base a father springs,
He dates from Mars his lineage. Were it not
That providence celestial overrul'd,
Nature, in generation, must the path
Trac'd by the generator, still pursue
Unswervingly. Thus place I in thy sight
That, which was late behind thee. But, in sign
Of more affection for thee, 't is my will
Thou wear this corollary. Nature ever
Finding discordant fortune, like all seed
Out of its proper climate, thrives but ill.
And were the world below content to mark
And work on the foundation nature lays,
It would not lack supply of excellence.
But ye perversely to religion strain
Him, who was born to gird on him the sword,
And of the fluent phrasemen make your king;
Therefore your steps have wander'd from the paths." 金星天：但丁与罗马诺的库妮萨及福尔盖·德·马赛之谈话。喇合。
漂亮的克莱门萨呀！当你的查理开导我以后，他告诉我他的后代所遇着的欺骗；但是他又说：“保守你的沉默，听时光的流逝罢。”所以我可说的，就是跟随你们的损害所激起的痛哭罢了。
那神光的灵魂已经回归充满着他的上帝，像向着那使一切都能满足的善。唉！被欺骗的灵魂，愚妄而渎神，你们把心扭转过来，背着这种善，把你们的眼光盯着虚荣的东西！
现在又有一个光辉向着我来了，从他向外散射的光看来，他是愿意使我高兴的呢。同时贝雅特丽齐像从前一般看着我，给我的渴望一个甘美的许可。
我对他说：“快些满足我的渴望，幸福的灵魂！给我一个凭证。就是从你的话句里可以反映出我的思想。”
于是那我还未了解的光辉离开他深远的歌声，开始向我说出悦耳的话：“在那混乱的意大利国土上，在那利亚托和布沦塔、皮亚韦两河源之间，耸立一座小山，那里从前降落一个火球，为害一国。他和我是同根所生：人家叫我库妮萨，我的所以光耀于此，是因为此星的光亮克服了我。然而我的际遇对于我一点没有苦恼，我的行为也一点不用后悔，这也许是一般人所不能理解的。
“这位最贴近我的欢乐的神光，他留在地上有一个大名誉，要等五百年才消失呢。看罢！一个人能否要力争上乘？另有一个生命接续着第一生命呢，但那塔利亚门托河与阿迪杰河之间的居民认识不到这一层；他们虽然受了惩罚，但仍是不觉悟。不过，不久帕多瓦人将见浸润维琴察的河水要变为红色，因为他们不愿履行他们的义务。还有那君临锡莱河与卡格那诺河相遇之地的，他还昂头而行，不知已有人张着网预备捉他了。至于菲尔特罗的人民要为他们残酷的牧师而号哭，像这样不忠的人，不值得叫他进马耳他，木桶虽大，却容不下这众多费拉拉人的血，就是一点一点地去称也使人疲劳，这些血都是那牧师献媚于私党的礼品；然而这种礼品将为乡人所效仿而成为一种风气了。高悬明镜的，就是你所指的德乐尼，要反照上帝的审判在我们眼里，那就可以知道我所说的话是真实不虚的了。
说到这里。那灵魂沉默了；他回到他的歌队，就是他原来所在的位置。
其他一位欢乐，我已经注意到他的光亮，像在太阳光下的红宝石一样。在这里，人有欢乐，笑逐颜开；在天上，能放出光亮；在地下，只有黑暗的影子，因为他们的灵魂是悲哀的。”
我说：“幸运的灵魂！上帝看见一切，你又看见他的一切，你明白他全部的意志。为什么你的声音，合着那虔敬的火光，他们有三对翅膀做着衣帽，歌唱着在上以悦苍天，而下则满足我的欲望呢？假使我了解你，像你了解我一样，那末我是不用等你的发言的。”
于是那灵魂开始说：”那最大的沟壑，其中的水已成汪洋大海，陆地围绕它好比花圈一般，南北两岸为异族所居，从西向东行，则在前为地平线者在后将为子午线。在这沟壑的岸旁，我是一个居民，正在埃布罗与马格拉之中途，而马格拉的一小段又是隔别热那业和托斯卡纳的。我出生之地，与布吉亚有同时的日落和日出，那里曾经有过鲜血温暖它的港口。知道我的人都叫我福尔盖，这一重天印着我，像我印着他；在我那美丽的鬈发和我相配的时候，我的热情胜于贝鲁斯的女儿，她伤害了希凯斯和克列乌莎；也不是被得摩福翁所引诱的罗多彼的女郎，也不是阿尔西特在把伊婀拉藏在心里的时候，可以和我的热情相比。然而在这里我们不是忏悔，我们只有欢乐；并非我们的罪过在心中不再出现，只是神权指导一切，摆布一切。在这里我们注视那至高的艺术使一切美化，我们又细味那于善使上天绕着下界运转。
“为完全满足你在这重天所生的欲望起见。我愿意再对你说些事情。你愿意知道这个靠近我的光辉么？他像水面上反射出来的太阳一样。现在，你听着罢，喇合在这里享受她的安宁，她在我们的歌队里居着最高的地位呢。耶稣基督在胜利以后，首先把她上升到此天，此天是你们世界的黑影尖顶所及之处。放她在天上，以表扬她用双手所成就的伟大胜利，这是应当的；因为她玉成了约书亚在圣地的首次光荣，然而这些事情己不在教皇的记忆之中了。
“你的城，这是那第一个以背着造物者所建，从他的嫉妒中生出了许多痛苦；在这个城里产生散布着各种可诅咒的花，她使山羊和绵羊都走上邪路，因为她使牧人变为一只狼了。于是，因为这花，《福音书》和大司铎都被人抛弃，只有那些《教皇谕旨集》还被人学习着，从他们的书边上可以看得出来。这就是那些教皇和红衣主教的业务所在；他们的思想到不了加百列张开翅膀的地方：拿撒勒。然而梵蒂冈和其他罗马的圣地，那是追随彼得的士兵死后埋葬之处，不久将从奸淫者的手里救出来罢！”
After solution of my doubt, thy Charles,
O fair Clemenza, of the treachery spake
That must befall his seed: but, "Tell it not,"
Said he, "and let the destin'd years come round."
Nor may I tell thee more, save that the meed
Of sorrow well-deserv'd shall quit your wrongs.
And now the visage of that saintly light
Was to the sun, that fills it, turn'd again,
As to the good, whose plenitude of bliss
Sufficeth all. O ye misguided souls!
Infatuate, who from such a good estrange
Your hearts, and bend your gaze on vanity,
Alas for you!—And lo! toward me, next,
Another of those splendent forms approach'd,
That, by its outward bright'ning, testified
The will it had to pleasure me. The eyes
Of Beatrice, resting, as before,
Firmly upon me, manifested forth
Approval of my wish. "And O," I cried,
"Blest spirit! quickly be my will perform'd;
And prove thou to me, that my inmost thoughts
I can reflect on thee." Thereat the light,
That yet was new to me, from the recess,
Where it before was singing, thus began,
As one who joys in kindness: "In that part
Of the deprav'd Italian land, which lies
Between Rialto, and the fountain-springs
Of Brenta and of Piava, there doth rise,
But to no lofty eminence, a hill,
From whence erewhile a firebrand did descend,
That sorely sheet the region. From one root
I and it sprang; my name on earth Cunizza:
And here I glitter, for that by its light
This star o'ercame me. Yet I naught repine,
Nor grudge myself the cause of this my lot,
Which haply vulgar hearts can scarce conceive.
"This jewel, that is next me in our heaven,
Lustrous and costly, great renown hath left,
And not to perish, ere these hundred years
Five times absolve their round. Consider thou,
If to excel be worthy man's endeavour,
When such life may attend the first. Yet they
Care not for this, the crowd that now are girt
By Adice and Tagliamento, still
Impenitent, tho' scourg'd. The hour is near,
When for their stubbornness at Padua's marsh
The water shall be chang'd, that laves Vicena
And where Cagnano meets with Sile, one
Lords it, and bears his head aloft, for whom
The web is now a-warping. Feltro too
Shall sorrow for its godless shepherd's fault,
Of so deep stain, that never, for the like,
Was Malta's bar unclos'd. Too large should be
The skillet, that would hold Ferrara's blood,
And wearied he, who ounce by ounce would weight it,
The which this priest, in show of party-zeal,
Courteous will give; nor will the gift ill suit
The country's custom. We descry above,
Mirrors, ye call them thrones, from which to us
Reflected shine the judgments of our God:
Whence these our sayings we avouch for good."
She ended, and appear'd on other thoughts
Intent, re-ent'ring on the wheel she late
Had left. That other joyance meanwhile wax'd
A thing to marvel at, in splendour glowing,
Like choicest ruby stricken by the sun,
For, in that upper clime, effulgence comes
Of gladness, as here laughter: and below,
As the mind saddens, murkier grows the shade.
"God seeth all: and in him is thy sight,"
Said I, "blest Spirit! Therefore will of his
Cannot to thee be dark. Why then delays
Thy voice to satisfy my wish untold,
That voice which joins the inexpressive song,
Pastime of heav'n, the which those ardours sing,
That cowl them with six shadowing wings outspread?
I would not wait thy asking, wert thou known
To me, as thoroughly I to thee am known."
He forthwith answ'ring, thus his words began:
"The valley' of waters, widest next to that
Which doth the earth engarland, shapes its course,
Between discordant shores, against the sun
Inward so far, it makes meridian there,
Where was before th' horizon. Of that vale
Dwelt I upon the shore, 'twixt Ebro's stream
And Macra's, that divides with passage brief
Genoan bounds from Tuscan. East and west
Are nearly one to Begga and my land,
Whose haven erst was with its own blood warm.
Who knew my name were wont to call me Folco:
And I did bear impression of this heav'n,
That now bears mine: for not with fiercer flame
Glow'd Belus' daughter, injuring alike
Sichaeus and Creusa, than did I,
Long as it suited the unripen'd down
That fledg'd my cheek: nor she of Rhodope,
That was beguiled of Demophoon;
Nor Jove's son, when the charms of Iole
Were shrin'd within his heart. And yet there hides
No sorrowful repentance here, but mirth,
Not for the fault (that doth not come to mind),
But for the virtue, whose o'erruling sway
And providence have wrought thus quaintly. Here
The skill is look'd into, that fashioneth
With such effectual working, and the good
Discern'd, accruing to this upper world
From that below. But fully to content
Thy wishes, all that in this sphere have birth,
Demands my further parle. Inquire thou wouldst,
Who of this light is denizen, that here
Beside me sparkles, as the sun-beam doth
On the clear wave. Know then, the soul of Rahab
Is in that gladsome harbour, to our tribe
United, and the foremost rank assign'd.
He to that heav'n, at which the shadow ends
Of your sublunar world, was taken up,
First, in Christ's triumph, of all souls redeem'd:
For well behoov'd, that, in some part of heav'n,
She should remain a trophy, to declare
The mighty contest won with either palm;
For that she favour'd first the high exploit
Of Joshua on the holy land, whereof
The Pope recks little now. Thy city, plant
Of him, that on his Maker turn'd the back,
And of whose envying so much woe hath sprung,
Engenders and expands the cursed flower,
That hath made wander both the sheep and lambs,
Turning the shepherd to a wolf. For this,
The gospel and great teachers laid aside,
The decretals, as their stuft margins show,
Are the sole study. Pope and Cardinals,
Intent on these, ne'er journey but in thought
To Nazareth, where Gabriel op'd his wings.
Yet it may chance, erelong, the Vatican,
And other most selected parts of Rome,
That were the grave of Peter's soldiery,
Shall be deliver'd from the adult'rous bond." 到第四重大太阳天：对于神学和哲学有研究的灵魂；圣托马斯等十二位灵魂。
那最初而难以用言语形容的权威，注视着他的子和爱，彼此永远地吐着气；他创造的一切，无论在心中在眼中，都十分有秩序，使仰望者无一不对他欢悦而赞美。读者诸君，请随着我望那高高在上的天，向着那一种运动和另一种运动冲突之点；从这一点，开始你们对于那主人的艺术的赞美，这工作也是他自己所爱好的，他从未使眼光离开过。看罢，从这一点画出那倾斜的圈，那些行星都在他上面，这正合乎世人的盼望；假使他们的途径并不倾斜，那末天上很多德性也是徒然，地上很多势力也要消亡；假使那圈子对于正道倾斜的程度或太大或太小，则宇宙的秩序无论天上或地上都要感着缺欠。
现在，读者诸君，请坐在椅上，在思想上回味这些在先的礼酒，在你们疲惫之前，尽可从中取乐。我已经把酒肴摆在你们面前，此后你们自己享用罢；因为我不得不专心致志地写我要写的材料啊！
那宇宙之最大的属员，他把大的德性印入世间。用他的光来丈量量我们的时间，他现在正连结着刚才所提起的那一点，旋转在那些螺圈线上，每天和我们会见较早一些。我那时已经升到他那里；然而我的上升情状并未觉得，也就像一个人在未开始思想以前，不能觉得后来的思想一样。
这是由于贝雅特丽齐，她引导从善到更善，她的瞬息运动不需要经历时间。然而她和我已经在太阳上面了。她的光亮是怎样呢？我识别她，却并不由于光的颜色，乃是由于光亮的强度！显然我专心致志，采用我所有的艺术和经验，仍不足以描写出我对她的印象；但人们可以相信她，而且人们可以希望看见她。我们的想象所以达不到的缘因，是因为我们的眼睛从未能超越过太阳。这是用不着奇怪的。
那里是最高的父的第四家族，他永远使他的家族满意，他表示他怎样吐气和怎样生育。于是贝雅特丽齐开始说：“你要谢谢，谢谢众天使的太阳，他施舍恩惠把你升到这感觉的太阳上来了！”
我听了她的话，人的心对于上帝从未这样地发生信仰，这般的虔诚崇敬，所有我的爱情都被他吸了过去，就是贝雅特丽齐也甚至被我遗忘了。但是她并不懊恼；反而非常喜悦；她微笑的眼睛放着柔光。使我专一的精神再发散在许多别的事物上面。
我看见几个光辉，比阳光还要亮，他们以我们为中心，围绕我们做个花圈；他们声音和谐悦耳，比他们的光亮更为赏心悦目。有时候空气湿润，我们常见拉托娜的女儿用她的线织成腰带；当时光辉围绕我们也类似于此。
在我从那里回来的那天庭里，有无数的宝石，都是非常美丽而名贵的，但我不能从这个国度把他们带出来；那些精灵的歌声也是这样神妙；假使一个人不能亲自飞到那里去倾听，只向来人打听情况，就好比问了一个哑巴。
这般唱着，这些热烈的太阳绕着我们转了三圈，像北方的群星绕着那不动的北斗一样；于是他们像结着圈子舞蹈的女郎，虽然暂时停止，静候着音乐的再起，但并不离开原来的位置。
从这些光辉之中，我听见一位开始说话了：“因为神恩之光，他点着真爱，使之发扬滋长；他照耀着你这样周到，使你攀登天梯，由此降者不再升，谁也没有这个自由，可以拒绝给你解渴的甜酒，也像水没有自由可以不向海里流去。你愿意知道这个花圈所从来的树么？他们恋恋地望着你的贵妇人，她是你登天力量的授与人。
“我是那多密尼哥所领导的神圣羊群中的一只羔羊，他领导我们走的一条路，那里可以使人变得肥壮，只要不自己迷途。在我右边的一位，他是我的兄弟，我的老师，是阿尔伯图斯·科隆尼亚，至于我呢，我是托马斯·阿奎那斯。如果你愿意知道其余的，请听着我的话，随时转着你的目光，我要把全幸福的花圈都指给你看。
“这一位放光的是由于格拉提安的微笑，他对于彼此的审判都有说明，因此天堂接受他。那一位远些的，也装饰着我们的歌队，他叫彼得；他像那寡妇一样，把他的财宝都献给了圣教会。那第五位光辉，是我们之中最美丽的一位，从他流出如此深厚的爱情，地上每个人都等着听他的消息呢；在那里面蕴含着一个高贵的精神，富有深沉的才智，假使那真理所说的是真的，以后再没有第二个的眼力像他这般。再次，你看见那个光辉，他在世的时候，对于众天使的性质和他们的职务最有深刻切实的见解。在那较小的光辉中，微笑着一个基督教时代的辩护士，他的著作鼓励了奥古斯丁。假使你的心想，从这光到那光，跟着我的颂词移动，那末你己经渴望看到第八位罢。因为见到了至善，所以在那光辉里活跃着一个神圣的灵魂，他曾经把世间的虚伪指点给人看，只要人肯听从他的话。他所遗弃的肉体，静卧在金天，但他在流放和殉难以后回到这里，亨受这永世的安宁。再次，你看见那热烈的伊西多尔、比德和理查德的灵魂，后面一位因为他的默想而超出于一个人。至于那从他那里你收回眼光向着我的一位，他是在沉沉的忧虑之后，觉得死神的来临太迟了一点的灵魂；这就是西格尔永久的光辉，他曾经在芳草路讲学，因推论真理而引起妒嫉。”
于是，像教室里的钟声响了，它叫我们起来做晨祷，一推一拉都发出铿锵之声，非常好听，使善人们充满着爱念；同样，我看见那光荣的轮也在转动着，而且一班接一班的唱着，和谐而美好，真是，此曲只有天上才有呀！
Looking into his first-born with the love,
Which breathes from both eternal, the first Might
Ineffable, whence eye or mind
Can roam, hath in such order all dispos'd,
As none may see and fail to enjoy. Raise, then,
O reader! to the lofty wheels, with me,
Thy ken directed to the point, whereat
One motion strikes on th' other. There begin
Thy wonder of the mighty Architect,
Who loves his work so inwardly, his eye
Doth ever watch it. See, how thence oblique
Brancheth the circle, where the planets roll
To pour their wished influence on the world;
Whose path not bending thus, in heav'n above
Much virtue would be lost, and here on earth,
All power well nigh extinct: or, from direct
Were its departure distant more or less,
I' th' universal order, great defect
Must, both in heav'n and here beneath, ensue.
Now rest thee, reader! on thy bench, and muse
Anticipative of the feast to come;
So shall delight make thee not feel thy toil.
Lo! I have set before thee, for thyself
Feed now: the matter I indite, henceforth
Demands entire my thought. Join'd with the part,
Which late we told of, the great minister
Of nature, that upon the world imprints
The virtue of the heaven, and doles out
Time for us with his beam, went circling on
Along the spires, where each hour sooner comes;
And I was with him, weetless of ascent,
As one, who till arriv'd, weets not his coming.
For Beatrice, she who passeth on
So suddenly from good to better, time
Counts not the act, oh then how great must needs
Have been her brightness! What she was i' th' sun
(Where I had enter'd), not through change of hue,
But light transparent—did I summon up
Genius, art, practice—I might not so speak,
It should be e'er imagin'd: yet believ'd
It may be, and the sight be justly crav'd.
And if our fantasy fail of such height,
What marvel, since no eye above the sun
Hath ever travel'd? Such are they dwell here,
Fourth family of the Omnipotent Sire,
Who of his spirit and of his offspring shows;
And holds them still enraptur'd with the view.
And thus to me Beatrice: "Thank, oh thank,
The Sun of angels, him, who by his grace
To this perceptible hath lifted thee."
Never was heart in such devotion bound,
And with complacency so absolute
Dispos'd to render up itself to God,
As mine was at those words: and so entire
The love for Him, that held me, it eclips'd
Beatrice in oblivion. Naught displeas'd
Was she, but smil'd thereat so joyously,
That of her laughing eyes the radiance brake
And scatter'd my collected mind abroad.
Then saw I a bright band, in liveliness
Surpassing, who themselves did make the crown,
And us their centre: yet more sweet in voice,
Than in their visage beaming. Cinctur'd thus,
Sometime Latona's daughter we behold,
When the impregnate air retains the thread,
That weaves her zone. In the celestial court,
Whence I return, are many jewels found,
So dear and beautiful, they cannot brook
Transporting from that realm: and of these lights
Such was the song. Who doth not prune his wing
To soar up thither, let him look from thence
For tidings from the dumb. When, singing thus,
Those burning suns that circled round us thrice,
As nearest stars around the fixed pole,
Then seem'd they like to ladies, from the dance
Not ceasing, but suspense, in silent pause,
List'ning, till they have caught the strain anew:
Suspended so they stood: and, from within,
Thus heard I one, who spake: "Since with its beam
The grace, whence true love lighteth first his flame,
That after doth increase by loving, shines
So multiplied in thee, it leads thee up
Along this ladder, down whose hallow'd steps
None e'er descend, and mount them not again,
Who from his phial should refuse thee wine
To slake thy thirst, no less constrained were,
Than water flowing not unto the sea.
Thou fain wouldst hear, what plants are these, that bloom
In the bright garland, which, admiring, girds
This fair dame round, who strengthens thee for heav'n.
I then was of the lambs, that Dominic
Leads, for his saintly flock, along the way,
Where well they thrive, not sworn with vanity.
He, nearest on my right hand, brother was,
And master to me: Albert of Cologne
Is this: and of Aquinum, Thomas I.
If thou of all the rest wouldst be assur'd,
Let thine eye, waiting on the words I speak,
In circuit journey round the blessed wreath.
That next resplendence issues from the smile
Of Gratian, who to either forum lent
Such help, as favour wins in Paradise.
The other, nearest, who adorns our quire,
Was Peter, he that with the widow gave
To holy church his treasure. The fifth light,
Goodliest of all, is by such love inspired,
That all your world craves tidings of its doom:
Within, there is the lofty light, endow'd
With sapience so profound, if truth be truth,
That with a ken of such wide amplitude
No second hath arisen. Next behold
That taper's radiance, to whose view was shown,
Clearliest, the nature and the ministry
Angelical, while yet in flesh it dwelt.
In the other little light serenely smiles
That pleader for the Christian temples, he
Who did provide Augustin of his lore.
Now, if thy mind's eye pass from light to light,
Upon my praises following, of the eighth
Thy thirst is next. The saintly soul, that shows
The world's deceitfulness, to all who hear him,
Is, with the sight of all the good, that is,
Blest there. The limbs, whence it was driven, lie
Down in Cieldauro, and from martyrdom
And exile came it here. Lo! further on,
Where flames the arduous Spirit of Isidore,
Of Bede, and Richard, more than man, erewhile,
In deep discernment. Lastly this, from whom
Thy look on me reverteth, was the beam
Of one, whose spirit, on high musings bent,
Rebuk'd the ling'ring tardiness of death.
It is the eternal light of Sigebert,
Who 'scap'd not envy, when of truth he argued,
Reading in the straw-litter'd street." Forthwith,
As clock, that calleth up the spouse of God
To win her bridegroom's love at matin's hour,
Each part of other fitly drawn and urg'd,
Sends out a tinkling sound, of note so sweet,
Affection springs in well-disposed breast;
Thus saw I move the glorious wheel, thus heard
Voice answ'ring voice, so musical and soft,
It can be known but where day endless shines. 太阳天：圣方济各的历史和圣多明我教团的衰落。
人类无意义的劳心呀！使你们在地上鼓翼的一番理论多么错误呀！
有的学习法律，有的研究《要言集》；有的受了司铎之职，有的运用他的武力或诡辩；有的偷盗，有的经营；有的沉迷于肉欲，有的耽搁于逸乐；至于我呢，弃绝了这些事情，随着贝雅特丽齐升到天上，又受到诸幸福者光荣的欢迎。
当那些灵魂回复了原来的位置之后，他们立着不动，像排列的蜡烛一样；那时我看见以前说话的光辉又增加了亮度，微笑着说：“因为那永久的光使我亮着，在他的光中我看出你的心思，你对于我的话产生了疑问，要我用明白的语言解说给你听。我刚才说：那里可以使人变为肥壮；又说：以后再没有第二个；这两点在此应当辨别清楚。
“神的统治世界，曾经依了一种造物所不能窥见其底的计划，要使那妇人对于她的主人贞节，行径端稳，永远不背弃那大声喊着、流着纯洁的血的丈夫，特赐恩惠派遣两位王子左右护持着她。这一位像撒拉弗一般的热情；那一位在学问上像基路伯的光芒照耀世间。我将说到第一位，因为称赞一位便是称赞二位，选择那一位都可以。
“在托皮诺和那从幸福的于拔独所选择的丘陵向下流的水道之间，有一块富饶的斜坡，铺在高山脚下；此山使鲁贾的朝阳门感觉到冷和热的轮换，又在此山的那一面，诺切拉和瓜尔多因为在重压之下而哭泣。在这斜坡上，其斜度最小之处，对于世间升起一个太阳，像有时从恒河升起的一样，所以一个人称那块地方为阿西西，还不如叫他东方更为确切。这个太阳还没有过于离开早晨，然而因为他伟大的德泽，已经使地上觉得他的热情；因为在他青年的时候，便和他的父亲奋斗，爱上一个女人，这个女人和死神一样，因此从未有人自愿开门迎娶她；在那主教的法庭，在他父亲的面前，他和她结合了，后来相爱得一天一天亲密。这个女人自从她第一位丈夫死后，就被人轻蔑，遗忘，没有人向她求婚，已经是一千一百多年了。有人说她很安稳地和亚米克拉住在一起，当那震惊一世的人叫他的时候；又说当玛利亚在十字架下的时候，她非常坚定而忍耐，和基督同升在十字架上；然而这些没有使她受益。为避免晦涩起见，我不再用更深的比喻语言，我所说的一对情人，就是方济各和贫穷。他们的和谐以及脸上浮着喜悦的颜色，他们超凡的爱情以及他们甜蜜的眼神，这些都是神圣思想的起源；因此可尊敬的贝尔纳多首先脱鞋，而追求精神上的大安宁，虽然已在奔走追求，但又怕达不到。
“不认识的财富呀！富饶的宝藏呀！爱奇狄脱鞋了，西尔维斯特也脱鞋了，都跟着她丈夫，他的妻子这般叫人喜欢。于是这位父亲，这位主人，带着她的夫人上路了，还有他的家族，他们已经腰里束着细绳子。他虽然是彼得·贝那同的儿子，过着非常被人蔑视的生活，但是他的心里并不觉得可羞愧而低着头。他公然把自己艰苦的打算告诉了英诺森，从他得到对于他的教规的第一次称许。
“后来贫穷的人数增多了，都跟着他过艰苦的生活，这种生活是值得被天国的光荣歌颂的；这位大修士的圣愿又得到了第二次的冠冕，这是圣灵假手于洪诺留而赐福的。后来。他渴望着殉道的工作，冒犯傲慢的苏丹，传播基督及其圣徒们的教义：因为他知道那里的百姓太顽固而甚难变化，徒然留着无用，就回到意大利的牧场来收取果子；于是，在台伯和阿尔诺之间的岩石上，他接受基督的最后伤痛在他的肢体上经过两年之久。
“当他见悦于那使他传播如许美德的一位，他被召到天上，在那里接受应得的酬报，因为他自甘卑下的缘故；那时他把他的兄弟们都看作合法的继承人，托付给他的夫人；他在世时很爱她，也命令他们对她爱得有始有终。当他高贵的灵魂离开他夫人的胸怀，回到他的故国的时候，他的遗体并不需要别的棺木。
“现在，考虑他那有价值的同伴的情况罢，他们都是共同维持彼得的船，行进在大海之中的正道。这位就是我们的教长：无论谁，顺着他的指挥，你便看得出那是好的装载。但他的羊群却贪食新的食料，他们竟不得不走入各种的小路上去：那些母羊游荡得愈加远，她们回到羊栏的时候，愈加瘪着奶子。当然，他们之中也有怕遇到危险，而紧依着牧人的，但这些究属少数，只要少许的布，便够他们做风帽了。
“现在，假使我的话并不模糊，假使你也十分用心听着，假使我以前说的你还清楚记得，那末你的欲望就可以满足一半了；因为你已经看到了树，由此可以自然得着木片；而且那束着皮带子的也明白：那里可以使人变为肥壮，只要不误入迷途。”
O fond anxiety of mortal men!
How vain and inconclusive arguments
Are those, which make thee beat thy wings below
For statues one, and one for aphorisms
Was hunting; this the priesthood follow'd, that
By force or sophistry aspir'd to rule;
To rob another, and another sought
By civil business wealth; one moiling lay
Tangled in net of sensual delight,
And one to witless indolence resign'd;
What time from all these empty things escap'd,
With Beatrice, I thus gloriously
Was rais'd aloft, and made the guest of heav'n.
They of the circle to that point, each one.
Where erst it was, had turn'd; and steady glow'd,
As candle in his socket. Then within
The lustre, that erewhile bespake me, smiling
With merer gladness, heard I thus begin:
"E'en as his beam illumes me, so I look
Into the eternal light, and clearly mark
Thy thoughts, from whence they rise. Thou art in doubt,
And wouldst, that I should bolt my words afresh
In such plain open phrase, as may be smooth
To thy perception, where I told thee late
That 'well they thrive;' and that 'no second such
Hath risen,' which no small distinction needs.
"The providence, that governeth the world,
In depth of counsel by created ken
Unfathomable, to the end that she,
Who with loud cries was 'spous'd in precious blood,
Might keep her footing towards her well-belov'd,
Safe in herself and constant unto him,
Hath two ordain'd, who should on either hand
In chief escort her: one seraphic all
In fervency; for wisdom upon earth,
The other splendour of cherubic light.
I but of one will tell: he tells of both,
Who one commendeth which of them so'er
Be taken: for their deeds were to one end.
"Between Tupino, and the wave, that falls
From blest Ubaldo's chosen hill, there hangs
Rich slope of mountain high, whence heat and cold
Are wafted through Perugia's eastern gate:
And Norcera with Gualdo, in its rear
Mourn for their heavy yoke. Upon that side,
Where it doth break its steepness most, arose
A sun upon the world, as duly this
From Ganges doth: therefore let none, who speak
Of that place, say Ascesi; for its name
Were lamely so deliver'd; but the East,
To call things rightly, be it henceforth styl'd.
He was not yet much distant from his rising,
When his good influence 'gan to bless the earth.
A dame to whom none openeth pleasure's gate
More than to death, was, 'gainst his father's will,
His stripling choice: and he did make her his,
Before the Spiritual court, by nuptial bonds,
And in his father's sight: from day to day,
Then lov'd her more devoutly. She, bereav'd
Of her first husband, slighted and obscure,
Thousand and hundred years and more, remain'd
Without a single suitor, till he came.
Nor aught avail'd, that, with Amyclas, she
Was found unmov'd at rumour of his voice,
Who shook the world: nor aught her constant boldness
Whereby with Christ she mounted on the cross,
When Mary stay'd beneath. But not to deal
Thus closely with thee longer, take at large
The rovers' titles—Poverty and Francis.
Their concord and glad looks, wonder and love,
And sweet regard gave birth to holy thoughts,
So much, that venerable Bernard first
Did bare his feet, and, in pursuit of peace
So heavenly, ran, yet deem'd his footing slow.
O hidden riches! O prolific good!
Egidius bares him next, and next Sylvester,
And follow both the bridegroom; so the bride
Can please them. Thenceforth goes he on his way,
The father and the master, with his spouse,
And with that family, whom now the cord
Girt humbly: nor did abjectness of heart
Weigh down his eyelids, for that he was son
Of Pietro Bernardone, and by men
In wond'rous sort despis'd. But royally
His hard intention he to Innocent
Set forth, and from him first receiv'd the seal
On his religion. Then, when numerous flock'd
The tribe of lowly ones, that trac'd HIS steps,
Whose marvellous life deservedly were sung
In heights empyreal, through Honorius' hand
A second crown, to deck their Guardian's virtues,
Was by the eternal Spirit inwreath'd: and when
He had, through thirst of martyrdom, stood up
In the proud Soldan's presence, and there preach'd
Christ and his followers; but found the race
Unripen'd for conversion: back once more
He hasted (not to intermit his toil),
And reap'd Ausonian lands. On the hard rock,
'Twixt Arno and the Tyber, he from Christ
Took the last Signet, which his limbs two years
Did carry. Then the season come, that he,
Who to such good had destin'd him, was pleas'd
T' advance him to the meed, which he had earn'd
By his self-humbling, to his brotherhood,
As their just heritage, he gave in charge
His dearest lady, and enjoin'd their love
And faith to her: and, from her bosom, will'd
His goodly spirit should move forth, returning
To its appointed kingdom, nor would have
His body laid upon another bier.
"Think now of one, who were a fit colleague,
To keep the bark of Peter in deep sea
Helm'd to right point; and such our Patriarch was.
Therefore who follow him, as he enjoins,
Thou mayst be certain, take good lading in.
But hunger of new viands tempts his flock,
So that they needs into strange pastures wide
Must spread them: and the more remote from him
The stragglers wander, so much mole they come
Home to the sheep-fold, destitute of milk.
There are of them, in truth, who fear their harm,
And to the shepherd cleave; but these so few,
A little stuff may furnish out their cloaks.
"Now, if my words be clear, if thou have ta'en
Good heed, if that, which I have told, recall
To mind, thy wish may be in part fulfill'd:
For thou wilt see the point from whence they split,
Nor miss of the reproof, which that implies,
'That well they thrive not sworn with vanity."' 太阳天：第二组学者和神学家。圣多明我的历史和圣方济各教团之衰落。
那幸福的火光说完了最后一句话，那神圣的磨石又开始转动了；但一个圈子尚未转完了，又有第二组火光起来，正围绕在第一组的外圈；他们的行动，他们的歌声，彼此都是相互应和着。他们歌声的优美，超过地上我们的女神和西壬，直是射入光线和反射光线的比例。
如在湿润雾气之中，当那朱诺传令给她女仆的时候，我们看见两条并行的弧，颜色同样，外面的是从里面的生出来的也犹如那彷惶的仙女，她被爱情所烧，像面对太阳的水蒸气，他们告诉地上的民众，说是按照上帝和挪亚所订的盟约，以后的世界上就没有洪水了；同样，围绕我们转动的两个永久的玫瑰花圈，外面的与里面的也在唱和着。
在舞蹈和歌唱的欢会之后，那些快乐的光辉都一律停止了；他们似乎只有一个意愿，同时开闭，像一个人的两只眼睛；在那新的光辉中间，忽然发出一种响声，我马上转向那里，像一根针转向那星一样；那灵魂开始说：“使我这般美丽的爱，要我在这里述说别的一个领袖，趁别人述说我的领袖的机会，在说着这一个时，便把那一个介绍出来，这是很合适的，因为他们是联合起来的战士，所以他们的光荣也联合在一起。基督的军队，经过很多次的牺牲才重新组织起来，跟随他的旗帜，缓慢地前进，心里害怕，而且人数不多；那时永久在位的皇帝，对于遭到危险的军队，采取防御的措施处置，这是他的恩惠，并非他们有什么价值。正如以前所说，为护持他的妻子起见，曾经派去两位战士，用他们的言行，来集合已分散了的民众，使其入于正道。
“惠风一起，新叶舒展，于是欧洲再次穿上新衣；在那不惠风所起之处，离开那不远的波涛的冲击，在波涛的那边，远远地推开去，那里的太阳有时躲避所有的人类；那里有一块幸福地卡拉奥拉，在强有力的盾牌保护之下，那盾牌上的狮子制服或受制服。
“在上面的地方，生下一位神圣的大力士，是对于基督教的信仰热恋着的情人，和善地对他的朋友，强硬地对他的仇敌。当他的精神刚刚创立之时，他已经充满着活泼的德性，他在娘肚里便使她成为一个女先知。当他在神圣的洗礼盘上和那信仰结了婚，他们各自允许互相的接济；那时给他洗礼的太太，在梦中看见新奇的果子，应当从他和他的继承者生长出来。因为要表示他以后的一切，从这里有精灵下降，使他采取一个从那主有一切者而来的名字：就是多密尼哥。在我看来，他是基督所选择的园丁，是让他在园子里帮忙的。他像真是基督所派遣的，真是基督的属员，因为他第一次恋爱时就对于基督的第一个劝告有所表示。有很多次，他的乳娘看见他伏在地上，静默而醒觉，似乎他在说：“我来世间就是为此。”他的父亲真不愧叫做弗利斯呀！他的母亲也不愧叫做焦凡娜呀！假使这个名字的意义正如众人所云。
“他并不热衷于世务，当时很多人都辛辛苦苦地跟着奥斯蒂亚的一位和塔台阿，但他爱着真正的吗哪；在很短的时期内，他已经成为一位大讲师，他巡行葡萄园，那里如果园丁不尽职，马上就变成灰色了。那教座以前对于善良的穷苦人是很有帮助的，但现在坐在上面的变坏了；他向他所请求的并非在六个之中布施了三两个，并非下届肥缺上的利益，也并非那属于上帝的贫民身上的什一之税；他所请求的是为了那种子而对于迷途的世人加以攻击的许诺，这里绕着你的二十四株植物都是由那种子生出的。
“后来他以他的教义和决心，得到教皇的命令，向前行进，像从高山上冲下来的急流，把异教的荆棘都冲垮了，在那阻力最大之点，他的攻击也最剧烈。从这条急流，又生出许多支流，用以灌溉大主教的田园，使许多幼树部有了活泼的生机。
“假使这样便是车子的一轮，圣教会坐在那车子里，保卫她的光荣，而且在内战中公然得到胜利，那末你当然很清楚其他一轮的卓绝，关于他，托马斯早已在我之前加以赞许了；然而他的遗迹现在被人遗弃了，从前有酒石的地方现在都生了霉。他的家族，以前一直地跟着他走，现在则反其道而行了，就是说：脚尖正踏着脚跟的印迹；不久我们可以看到坏的收获，那时稗子要以不能入仓而抱怨呢。
“然而如果有人一页一页翻阅我们的书，也许找到一页，那里写着：“依然故我。’但这一位既不从卡萨莱来，也不是从阿夸斯帕尔塔来，从那儿来的对于我们教规的解说，一个是失之太松，一个又是失之太紧。
“我是巴格诺的波拿文都拉的灵魂，他常把左手的事放在大事的后面。伊吕米那多和奥古斯丁就在这里，他们是最早脱鞋的穷兄弟，因为那根绳子，他们做了上帝的朋友，圣维克托的于格是和他们在这里，还有彼得·孟稼独，还有彼得·伊斯巴诺，他的十二本小册子授光明于下界；先知拿单，总王教克里索斯托，还有安塞姆，还有竟敢着手做第一种学问的多纳图斯；拉巴诺也在这里；在我旁边的是卡拉布里亚的住持约阿基姆，他很富于预言的精神呢。
“因为托马斯热烈的赞扬和他谦逊的言论，激动了我颂扬这位如此伟大的勇士，而且也激动了伴随我的这些朋友。”
Soon as its final word the blessed flame
Had rais'd for utterance, straight the holy mill
Began to wheel, nor yet had once revolv'd,
Or ere another, circling, compass'd it,
Motion to motion, song to song, conjoining,
Song, that as much our muses doth excel,
Our Sirens with their tuneful pipes, as ray
Of primal splendour doth its faint reflex.
As when, if Juno bid her handmaid forth,
Two arches parallel, and trick'd alike,
Span the thin cloud, the outer taking birth
From that within (in manner of that voice
Whom love did melt away, as sun the mist),
And they who gaze, presageful call to mind
The compact, made with Noah, of the world
No more to be o'erflow'd; about us thus
Of sempiternal roses, bending, wreath'd
Those garlands twain, and to the innermost
E'en thus th' external answered. When the footing,
And other great festivity, of song,
And radiance, light with light accordant, each
Jocund and blythe, had at their pleasure still'd
(E'en as the eyes by quick volition mov'd,
Are shut and rais'd together), from the heart
Of one amongst the new lights mov'd a voice,
That made me seem like needle to the star,
In turning to its whereabout, and thus
Began: "The love, that makes me beautiful,
Prompts me to tell of th' other guide, for whom
Such good of mine is spoken. Where one is,
The other worthily should also be;
That as their warfare was alike, alike
Should be their glory. Slow, and full of doubt,
And with thin ranks, after its banner mov'd
The army of Christ (which it so clearly cost
To reappoint), when its imperial Head,
Who reigneth ever, for the drooping host
Did make provision, thorough grace alone,
And not through its deserving. As thou heard'st,
Two champions to the succour of his spouse
He sent, who by their deeds and words might join
Again his scatter'd people. In that clime,
Where springs the pleasant west-wind to unfold
The fresh leaves, with which Europe sees herself
New-garmented; nor from those billows far,
Beyond whose chiding, after weary course,
The sun doth sometimes hide him, safe abides
The happy Callaroga, under guard
Of the great shield, wherein the lion lies
Subjected and supreme. And there was born
The loving million of the Christian faith,
The hollow'd wrestler, gentle to his own,
And to his enemies terrible. So replete
His soul with lively virtue, that when first
Created, even in the mother's womb,
It prophesied. When, at the sacred font,
The spousals were complete 'twixt faith and him,
Where pledge of mutual safety was exchang'd,
The dame, who was his surety, in her sleep
Beheld the wondrous fruit, that was from him
And from his heirs to issue. And that such
He might be construed, as indeed he was,
She was inspir'd to name him of his owner,
Whose he was wholly, and so call'd him Dominic.
And I speak of him, as the labourer,
Whom Christ in his own garden chose to be
His help-mate. Messenger he seem'd, and friend
Fast-knit to Christ; and the first love he show'd,
Was after the first counsel that Christ gave.
Many a time his nurse, at entering found
That he had ris'n in silence, and was prostrate,
As who should say, "My errand was for this."
O happy father! Felix rightly nam'd!
O favour'd mother! rightly nam'd Joanna!
If that do mean, as men interpret it.
Not for the world's sake, for which now they pore
Upon Ostiense and Taddeo's page,
But for the real manna, soon he grew
Mighty in learning, and did set himself
To go about the vineyard, that soon turns
To wan and wither'd, if not tended well:
And from the see (whose bounty to the just
And needy is gone by, not through its fault,
But his who fills it basely, he besought,
No dispensation for commuted wrong,
Nor the first vacant fortune, nor the tenth),
That to God's paupers rightly appertain,
But, 'gainst an erring and degenerate world,
Licence to fight, in favour of that seed,
From which the twice twelve cions gird thee round.
Then, with sage doctrine and good will to help,
Forth on his great apostleship he far'd,
Like torrent bursting from a lofty vein;
And, dashing 'gainst the stocks of heresy,
Smote fiercest, where resistance was most stout.
Thence many rivulets have since been turn'd,
Over the garden Catholic to lead
Their living waters, and have fed its plants.
"If such one wheel of that two-yoked car,
Wherein the holy church defended her,
And rode triumphant through the civil broil.
Thou canst not doubt its fellow's excellence,
Which Thomas, ere my coming, hath declar'd
So courteously unto thee. But the track,
Which its smooth fellies made, is now deserted:
That mouldy mother is where late were lees.
His family, that wont to trace his path,
Turn backward, and invert their steps; erelong
To rue the gathering in of their ill crop,
When the rejected tares in vain shall ask
Admittance to the barn. I question not
But he, who search'd our volume, leaf by leaf,
Might still find page with this inscription on't,
'I am as I was wont.' Yet such were not
From Acquasparta nor Casale, whence
Of those, who come to meddle with the text,
One stretches and another cramps its rule.
Bonaventura's life in me behold,
From Bagnororegio, one, who in discharge
Of my great offices still laid aside
All sinister aim. Illuminato here,
And Agostino join me: two they were,
Among the first of those barefooted meek ones,
Who sought God's friendship in the cord: with them
Hugues of Saint Victor, Pietro Mangiadore,
And he of Spain in his twelve volumes shining,
Nathan the prophet, Metropolitan
Chrysostom, and Anselmo, and, who deign'd
To put his hand to the first art, Donatus.
Raban is here: and at my side there shines
Calabria's abbot, Joachim, endow'd
With soul prophetic. The bright courtesy
Of friar Thomas, and his goodly lore,
Have mov'd me to the blazon of a peer
So worthy, and with me have mov'd this throng." 太阳天：圣托马斯再谈所罗问、亚当及基督的智慧问题。
谁要真懂得我所看见到的东两，他应该把我所说的印象深记在心中，像刻在石头上面一样；你想象那十五颗明星，光照在天的各方，他们的光线力透浓雾；你想象那马车，他日日夜夜在天上旋转，他的路线从未没入地下；你再想象那角所张开的嘴，这角的起点就是原始轮的轴心；这些星在天上排成两个符号。像米诺斯的女儿在觉得死的冷酷时所经历的一样；这两个符号互相放光映照，他们的旋转是一个领路在前，一个追随其后。如此想象，则你们可以获得那真实的星座及围绕我们的双重舞蹈的一些影子了；因为他们实在都超过我们平常想象之上，正如基亚纳河水流的速度和那运动最快的天相比。
那里的歌唱并不是为了巴库斯，也不是为了阿波罗，他们颂扬一个神性中的三位，还有神性和人性联合着的一位。歌唱和舞蹈都完毕了，这些神圣的火把又把注意转向着我们，欢天喜地的一个职务已了，立刻又负担起另一个。
于是，在和谐的精灵里面，突然有一个光辉出来打破了静寂，他就是曾经对我叙述那上帝卓绝的贫穷人的生平之一位，他说：“一捆已经收割了，谷子已经进了仓，柔和的爱又请我做别的收获。你以为在那个人的胸中由于取了肋骨，造成一个可爱的脸庞，她的牙齿牺牲了全世界，又在这个人的胸中( 他身上曾受枪伤．使过去和将来都感到满意，因为他的分量已抵销一切的罪过了，那创造彼此的权力把人性所能接受的一切光都灌了进去，于是你怀疑我说及的那第五位光辉再没有第二个的这句话。
“现在请你睁大眼睛注意我的答复，你将看到你的所信和我的所说之击中真理，正如圆心的在圆内。那些不死的和能死的一切，只是我们主人一点意念在爱之中所生的反映；因为那活泼的光从他的光源散发出去即不和那儿脱离，也不和爱脱离，却和他们成为三的集团，用他的善心，如经过镜子的反射而聚集在九个物体上面，但永远是一个单位。从那儿一步一步下降，直到那些最后的能力，于是只能创造些暂时的东两了；这暂时的东西是指有种的，或无种的，是从运动中的天体发生出来的。他们的蜡和使他们成形的模型都不是一样的，所以虽然在同一意念之下，他们透明程度就有了高低，因此同样的树有的结甜果子，有的结苦果子，而你们的人才也是各种各样的。假使蜡的质地很好而天体的力量又那么强烈，则印的光一定显得非常清楚，然而自然的能力却总是很弱，像一个艺术家，纵然技法纯熟，但腕力不够便有发颤的时候。
“但若原始的权力，用他炙热的爱和明亮的眼光，亲自加印于蜡上，则十全十美的造物是可以有的；因此曾经有一次泥土也可以成为完整无缺的动物；因此童贞也可以怀了孕。所以我赞同你的意见：人类性格，在以前在以后，都没有能够超过这两位。假使我的话停在这里，也许你要喊起来，说：为什么那一位是无双的呢？
“请你安静不要急，想想他是何等样人，他所希望的目的，当上帝对他说：‘你可以请求！”的时候。我以前没有说，但你可以知道他是国王，他请求的学问是国王所需要的；他不用知道天上有几个运动，也不用知道必然和偶然的前提是否可以推导出必然的结论，也不用知道原始运动是否应当承认，也不用知道在半圆内是否可以画出一个没有直角的三角形来，如果你记牢我以前说的和现在所增加的，那末你便明白了我的意见，正是指着他国王的智慧是举世无双的了。我说：以后再没有第二个。你要知道，我的眼光只盯在那些国王身上，国王的数目是很多了，然而好的却很少呀！我所说的需要辨别者是如此；关于我们的始祖和我们所疼爱的，你可以保持你的意见。
“此后。你对于是和非，在没有区分清楚以前，千万不要轻易说出，要像在你的脚上绑着铁块，不能举步而缓缓行动的疲惫者。那些个要加以辨别，贸然赞成或反对的，都是愚夫，常常因为速断的缘故而弄错了方向，但又因为自负的缘故又不肯改变。常常有许多人下海去求真理，但因方法不对，徒然空着手回到岸上，甚至有失其求真理之初愿。这些例子在世间是不胜枚举的。如巴门尼德、墨利索斯、白利索和其他许多人都是往而不知其所的；还有撒伯里乌、可里乌和其他许许多多的愚夫，都是操着利剑向着《圣经》，而使直者曲之的人。
“一个人所下的判断，不能过于自信，不能谷子没有成熟便死板估计收获多少；因为我在冬季看见一株玫瑰树枝条枯干奄奄一息，但到春天却又开满了一树的花；我又看见一条船航行海上又快又稳，可是在到码头的时候却翻船了。
“贝答太太和马丁先生，如果他们看见一个小偷，又看见一个祭司，请勿像上帝一般急下判断，因为那一个也许会爬起来，这一个也许会跌下去呢。”
Let him, who would conceive what now I saw,
Imagine (and retain the image firm,
As mountain rock, the whilst he hears me speak),
Of stars fifteen, from midst the ethereal host
Selected, that, with lively ray serene,
O'ercome the massiest air: thereto imagine
The wain, that, in the bosom of our sky,
Spins ever on its axle night and day,
With the bright summit of that horn which swells
Due from the pole, round which the first wheel rolls,
T' have rang'd themselves in fashion of two signs
In heav'n, such as Ariadne made,
When death's chill seized her; and that one of them
Did compass in the other's beam; and both
In such sort whirl around, that each should tend
With opposite motion and, conceiving thus,
Of that true constellation, and the dance
Twofold, that circled me, he shall attain
As 't were the shadow; for things there as much
Surpass our usage, as the swiftest heav'n
Is swifter than the Chiana. There was sung
No Bacchus, and no Io Paean, but
Three Persons in the Godhead, and in one
Substance that nature and the human join'd.
The song fulfill'd its measure; and to us
Those saintly lights attended, happier made
At each new minist'ring. Then silence brake,
Amid th' accordant sons of Deity,
That luminary, in which the wondrous life
Of the meek man of God was told to me;
And thus it spake: "One ear o' th' harvest thresh'd,
And its grain safely stor'd, sweet charity
Invites me with the other to like toil.
"Thou know'st, that in the bosom, whence the rib
Was ta'en to fashion that fair cheek, whose taste
All the world pays for, and in that, which pierc'd
By the keen lance, both after and before
Such satisfaction offer'd, as outweighs
Each evil in the scale, whate'er of light
To human nature is allow'd, must all
Have by his virtue been infus'd, who form'd
Both one and other: and thou thence admir'st
In that I told thee, of beatitudes
A second, there is none, to his enclos'd
In the fifth radiance. Open now thine eyes
To what I answer thee; and thou shalt see
Thy deeming and my saying meet in truth,
As centre in the round. That which dies not,
And that which can die, are but each the beam
Of that idea, which our Soverign Sire
Engendereth loving; for that lively light,
Which passeth from his brightness; not disjoin'd
From him, nor from his love triune with them,
Doth, through his bounty, congregate itself,
Mirror'd, as 't were in new existences,
Itself unalterable and ever one.
"Descending hence unto the lowest powers,
Its energy so sinks, at last it makes
But brief contingencies: for so I name
Things generated, which the heav'nly orbs
Moving, with seed or without seed, produce.
Their wax, and that which molds it, differ much:
And thence with lustre, more or less, it shows
Th' ideal stamp impress: so that one tree
According to his kind, hath better fruit,
And worse: and, at your birth, ye, mortal men,
Are in your talents various. Were the wax
Molded with nice exactness, and the heav'n
In its disposing influence supreme,
The lustre of the seal should be complete:
But nature renders it imperfect ever,
Resembling thus the artist in her work,
Whose faultering hand is faithless to his skill.
Howe'er, if love itself dispose, and mark
The primal virtue, kindling with bright view,
There all perfection is vouchsafed; and such
The clay was made, accomplish'd with each gift,
That life can teem with; such the burden fill'd
The virgin's bosom: so that I commend
Thy judgment, that the human nature ne'er
Was or can be, such as in them it was.
"Did I advance no further than this point,
'How then had he no peer?' thou might'st reply.
But, that what now appears not, may appear
Right plainly, ponder, who he was, and what
(When he was bidden 'Ask' ), the motive sway'd
To his requesting. I have spoken thus,
That thou mayst see, he was a king, who ask'd
For wisdom, to the end he might be king
Sufficient: not the number to search out
Of the celestial movers; or to know,
If necessary with contingent e'er
Have made necessity; or whether that
Be granted, that first motion is; or if
Of the mid circle can, by art, be made
Triangle with each corner, blunt or sharp.
"Whence, noting that, which I have said, and this,
Thou kingly prudence and that ken mayst learn,
At which the dart of my intention aims.
And, marking clearly, that I told thee, 'Risen,'
Thou shalt discern it only hath respect
To kings, of whom are many, and the good
Are rare. With this distinction take my words;
And they may well consist with that which thou
Of the first human father dost believe,
And of our well-beloved. And let this
Henceforth be led unto thy feet, to make
Thee slow in motion, as a weary man,
Both to the 'yea' and to the 'nay' thou seest not.
For he among the fools is down full low,
Whose affirmation, or denial, is
Without distinction, in each case alike
Since it befalls, that in most instances
Current opinion leads to false: and then
Affection bends the judgment to her ply.
"Much more than vainly doth he loose from shore,
Since he returns not such as he set forth,
Who fishes for the truth and wanteth skill.
And open proofs of this unto the world
Have been afforded in Parmenides,
Melissus, Bryso, and the crowd beside,
Who journey'd on, and knew not whither: so did
Sabellius, Arius, and the other fools,
Who, like to scymitars, reflected back
The scripture-image, by distortion marr'd.
"Let not the people be too swift to judge,
As one who reckons on the blades in field,
Or ere the crop be ripe. For I have seen
The thorn frown rudely all the winter long
And after bear the rose upon its top;
And bark, that all the way across the sea
Ran straight and speedy, perish at the last,
E'en in the haven's mouth seeing one steal,
Another brine, his offering to the priest,
Let not Dame Birtha and Sir Martin thence
Into heav'n's counsels deem that they can pry:
For one of these may rise, the other fall." 所罗门解答复活问题。上升至第五重大火星天：为信仰而战死的灵魂。火星上的十字架。
托马斯光荣的灵魂停止发言，一个圆盆里放满水，在中心打一下，则水波自中心往四周；在四周敲一下，则水波自四周往中心。停止发言，这种物理现象忽然叫我记上心头，因为他的说话和贝雅特丽齐的说话，一来一往有类于此的缘故。她开始说：“这个人有一种需要。他对人没有说出口，也没有想在心，他要追求另一真理的根源。请你们对他说，这使你们像开花一般的光辉，是否永久伴着你们一如今日；假使永久伴着，那末当你们再露脸的时候，是否对于你们的眼睛有妨碍呢？”
有时在歌舞会中，突然受到一种欢乐的刺激，那些歌舞的人一定要提高歌声而且在他们的姿态上表示出更大的愉快；同样，那些圈子的灵魂，在他们的舞蹈和歌声之中。一听见这个神圣的问题，都立刻表示出奇异的愉快。在地上，那些为着升天而必须死去的地上的人们在伤心痛哭，他们那里见得这永久之雨的清凉呢！那永存的且永远用三和二和一去统治的一和二和三，他不受一点限制而限制一切，他已受到那些灵魂三次的歌颂，这种歌颂足以酬报一切功劳。
就在那时，我听见一种谦逊的话音，出自那较小圈子中一位最神圣的光辉，那天使对马利亚的话音也许就是这样。那回答是：“天堂的宴会多么长久，我们的爱便使我们穿着放光的衣服也就多么长久。他的亮度比例对于我们的热情，热情比例对于我们于上帝的眼力，这种眼力的强弱，则等于神赐的恩惠而更有额外的增加。如果将来我们和那光荣神圣的肉体再结合起来，那末我们的人格就更加完善而可喜。于是那至善更毫无吝惜地增加我们的光，这就是使我们能够对他仰望的光：由此增加热情，增加眼力，同时增加由热情而来的我们的光辉。但是炭块虽然着了火，他的亮度足以保持他本身的形态；同样现在包围我们的光辉，将来必被目前埋在地下的肉体的光辉所克服；而且这些亮光决不足以妨碍我们的眼睛，因为那时肉体的器官也增强了，可以享受关于我们的一切喜悦。”
我看见那两个队伍里的灵魂，在听见这种回答以后，很快很着急地叫着“阿们”，似乎很想复得他们的尸体；也许不仅他们自己的，而且还希望他们的父母的，以及他们在成为永久光辉之前所亲近的许多人的尸体呢。
看罢！在这些光辉以外，又有一个相类似的亮光，似乎是东方的太阳将出地一样，又像在黄昏的时候，天上逐渐显出新的星星，似乎看得见，又似乎又看不见的模样；最后，我辨别得出那是新的灵魂，在以前两个圈子之外的另成一个圈子。
真正圣灵的光芒呀！怎么突然明亮起来刺激我的眼睛，使我受不住呀！那时贝雅特丽齐也使我看得很美丽，笑容可掬，但这个和其他种种的奇景都只好丢在记忆之外了。不久我的眼力恢复了，我可以抬头了，我才知道我伴着我的贵妇人又上升了一层。我真知道我已经高升了，因为我能看见那颗星微笑的光彩，似乎比以前所见到的都要红些呢。我满心意足，用通行于各民族的语言，献礼物给上帝，因为在受到新恩惠的时候，这样做是应当的。我胸中虔诚的热情尚未发泄完毕，我知道已蒙嘉纳了；因为那时有两条长的火光，带着微红色，显现在我的眼前；我喊道：“天呀！你使他们多么光荣而美丽呀！”
像银河一般，棋布着大小不等的光点，一片白色从世界的北极到南极，使许多学者对他发生疑问；同样，这两条火光也是众星所聚，在火星上排成可尊敬的记号，把一个火星分为四个相等的部分。这儿我的记忆并不次于我的其他能力，因为我看见在那十字架内基督放着光芒，但我找不着可以比拟的东西。可是那背起十字架跟着基督走的人，当他看见基督放光的时候，也许他可以原谅我的沉默不语罢。
从十字架的左臂到右臂，从头顶到脚下，都有无数光辉来来往往，他们相遇或相离的时候，则更加明亮刺眼；好比我们处在暗室之中，这是百姓用尽心血造成的房屋以避强光的。偶然有光线从孔穴射入，则看到光线中有无数的尘埃在浮动，有的走着直线有的走着曲线，一会快，一会漫，大小长短，形态不一，千变万化。
像提琴和竖琴一时众琴齐奏，发出和谐美妙的音调，送到一个对于音乐是门外汉的耳朵里；同样，那些我所见到的十字架中的光辉都一齐发出悦耳之声，我沉醉了，只是听不懂他们演奏的内容。后来我才辨别得出那是崇高的赞美诗，因为我曾经隐隐断断续续听到：“复活——而且——胜利。”我对于那里的歌唱非常迷恋，直到那时没有别的东西和我发生这般微妙的关系。或者这句话有人怀疑我说得过头一点，因为我把那双我的欲望所寄的美眼抹煞了。但是，他若知道那一切美丽而活的印章是越高越有效果，而在那时我还未转向着他们，他也许可以原谅我的说法，而且承认我说的是真话，因为神圣的欢乐在那里还未开足，而在上升的时候要成为更加纯洁的呢。
CANTO XIV
From centre to the circle, and so back
From circle to the centre, water moves
In the round chalice, even as the blow
Impels it, inwardly, or from without.
Such was the image glanc'd into my mind,
As the great spirit of Aquinum ceas'd;
And Beatrice after him her words
Resum'd alternate: "Need there is (tho' yet
He tells it to you not in words, nor e'en
In thought) that he should fathom to its depth
Another mystery. Tell him, if the light,
Wherewith your substance blooms, shall stay with you
Eternally, as now: and, if it doth,
How, when ye shall regain your visible forms,
The sight may without harm endure the change,
That also tell." As those, who in a ring
Tread the light measure, in their fitful mirth
Raise loud the voice, and spring with gladder bound;
Thus, at the hearing of that pious suit,
The saintly circles in their tourneying
And wond'rous note attested new delight.
Whoso laments, that we must doff this garb
Of frail mortality, thenceforth to live
Immortally above, he hath not seen
The sweet refreshing, of that heav'nly shower.
Him, who lives ever, and for ever reigns
In mystic union of the Three in One,
Unbounded, bounding all, each spirit thrice
Sang, with such melody, as but to hear
For highest merit were an ample meed.
And from the lesser orb the goodliest light,
With gentle voice and mild, such as perhaps
The angel's once to Mary, thus replied:
"Long as the joy of Paradise shall last,
Our love shall shine around that raiment, bright,
As fervent; fervent, as in vision blest;
And that as far in blessedness exceeding,
As it hath grave beyond its virtue great.
Our shape, regarmented with glorious weeds
Of saintly flesh, must, being thus entire,
Show yet more gracious. Therefore shall increase,
Whate'er of light, gratuitous, imparts
The Supreme Good; light, ministering aid,
The better disclose his glory: whence
The vision needs increasing, much increase
The fervour, which it kindles; and that too
The ray, that comes from it. But as the greed
Which gives out flame, yet it its whiteness shines
More lively than that, and so preserves
Its proper semblance; thus this circling sphere
Of splendour, shall to view less radiant seem,
Than shall our fleshly robe, which yonder earth
Now covers. Nor will such excess of light
O'erpower us, in corporeal organs made
Firm, and susceptible of all delight."
So ready and so cordial an "Amen,"
Followed from either choir, as plainly spoke
Desire of their dead bodies; yet perchance
Not for themselves, but for their kindred dear,
Mothers and sires, and those whom best they lov'd,
Ere they were made imperishable flame.
And lo! forthwith there rose up round about
A lustre over that already there,
Of equal clearness, like the brightening up
Of the horizon. As at an evening hour
Of twilight, new appearances through heav'n
Peer with faint glimmer, doubtfully descried;
So there new substances, methought began
To rise in view; and round the other twain
Enwheeling, sweep their ampler circuit wide.
O gentle glitter of eternal beam!
With what a such whiteness did it flow,
O'erpowering vision in me! But so fair,
So passing lovely, Beatrice show'd,
Mind cannot follow it, nor words express
Her infinite sweetness. Thence mine eyes regain'd
Power to look up, and I beheld myself,
Sole with my lady, to more lofty bliss
Translated: for the star, with warmer smile
Impurpled, well denoted our ascent.
With all the heart, and with that tongue which speaks
The same in all, an holocaust I made
To God, befitting the new grace vouchsaf'd.
And from my bosom had not yet upsteam'd
The fuming of that incense, when I knew
The rite accepted. With such mighty sheen
And mantling crimson, in two listed rays
The splendours shot before me, that I cried,
"God of Sabaoth! that does prank them thus!"
As leads the galaxy from pole to pole,
Distinguish'd into greater lights and less,
Its pathway, which the wisest fail to spell;
So thickly studded, in the depth of Mars,
Those rays describ'd the venerable sign,
That quadrants in the round conjoining frame.
Here memory mocks the toil of genius. Christ
Beam'd on that cross; and pattern fails me now.
But whoso takes his cross, and follows Christ
Will pardon me for that I leave untold,
When in the flecker'd dawning he shall spy
The glitterance of Christ. From horn to horn,
And 'tween the summit and the base did move
Lights, scintillating, as they met and pass'd.
Thus oft are seen, with ever-changeful glance,
Straight or athwart, now rapid and now slow,
The atomies of bodies, long or short,
To move along the sunbeam, whose slant line
Checkers the shadow, interpos'd by art
Against the noontide heat. And as the chime
Of minstrel music, dulcimer, and help
With many strings, a pleasant dining makes
To him, who heareth not distinct the note;
So from the lights, which there appear'd to me,
Gather'd along the cross a melody,
That, indistinctly heard, with ravishment
Possess'd me. Yet I mark'd it was a hymn
Of lofty praises; for there came to me
"Arise and conquer," as to one who hears
And comprehends not. Me such ecstasy
O'ercame, that never till that hour was thing
That held me in so sweet imprisonment.
Perhaps my saying over bold appears,
Accounting less the pleasure of those eyes,
Whereon to look fulfilleth all desire.
But he, who is aware those living seals
Of every beauty work with quicker force,
The higher they are ris'n; and that there
I had not turn'd me to them; he may well
Excuse me that, whereof in my excuse
I do accuse me, and may own my truth;
That holy pleasure here not yet reveal'd,
Which grows in transport as we mount aloof. 火星天：但丁和他远祖卡恰圭达的谈话。旧时代的佛罗伦萨。
一种善愿常常产生正爱，犹如由污念则生贪婪；这善愿静止了美妙神圣的琴弦，他们的一弛一张都来自天的右手。这些精灵自愿停止他们的音乐会，而听取我的请求，谁说他们对于诚心的祈祷会无动于衷呢？一个人若是追逐不能永久存在的东西，而自弃于这种正爱，他真的要抱恨无穷呢！
如在静穆之夜，天空时常有突然的亮光穿过，引起人们的注视，似乎一颗星移动了位置，只是天上的星既无所失，而这亮光也随时就消失了；同样，在那里亮着的星群中的一颗星，忽然从十字架的右臂直落到他的脚下，像宝石并不脱开他的丝带，他以是在那白玉中着了火一样的带子上越过。
他和那安奇塞靳的灵魂在爱俪园看见他的儿子一样的诚恳而欢悦，如果我们相信我们最大女神的话。“我的血呀！神恩对于你真是太大了！除了对你以外，对谁开过两次天门呢？”那光辉对我这样说；于是我就注意到他了。后来我转向我的贵妇人，这方面和那方面都使我惊讶；因为在她的眼里，亮着这样的欢悦，我想我的眼光已经达到我的恩惠和我的天国之底部了。后来那灵魂又加说了许多别的话，虽然他的语音和外貌都很可爱，但我却不懂他们的意思，因为他们是很深粤的；并非他有意选择那些词句，实在是他必须使用他们，而他的思想又不是人类一时可以追及的。
当他热情的弓稍微放松之后，他的议论已经下降到我们可以理解的范围，最初我听得懂的语句是：“有福的你，你是三而一，你对于我的种族赐了多么大的恩惠呀！”
他接着说：“我的儿呀！因为她的帮助，你得到飞高的翅膀，才能满足我多年的期望，使我在这光辉里和你说话；自从我读着那黑与白不能变更的大书以来，我早知有今天了。你相信我从原始思想得以知道你的思想，如同五和六的出于一；因此你不用问我是谁，为什么我对于你比这里其他的幸福者特别的喜悦。诚然，这里的灵魂，不问大小，从那镜子里可以看出你未发出的思想，但为满足那我守之已久，盼之已久的神圣的爱起见，愿意听取你自己勇敢的、欢快的、明确的表示，至于我的回答，则早已预备好了。”
我即向贝雅特丽齐瞥了一眼，她对于我的意思心领神会。报我以允许的微笑，于是我的欲望如生双翼；我开始悦：“爱情和智慧在你身上是第一个平等，是同样的分量，因为那太阳给你的光和热是这般相等，找不出其他相似的例子。至于人类呢，则常心与愿违，他们两翅的羽毛并不是一样的丰满。我是人类之一，能感觉到这种不平等的情形，所以对于你像父亲一样的优待。我只能表示感激不忘。你是珍饰中的一块活的黄玉，我所祈求于你的是快把你的名字见告！”
“由我生出的细枝呀！我喜欢你，我只等着你，我是你的根。”这是他起头的答话。于是他又接着说：“你的家族从他采取姓氏的一位，他在那山的第一层圈子已经走了一百多年了，他是我的儿子，是你的曾祖。这是很应当的，因为你的工作，而缩短他长久的忏悔。
“佛罗伦萨，在他仍旧敲着三点钟和九点钟的古城之中，以前住着朴实俭约的人民，生活是很安然的。那时还看不见银索和金环等装饰物，也看不见绣着的裙和带，叫人看了只敬衣装打扮不敬人的品格。生了女孩还不使她的父亲害怕，那婚期和妆奁都不超过一般的法度。也看不见有闲着的房间；萨丹纳帕路斯还没有到室内来传授奢华的布置，蒙德马罗还未被你们的于赛拉多所超过；如果你们的壮丽达到超过的程度，那末你们的没落也要超过的。
“我曾经看见贝尔提出门也不过系着一条有铜扣的皮带子，他的女人在离开她的镜子以后，脸上却没有脂粉。我曾经看见一个姓奈利的，一个姓佛秋的，穿着毫无装饰的皮背心，他们的女人都使用着纺锤和卷丝。她们真快乐！每个人都知道她们的葬地，每个人的床上也不见空着而往法兰西去。这一个守着摇篮，为安慰婴儿起见，唱着催眠曲；另外则抽着纺锤上的线丝，在众妇女里面说着待洛亚、菲埃佐勒和罗马的故事，那时一个女人像蒋格哪，一个男人像拉巴·沙戴来罗，便视作一个辛辛纳图斯，一个科尔奈丽亚这样奇异的人。
“就在这样安然和美丽的生活之中，这样祥和的市民之中，这样甜蜜的住所之中，马利亚被大声呼唤而生产了我，就在你们的古洗礼堂内我成为一个基督徒，取名为卡恰圭达。麻龙笃和爱利所是我的兄弟；我的妻来自波河流域，从她，你的家族得了姓氏。
“后来，我跟着康拉德皇帝来到圣地，他使我成为武士，我的工作得到他的欢心。我听从他的指挥，抵抗那污秽的法律和在其下的暴民，那里本来在你们的权力以内，可是那些牧师不知羞耻。在那里，我因为那些暴民而离开这欺骗的世界，这种世界不知损落了多少天真的灵魂；我因为殉教，我的灵魂上升到这平静的天国。”
True love, that ever shows itself as clear
In kindness, as loose appetite in wrong,
Silenced that lyre harmonious, and still'd
The sacred chords, that are by heav'n's right hand
Unwound and tighten'd, flow to righteous prayers
Should they not hearken, who, to give me will
For praying, in accordance thus were mute?
He hath in sooth good cause for endless grief,
Who, for the love of thing that lasteth not,
Despoils himself forever of that love.
As oft along the still and pure serene,
At nightfall, glides a sudden trail of fire,
Attracting with involuntary heed
The eye to follow it, erewhile at rest,
And seems some star that shifted place in heav'n,
Only that, whence it kindles, none is lost,
And it is soon extinct; thus from the horn,
That on the dexter of the cross extends,
Down to its foot, one luminary ran
From mid the cluster shone there; yet no gem
Dropp'd from its foil; and through the beamy list
Like flame in alabaster, glow'd its course.
So forward stretch'd him (if of credence aught
Our greater muse may claim) the pious ghost
Of old Anchises, in the' Elysian bower,
When he perceiv'd his son. "O thou, my blood!
O most exceeding grace divine! to whom,
As now to thee, hath twice the heav'nly gate
Been e'er unclos'd?" so spake the light; whence I
Turn'd me toward him; then unto my dame
My sight directed, and on either side
Amazement waited me; for in her eyes
Was lighted such a smile, I thought that mine
Had div'd unto the bottom of my grace
And of my bliss in Paradise. Forthwith
To hearing and to sight grateful alike,
The spirit to his proem added things
I understood not, so profound he spake;
Yet not of choice but through necessity
Mysterious; for his high conception scar'd
Beyond the mark of mortals. When the flight
Of holy transport had so spent its rage,
That nearer to the level of our thought
The speech descended, the first sounds I heard
Were, "Best he thou, Triunal Deity!
That hast such favour in my seed vouchsaf'd!"
Then follow'd: "No unpleasant thirst, tho' long,
Which took me reading in the sacred book,
Whose leaves or white or dusky never change,
Thou hast allay'd, my son, within this light,
From whence my voice thou hear'st; more thanks to her.
Who for such lofty mounting has with plumes
Begirt thee. Thou dost deem thy thoughts to me
From him transmitted, who is first of all,
E'en as all numbers ray from unity;
And therefore dost not ask me who I am,
Or why to thee more joyous I appear,
Than any other in this gladsome throng.
The truth is as thou deem'st; for in this hue
Both less and greater in that mirror look,
In which thy thoughts, or ere thou think'st, are shown.
But, that the love, which keeps me wakeful ever,
Urging with sacred thirst of sweet desire,
May be contended fully, let thy voice,
Fearless, and frank and jocund, utter forth
Thy will distinctly, utter forth the wish,
Whereto my ready answer stands decreed."
I turn'd me to Beatrice; and she heard
Ere I had spoken, smiling, an assent,
That to my will gave wings; and I began
"To each among your tribe, what time ye kenn'd
The nature, in whom naught unequal dwells,
Wisdom and love were in one measure dealt;
For that they are so equal in the sun,
From whence ye drew your radiance and your heat,
As makes all likeness scant. But will and means,
In mortals, for the cause ye well discern,
With unlike wings are fledge. A mortal I
Experience inequality like this,
And therefore give no thanks, but in the heart,
For thy paternal greeting. This howe'er
I pray thee, living topaz! that ingemm'st
This precious jewel, let me hear thy name."
"I am thy root, O leaf! whom to expect
Even, hath pleas'd me:" thus the prompt reply
Prefacing, next it added: "he, of whom
Thy kindred appellation comes, and who,
These hundred years and more, on its first ledge
Hath circuited the mountain, was my son
And thy great grandsire. Well befits, his long
Endurance should be shorten'd by thy deeds.
"Florence, within her ancient limit-mark,
Which calls her still to matin prayers and noon,
Was chaste and sober, and abode in peace.
She had no armlets and no head-tires then,
No purfled dames, no zone, that caught the eye
More than the person did. Time was not yet,
When at his daughter's birth the sire grew pale.
For fear the age and dowry should exceed
On each side just proportion. House was none
Void of its family; nor yet had come
Hardanapalus, to exhibit feats
Of chamber prowess. Montemalo yet
O'er our suburban turret rose; as much
To be surpass in fall, as in its rising.
I saw Bellincione Berti walk abroad
In leathern girdle and a clasp of bone;
And, with no artful colouring on her cheeks,
His lady leave the glass. The sons I saw
Of Nerli and of Vecchio well content
With unrob'd jerkin; and their good dames handling
The spindle and the flax; O happy they!
Each sure of burial in her native land,
And none left desolate a-bed for France!
One wak'd to tend the cradle, hushing it
With sounds that lull'd the parent's infancy:
Another, with her maidens, drawing off
The tresses from the distaff, lectur'd them
Old tales of Troy and Fesole and Rome.
A Salterello and Cianghella we
Had held as strange a marvel, as ye would
A Cincinnatus or Cornelia now.
"In such compos'd and seemly fellowship,
Such faithful and such fair equality,
In so sweet household, Mary at my birth
Bestow'd me, call'd on with loud cries; and there
In your old baptistery, I was made
Christian at once and Cacciaguida; as were
My brethren, Eliseo and Moronto.
"From Valdipado came to me my spouse,
And hence thy surname grew. I follow'd then
The Emperor Conrad; and his knighthood he
Did gird on me; in such good part he took
My valiant service. After him I went
To testify against that evil law,
Whose people, by the shepherd's fault, possess
Your right, usurping. There, by that foul crew
Was I releas'd from the deceitful world,
Whose base affection many a spirit soils,
And from the martyrdom came to this peace." 卡恰圭达继续谈话：他的祖先；佛罗伦萨新旧时代的户口。
我们血统的高贵真是很脆弱的，在这地上的人们都以此为荣，因为他们的感情都不是健全的，但在我却已没有什么奇怪；因为在那天上的欲望是决不会走入歧路的，我却以在那里为荣。这个好比是一件外套，缩短得很快，假使不是每天都把它增加一点，时间便像剪刀一般地腐蚀它的边缘。
我用“你们”二字开始我的说话，这是在罗马首先使用的，可是现在他的居民却极少使用他了，当时贝雅特丽齐离开我们一些，笑了一声，使我想起那王后圭尼维尔第一次犯错的时候，那女侍的咳嗽声。
我开始说：“你们是我的祖宗；是你们使我有胆量说话；你们把我提拔到这样高，超过了我的本身。欢乐倾入我的心中，像百川归海一样，然而我竞能受之而不破裂，所以我更觉得欣然。那末请你告诉我，亲爱的始祖，谁是你的祖先，你的孩童时代经过那几年；请你告诉我圣约翰的羊栏，那时他的势力所及的都是怎样，最著名的市民有那几家。”
那灵魂听见我一番可亲的话，好比着火的炭被风一吹，他的光辉更加旺盛起来；在我看来，他的光辉也特别美丽，在他发出一种比以前更加和悦的声音的时候；但是他用的不是现代的方言了。他说：“从耶稣降生的告知，到我的母亲，她现在已成为圣女了，她把我推出腹外，这火球回到他的狮子，照亮他的四足，已经有五百五十又三十次了。我的先人和我所生长的地方，就在你们每年赛会最先踏进的最后一区。关于我的祖先，听见这些也就够了；他们是谁，他们来自何方，不说比说了还要有礼貌些。
“那时在佛罗伦萨，从玛尔斯的石像到洗礼堂，能够执戈之士，他们的人数只有你们现在的五分之一；但现在市民增加多了：有的从冈比来，从切塔尔多来，有的从菲格林来；不像以前直到一个小工人都是那样纯粹的了。唉！假使我说的这些人仍然是你们的邻居，而你们的疆界又不超越加卢佐和推斯比亚诺，那就好多了；何苦要他们在你们的城墙以内，忍受着阿古格林或西格那些细民的臭味；他们伪诈的眼光多么锐利呀！假使那一种地上最堕落的国民对于凯撒不是像继母一样，而是像慈母对于儿子，那末现在在佛罗伦萨做着交易的某君，也许已经回到他的祖父求乞地，西米风德了；蒙特穆洛也许还在伯爵的手中；切尔契氏也许仍旧住居在亚贡纳教区之内；无疑庞戴尔蒙特氏还未曾离开格雷韦流域。在无论何时，人品混杂是城市祸害的根源，就如人的肚子不能容纳太多的食物。盲目的牛比盲目的羊跌倒得更快，一把剑的劈刺常常胜过其他五把。
“如果你看一看吕尼和马尔萨利亚的毁灭，跟着又是丘西和西尼加格略的破坏，那末你便容易明白一家一族的衰落了，用不着惊奇，因为那些城市也都得有个归宿呀！所有地上的东西，都有死的命运，正如你们自己；有的东西似乎能够久存，其实是个人的生命太短太短了。月球能使海边的水有涨有落，从不间断；命运的玩弄佛罗伦萨也是这样。因此我说及的那些佛罗伦萨的巨族大家，他们的声名已经隐没在时间的尘雾里了，这是不足为奇的。
“我曾经看见于歧氏，看见卡德里尼氏、格来西氏、菲力伯氏、阿孟尼氏及阿尔倍里氏，他们都是著名的市民，而今衰落了；我曾经看见大而且古的煞奈那族中人、亚而加族中人，还有索达尼里氏、亚定歧氏及波斯底奇氏。在那城门之上，目前堆积着如此沉重的新罪恶，不久要把这条船沉了。以前住的是拉维那尼氏，从他生下伯爵圭多，而且他的后裔从此便用着高尚的贝林·贝尔提为姓氏，柏来沙族的人已经知道如何统治；加里加依氏的家中已经有了镀金的剑柄和剑柄的圆端。那鼬鼠皮条纹已经多起来了；还有沙骇底氏、乔起氏、巴路西氏、菲芳底氏、加里氏都大起来了，还有那看见了斗便面皮发红的一族，那卡大西氏所由生的根开始著名了；西齐氏和亚利古西氏已经登到宰官的高位了。唉！我看见那些一时多么光荣的，因为骄傲而倒在地了。还有那些金球，用他们的高尚行为来装饰了佛罗伦萨。还有一班人的父辈是可称道的，这班人当你们教堂空着的时候，他们便聚集在里面自肥了。
“那傲慢的一族，对于逃避他的人则作蛟龙的形状，对于报之以牙，或示之以钱袋的人则作羔羊的恣态，现在已经抬头了；但他究竟是小户人家，于贝帝诺·窦那蒂也不愿和他做连襟。卡逢煞希氏已经从菲埃佐勒进了市场；基达和茵芳加多都已经成为好市民了。
“有一桩事情似乎是不可信，但它是确实的：在那小圈子的围墙里，竟有一个门是取名于柏拉族的。
“那些在自己纹章上饰以大子爵圣托马斯的节日使他的声名永留不忘的旗号的氏族，都从他得到骑士的身分和多种特权，虽然后来在纹章上有金边的一族出了一位联络民众的。
“那时已经有了加德罗底氏和英巴杜尼氏；如果不是他们突然来了新的邻居，那么巴而哥仍旧是一块较平静的地方。从他出生你们的悲哀的那一族，因为正义的愤怒将你们许多人都导至死路上去，而结束了你们欢乐的生活，他和他的戚党都曾受人拥戴尊敬过。庞戴尔蒙特呀！你受了别人的挑拨而背弃和她已结的婚约，你多么错误呀！假使你第一次进城之时，上帝允许将你赠了爱玛，那末许多现在啼哭的人们都要破啼为笑了；但是那桥边的残石竟看见一是尸体，于是佛罗伦萨的和平给破坏了。
“就是和着这些氏族，还有其他，我曾经看到佛罗伦萨以欢乐度日，因为他没有哭泣的理由；和着这些氏族，我曾经看见公正而光荣的市民，那旗帜上的百合花从未倒栽着，也未由于党派关系而染着赤色。”
O slight respect of man's nobility!
I never shall account it marvelous,
That our infirm affection here below
Thou mov'st to boasting, when I could not choose,
E'en in that region of unwarp'd desire,
In heav'n itself, but make my vaunt in thee!
Yet cloak thou art soon shorten'd, for that time,
Unless thou be eked out from day to day,
Goes round thee with his shears. Resuming then
With greeting such, as Rome, was first to bear,
But since hath disaccustom'd I began;
And Beatrice, that a little space
Was sever'd, smil'd reminding me of her,
Whose cough embolden'd (as the story holds)
To first offence the doubting Guenever.
"You are my sire," said I, "you give me heart
Freely to speak my thought: above myself
You raise me. Through so many streams with joy
My soul is fill'd, that gladness wells from it;
So that it bears the mighty tide, and bursts not
Say then, my honour'd stem! what ancestors
Where those you sprang from, and what years were mark'd
In your first childhood? Tell me of the fold,
That hath Saint John for guardian, what was then
Its state, and who in it were highest seated?"
As embers, at the breathing of the wind,
Their flame enliven, so that light I saw
Shine at my blandishments; and, as it grew
More fair to look on, so with voice more sweet,
Yet not in this our modern phrase, forthwith
It answer'd: "From the day, when it was said
'Hail Virgin!' to the throes, by which my mother,
Who now is sainted, lighten'd her of me
Whom she was heavy with, this fire had come,
Five hundred fifty times and thrice, its beams
To reilumine underneath the foot
Of its own lion. They, of whom I sprang,
And I, had there our birth-place, where the last
Partition of our city first is reach'd
By him, that runs her annual game. Thus much
Suffice of my forefathers: who they were,
And whence they hither came, more honourable
It is to pass in silence than to tell.
All those, who in that time were there from Mars
Until the Baptist, fit to carry arms,
Were but the fifth of them this day alive.
But then the citizen's blood, that now is mix'd
From Campi and Certaldo and Fighine,
Ran purely through the last mechanic's veins.
O how much better were it, that these people
Were neighbours to you, and that at Galluzzo
And at Trespiano, ye should have your bound'ry,
Than to have them within, and bear the stench
Of Aguglione's hind, and Signa's, him,
That hath his eye already keen for bart'ring!
Had not the people, which of all the world
Degenerates most, been stepdame unto Caesar,
But, as a mother, gracious to her son;
Such one, as hath become a Florentine,
And trades and traffics, had been turn'd adrift
To Simifonte, where his grandsire ply'd
The beggar's craft. The Conti were possess'd
Of Montemurlo still: the Cerchi still
Were in Acone's parish; nor had haply
From Valdigrieve past the Buondelmonte.
The city's malady hath ever source
In the confusion of its persons, as
The body's, in variety of food:
And the blind bull falls with a steeper plunge,
Than the blind lamb; and oftentimes one sword
Doth more and better execution,
Than five. Mark Luni, Urbisaglia mark,
How they are gone, and after them how go
Chiusi and Sinigaglia; and 't will seem
No longer new or strange to thee to hear,
That families fail, when cities have their end.
All things, that appertain t' ye, like yourselves,
Are mortal: but mortality in some
Ye mark not, they endure so long, and you
Pass by so suddenly. And as the moon
Doth, by the rolling of her heav'nly sphere,
Hide and reveal the strand unceasingly;
So fortune deals with Florence. Hence admire not
At what of them I tell thee, whose renown
Time covers, the first Florentines. I saw
The Ughi, Catilini and Filippi,
The Alberichi, Greci and Ormanni,
Now in their wane, illustrious citizens:
And great as ancient, of Sannella him,
With him of Arca saw, and Soldanieri
And Ardinghi, and Bostichi. At the poop,
That now is laden with new felony,
So cumb'rous it may speedily sink the bark,
The Ravignani sat, of whom is sprung
The County Guido, and whoso hath since
His title from the fam'd Bellincione ta'en.
Fair governance was yet an art well priz'd
By him of Pressa: Galigaio show'd
The gilded hilt and pommel, in his house.
The column, cloth'd with verrey, still was seen
Unshaken: the Sacchetti still were great,
Giouchi, Sifanti, Galli and Barucci,
With them who blush to hear the bushel nam'd.
Of the Calfucci still the branchy trunk
Was in its strength: and to the curule chairs
Sizii and Arigucci yet were drawn.
How mighty them I saw, whom since their pride
Hath undone! and in all her goodly deeds
Florence was by the bullets of bright gold
O'erflourish'd. Such the sires of those, who now,
As surely as your church is vacant, flock
Into her consistory, and at leisure
There stall them and grow fat. The o'erweening brood,
That plays the dragon after him that flees,
But unto such, as turn and show the tooth,
Ay or the purse, is gentle as a lamb,
Was on its rise, but yet so slight esteem'd,
That Ubertino of Donati grudg'd
His father-in-law should yoke him to its tribe.
Already Caponsacco had descended
Into the mart from Fesole: and Giuda
And Infangato were good citizens.
A thing incredible I tell, tho' true:
The gateway, named from those of Pera, led
Into the narrow circuit of your walls.
Each one, who bears the sightly quarterings
Of the great Baron (he whose name and worth
The festival of Thomas still revives)
His knighthood and his privilege retain'd;
Albeit one, who borders them With gold,
This day is mingled with the common herd.
In Borgo yet the Gualterotti dwelt,
And Importuni: well for its repose
Had it still lack'd of newer neighbourhood.
The house, from whence your tears have had their spring,
Through the just anger that hath murder'd ye
And put a period to your gladsome days,
Was honour'd, it, and those consorted with it.
O Buondelmonte! what ill counseling
Prevail'd on thee to break the plighted bond
Many, who now are weeping, would rejoice,
Had God to Ema giv'n thee, the first time
Thou near our city cam'st. But so was doom'd:
On that maim'd stone set up to guard the bridge,
At thy last peace, the victim, Florence! fell.
With these and others like to them, I saw
Florence in such assur'd tranquility,
She had no cause at which to grieve: with these
Saw her so glorious and so just, that ne'er
The lily from the lance had hung reverse,
Or through division been with vermeil dyed." 卡恰圭达的最后谈话：但丁的命运。
我像走近克吕墨，请他说明他所闻于人的关于自己身世的那一位，他至今仍使为其父的怨恨他们的儿子呢；我觉得也当如此，同时贝雅特丽齐和那为我的缘故而挪动位置的神灯，也觉得我是如此。
因此我的贵妇人说：“把你求知欲望的火气透出来罢！把你内心的印象开显出来罢！并非由于你的话能丰富我们的知识。只是你也当学习表达你的饥渴的方法，庶几他人好能供给你饮食，”
“我亲爱的根呀！你高高地上升、凝视着那一点。对于他，一切时间都为现在。你看见种种未来的、难以捉摸的事情，就像地上的人类了解一个三角形内不能有两个钝角一般；当我伴着维吉尔攀升那灵魂净罪的山，又入那死人的国，那时常常听见，有关于我的未来，种种使我烦闷的话，固然我觉得有很坚强的力量足以抵抗命运的打击；我很想知道将要接近我的不幸，因为预料所及的箭，会来得迟慢些呢。”
我向那在前曾与我说话的光辉，这样陈述我的欲求，一如贝雅特丽齐所希望的。在消除世人罪孽的“上帝的羔羊”做了牺牲以前，异教徒都是使用暧昧的话，但这位裹在微笑的光辉中的父爱，却用确切清楚的话来回复我：“未来的事，不超越出你们物质之书以外，都描绘在永久的现状里面；但他们的来临也非必然，譬如你所见的一条船，并不一定依从你的目光顺流而下。从这永久的现状中，你的前程便——显示在我的眼里，无异一部和谐的乐曲，从大风琴送进我的耳中。
“就像希波吕托斯为他狠心的不忠的继母所诬告而离开雅典一样，你不得不离开佛罗伦萨也是如是。他们愿意这样做，他们已经设计好了，不久他们就将完成它。他们这班人，日夜在那里假借基督的名义做着买卖。他们将一切罪过归于弱小的一边，这是例来如此；然而天刑将作为真理的见证，惩罪就要降落在他们身上了。“你将离开你所最亲爱的；这就是放逐的弓所射出的第一箭。你将懂得别人家的面包是如此含着苦味，别人家的楼梯是如此升降艰难。然而压在你肩上最难耐的承载却是你的同伴。他们既拙劣又凶狠，你竟随从他们堕入这种幽谷；他们忘恩负义，非愚即狂，居然返转头来对抗你；但不久便了解红着额角的是他们而不是你了。他们行为的鲁莽，可以证明你的孤立是有利于你的名誉的。
“你第一个避难所第一位东道主，应是那慷慨的大隆巴多，他的纹章是神圣的鸟立于梯子上。他对于你是如此好心，在你们二人之间，一位是请求者，一位是允许者，别人应居后者，而你们却常居先。在他那里，你又将认识另一位，他出生便相当受了这星的感应，他将来的行为很值得纪念；而目前还未有人注意他，因为他的年纪尚小，这些天体环绕他旋转还不过九年。但在那加斯科人欺骗那大亨利之前，世人已经知道他的德性所照射的光芒了，因为他视金钱与劳苦如无物的缘故。他的博施济众将是非常著名的，就连他的仇敌也不能默而不言。你期待他的保护和恩泽呢。许多人因为他而改变了境况；富翁与乞丐互易了地位。你要将他的美德深铭在心，但不必多宣之于口。”
那灵魂又添说了几桩事情，就是目睹的人也觉得他们是不可全信。于是他又说：“我的孩子，这些便是别人对你说的话的解释；这些就是隐在几年以后等着你的陷阱。但我不愿你怨恨你的邻人，由于你的寿命很长，可以看到他们不忠不信所受的惩戒呢。”
于是那神圣的灵魂沉默了，似乎在我听准备着的经线上面，他已经织就了纬线。那时我像一个疑惑的人，向那有明见，敢直言，而且爱他的人请求指教；我说：“我的父亲！我已经看得清楚，时间很快地将那些阴谋置于我的面前，假使我不振作些，他们的打击令我要更加难堪。因为有了先见之明，所以就是我失去了我所最亲爱的地方，我不应当再因为我的诗而失去别处。从那无尽痛苦的深渊，沿着山的腹部，更从那仙境般的山顶，我的贵妇用她的目光提升我，跟随她历经诸天，我已经学到很多事情，假使我把他描写出来，一定含有酸味而未合许多人的胃口；但是假使我对真理是一个胆小的朋友，我恐怕要在那些人中丧失了生命，他们称这个时代为古代。”
我可爱的祖先所处的光辉，那时明亮得像阳光所照耀金镜一般，于是他答道：“凡良心被自己的或别人的耻辱染黑的人，一定感觉到你的话严厉刺耳；但是没有关系，只要你能从此摆脱所有的诳语，显示出你所见的全部景象，听任那些有疥癣的自搔其痒处罢！因为即便你的话其初味是酸的，但在消化后使是养生的了。你的呼叫是飓风打击那些最高的山峰，这个对于你将属非凡的荣誉。所以你在诸轮，在山上，在苦谷，所遇到的都是些知名之辈；因为人间的听话者对于隐约的、无根的例子是难于满意而相信的，对于不能感觉的理论也是如此。”
Such as the youth, who came to Clymene
To certify himself of that reproach,
Which had been fasten'd on him, (he whose end
Still makes the fathers chary to their sons),
E'en such was I; nor unobserv'd was such
Of Beatrice, and that saintly lamp,
Who had erewhile for me his station mov'd;
When thus by lady: "Give thy wish free vent,
That it may issue, bearing true report
Of the mind's impress; not that aught thy words
May to our knowledge add, but to the end,
That thou mayst use thyself to own thy thirst
And men may mingle for thee when they hear."
"O plant! from whence I spring! rever'd and lov'd!
Who soar'st so high a pitch, thou seest as clear,
As earthly thought determines two obtuse
In one triangle not contain'd, so clear
Dost see contingencies, ere in themselves
Existent, looking at the point whereto
All times are present, I, the whilst I scal'd
With Virgil the soul purifying mount,
And visited the nether world of woe,
Touching my future destiny have heard
Words grievous, though I feel me on all sides
Well squar'd to fortune's blows. Therefore my will
Were satisfied to know the lot awaits me,
The arrow, seen beforehand, slacks its flight."
So said I to the brightness, which erewhile
To me had spoken, and my will declar'd,
As Beatrice will'd, explicitly.
Nor with oracular response obscure,
Such, as or ere the Lamb of God was slain,
Beguil'd the credulous nations; but, in terms
Precise and unambiguous lore, replied
The spirit of paternal love, enshrin'd,
Yet in his smile apparent; and thus spake:
"Contingency, unfolded not to view
Upon the tablet of your mortal mold,
Is all depictur'd in the' eternal sight;
But hence deriveth not necessity,
More then the tall ship, hurried down the flood,
Doth from the vision, that reflects the scene.
From thence, as to the ear sweet harmony
From organ comes, so comes before mine eye
The time prepar'd for thee. Such as driv'n out
From Athens, by his cruel stepdame's wiles,
Hippolytus departed, such must thou
Depart from Florence. This they wish, and this
Contrive, and will ere long effectuate, there,
Where gainful merchandize is made of Christ,
Throughout the livelong day. The common cry,
Will, as 't is ever wont, affix the blame
Unto the party injur'd: but the truth
Shall, in the vengeance it dispenseth, find
A faithful witness. Thou shall leave each thing
Belov'd most dearly: this is the first shaft
Shot from the bow of exile. Thou shalt prove
How salt the savour is of other's bread,
How hard the passage to descend and climb
By other's stairs, But that shall gall thee most
Will be the worthless and vile company,
With whom thou must be thrown into these straits.
For all ungrateful, impious all and mad,
Shall turn 'gainst thee: but in a little while
Theirs and not thine shall be the crimson'd brow
Their course shall so evince their brutishness
T' have ta'en thy stand apart shall well become thee.
"First refuge thou must find, first place of rest,
In the great Lombard's courtesy, who bears
Upon the ladder perch'd the sacred bird.
He shall behold thee with such kind regard,
That 'twixt ye two, the contrary to that
Which falls 'twixt other men, the granting shall
Forerun the asking. With him shalt thou see
That mortal, who was at his birth impress
So strongly from this star, that of his deeds
The nations shall take note. His unripe age
Yet holds him from observance; for these wheels
Only nine years have compass him about.
But, ere the Gascon practice on great Harry,
Sparkles of virtue shall shoot forth in him,
In equal scorn of labours and of gold.
His bounty shall be spread abroad so widely,
As not to let the tongues e'en of his foes
Be idle in its praise. Look thou to him
And his beneficence: for he shall cause
Reversal of their lot to many people,
Rich men and beggars interchanging fortunes.
And thou shalt bear this written in thy soul
Of him, but tell it not;" and things he told
Incredible to those who witness them;
Then added: "So interpret thou, my son,
What hath been told thee.—Lo! the ambushment
That a few circling seasons hide for thee!
Yet envy not thy neighbours: time extends
Thy span beyond their treason's chastisement."
Soon, as the saintly spirit, by his silence,
Had shown the web, which I had streteh'd for him
Upon the warp, was woven, I began,
As one, who in perplexity desires
Counsel of other, wise, benign and friendly:
"My father! well I mark how time spurs on
Toward me, ready to inflict the blow,
Which falls most heavily on him, who most
Abandoned himself. Therefore 't is good
I should forecast, that driven from the place
Most dear to me, I may not lose myself
All others by my song. Down through the world
Of infinite mourning, and along the mount
From whose fair height my lady's eyes did lift me,
And after through this heav'n from light to light,
Have I learnt that, which if I tell again,
It may with many woefully disrelish;
And, if I am a timid friend to truth,
I fear my life may perish among those,
To whom these days shall be of ancient date."
The brightness, where enclos'd the treasure smil'd,
Which I had found there, first shone glisteningly,
Like to a golden mirror in the sun;
Next answer'd: "Conscience, dimm'd or by its own
Or other's shame, will feel thy saying sharp.
Thou, notwithstanding, all deceit remov'd,
See the whole vision be made manifest.
And let them wince who have their withers wrung.
What though, when tasted first, thy voice shall prove
Unwelcome, on digestion it will turn
To vital nourishment. The cry thou raisest,
Shall, as the wind doth, smite the proudest summits;
Which is of honour no light argument,
For this there only have been shown to thee,
Throughout these orbs, the mountain, and the deep,
Spirits, whom fame hath note of. For the mind
Of him, who hears, is loth to acquiesce
And fix its faith, unless the instance brought
Be palpable, and proof apparent urge." 火星天的其他灵魂。上升至第六重天木星天：公正贤明的君主。
那位幸福的灵魂说完，已经在那里回想他自己的话；我也在心中去回味，觉得苦和甜正是参半。那位引导我往上帝那里去的贵妇人说：“改换你的思想罢！记起我是接近于他，他能够减轻切的损害呢。”
我回转头；对着安慰我的人那可爱的声音，那时在她神圣的眼中我看到怎样的爱情，我不拟写出；不仅因为我不信任我的言语，就算我的记忆，如不得神助，同样力有不及。关于这点，我可以叙述的是：当那永久的欢乐直射贝雅特丽齐，再从她美丽的脸庞反射我的眼中，我心满意足，再没有其他一切的欲望了。然而她又把那微笑的光芒来压服我，她对我说：“你仍旧回转头去，而且静听：因为天国不是仅在我的眼中。”
像在地上，假使一个人对于某事有强烈的欲望，我们立即可从他的外表上看出来；同样，在那神圣的光辉中，那时我已经对着他了，我看出他仍有和我再说几句话的欲望。他开始说：“在这立根于山顶，永远结着果实，永远不落叶的树的第五枝上。是幸福的灵魂，他们在到达天上以前，在下界已经鼎鼎大名了，文艺女神由他们而增添了财富。所以请你注视十字架的两臂：当我捉到一个灵魂的名字，他便像云中的闪电一般发亮。
他正说到约书亚这个名；我便见到十字架上一条行动甚快的光，话语和事实真是不分前后，说到崇高的马加比的名字时。我看到一个旋转而行动的光辉，欢乐之对于他无异鞭索之对于陀螺。随后他捉到查理曼和罗兰，我的锐利目光像猎人的跟了飞鹰。最后在那十字架上我看到威廉和勒纳尔，还有公爵戈弗雷和罗伯特·圭斯卡尔多。最终，那位和我说话的灵魂，混入其他灵魂中。做着一致的行为，对我显示他在天上歌者之间有怎样的地位。
我转面我的右方，想从贝雅特丽齐的语言或姿态中了解我的职务，那时我看到她的目光这样明净，这样喜悦，超过以往一切的直至上次的容貌。假使一个人对于做某事有了兴趣，那末他便觉得逐日愈做愈精，能力提高；同样，我所登的天地的轨道的弧线愈大，便觉得这个奇迹更值得尊敬。而且，在短时间内，像一位女人的面孔，在放下羞涩以后，就回复原有的纯白一样，当我转过脸去，便看见那白光温和的第六星，他已经将我接受进去。
在尤比特的火把中，我看见那里爱的火花描绘着我们的语言呢。像一群鸟在海边上飞起来似乎是庆贺他们新发现的食品，翱翔在天空，此时画成圆圈，彼时排成橢圆一般；同样，那些裹在光辉中的神圣造物，一边飞，一边唱，将他们自己排成D，排成I，排成L。他们行止的时候唱着；他们排成一个记号以后， 便略微停止一下。
珀伽索斯的女神呀！你给予天才们光荣及长寿，他们又由于你的神助力把光荣和长寿奉给他们的故乡和他们的国家；请用你的光照耀着我，使我把现在眼前的图形联缀起来；并将你的能力表示在这些简短的诗这上！
那时他们排出五倍七的母音和子音，他们一现出来，我便马上记牢他们的一部分。 最初排写出的动词和名词是： DILIGITE JUSTITIAM ； 最后一段是：QUIJUDICATISTERRAM。于是所有的灵魂就终止在第五个字的M的图形。 这般银样的木星在那里又装了金饰。稍后，我又看见别的光辉降落到M的顶上，止在那里，他们歌唱着，我想他们是在歌吟那吸引他们的至善呢。
不久。像着了火的木棍被敲打一下，因此火花遍地，愚人们由此可得到预兆一般；我看到那里有一千个以上的光耀升起，有些多升一些，有些少升一些，好像是那使他们发亮的太阳在那儿布置他们；当每个安静了以后，我看到一只鹰的头和颈已经从那些火花表达出来。
在那里描画的他，没人能指导他，只有他自己指导自己，从他认识了那种能力。就是那在鸟窠中的形态。
还有其余的幸福灵魂，他们开始似乎以环绕M像百合花圈一般作为满足， 现在也稍稍移换以完成那个影像。
温和的星呀！多少的宝石令我相信地上的正义是一种你去装饰天上的效果呢！因此我恳求你的运转和权力起源的神智，注意那遮蔽你光明的烟幕是从何而升起；要他对在那圣殿(那里以奇迹和苦难做墙壁里的买卖再倾泻一次愤怒。
天上的军队呀！我正注望着你们。求你们为那些因为坏榜样而定错了路的世上的人们祷告！从前是用剑去斗争，然而现今这儿那儿所闻的是断绝人的面包，那是我们的慈父对于任何人全所不禁的；但是你呢，你的书写，无非为着涂抹，请你想想彼得和保罗，他们为了葡萄园而死，而你将他荒芜了，可是他们却虽死犹生呀！虽然。你可以强辩说：“我所崇拜的是那愿意过孤独生活的一位，因为跳舞的缘故他牺牲了：我不晓得打鱼的，也不晓得保罗。”
Now in his word, sole, ruminating, joy'd
That blessed spirit; and I fed on mine,
Tempting the sweet with bitter: she meanwhile,
Who led me unto God, admonish'd: "Muse
On other thoughts: bethink thee, that near Him
I dwell, who recompenseth every wrong."
At the sweet sounds of comfort straight I turn'd;
And, in the saintly eyes what love was seen,
I leave in silence here: nor through distrust
Of my words only, but that to such bliss
The mind remounts not without aid. Thus much
Yet may I speak; that, as I gaz'd on her,
Affection found no room for other wish.
While the everlasting pleasure, that did full
On Beatrice shine, with second view
From her fair countenance my gladden'd soul
Contented; vanquishing me with a beam
Of her soft smile, she spake: "Turn thee, and list.
These eyes are not thy only Paradise."
As here we sometimes in the looks may see
Th' affection mark'd, when that its sway hath ta'en
The spirit wholly; thus the hallow'd light,
To whom I turn'd, flashing, bewray'd its will
To talk yet further with me, and began:
"On this fifth lodgment of the tree, whose life
Is from its top, whose fruit is ever fair
And leaf unwith'ring, blessed spirits abide,
That were below, ere they arriv'd in heav'n,
So mighty in renown, as every muse
Might grace her triumph with them. On the horns
Look therefore of the cross: he, whom I name,
Shall there enact, as doth in summer cloud
Its nimble fire." Along the cross I saw,
At the repeated name of Joshua,
A splendour gliding; nor, the word was said,
Ere it was done: then, at the naming saw
Of the great Maccabee, another move
With whirling speed; and gladness was the scourge
Unto that top. The next for Charlemagne
And for the peer Orlando, two my gaze
Pursued, intently, as the eye pursues
A falcon flying. Last, along the cross,
William, and Renard, and Duke Godfrey drew
My ken, and Robert Guiscard. And the soul,
Who spake with me among the other lights
Did move away, and mix; and with the choir
Of heav'nly songsters prov'd his tuneful skill.
To Beatrice on my right l bent,
Looking for intimation or by word
Or act, what next behoov'd: and did descry
Such mere effulgence in her eyes, such joy,
It past all former wont. And, as by sense
Of new delight, the man, who perseveres
In good deeds doth perceive from day to day
His virtue growing; I e'en thus perceiv'd
Of my ascent, together with the heav'n
The circuit widen'd, noting the increase
Of beauty in that wonder. Like the change
In a brief moment on some maiden's cheek,
Which from its fairness doth discharge the weight
Of pudency, that stain'd it; such in her,
And to mine eyes so sudden was the change,
Through silvery whiteness of that temperate star,
Whose sixth orb now enfolded us. I saw,
Within that Jovial cresset, the clear sparks
Of love, that reign'd there, fashion to my view
Our language. And as birds, from river banks
Arisen, now in round, now lengthen'd troop,
Array them in their flight, greeting, as seems,
Their new-found pastures; so, within the lights,
The saintly creatures flying, sang, and made
Now D. now I. now L. figur'd I' th' air.
First, singing, to their notes they mov'd, then one
Becoming of these signs, a little while
Did rest them, and were mute. O nymph divine
Of Pegasean race! whose souls, which thou
Inspir'st, mak'st glorious and long-liv'd, as they
Cities and realms by thee! thou with thyself
Inform me; that I may set forth the shapes,
As fancy doth present them. Be thy power
Display'd in this brief song. The characters,
Vocal and consonant, were five-fold seven.
In order each, as they appear'd, I mark'd.
Diligite Justitiam, the first,
Both verb and noun all blazon'd; and the extreme
Qui judicatis terram. In the M.
Of the fifth word they held their station,
Making the star seem silver streak'd with gold.
And on the summit of the M. I saw
Descending other lights, that rested there,
Singing, methinks, their bliss and primal good.
Then, as at shaking of a lighted brand,
Sparkles innumerable on all sides
Rise scatter'd, source of augury to th' unwise;
Thus more than thousand twinkling lustres hence
Seem'd reascending, and a higher pitch
Some mounting, and some less; e'en as the sun,
Which kindleth them, decreed. And when each one
Had settled in his place, the head and neck
Then saw I of an eagle, lively
Grav'd in that streaky fire. Who painteth there,
Hath none to guide him; of himself he guides;
And every line and texture of the nest
Doth own from him the virtue, fashions it.
The other bright beatitude, that seem'd
Erewhile, with lilied crowning, well content
To over-canopy the M. mov'd forth,
Following gently the impress of the bird.
Sweet star! what glorious and thick-studded gems
Declar'd to me our justice on the earth
To be the effluence of that heav'n, which thou,
Thyself a costly jewel, dost inlay!
Therefore I pray the Sovran Mind, from whom
Thy motion and thy virtue are begun,
That he would look from whence the fog doth rise,
To vitiate thy beam: so that once more
He may put forth his hand 'gainst such, as drive
Their traffic in that sanctuary, whose walls
With miracles and martyrdoms were built.
Ye host of heaven! whose glory I survey l
O beg ye grace for those, that are on earth
All after ill example gone astray.
War once had for its instrument the sword:
But now 't is made, taking the bread away
Which the good Father locks from none. —And thou,
That writes but to cancel, think, that they,
Who for the vineyard, which thou wastest, died,
Peter and Paul live yet, and mark thy doings.
Thou hast good cause to cry, "My heart so cleaves
To him, that liv'd in solitude remote,
And from the wilds was dragg'd to martyrdom,
I wist not of the fisherman nor Paul." 木星天：鹰的讲论。
在我之前，显出那张着翅膀的美丽影像，这是联系在一起的灵魂所拼凑成，他们正欢畅于甜美的受享中。他们每位都像烈日光芒下的红宝石，把他们的亮光反射到我的目里。
现在我要追叙的，既不是口语可以传达的，也不是墨水可以写就，更不是想象可能了解的；因为我那时看见而且听到那鸟嘴说着“我”和“我的”，实际意义却指“我们”和“我们的”。他这样说：“因为我公正、至诚，所以我获得这样崇高的光荣地位，一切的愿望都不能超越；我曾经在地上留有好声名，就是那些恶人也无不称颂，但是他们不能以我为楷模。”
像许多火炭堆在一起；而我们只感到一种热力，同样，许多被爱所烧炙的灵魂仅从那影像发出一种声音。于是随即我说：“永久欢乐而不老的花呀！所有你们的各个香味，在我只感到一种香味、请用你们的尊言，解除我的大断食，我饥饿得长久了，因为在地上我找不到食物。我很了解，假使神的正义将任何别的一重天承做他的镜子，你们也当理解他而一无遮蔽。你们知道我如此心急而备陈静听；你们知道我的问题是什么，他使我遮食了多年。
像只出窠的鹰，扇动他的翅膀，摆动他的头，振作彼的精神，表示出将欲奋飞的样子；当时我所见的影像也如是；他交织着对于神恩的颂词，以及那些美妙歌声，只有高高在上的，可以受享他的妙处。
于是他开始说：“他把他的罗盘转对世界的尽头，在其内遍布一些难解的奇迹和些许明显的事情，他不仅将他的德性印进全宇宙，且他的言辞无尽，超越一切；这证明见于那第一个骄傲者，他就是造物中最卓绝的一位，然因急不能耐的缘故，在未成熟之前便致堕落了。所以，其他较次的万有，显而易见更难容纳那无穷的善，只余他自己能做他自己的量尺。由此可知我们的眼光只是那包含一切的智慧之光，我们没有足够的力量用以了解他的原理，实在本性如是。由此可知你们人类目光中的永久正义，好比眼见海水，在海边能见到底。在海中便见不到；可是海终有底，只因深不可测，瞒过你们的眼睛罢了。
“除非从彼恬静的，永无烦恼的地方来，那没有真光的；其他只余你们肉体的黑暗或影子，或是他的毒汁。
“现在关于神的正义迷宫，由你多次的探问，他的门已经向你开得相当大了；你的问题是：一个人生于印度河边。那里没有人议及基督，也没有人读到《圣经》，也未有人写着关于宗教的论文；而这个人立志正大，行为善良，从人类的理由去观察生平可算一无罪过。但是他未曾受洗礼，没有信仰而去逝了；对于这个人处以责罚，是否算公正呢？假使他未曾信仰，是他的错处么？现在我且问你，你是谁？你坐在椅子上，目光所及也未逾从大拇指到小拇指间，偏偏要判断一千里以外的事物么？
“假使在你们之上没有那部《圣经》，一定更有很多奇怪的问题，这是我和我的同伴们所明瞭的。地上的动物呀！愚蠢的心灵呀！那第一意志本体是善，从未离弃过他的本身，他的本身就是至善，与他符合的都是公正；绝非创造的善吸引他，而是他出生种种的善。”
像母鹳鸟喂了食后，立在巢上左顾右盼，而受食的小鹳鸟又仰望着她一般；那许多灵魂的意志所构造的幸福的影像扇动他的翅羽，而我也扬眉对向着他。他转着唱到，又说：“永久的审判不会为你们人类所了解，也犹我的音调不再为你所了解一般。”
后来那些从圣灵放出的光辉静止了，仍旧保持着那记号。这记号使罗马人得以全世界的尊崇呢。他又开始说：“在基督钉在木架上以前或以后，不信仰基督的人是不能入此方国度的。但是，在那审判的时候，将看见许多口称基督、基督的，比那些从来未知基督的还会离开基督远呢；这样的耶教徒为埃塞俄比亚人所定罪，将被分别为两类、一类永富的，一类永穷的。当一部写着你们国王劣迹的书展开在他们面前的时候，那些波斯人会说些什么呢？
“那里将看到阿尔伯恃的行为，他鼓翼对着布拉格的国境，而使其成为一块荒地。那里将看到伪造的货币给塞纳河两岸带来的灾难；这人将为野猪打击而至死。那里将看见骄傲的渴望使苏格兰人和英格兰人变作狂人，不能安守他们各自的疆界。放荡和诽靡的生活有西班牙的他，还有波希米亚的他；他不晓勇武，也不愿获此美德。至于那耶路撒冷的跛者，则他的优点将用I记着、 而其相反之点会用M表示。那贪婪与卑鄙将见之于彼，他治理那火岛， 那里是安奇塞斯长寿命的终点；为使你们明了他的贪鄙，应用简短的字句，否则就没地位可再容纳了。大家知道叔父和他的哥哥都将显示出他们的胡为；他们沾染侮辱了一个著名的家族和两个王冠，那葡萄牙的他，挪威的他，都将被世人知晓，还有那拉斯亚的他，他伪造威尼斯的货币。快乐的匈牙利呀！若使他不再被坏人所引导。还有快乐的纳瓦拉，假使他使用他的山做为他的武器！每个人都应以此作前车之鉴，那尼科西亚和法马古斯塔已经呻吟于他们的野兽之下了，那野兽不肯离开他们的团体。”
Before my sight appear'd, with open wings,
The beauteous image, in fruition sweet
Gladdening the thronged spirits. Each did seem
A little ruby, whereon so intense
The sun-beam glow'd that to mine eyes it came
In clear refraction. And that, which next
Befalls me to portray, voice hath not utter'd,
Nor hath ink written, nor in fantasy
Was e'er conceiv'd. For I beheld and heard
The beak discourse; and, what intention form'd
Of many, singly as of one express,
Beginning: "For that I was just and piteous,
l am exalted to this height of glory,
The which no wish exceeds: and there on earth
Have I my memory left, e'en by the bad
Commended, while they leave its course untrod."
Thus is one heat from many embers felt,
As in that image many were the loves,
And one the voice, that issued from them all.
Whence I address them: "O perennial flowers
Of gladness everlasting! that exhale
In single breath your odours manifold!
Breathe now; and let the hunger be appeas'd,
That with great craving long hath held my soul,
Finding no food on earth. This well I know,
That if there be in heav'n a realm, that shows
In faithful mirror the celestial Justice,
Yours without veil reflects it. Ye discern
The heed, wherewith I do prepare myself
To hearken; ye the doubt that urges me
With such inveterate craving." Straight I saw,
Like to a falcon issuing from the hood,
That rears his head, and claps him with his wings,
His beauty and his eagerness bewraying.
So saw I move that stately sign, with praise
Of grace divine inwoven and high song
Of inexpressive joy. "He," it began,
"Who turn'd his compass on the world's extreme,
And in that space so variously hath wrought,
Both openly, and in secret, in such wise
Could not through all the universe display
Impression of his glory, that the Word
Of his omniscience should not still remain
In infinite excess. In proof whereof,
He first through pride supplanted, who was sum
Of each created being, waited not
For light celestial, and abortive fell.
Whence needs each lesser nature is but scant
Receptacle unto that Good, which knows
No limit, measur'd by itself alone.
Therefore your sight, of th' omnipresent Mind
A single beam, its origin must own
Surpassing far its utmost potency.
The ken, your world is gifted with, descends
In th' everlasting Justice as low down,
As eye doth in the sea; which though it mark
The bottom from the shore, in the wide main
Discerns it not; and ne'ertheless it is,
But hidden through its deepness. Light is none,
Save that which cometh from the pure serene
Of ne'er disturbed ether: for the rest,
'Tis darkness all, or shadow of the flesh,
Or else its poison. Here confess reveal'd
That covert, which hath hidden from thy search
The living justice, of the which thou mad'st
Such frequent question; for thou saidst—'A man
Is born on Indus' banks, and none is there
Who speaks of Christ, nor who doth read nor write,
And all his inclinations and his acts,
As far as human reason sees, are good,
And he offendeth not in word or deed.
But unbaptiz'd he dies, and void of faith.
Where is the justice that condemns him? where
His blame, if he believeth not?'—What then,
And who art thou, that on the stool wouldst sit
To judge at distance of a thousand miles
With the short-sighted vision of a span?
To him, who subtilizes thus with me,
There would assuredly be room for doubt
Even to wonder, did not the safe word
Of scripture hold supreme authority.
"O animals of clay! O spirits gross I
The primal will, that in itself is good,
Hath from itself, the chief Good, ne'er been mov'd.
Justice consists in consonance with it,
Derivable by no created good,
Whose very cause depends upon its beam."
As on her nest the stork, that turns about
Unto her young, whom lately she hath fed,
While they with upward eyes do look on her;
So lifted I my gaze; and bending so
The ever-blessed image wav'd its wings,
Lab'ring with such deep counsel. Wheeling round
It warbled, and did say: "As are my notes
To thee, who understand'st them not, such is
Th' eternal judgment unto mortal ken."
Then still abiding in that ensign rang'd,
Wherewith the Romans over-awed the world,
Those burning splendours of the Holy Spirit
Took up the strain; and thus it spake again:
"None ever hath ascended to this realm,
Who hath not a believer been in Christ,
Either before or after the blest limbs
Were nail'd upon the wood. But lo! of those
Who call 'Christ, Christ,' there shall be many found,
In judgment, further off from him by far,
Than such, to whom his name was never known.
Christians like these the Ethiop shall condemn:
When that the two assemblages shall part;
One rich eternally, the other poor.
"What may the Persians say unto your kings,
When they shall see that volume, in the which
All their dispraise is written, spread to view?
There amidst Albert's works shall that be read,
Which will give speedy motion to the pen,
When Prague shall mourn her desolated realm.
There shall be read the woe, that he doth work
With his adulterate money on the Seine,
Who by the tusk will perish: there be read
The thirsting pride, that maketh fool alike
The English and Scot, impatient of their bound.
There shall be seen the Spaniard's luxury,
The delicate living there of the Bohemian,
Who still to worth has been a willing stranger.
The halter of Jerusalem shall see
A unit for his virtue, for his vices
No less a mark than million. He, who guards
The isle of fire by old Anchises honour'd
Shall find his avarice there and cowardice;
And better to denote his littleness,
The writing must be letters maim'd, that speak
Much in a narrow space. All there shall know
His uncle and his brother's filthy doings,
Who so renown'd a nation and two crowns
Have bastardized. And they, of Portugal
And Norway, there shall be expos'd with him
Of Ratza, who hath counterfeited ill
The coin of Venice. O blest Hungary!
If thou no longer patiently abid'st
Thy ill-entreating! and, O blest Navarre!
If with thy mountainous girdle thou wouldst arm thee
In earnest of that day, e'en now are heard
Wailings and groans in Famagosta's streets
And Nicosia's, grudging at their beast,
Who keepeth even footing with the rest." 续鹰的讲论：异教徒的得入天国。
当那照耀全世界的他降临我们的半球以后，天色将晚，四周黑暗起来了，但天空在以前只有他亮着，现在却有多数的光芒，都是从他一个生出来的。这种天空的现象突然涌上我的心来，在那世界的记号及其领袖终止了幸福的鸟嘴的时候；因为那些活泼泼的光辉。比及以前加倍发亮，开始他们的种种歌声了，这些都不能滞留我脆弱的记忆之中。
甜美的爱呀！你把他们用光辉包裹着，他们在我的眼里显得多么炽烈，以那些笛孔中吹出神圣的思想。
当那些点缀装饰第六重天的宝石，停止他们使臣的歌声以后，我似乎听见流水淙淙之声，由此岩到彼岩，源源不绝；又像琵琶弦上弹出的音符，或像洞箫吹出的曲调；凡此种种声曲，随即会合入彼鹰颈，由鹰嘴发出，成为人响，化为语言；这就是我所期待的，且把他们记录下面。
他开始对我说：“你应当注观我的这一部分，就是地上的鹰用之看太阳，而且忍得住日光的部分，因为组成我的种种光芒，在我眼睛的部分最将灿烂。在中间的，可说是瞳人，闪烁那圣灵的歌者。他运送约柜从一个城到一个城；现在他了解他的歌的效力，同时他自己的谋画也得着应有的报酬。还有五个，环绕瞳人作成睫毛；那个邻近我嘴的方面的灵魂，他曾慰籍丧子的寡妇；他现在对于不追随基督的损失了解得很明白，因为他对于柔和的生活及其相反的都己有了体验。那一个居在我睫毛的上部，他由于真实的忏悔而迟死；他现在知道永久的判决是不会变更的，就是今日在地上听到的有价值的祈祷也不足以影响到明日。其次的一个，他带同法律及我，把自己的地位逊让给牧师，成为一个希腊人，这种行为，居心甚好，可惜结果坏了；现在他知道从他的善行出生恶果，虽然未曾害了他自己，但是毁坏了世界。在我睫毛的下部的是威廉，他的人民伤感于他的死，同时又哭泣查理和腓特烈的生；他现在知晓天是如何爱护公正的君主，而使他他人看得如此的光荣。在充满错误的世上，有多少人知道特洛亚人里佩乌斯是这个光辉圈子中的第五个呢？现在他知道神恩是不被世人所看透的，虽然他的见解未臻彻底。”
像百灵鸟在天宇飞鸣，现在静默了，满足于他最后的音调一般，那印刻永久欢乐的影像，因为渴望他而所有事物备如其愿，在我看来也有类于此。虽然我心中的怀疑是像处玻璃瓶内的颜色，很容易被人了知，可是我急不及待，突然由我的嘴中漏出：“这些是为什么？”像重物脱手而去一样；那时我看到灵魂们放出了大喜悦的光芒。
于是那鹰眼立即加倍明亮，为消除我的心头重担起见，那幸福的记号回复道：“我知道你相信我对你说的话，但是你不懂他是为什么；就是说，这些是的确可信的，然而却是不可解的。你像一个人，只知道事物的名字，但不知道事物的本源除非有别人告诉他。
“热烈的爱和活泼的希望，战胜了神的意愿，天国便要忍耐犯规的事情；但这将和人的战胜人不一，这种战胜是他自愿被战胜，他的被战胜即是他善之战胜。
“在我睫毛上的第一个及第五个灵魂，你对于他们觉甚奇怪。因为在众天所住之地，居然会有他们。他们脱离彼之的肉体，出乎你意想之外，他们竟非异教徒，而是有坚定信仰的基督教徒，一个信仰将会受痛苦的脚，一个信仰已经受痛苦的脚。
“这一个从地狱那里一个人永不能回返于善的意志回到他的白骨，这是活泼的希望之果报；从这活泼的希望，赋予祈祷者以权力，遂得请求上帝使之再生，因此他才有能力移转他的意志。我所说的这位光荣的灵魂，他与他的肉体联合，小住若干时日，信仰能够协助他的那一位；因为信仰被真爱的烈火所炙烧，在第二度的死之后，他便有得到这大欢乐的资格。
“那一位呢，因为无穷的恩惠来源甚远，没有一个造物能窥破底蕴，使他与地上唯一之爱是生活于正道；由此，恩惠递加恩惠，上帝使他对于未来的赎罪便得先见之明；他己信奉有此一日．因此他不耐异教之下流，斥责堕落的民族。在举行洗礼一千多年之前，已有三位贵妇人替他举行过了，这三个贵妇人你已在车子右轮见过了。
“天命呀！你的根离开人类多么遥远呀！他们的眼睹完全看不透那第一原因。人类呀！请你们在判断上谨慎些！因为我们虽然发见上帝，我们也难尽知一切天之选民；但是这个缺陷值得我们的去喜悦，因为我们的善逐渐在递长，上帝之所愿，亦即我们之所愿。”
那神的影像，祛除我的眼翳，似乎给我饮了甘甜的药酒。像一去美好的歌喉，伴了一位竖琴的名手，把歌声颂得更加悦耳一般，我记得彼时他在回答我，那两只幸福的光辉如眼睑的开阖，以应和他的言词呢。
When, disappearing, from our hemisphere,
The world's enlightener vanishes, and day
On all sides wasteth, suddenly the sky,
Erewhile irradiate only with his beam,
Is yet again unfolded, putting forth
Innumerable lights wherein one shines.
Of such vicissitude in heaven I thought,
As the great sign, that marshaleth the world
And the world's leaders, in the blessed beak
Was silent; for that all those living lights,
Waxing in splendour, burst forth into songs,
Such as from memory glide and fall away.
Sweet love! that dost apparel thee in smiles,
How lustrous was thy semblance in those sparkles,
Which merely are from holy thoughts inspir'd!
After the precious and bright beaming stones,
That did ingem the sixth light, ceas'd the chiming
Of their angelic bells; methought I heard
The murmuring of a river, that doth fall
From rock to rock transpicuous, making known
The richness of his spring-head: and as sound
Of cistern, at the fret-board, or of pipe,
Is, at the wind-hole, modulate and tun'd;
Thus up the neck, as it were hollow, rose
That murmuring of the eagle, and forthwith
Voice there assum'd, and thence along the beak
Issued in form of words, such as my heart
Did look for, on whose tables I inscrib'd them.
"The part in me, that sees, and bears the sun,,
In mortal eagles," it began, "must now
Be noted steadfastly: for of the fires,
That figure me, those, glittering in mine eye,
Are chief of all the greatest. This, that shines
Midmost for pupil, was the same, who sang
The Holy Spirit's song, and bare about
The ark from town to town; now doth he know
The merit of his soul-impassion'd strains
By their well-fitted guerdon. Of the five,
That make the circle of the vision, he
Who to the beak is nearest, comforted
The widow for her son: now doth he know
How dear he costeth not to follow Christ,
Both from experience of this pleasant life,
And of its opposite. He next, who follows
In the circumference, for the over arch,
By true repenting slack'd the pace of death:
Now knoweth he, that the degrees of heav'n
Alter not, when through pious prayer below
Today's is made tomorrow's destiny.
The other following, with the laws and me,
To yield the shepherd room, pass'd o'er to Greece,
From good intent producing evil fruit:
Now knoweth he, how all the ill, deriv'd
From his well doing, doth not helm him aught,
Though it have brought destruction on the world.
That, which thou seest in the under bow,
Was William, whom that land bewails, which weeps
For Charles and Frederick living: now he knows
How well is lov'd in heav'n the righteous king,
Which he betokens by his radiant seeming.
Who in the erring world beneath would deem,
That Trojan Ripheus in this round was set
Fifth of the saintly splendours? now he knows
Enough of that, which the world cannot see,
The grace divine, albeit e'en his sight
Reach not its utmost depth." Like to the lark,
That warbling in the air expatiates long,
Then, trilling out his last sweet melody,
Drops satiate with the sweetness; such appear'd
That image stampt by the' everlasting pleasure,
Which fashions like itself all lovely things.
I, though my doubting were as manifest,
As is through glass the hue that mantles it,
In silence waited not: for to my lips
"What things are these?" involuntary rush'd,
And forc'd a passage out: whereat I mark'd
A sudden lightening and new revelry.
The eye was kindled: and the blessed sign
No more to keep me wond'ring and suspense,
Replied: "I see that thou believ'st these things,
Because I tell them, but discern'st not how;
So that thy knowledge waits not on thy faith:
As one who knows the name of thing by rote,
But is a stranger to its properties,
Till other's tongue reveal them. Fervent love
And lively hope with violence assail
The kingdom of the heavens, and overcome
The will of the Most high; not in such sort
As man prevails o'er man; but conquers it,
Because 't is willing to be conquer'd, still,
Though conquer'd, by its mercy conquering.
"Those, in the eye who live the first and fifth,
Cause thee to marvel, in that thou behold'st
The region of the angels deck'd with them.
They quitted not their bodies, as thou deem'st,
Gentiles but Christians, in firm rooted faith,
This of the feet in future to be pierc'd,
That of feet nail'd already to the cross.
One from the barrier of the dark abyss,
Where never any with good will returns,
Came back unto his bones. Of lively hope
Such was the meed; of lively hope, that wing'd
The prayers sent up to God for his release,
And put power into them to bend his will.
The glorious Spirit, of whom I speak to thee,
A little while returning to the flesh,
Believ'd in him, who had the means to help,
And, in believing, nourish'd such a flame
Of holy love, that at the second death
He was made sharer in our gamesome mirth.
The other, through the riches of that grace,
Which from so deep a fountain doth distil,
As never eye created saw its rising,
Plac'd all his love below on just and right:
Wherefore of grace God op'd in him the eye
To the redemption of mankind to come;
Wherein believing, he endur'd no more
The filth of paganism, and for their ways
Rebuk'd the stubborn nations. The three nymphs,
Whom at the right wheel thou beheldst advancing,
Were sponsors for him more than thousand years
Before baptizing. O how far remov'd,
Predestination! is thy root from such
As see not the First cause entire: and ye,
O mortal men! be wary how ye judge:
For we, who see our Maker, know not yet
The number of the chosen: and esteem
Such scantiness of knowledge our delight:
For all our good is in that primal good
Concentrate, and God's will and ours are one."
So, by that form divine, was giv'n to me
Sweet medicine to clear and strengthen sight,
And, as one handling skillfully the harp,
Attendant on some skilful songster's voice
Bids the chords vibrate, and therein the song
Acquires more pleasure; so, the whilst it spake,
It doth remember me, that I beheld
The pair of blessed luminaries move.
Like the accordant twinkling of two eyes,
Their beamy circlets, dancing to the sounds. 上升至镇七重天土星天：隐逸寡欲者的灵魂。天梯。比尔·达明。
我的目光已经转向在我的贵妇人脸上，我的精神也随之贯注在那里，他们和其他事物已脱离了关系。她未曾微笑，她对我说：“假使我要微笑，那末塞墨勒比为灰烬的命运就会临到你的头上。因为我的美丽跟着上升于永久的宫殿而增添他的光辉，这是你早已看到的；假使我不加以约束，听他发扬，恐怕你的肉眼会受损害，像树叶被雷电焚毁一般。我们现在已经至第七重天。在热烈的狮子腹下，他放射出他的能力。留心你所见到的东西，使你的眼睛成为形象的镜子，那形象是现在这个镜子里的。”
谁要是明瞭我瞻望那幸福的面貌的愉快，他也就明白我遵从我天国的引导者的愉快，他们的重量在天秤上恰是相等。
那绕着世界旋转之晶体，他带同著名的领袖的名字，在这领袖统治之下，万恶不滋；在他之上，我看到一架金色的梯了竖立，像在阳光之下反射着一般；那梯子甚高，我的眼光及不到他的头顶。我又看到许多光辉从梯子上降下，我以为所有天上的光都聚焦在那里了。像那晨光的小鸟们，随着他们的本性，鼓翼群飞，用以和暖他禽在夜晚被寒冷所侵的羽毛；有的飞着一去不返，有的飞着再返回他的出发点，有的只在他的四周打圈；我那时所看见的圣光，他们的行动有类似于此，只是他们并不越出梯了的范围罢了。
在这些光辉之中，有一位特别接近我们，我看到他很亮，那时我心想：“我很知道你对我所表现的爱。而她掌管我的发言和静默呢，她既没有表示，我也不便发问，这不是由得我的。”于是贝雅特丽齐从一切皆见的上帝那里看到我未说的思想，她对我说：“放怀你热烈的欲望罢！”
于是我开始说：“我真不值得受你回答；只是由于她的缘故，她已经允许我问你了；幸福的灵魂呀！你包裹在欢乐之中，请你告诉我：为什么你这样地接近我呢？又请告知我：为什么下面诸轮都行虔诚的歌唱，而在此一轮，天乐竟保持着静默呢？”
他答道：“你所有的听觉，亦犹你的视觉，都属人类的；所以在这里的没有歌唱，其道理亦同于贝雅特丽齐的不曾微笑。我的从大梯下降，无非用我的言语和光辉来欢迎你。并非因为我的爱胜于别人，所以我下降的速度当比别人快；别的灵魂其热度或等于我，或大于我，都能从他光辉的亮度上令你看得明白；但那最高的爱呀，他的命令可以统辖宇宙，指定我们在这里的工作，一如你听到的。”
我说：“神圣的灯呀！我看得明白；在这宫殿中，一种自由的爱已然足够奉行神的命令；但我所不懂的是：在你的伴侣中，为什么单单指定你做这样工作呢？”
我的话还未曾说到最后一个字，那光辉以他自己为轴，像磨一样很快地转起来；于是那光辉里面的灵魂回复：“那神光透过我的外衣而照射到我的身上；他的权力连接了我的视觉，把我提高了很多，因此我认识了他的最高原素，从这儿流出他的权力。由此我为欢乐所烧，我的视觉这般明耀，和包围着我的光辉一般无二。但天上的灵魂，就说是最光明的，就说是最注视上帝的撒拉弗对你的问题也难有满意的答复；由于你所问的恰在永久命令的深渊，一切被创造的眼光被都遮断了。当你回到人世的时你须报告他们：不要再妄想前行他们的脚步，向着这样大的目标。在这里的心灵是发亮的在地上便如入烟雾之中；在天上视为高不可及的顶点怎样会被尘世的人所望及呢！”
他的这一番论调使我只得放下这个问题，于是我很谦逊地转问他自身到底是谁。“在意大利的两海岸之间，离开你的父母之邦并未很还那有一堆岩石隆起就是雷电部在其下其高度可想而知；这凸出的山峰名叫做卡德利亚，在这个峰下有一座修道院专用敬神之地。”这是对我第三次谈话的开头；于是他继续说：“我在那里专诚为上帝服役，只食用橄榄油烧的菜很轻快地经历着热天和冷天满足于默想的生活。这个修道院从前生产很多果子送进天国；而现在变为不毛之地了我马上便会说明他的理由。在那里我是比尔·达明，而彼得犯罪者则在亚得里亚海岸之圣母院中”当我不得不接受那帽子他从坏的迁到更坏的人们的时候，我所余的尘世生活已经不多了，矶法来的时院圣灵的大器皿到来的时候，他们二人都是瘦削而赤着脚，接受第一位施主的饭食。而现代牧师们的出行需要人左右扶持。他们是这般笨重，需要人前引而后推。他们的外套盖在他们盛饰的马身上叫人看了后会作一皮之下下，两兽前行之想。神的耐性呀！你真受得住如此这般现象！”
他说出这句话我看到更有许多的光辉从梯子上降下来打着转圈，而每转一圈则较前更加美丽。他们都围绕着他，大喊一声，声音深沉而无可比拟；我也难懂这个声音的意义，只是像雷声般震耳欲聋。
Again mine eyes were fix'd on Beatrice,
And with mine eyes my soul, that in her looks
Found all contentment. Yet no smile she wore
And, "Did I smile," quoth she, "thou wouldst be straight
Like Semele when into ashes turn'd:
For, mounting these eternal palace-stairs,
My beauty, which the loftier it climbs,
As thou hast noted, still doth kindle more,
So shines, that, were no temp'ring interpos'd,
Thy mortal puissance would from its rays
Shrink, as the leaf doth from the thunderbolt.
Into the seventh splendour are we wafted,
That underneath the burning lion's breast
Beams, in this hour, commingled with his might,
Thy mind be with thine eyes: and in them mirror'd
The shape, which in this mirror shall be shown."
Whoso can deem, how fondly I had fed
My sight upon her blissful countenance,
May know, when to new thoughts I chang'd, what joy
To do the bidding of my heav'nly guide:
In equal balance poising either weight.
Within the crystal, which records the name,
(As its remoter circle girds the world)
Of that lov'd monarch, in whose happy reign
No ill had power to harm, I saw rear'd up,
In colour like to sun-illumin'd gold.
A ladder, which my ken pursued in vain,
So lofty was the summit; down whose steps
I saw the splendours in such multitude
Descending, ev'ry light in heav'n, methought,
Was shed thence. As the rooks, at dawn of day
Bestirring them to dry their feathers chill,
Some speed their way a-field, and homeward some,
Returning, cross their flight, while some abide
And wheel around their airy lodge; so seem'd
That glitterance, wafted on alternate wing,
As upon certain stair it met, and clash'd
Its shining. And one ling'ring near us, wax'd
So bright, that in my thought: said: "The love,
Which this betokens me, admits no doubt."
Unwillingly from question I refrain,
To her, by whom my silence and my speech
Are order'd, looking for a sign: whence she,
Who in the sight of Him, that seeth all,
Saw wherefore I was silent, prompted me
T' indulge the fervent wish; and I began:
"I am not worthy, of my own desert,
That thou shouldst answer me; but for her sake,
Who hath vouchsaf'd my asking, spirit blest!
That in thy joy art shrouded! say the cause,
Which bringeth thee so near: and wherefore, say,
Doth the sweet symphony of Paradise
Keep silence here, pervading with such sounds
Of rapt devotion ev'ry lower sphere?"
"Mortal art thou in hearing as in sight;"
Was the reply: "and what forbade the smile
Of Beatrice interrupts our song.
Only to yield thee gladness of my voice,
And of the light that vests me, I thus far
Descend these hallow'd steps: not that more love
Invites me; for lo! there aloft, as much
Or more of love is witness'd in those flames:
But such my lot by charity assign'd,
That makes us ready servants, as thou seest,
To execute the counsel of the Highest.
"That in this court," said I, "O sacred lamp!
Love no compulsion needs, but follows free
Th' eternal Providence, I well discern:
This harder find to deem, why of thy peers
Thou only to this office wert foredoom'd."
I had not ended, when, like rapid mill,
Upon its centre whirl'd the light; and then
The love, that did inhabit there, replied:
"Splendour eternal, piercing through these folds,
Its virtue to my vision knits, and thus
Supported, lifts me so above myself,
That on the sov'ran essence, which it wells from,
I have the power to gaze: and hence the joy,
Wherewith I sparkle, equaling with my blaze
The keenness of my sight. But not the soul,
That is in heav'n most lustrous, nor the seraph
That hath his eyes most fix'd on God, shall solve
What thou hast ask'd: for in th' abyss it lies
Of th' everlasting statute sunk so low,
That no created ken may fathom it.
And, to the mortal world when thou return'st,
Be this reported; that none henceforth dare
Direct his footsteps to so dread a bourn.
The mind, that here is radiant, on the earth
Is wrapt in mist. Look then if she may do,
Below, what passeth her ability,
When she is ta'en to heav'n." By words like these
Admonish'd, I the question urg'd no more;
And of the spirit humbly sued alone
T' instruct me of its state. "'Twixt either shore
Of Italy, nor distant from thy land,
A stony ridge ariseth, in such sort,
The thunder doth not lift his voice so high,
They call it Catria: at whose foot a cell
Is sacred to the lonely Eremite,
For worship set apart and holy rites."
A third time thus it spake; then added: "There
So firmly to God's service I adher'd,
That with no costlier viands than the juice
Of olives, easily I pass'd the heats
Of summer and the winter frosts, content
In heav'n-ward musings. Rich were the returns
And fertile, which that cloister once was us'd
To render to these heavens: now 't is fall'n
Into a waste so empty, that ere long
Detection must lay bare its vanity
Pietro Damiano there was I yclept:
Pietro the sinner, when before I dwelt
Beside the Adriatic, in the house
Of our blest Lady. Near upon my close
Of mortal life, through much importuning
I was constrain'd to wear the hat that still
From bad to worse it shifted.—Cephas came;
He came, who was the Holy Spirit's vessel,
Barefoot and lean, eating their bread, as chanc'd,
At the first table. Modern Shepherd's need
Those who on either hand may prop and lead them,
So burly are they grown: and from behind
Others to hoist them. Down the palfrey's sides
Spread their broad mantles, so as both the beasts
Are cover'd with one skin. O patience! thou
That lookst on this and doth endure so long."
I at those accents saw the splendours down
From step to step alight, and wheel, and wax,
Each circuiting, more beautiful. Round this
They came, and stay'd them; uttered them a shout
So loud, it hath no likeness here: nor I
Wist what it spake, so deaf'ning was the thunder." 土星天：圣木尼狄克。上升至第八重天恒星天。但丁的回顾。
我受到惊怖，便转向我的引导人，像一个孩子总是向他最信任的怀抱躲避一样；同时，贝雅特丽齐也像母亲一般，赶忙将她灰白面色的气喘的小孩安慰下来，用她向来的语调说服他。她对我说：“你不知道你身处天上么？你不知道天上的一切都是神圣的，此地的一切举动都是出于善意么？现在，他们的呼声便足以震动你到如此地步。那末他们的歌唱及我的微笑更足以扰乱你的精神。也当可想而知了。假使你懂得那呼唤中所包含的祈祷，你便能知道那报复，在你的死前可以见到呢。天上的剑斩下不太早，也不太迟，要以盼望者及畏惧者的情形而定。现在你再回转头去看，你还可以看到许多著名的灵魂，假使你的目光听从我的指挥。”
我依了她的所欲，转动我的目光；我看到那里有一百多个小火球。他们相互照耀，显得更为美丽。我那时压制我欲望的锋锐，不愿冒昧开口，唯恐太多话。其中一颗最大最亮的珠子行到我的前面，他会满足我的好奇心。
于是我听见里面的灵魂说：“假使你知道在我们中间对于你所烧着的爱。那末你早已将你的思想表达出来了。为了不使你对于崇高的目标迟滞起见，我只在你思想所及的范围内回复你。在山顶上卡西诺是在他的山坡上，以前聚落着一批迷惘的人民和他们的不良建设。我是第一个将他的名字带至那里，他是将使我们上升的真理带到地上的一位。我蒙受很隆的恩惠，居然将附近一带的人民，从那些不确的信仰他把世界引导坏了中解救了出来。这里还有其它的灵魂，他们都是度着默想的生活，抱着这般如此的热忱，因此使圣花开放而得到圣果。这是马卡里乌斯，这是罗穆埃尔德，都是我的兄弟们，他们息脚在修道院中，执持着一颗坚贞的心。”
我对他说：“你的与我交谈，表达了你的爱；同时你们的光辉也表达了对于我的热烈欢迎；我对你们的信任增进了，好比接受日光的玫瑰花，已经开展她最后的能力了；但是，我的父亲，我是否可以得到允许，把你光辉的外衣褪去，而一见你的真相呢？”
他说：“我的兄弟，你的热望将在最后一重天得以满足，还有其他的心愿以及我的，都要在那里得以满足。那里每种欲望都是美满、成熟、完整；仅在那里，一切的部分都保持着永久的状态因为他不在空间以内，也没有两极；我们的梯子通往那里，所以那是超出你的眼光以外。昔年族长雅各曾看到这梯子的全部，那时他看到梯子上满载天使。但是现今却无人从地上脱离他的脚而攀登这梯子了；我的律令留在人间，徙然糟蹋羊皮纸罢了。那专作祈祷用的房屋，现已变为兽窟了，法衣也变为恶劣的面粉袋了。重利盘剥者所得的果报，在上帝面前，不比那使僧侣们的心变成疯狂的果实更讨厌。因为教会所留存的东西，是属于称颂上帝名字的群众，并非属于僧侣们的亲友与他们的情人的！人类的肉体多么脆弱，在世上以善始者不及以善终，好比橡树不及长成结实一般。彼得以无金无银为始，我自己以祈祷和斋戒为始，方济各以贫穷始。现在，假使你细察创始者的情形，再细察以后继者的行径，你将看到白的东西已经文饰为黑的了。然而从前上帝曾让约旦河的水倒流，红海的水为之让路，难道今日他便没有能力显示新的奇迹，拯救他的教会么？”
他这样说着，便回到他的团体里面；他们紧束他们的队伍，像旋风一样，全体回归到天上去了。那时我温和的贵妇人向我做手势，让我跟着他们走上梯子；她的权力真的克服了我的肉体，不像在地上的升降要遵从自然的定律，我的上升是那么快，就是比做腋下生翼也不足为喻。
读者请君呀！假使我的话不实在，我便永不回至那虔敬的胜利；为此目标，我常痛哭我的罪恶而捶击我的胸膛呢。在那放指于火而急抽回的一刹那，我已经看到那次于金牛的星座，而且进了里面。
光荣的众星呀！含蓄着伟大德性的光芒！我从你们获至我的天才，姑不问他的成就何如。当地上一切生命之父与你们同起同落的时候，我正开始呼吸托斯卡纳的空气。“神恩允诺我上升到第八重天的时候，我又得以访问你们老家的机会。现在，我的灵魂对你表示诚恳的呼吁，令我对于未来所遇的艰难有克服的能力。
贝雅特丽齐那时开始说：“你已接近你最高的幸福，你的目光应当更加明亮锐利。所以在你向前行进之前，最好将你脚下的宇宙回顾一下；然后带着你一颗欢畅之心，去参加胜利的一群，他们都要在这一重天很愉快地迎接。”
我的目光经历七重天而看见我们的球，对于他的渺小而可怜的状态，我不觉微笑了；由此我对于轻看他的意见表示赞同；那些将思想转向别处的可说是真正的智者。我看见拉托娜的女儿亮着而未曾暗斑，从前我以为他们是因为物质的稀薄或稠密呢。你儿子的光，希佩里恩呀！我也忍受得住了；而且我也看清楚麦雅的儿子和狄俄的女儿怎样绕着他。在那里我看见尤比特，他调和他儿子的热及他父亲的冷；我也看清他们怎样运转移动。这七个都现在我的眼前：他们的大小，他们旋转的速度，他们相隔的路程。当我伴着永久双子星座旋转时，那小小的引起人类残忍的欲念的圆面，全部现出示现给我了，从他的山脉到河口；最后，我收回我的目光转向着贝雅特丽齐美丽的双眸。
Astounded, to the guardian of my steps
I turn'd me, like the chill, who always runs
Thither for succour, where he trusteth most,
And she was like the mother, who her son
Beholding pale and breathless, with her voice
Soothes him, and he is cheer'd; for thus she spake,
Soothing me: "Know'st not thou, thou art in heav'n?
And know'st not thou, whatever is in heav'n,
Is holy, and that nothing there is done
But is done zealously and well? Deem now,
What change in thee the song, and what my smile
had wrought, since thus the shout had pow'r to move thee.
In which couldst thou have understood their prayers,
The vengeance were already known to thee,
Which thou must witness ere thy mortal hour,
The sword of heav'n is not in haste to smite,
Nor yet doth linger, save unto his seeming,
Who in desire or fear doth look for it.
But elsewhere now l bid thee turn thy view;
So shalt thou many a famous spirit behold."
Mine eyes directing, as she will'd, I saw
A hundred little spheres, that fairer grew
By interchange of splendour. I remain'd,
As one, who fearful of o'er-much presuming,
Abates in him the keenness of desire,
Nor dares to question, when amid those pearls,
One largest and most lustrous onward drew,
That it might yield contentment to my wish;
And from within it these the sounds I heard.
"If thou, like me, beheldst the charity
That burns amongst us, what thy mind conceives,
Were utter'd. But that, ere the lofty bound
Thou reach, expectance may not weary thee,
I will make answer even to the thought,
Which thou hast such respect of. In old days,
That mountain, at whose side Cassino rests,
Was on its height frequented by a race
Deceived and ill dispos'd: and I it was,
Who thither carried first the name of Him,
Who brought the soul-subliming truth to man.
And such a speeding grace shone over me,
That from their impious worship I reclaim'd
The dwellers round about, who with the world
Were in delusion lost. These other flames,
The spirits of men contemplative, were all
Enliven'd by that warmth, whose kindly force
Gives birth to flowers and fruits of holiness.
Here is Macarius; Romoaldo here:
And here my brethren, who their steps refrain'd
Within the cloisters, and held firm their heart."
I answ'ring, thus; "Thy gentle words and kind,
And this the cheerful semblance, I behold
Not unobservant, beaming in ye all,
Have rais'd assurance in me, wakening it
Full-blossom'd in my bosom, as a rose
Before the sun, when the consummate flower
Has spread to utmost amplitude. Of thee
Therefore entreat I, father! to declare
If I may gain such favour, as to gaze
Upon thine image, by no covering veil'd."
"Brother!" he thus rejoin'd, "in the last sphere
Expect completion of thy lofty aim,
For there on each desire completion waits,
And there on mine: where every aim is found
Perfect, entire, and for fulfillment ripe.
There all things are as they have ever been:
For space is none to bound, nor pole divides,
Our ladder reaches even to that clime,
And so at giddy distance mocks thy view.
Thither the Patriarch Jacob saw it stretch
Its topmost round, when it appear'd to him
With angels laden. But to mount it now
None lifts his foot from earth: and hence my rule
Is left a profitless stain upon the leaves;
The walls, for abbey rear'd, turned into dens,
The cowls to sacks choak'd up with musty meal.
Foul usury doth not more lift itself
Against God's pleasure, than that fruit which makes
The hearts of monks so wanton: for whate'er
Is in the church's keeping, all pertains.
To such, as sue for heav'n's sweet sake, and not
To those who in respect of kindred claim,
Or on more vile allowance. Mortal flesh
Is grown so dainty, good beginnings last not
From the oak's birth, unto the acorn's setting.
His convent Peter founded without gold
Or silver; I with pray'rs and fasting mine;
And Francis his in meek humility.
And if thou note the point, whence each proceeds,
Then look what it hath err'd to, thou shalt find
The white grown murky. Jordan was turn'd back;
And a less wonder, then the refluent sea,
May at God's pleasure work amendment here."
So saying, to his assembly back he drew:
And they together cluster'd into one,
Then all roll'd upward like an eddying wind.
The sweet dame beckon'd me to follow them:
And, by that influence only, so prevail'd
Over my nature, that no natural motion,
Ascending or descending here below,
Had, as I mounted, with my pennon vied.
So, reader, as my hope is to return
Unto the holy triumph, for the which
I ofttimes wail my sins, and smite my breast,
Thou hadst been longer drawing out and thrusting
Thy finger in the fire, than I was, ere
The sign, that followeth Taurus, I beheld,
And enter'd its precinct. O glorious stars!
O light impregnate with exceeding virtue!
To whom whate'er of genius lifteth me
Above the vulgar, grateful I refer;
With ye the parent of all mortal life
Arose and set, when I did first inhale
The Tuscan air; and afterward, when grace
Vouchsaf'd me entrance to the lofty wheel
That in its orb impels ye, fate decreed
My passage at your clime. To you my soul
Devoutly sighs, for virtue even now
To meet the hard emprize that draws me on.
"Thou art so near the sum of blessedness,"
Said Beatrice, "that behooves thy ken
Be vigilant and clear. And, to this end,
Or even thou advance thee further, hence
Look downward, and contemplate, what a world
Already stretched under our feet there lies:
So as thy heart may, in its blithest mood,
Present itself to the triumphal throng,
Which through the' etherial concave comes rejoicing."
I straight obey'd; and with mine eye return'd
Through all the seven spheres, and saw this globe
So pitiful of semblance, that perforce
It moved my smiles: and him in truth I hold
For wisest, who esteems it least: whose thoughts
Elsewhere are fix'd, him worthiest call and best.
I saw the daughter of Latona shine
Without the shadow, whereof late I deem'd
That dense and rare were cause. Here I sustain'd
The visage, Hyperion! of thy sun;
And mark'd, how near him with their circle, round
Move Maia and Dione; here discern'd
Jove's tempering 'twixt his sire and son; and hence
Their changes and their various aspects
Distinctly scann'd. Nor might I not descry
Of all the seven, how bulky each, how swift;
Nor of their several distances not learn.
This petty area (o'er the which we stride
So fiercely), as along the eternal twins
I wound my way, appear'd before me all,
Forth from the havens stretch'd unto the hills.
Then to the beauteous eyes mine eyes return'd. 恒星天：基督及马利亚的幻象。
像母鸟孵出一窝小鸟在树林之中，在那深沉夜之时，百物不见，她因希望看见他们可爱的形状，并为他们寻找食物，做这虽苦犹乐的工作，一大早便飞登树梢，向着东方很心切地盼着天晓和日出；我的贵妇人当时立定在我身旁，也是如此这般心急的样子，向着天上太阳似乎移动而最迟慢的部分；至于我呢，我看着她有所期待的神气；像我目前一无所有的人，满足于未来的希冀罢了。
但在我的等待和有所发见，其间是不过一忽儿时光，那时我看几天上逐渐转变新的光明。于是贝雅特丽齐对我说：“那里是基督胜利的军队，以及诸天旋转所收获的一切果实。”那时她的面色，在我看来，像火一般，她的目睛里充满了喜悦，这些都是不许我描写的。
就像在明月之夜。特里维亚辉耀于众女神中间，她们装点天空的各部，我看见在几千盏灯之上有一尊太阳，他的照明一切，正如我们的照明在我们头上的；在那活泼的光明中，透出明亮的本体，其程度竟使我的眼经受不住。贝雅特丽齐呀！温柔的、亲爱的引导人呀！她对我说：“克服你的是一种德性，超越一切的德性。那里是智慧与权力，他们开辟天与地之间通道，这是久已为人所期盼的了。”
像云中之火，因为云难以容纳他，突破而出，违反他天性而冲至地面一般；那时我的精神因在这些丰盛的食品之间成长大了，突破他自己，变为如何的情形，已是不能记得了。
“张开你的眼睛，看看我现在是怎样了；你已经看到了那些事物，他们使你经受得住我的微笑。”
当我听到她这样值得感激的召请，直是永远不能在记述过去的书上抹去，那时我如梦初醒，但这个梦竟无法再忆起了。假使现在有很多品尝过波林尼亚和她姊妹的甜蜜乳水的舌头，他们就算一致帮助我，也不足以使我歌颂出那圣笑那圣客使他变成如此的纯净达于真实之万一。所以，描述天堂，这神圣的诗也不能不有所跳跃，像一个行路的人遇到了缺口一般。但谁要是想到在我这人类的、脆弱的肩头上，负担起多么重大的题目，对于我的颤抖他总不会叱责我罢。我的航行，决非可以以小舟去破万里浪的，也不是畏首畏尾的舵手所可担当的。
“为什么你如此恋恋于我的面貌，不回转头去看看基督光明下盛开着花的美丽园子呢？那里有玫瑰花，是神的道成肉身之处所；那里有许多百合花，用他们的香气指引善的路径。”
贝雅特丽齐如此这般说；我呢，我对于她的劝告无不乐于听命，我再逐使我虚弱的眼睑去作战。如同戴上遮光帽看到一片草地，那时纯洁的阳光从云的裂缝透出，照明了绚烂的群花一般，我看到一群光辉，他们都是借光于那上面的更热情的、不可仰视的光源。
善的权力呀！你将你的光充满他们，你却把你自己提升得很高，因为我的目光对于你是没有力量承受的。
那朵美花的名字，我常常早晚祈祷，现在吸引我的注目，瞻望那最盛大的火光。当我看出那颗活星她在天上胜利无敌，一如她示于地上的光芒和规模的时候，在那天上我望见一个圆的光辉降下，围绕她旋转，一如她的花冠一般，“地上最和谐的、最感动人心的音乐，假使和那围绕着天上最光亮之宝石古琴声相媲，直是与破云而出的雷鸣无异了。“我是天使之爱，我飞绕着那崇高的欢乐，他是从那寄寓着我们的希望的胸怀发放而出的；我愿意这般环绕着你，天之后呀！直至你随着你的儿子进入那最高的天，天也由于你的所在而更显神圣了。”那旋转的光明就是这般唱着，所有其他的光辉也一齐呼唤马利亚的名字。
那包裹所有宇宙诸天的庄严的外环，他是散发上帝的气息和品德最激烈最迅捷的，他高高在上，就是他的内向面离我也还很遥远，从我所在之处是不能望见的。所以我的眼睛无力追随那戴着花冠的光辉，她已跟从她的儿子飞升了。像食过奶以后。小儿张开手臂对他母亲表示热情一般，所有其他的幸福灵魂都发挥他们光辉的尖锋，对于马利亚的敬爱他们都已显示在我的目前。最后，留在那里的灵魂唱到“天之后呀！”我永远不忘那歌声的温柔，及使我所感的愉快。
充满在这些富有的箱子里，是多么丰富的财宝呀！他们在人间散布多少善良的种子呀！这里，他们赏玩他们在巴比伦流亡时代哭泣所获的财富，在那里他们曾抛舍了黄金。这里，在上帝和马利亚高贵的儿子的胜利辉映之下，再加以新旧的结集，那持有很崇高光荣之钥匙的一位凯旋了。
E'en as the bird, who midst the leafy bower
Has, in her nest, sat darkling through the night,
With her sweet brood, impatient to descry
Their wished looks, and to bring home their food,
In the fond quest unconscious of her toil:
She, of the time prevenient, on the spray,
That overhangs their couch, with wakeful gaze
Expects the sun; nor ever, till the dawn,
Removeth from the east her eager ken;
So stood the dame erect, and bent her glance
Wistfully on that region, where the sun
Abateth most his speed; that, seeing her
Suspense and wand'ring, I became as one,
In whom desire is waken'd, and the hope
Of somewhat new to come fills with delight.
Short space ensued; I was not held, I say,
Long in expectance, when I saw the heav'n
Wax more and more resplendent; and, "Behold,"
Cried Beatrice, "the triumphal hosts
Of Christ, and all the harvest reap'd at length
Of thy ascending up these spheres." Meseem'd,
That, while she spake her image all did burn,
And in her eyes such fullness was of joy,
And I am fain to pass unconstrued by.
As in the calm full moon, when Trivia smiles,
In peerless beauty, 'mid th' eternal nympus,
That paint through all its gulfs the blue profound
In bright pre-eminence so saw I there,
O'er million lamps a sun, from whom all drew
Their radiance as from ours the starry train:
And through the living light so lustrous glow'd
The substance, that my ken endur'd it not.
O Beatrice! sweet and precious guide!
Who cheer'd me with her comfortable words!
"Against the virtue, that o'erpow'reth thee,
Avails not to resist. Here is the might,
And here the wisdom, which did open lay
The path, that had been yearned for so long,
Betwixt the heav'n and earth." Like to the fire,
That, in a cloud imprison'd doth break out
Expansive, so that from its womb enlarg'd,
It falleth against nature to the ground;
Thus in that heav'nly banqueting my soul
Outgrew herself; and, in the transport lost.
Holds now remembrance none of what she was.
"Ope thou thine eyes, and mark me: thou hast seen
Things, that empower thee to sustain my smile."
I was as one, when a forgotten dream
Doth come across him, and he strives in vain
To shape it in his fantasy again,
Whenas that gracious boon was proffer'd me,
Which never may be cancel'd from the book,
Wherein the past is written. Now were all
Those tongues to sound, that have on sweetest milk
Of Polyhymnia and her sisters fed
And fatten'd, not with all their help to boot,
Unto the thousandth parcel of the truth,
My song might shadow forth that saintly smile,
flow merely in her saintly looks it wrought.
And with such figuring of Paradise
The sacred strain must leap, like one, that meets
A sudden interruption to his road.
But he, who thinks how ponderous the theme,
And that 't is lain upon a mortal shoulder,
May pardon, if it tremble with the burden.
The track, our ventrous keel must furrow, brooks
No unribb'd pinnace, no self-sparing pilot.
"Why doth my face," said Beatrice, "thus
Enamour thee, as that thou dost not turn
Unto the beautiful garden, blossoming
Beneath the rays of Christ? Here is the rose,
Wherein the word divine was made incarnate;
And here the lilies, by whose odour known
The way of life was follow'd." Prompt I heard
Her bidding, and encounter once again
The strife of aching vision. As erewhile,
Through glance of sunlight, stream'd through broken cloud,
Mine eyes a flower-besprinkled mead have seen,
Though veil'd themselves in shade; so saw I there
Legions of splendours, on whom burning rays
Shed lightnings from above, yet saw I not
The fountain whence they flow'd. O gracious virtue!
Thou, whose broad stamp is on them, higher up
Thou didst exalt thy glory to give room
To my o'erlabour'd sight: when at the name
Of that fair flower, whom duly I invoke
Both morn and eve, my soul, with all her might
Collected, on the goodliest ardour fix'd.
And, as the bright dimensions of the star
In heav'n excelling, as once here on earth
Were, in my eyeballs lively portray'd,
Lo! from within the sky a cresset fell,
Circling in fashion of a diadem,
And girt the star, and hov'ring round it wheel'd.
Whatever melody sounds sweetest here,
And draws the spirit most unto itself,
Might seem a rent cloud when it grates the thunder,
Compar'd unto the sounding of that lyre,
Wherewith the goodliest sapphire, that inlays
The floor of heav'n, was crown'd. "Angelic Love,
I am, who thus with hov'ring flight enwheel
The lofty rapture from that womb inspir'd,
Where our desire did dwell: and round thee so,
Lady of Heav'n! will hover; long as thou
Thy Son shalt follow, and diviner joy
Shall from thy presence gild the highest sphere."
Such close was to the circling melody:
And, as it ended, all the other lights
Took up the strain, and echoed Mary's name.
The robe, that with its regal folds enwraps
The world, and with the nearer breath of God
Doth burn and quiver, held so far retir'd
Its inner hem and skirting over us,
That yet no glimmer of its majesty
Had stream'd unto me: therefore were mine eyes
Unequal to pursue the crowned flame,
That rose and sought its natal seed of fire;
And like to babe, that stretches forth its arms
For very eagerness towards the breast,
After the milk is taken; so outstretch'd
Their wavy summits all the fervent band,
Through zealous love to Mary: then in view
There halted, and "Regina Coeli" sang
So sweetly, the delight hath left me never.
O what o'erflowing plenty is up-pil'd
In those rich-laden coffers, which below
Sow'd the good seed, whose harvest now they keep.
Here are the treasures tasted, that with tears
Were in the Babylonian exile won,
When gold had fail'd them. Here in synod high
Of ancient council with the new conven'd,
Under the Son of Mary and of God,
Victorious he his mighty triumph holds,
To whom the keys of glory were assign'd. 恒星天：圣彼得考问但丁关于信仰。
“被选于中福的羔羊之大会食的一群呀！你们所获的滋养，使你们的希求无不满足；假使这一个人可以在死神下令之先，蒙上帝之恩惠，先尝些许你们桌下之弃物，那末请你们注意他无穷之渴望，赏他一些甘露；你们长饮的泉水，也正是他渴求之处。”
贝雅特丽齐如此说；那些喜极的灵魂绕着一定的轴心旋转，放出强烈之光，像彗星的群一般。像时计内部的轮盘，有的看去似乎未动。有的却似乎飞翔一般；那些舞蹈队也是这样，或疾或迟，叫人想到他们所获于上帝者之多寡不同。在其中我看到一个最美丽的，他发出其他灵魂无可比及的光芒；他离开他们的队伍，绕了贝雅待丽齐三匝，唱着神圣的歌曲，这是我的想象所难复述的，如是我的笔也只好略而不写；因为这幅画无论是我们的言辞，或是我们的想象，都没有足够的绘笔可以将之描摹出来呀！
“我的圣姊妹呀！因为你对于他这样的热诚，替他如此的祈求，所以我离开美丽的圆环。”那幸福的火一停下来，便对我的贵妇人这般说。
于是她说；“大伟人的永久之光呀！你是我主将钥匙从天国带下去给你的那位，请你考问在我旁边的这个人，难易都无妨。一任你的自由，关于信仰的问题，以往你曾因信仰而步行于海上。他的爱是否正大，他的望和信是否无谬，固然瞒不过你，因为你的目光曾经看到那一切描绘在内的所及。但这个国度是以真实的信仰来聚集他的民众，为表扬他起见，不妨趁这个机缘谈一谈。”
如一位学生，在教师未发问之前不开口，只是私下准备应付、虽然不一定可以解答；那时我一听到贝雅特丽齐的话，便准备言辞，以应付这样一位夸官和这样一个问题。
“善良的耶教徒呀！你大胆的回答：什么是信仰？”我一闻此言，便抬头望着那发育的光辉一眼；随即又转向贝雅特丽齐，她立即做手势叫我将心中的泉水泻出。于是我开始答说：“假使上帝之恩惠允诺我在崇高的百人长之前表达我的意见。那末请他使我能够明白表达出来！”我继续说：“我的父呀！依照你亲爱的兄弟他和你使罗马步上善良所手写的真言，信仰当是所希望的事物之本质，也是所未见的事物之证据；我认为这便是他的要旨。”那时我听到说：“你的思想不错，假使你真了解你为什么将信仰放入本质之中，后又放置证据之中。”于是我说：“这些深不可测的事物，在这里我看得清晰了，可是却能瞒过世间人的耳目．他们只存于信仰之中，又在信仰上建筑起那崇高之希望，因此信仰实包函本质之意义；由此信仰，虽未目见，我们已能推论，所以信仰也包含证据之意义。”那时我听到说：“假使世间人都以这样教法而获至了解，那就没有诡辩之余地了。”
那位热情之爱这般说；于是又补一句道：“这货币考验的结果成分和重量都适合；请你告诉我，在你的袋子里有什么？”我说：“确有的，我的是发亮且整圆，他的印花也没有丝毫的模糊。”
于是从那光亮中又发出声音：“这可贵的宝石，能作建立一切德性的基础，你从何得来？”我说：“圣灵的暴雨落遍新旧的羊皮纸上，那就是引导我至这种明晰的断案之论理学，一切另有的证据与此相较，在我看来都显笨重。”于是我听到说：“令你得到这种断案的新旧命题，如何你将他们当做神的刍语呢？”我说：“示我以真埋之证据者，与其跟随而起之作为，这些既未有自然为之热铁，也未有为之锤击铁砧。”他对我的回答是：“请你说明，谁为你证明这些作为呢？所能对你发誓的不过只有书本子罢了，并没有别的。”我说：“假使世间变成为基督教而并未依于那些奇迹，这便是百倍于其他一切之奇迹了；因为你挨冻受饿，将一块荒地播满善种，而令他成为一个葡萄园，而今日在那里却长着炯棘了。”
我刚说完，那高高的圣廷便颂出“我们颂扬上帝”之声，这是在此灭到彼天所起之天乐。于是那子爵从一枝到一枝地继考问于我；将近最后的几叶，又开始道：“神恩对你之布施，使你开了应开的口；我对于你所谈吐表示赞同；但现在要请你表达你的所信，及信仰之来由。”
我开始说：“圣父呀！精灵呀！你现在看到你以往所坚信不疑的了，你曾经胜出较年轻的足先入那坟墓，你要我在此明了表示我的信仰的形式以及他的成因，这便是我的答案：我相信唯一之永久的上帝。他自己不动，而用爱和欲去转运诸天。我这种信仰，不仅存有形而下的及形而上的证明，且我还从他处获得他的真理呢：如从摩西，从诸先知，从《诗篇》，从《福音书》，以及从你们的著作，圣灵已使你们成圣了。又，我相信三个永久之人格，相信他们乃一个原素，所以为一为三都是一般。现在我所议及的甚深神性，《福音书》中的教导多次令我的精神上感受印象。这是我的信仰之纲要；这原本是星星之火，但发扬光大便照耀我，就如天上的一颗明星。”
像一位主人听到他的仆人报告一件新闻后，满心欢喜而去拥抱他一般；同样，那对我考问的使徒之光，在我说完之后，也绕旋了我三匝，用他的歌唱来为我祝福，这些举动表示了我的答复令他欢喜。
"O ye! in chosen fellowship advanc'd
To the great supper of the blessed Lamb,
Whereon who feeds hath every wish fulfill'd!
If to this man through God's grace be vouchsaf'd
Foretaste of that, which from your table falls,
Or ever death his fated term prescribe;
Be ye not heedless of his urgent will;
But may some influence of your sacred dews
Sprinkle him. Of the fount ye alway drink,
Whence flows what most he craves." Beatrice spake,
And the rejoicing spirits, like to spheres
On firm-set poles revolving, trail'd a blaze
Of comet splendour; and as wheels, that wind
Their circles in the horologe, so work
The stated rounds, that to th' observant eye
The first seems still, and, as it flew, the last;
E'en thus their carols weaving variously,
They by the measure pac'd, or swift, or slow,
Made me to rate the riches of their joy.
From that, which I did note in beauty most
Excelling, saw I issue forth a flame
So bright, as none was left more goodly there.
Round Beatrice thrice it wheel'd about,
With so divine a song, that fancy's ear
Records it not; and the pen passeth on
And leaves a blank: for that our mortal speech,
Nor e'en the inward shaping of the brain,
Hath colours fine enough to trace such folds.
"O saintly sister mine! thy prayer devout
Is with so vehement affection urg'd,
Thou dost unbind me from that beauteous sphere."
Such were the accents towards my lady breath'd
From that blest ardour, soon as it was stay'd:
To whom she thus: "O everlasting light
Of him, within whose mighty grasp our Lord
Did leave the keys, which of this wondrous bliss
He bare below! tent this man, as thou wilt,
With lighter probe or deep, touching the faith,
By the which thou didst on the billows walk.
If he in love, in hope, and in belief,
Be steadfast, is not hid from thee: for thou
Hast there thy ken, where all things are beheld
In liveliest portraiture. But since true faith
Has peopled this fair realm with citizens,
Meet is, that to exalt its glory more,
Thou in his audience shouldst thereof discourse."
Like to the bachelor, who arms himself,
And speaks not, till the master have propos'd
The question, to approve, and not to end it;
So I, in silence, arm'd me, while she spake,
Summoning up each argument to aid;
As was behooveful for such questioner,
And such profession: "As good Christian ought,
Declare thee, What is faith?" Whereat I rais'd
My forehead to the light, whence this had breath'd,
Then turn'd to Beatrice, and in her looks
Approval met, that from their inmost fount
I should unlock the waters. "May the grace,
That giveth me the captain of the church
For confessor," said I, "vouchsafe to me
Apt utterance for my thoughts!" then added: "Sire!
E'en as set down by the unerring style
Of thy dear brother, who with thee conspir'd
To bring Rome in unto the way of life,
Faith of things hop'd is substance, and the proof
Of things not seen; and herein doth consist
Methinks its essence,"—"Rightly hast thou deem'd,"
Was answer'd: "if thou well discern, why first
He hath defin'd it, substance, and then proof."
"The deep things," I replied, "which here I scan
Distinctly, are below from mortal eye
So hidden, they have in belief alone
Their being, on which credence hope sublime
Is built; and therefore substance it intends.
And inasmuch as we must needs infer
From such belief our reasoning, all respect
To other view excluded, hence of proof
Th' intention is deriv'd." Forthwith I heard:
"If thus, whate'er by learning men attain,
Were understood, the sophist would want room
To exercise his wit." So breath'd the flame
Of love: then added: "Current is the coin
Thou utter'st, both in weight and in alloy.
But tell me, if thou hast it in thy purse."
"Even so glittering and so round," said I,
"I not a whit misdoubt of its assay."
Next issued from the deep imbosom'd splendour:
"Say, whence the costly jewel, on the which
Is founded every virtue, came to thee."
"The flood," I answer'd, "from the Spirit of God
Rain'd down upon the ancient bond and new,—
Here is the reas'ning, that convinceth me
So feelingly, each argument beside
Seems blunt and forceless in comparison."
Then heard I: "Wherefore holdest thou that each,
The elder proposition and the new,
Which so persuade thee, are the voice of heav'n?"
"The works, that follow'd, evidence their truth;"
I answer'd: "Nature did not make for these
The iron hot, or on her anvil mould them."
"Who voucheth to thee of the works themselves,"
Was the reply, "that they in very deed
Are that they purport? None hath sworn so to thee."
"That all the world," said I, "should have been turn'd
To Christian, and no miracle been wrought,
Would in itself be such a miracle,
The rest were not an hundredth part so great.
E'en thou wentst forth in poverty and hunger
To set the goodly plant, that from the vine,
It once was, now is grown unsightly bramble."
That ended, through the high celestial court
Resounded all the spheres. "Praise we one God!"
In song of most unearthly melody.
And when that Worthy thus, from branch to branch,
Examining, had led me, that we now
Approach'd the topmost bough, he straight resum'd;
"The grace, that holds sweet dalliance with thy soul,
So far discreetly hath thy lips unclos'd
That, whatsoe'er has past them, I commend.
Behooves thee to express, what thou believ'st,
The next, and whereon thy belief hath grown."
"O saintly sire and spirit!" I began,
"Who seest that, which thou didst so believe,
As to outstrip feet younger than thine own,
Toward the sepulchre? thy will is here,
That I the tenour of my creed unfold;
And thou the cause of it hast likewise ask'd.
And I reply: I in one God believe,
One sole eternal Godhead, of whose love
All heav'n is mov'd, himself unmov'd the while.
Nor demonstration physical alone,
Or more intelligential and abstruse,
Persuades me to this faith; but from that truth
It cometh to me rather, which is shed
Through Moses, the rapt Prophets, and the Psalms.
The Gospel, and that ye yourselves did write,
When ye were gifted of the Holy Ghost.
In three eternal Persons I believe,
Essence threefold and one, mysterious league
Of union absolute, which, many a time,
The word of gospel lore upon my mind
Imprints: and from this germ, this firstling spark,
The lively flame dilates, and like heav'n's star
Doth glitter in me." As the master hears,
Well pleas'd, and then enfoldeth in his arms
The servant, who hath joyful tidings brought,
And having told the errand keeps his peace;
Thus benediction uttering with song
Soon as my peace I held, compass'd me thrice
The apostolic radiance, whose behest
Had op'd lips; so well their answer pleas'd. 圣雅各考问但丁关于希望。圣约翰的灵魂出现。
假使有一天临到，这天与地都加手其间的、使我消瘦了许多年的神圣之诗，可以克服那残忍心，就算这个令我不得返于柔软的羊棚；我曾是安卧于那里的羔羊，令那些争斗不休的群狼所忌；那末我将带着另一种音声，另一种羊毛，以诗人的模样回返，而且要在我受洗之处接受那花冠；因为在那里我的确入于信仰，由此我的灵魂被上帝所识，方才又因此信仰承蒙圣彼得在我额前绕三匝。
那时又有一束光辉从那队伍基督的第一位代理者也从那里出现向着我们迎来。于是我的贵妇人充满喜悦对我说：“看呀！看呀！看那子爵在地上，由于他的缘故，人们访问加利西亚。”
像一只鸽子停在他的伴侣之侧，他们各自飞旋，又窃窃私语以表示相互的爱悦；同样，我看这两位伟大光荣的领袖相互招呼，又称颂那里育生的食品。在他们祝福完毕以后，他们在我面前皆默默无言，但他们的光芒令我晕眩。那时贝雅特丽齐微笑着说：“著名的灵魂，从你开端，我们宫廷的宽宏大量始有了记录，你使希望响达这里之高处；你的表达希望已有多次，当耶稣特别对于你们三位显发光明的时候。”
“抬起你的头，坚定你的心；谁能从人间升至这里，对于我们之光芒应当看惯了。”这种劝告来自那第二位光辉；于是我抬头望向那些高山，在以前他们的重量压住我的眉宇呢。他又继续看说：“因为我们皇帝的恩惠，在你死亡之前，允许你和他的诸伯爵相会于最秘密的宫廷中；要你看清这宫廷之真相，因此坚定你之希望，由此推及地上好善之辈；请你对我说：希望是什么？怎样在你的精神上盛开着这朵花？他从何而来的？”
于是那虔敬的贵妇人，她引导我的双翼飞往这样高，她超我之前回答道：“在交战的教会，没有一个孩子的希望会比他更丰富，你可以在临照我们的太阳中看出来；因此他获允许在军队服役期满之前，从埃及到耶路撒冷前来观光。其他二点，我让他自己去回答，并非说你要了解他的程度，只是看他这种品德，能多么令你欢喜而已；这种回答不困难，当也非因此可以骄傲的事情。蒙天庇佑，听他自己回答罢。”
像一个准备充足的学生，立即回复他教师的提问，以显示他的本领一般，我说：“希望是一种对于未来光荣之预期，这种光荣生于神恩和在先之功德。从许多星光射到我身上；但那第一位透入我心灵中的是那最高领袖的最高歌者。在他的颂歌之中，他说：“令知道你的名字的人们寄希望于你。”与我有同信仰之人们，谁不知道这名字呢？你的《书信》随着他的点滴注入了我心，我被充满了，从我再把你们的甘露倾泻在他人身上。”
当我这样说的时候，那光明的内部，忽然发出亮光，似闪电一般；于是他说：“对于那种德性，我仍旧怀着热烈的爱，那种品德随着我脱出战场而达到棕榈。我愿意再与你一谈那你我二人有同好的品德；我愿意你对我述及那希望所允诺你的事物。”我说：“那《新约》和那《旧约》都指示我同一个目标，他自己也已显示在我眼前，这里就是上帝与他们为友之灵魂归宿处。以赛亚说他们每位将在此方穿着两重衣服，而他们的地方就是这甜美之生活。你的兄弟对于这一点表示得更为显明，当他把天上之白袍启示于我们的时候。”
我这些话将完之际，在我们头顶上传来了歌声：“叫他们寄希望于你。”一唱且百和；稍后，他们之中透出一线光辉，他明亮的程度，假使将之放在巨蟹宫，那末一个月的冬天将缩短成为一个白昼。他像一位舞蹈的女郎，欢欢喜喜而来，他的目的意在敬礼新娘，并非要吸引他人的注目；我看见那光辉交合着以前的两位，他们像车轮一般旋转着，因为他们热烈的爱应有这般举动。他参加他们的乐歌；那时我的贵妇人注视着他们，沉静而不动似一位新娘。
“这个光辉就是他，他曾躺卧在我们的塘鹅胸前，他又是从十字架接受了使命的那位。”我的贵妇人这样对我说；但她的目光仍然不变以前的注视。
像一个注视太阳的人，等候着日蚀之将临，竟由此眩晕而失去目力一般；我因注视这后来之光辉也变成如此，那时他说：“为什么你注视一个在这里并非存在的东西以至于眩晕呢？在地上，我的身体是土地；他将与其他的身体同样留在那里，直待我们之数目等于神之永久命令。穿着双重衣服而来此幸福的修道院的，只有两重光辉，他们已经飞升了；你把这句话带回下界凡人罢。”
说到此处，那光辉的环暂停止转动，连就他们三个的和谐歌声也息了，就似那些船夫为避免危险或疲劳的缘故，一闻啸声便停止正在打水的桨一般。
唉！我的心绪如此混乱，当我回向贝雅恃丽齐之时，我竟看不见她，虽然我仍旧接近她，且仍在幸福的世界！
If e'er the sacred poem that hath made
Both heav'n and earth copartners in its toil,
And with lean abstinence, through many a year,
Faded my brow, be destin'd to prevail
Over the cruelty, which bars me forth
Of the fair sheep-fold, where a sleeping lamb
The wolves set on and fain had worried me,
With other voice and fleece of other grain
I shall forthwith return, and, standing up
At my baptismal font, shall claim the wreath
Due to the poet's temples: for I there
First enter'd on the faith which maketh souls
Acceptable to God: and, for its sake,
Peter had then circled my forehead thus.
Next from the squadron, whence had issued forth
The first fruit of Christ's vicars on the earth,
Toward us mov'd a light, at view whereof
My Lady, full of gladness, spake to me:
"Lo! lo! behold the peer of mickle might,
That makes Falicia throng'd with visitants!"
As when the ring-dove by his mate alights,
In circles each about the other wheels,
And murmuring cooes his fondness; thus saw I
One, of the other great and glorious prince,
With kindly greeting hail'd, extolling both
Their heavenly banqueting; but when an end
Was to their gratulation, silent, each,
Before me sat they down, so burning bright,
I could not look upon them. Smiling then,
Beatrice spake: "O life in glory shrin'd!"
Who didst the largess of our kingly court
Set down with faithful pen! let now thy voice
Of hope the praises in this height resound.
For thou, who figur'st them in shapes, as clear,
As Jesus stood before thee, well can'st speak them."
"Lift up thy head, and be thou strong in trust:
For that, which hither from the mortal world
Arriveth, must be ripen'd in our beam."
Such cheering accents from the second flame
Assur'd me; and mine eyes I lifted up
Unto the mountains that had bow'd them late
With over-heavy burden. "Sith our Liege
Wills of his grace that thou, or ere thy death,
In the most secret council, with his lords
Shouldst be confronted, so that having view'd
The glories of our court, thou mayst therewith
Thyself, and all who hear, invigorate
With hope, that leads to blissful end; declare,
What is that hope, how it doth flourish in thee,
And whence thou hadst it?" Thus proceeding still,
The second light: and she, whose gentle love
My soaring pennons in that lofty flight
Escorted, thus preventing me, rejoin'd:
Among her sons, not one more full of hope,
Hath the church militant: so 't is of him
Recorded in the sun, whose liberal orb
Enlighteneth all our tribe: and ere his term
Of warfare, hence permitted he is come,
From Egypt to Jerusalem, to see.
The other points, both which thou hast inquir'd,
Not for more knowledge, but that he may tell
How dear thou holdst the virtue, these to him
Leave I; for he may answer thee with ease,
And without boasting, so God give him grace."
Like to the scholar, practis'd in his task,
Who, willing to give proof of diligence,
Seconds his teacher gladly, "Hope," said I,
"Is of the joy to come a sure expectance,
Th' effect of grace divine and merit preceding.
This light from many a star visits my heart,
But flow'd to me the first from him, who sang
The songs of the Supreme, himself supreme
Among his tuneful brethren. 'Let all hope
In thee,' so speak his anthem, 'who have known
Thy name;' and with my faith who know not that?
From thee, the next, distilling from his spring,
In thine epistle, fell on me the drops
So plenteously, that I on others shower
The influence of their dew." Whileas I spake,
A lamping, as of quick and vollied lightning,
Within the bosom of that mighty sheen,
Play'd tremulous; then forth these accents breath'd:
"Love for the virtue which attended me
E'en to the palm, and issuing from the field,
Glows vigorous yet within me, and inspires
To ask of thee, whom also it delights;
What promise thou from hope in chief dost win."
"Both scriptures, new and ancient," I reply'd;
"Propose the mark (which even now I view)
For souls belov'd of God. Isaias saith,
'That, in their own land, each one must be clad
In twofold vesture; and their proper lands this delicious life.'
In terms more full,
And clearer far, thy brother hath set forth
This revelation to us, where he tells
Of the white raiment destin'd to the saints."
And, as the words were ending, from above,
"They hope in thee," first heard we cried: whereto
Answer'd the carols all. Amidst them next,
A light of so clear amplitude emerg'd,
That winter's month were but a single day,
Were such a crystal in the Cancer's sign.
Like as a virgin riseth up, and goes,
And enters on the mazes of the dance,
Though gay, yet innocent of worse intent,
Than to do fitting honour to the bride;
So I beheld the new effulgence come
Unto the other two, who in a ring
Wheel'd, as became their rapture. In the dance
And in the song it mingled. And the dame
Held on them fix'd her looks: e'en as the spouse
Silent and moveless. "This is he, who lay
Upon the bosom of our pelican:
This he, into whose keeping from the cross
The mighty charge was given." Thus she spake,
Yet therefore naught the more remov'd her Sight
From marking them, or ere her words began,
Or when they clos'd. As he, who looks intent,
And strives with searching ken, how he may see
The sun in his eclipse, and, through desire
Of seeing, loseth power of sight: so I
Peer'd on that last resplendence, while I heard:
"Why dazzlest thou thine eyes in seeking that,
Which here abides not? Earth my body is,
In earth: and shall be, with the rest, so long,
As till our number equal the decree
Of the Most High. The two that have ascended,
In this our blessed cloister, shine alone
With the two garments. So report below."
As when, for ease of labour, or to shun
Suspected peril at a whistle's breath,
The oars, erewhile dash'd frequent in the wave,
All rest; the flamy circle at that voice
So rested, and the mingling sound was still,
Which from the trinal band soft-breathing rose.
I turn'd, but ah! how trembled in my thought,
When, looking at my side again to see
Beatrice, I descried her not, although
Not distant, on the happy coast she stood. 圣约翰考问但丁关于仁爱。亚当的灵魂出现。
当我的目力为强光所夺，正处怀疑之际，我听到一种语音，从那强光中发出来说：“你的目力由于注视我而耗损了，在你回复目力之前，最好趁机会与我谈一下。你且先对我说，你的精神专注在那一点；而至于你的目力呢，你尽可以放心，只是扰乱一时，并非永久的毁灭，因为这位引导你至此神国的贵妇人，在她的目光中有和亚拿尼亚的手一般的功用呢。”我答道：“迟早听她之便，她终要来医好我的眼睛罢，这是两扇大门，她曾由此带着火进来，直到现在我仍被他所炙烧呢。使这宫廷满意之善，是那爱或轻或重读示我听着的全文字的阿尔法和欧米加。”
那使我解除突然失明的恐惧的语音，继之又对我说：“你的思想。还须在较细的筛器中过一番；你应当对我说，谁指引你的弓向着这样崇高的目标。”于是我说：“由于哲学之证据和自天下降的威权，这样的爱就深深地印刻在我的心中。一个人要是明白善之为善，善自会煽动爱，愈有德者愈甚。所以一个人若是明了善之卓绝无比这一个真理，势必深爱那要素，这要素的完全当超越一切，在这要素以外，只是他全光中的一线罢了，这一真理，也是那将对于永久事物之原始爱，指示与我看的一位所教的。还有那真理之主人亲自对摩西所说的话：“我要向你显示一切功德。’也令我有所觉悟。还有你自己也将这一个真理显示在你崇高的宣言之开头，这宣言流行在人间，传播这里的秘密，实超越其他的一切宣言。”
于是我听到说：“你依了人类之理智，以及与他相符合的威权，你对于上帝抱着最大之爱心，但是请告诉我，是否还有别的绳索将你牵引向他，是否还有其它牙齿咬紧你，用以激起你对他之爱心。”
我马上了解基督的鹰之圣意，也明瞭他要我解释至怎样程度。我又开始说：“所有这些牙齿牵咬，都有能力令人心转向上帝，而一致协助我而归于爱；世界之创造，我自身之存在，那令我得生的死，还有那像我一般的信仰者所希冀的天国，最后还有那先天的理性，他使我离开那些败坏世道人心的情海，将我引至正爱的彼岸。那永久的园丁在园中所栽培的枝枝叶叶，我都爱他们，按照他们从他所获的善性而爱他们。”
在我一段静默之后。天上响起很甜美的歌声，我的贵妇人随着他们呼唤道：”圣哉！圣哉！圣哉！”像一个沉睡着的人，被强烈的光所刺激，透出几层眼膜，倏然惊醒，因而厌恶那使人眩晕之光，直至他判断力的恢复；同样，贝雅特丽齐用她的光明令我眼睛上的鳞片尽落，她的光明照千里路。后来我的目力更胜从前；使我惊奇的是，那时又有第四支光辉出现在我们面前，因此引起我的质疑。我的贵妇人说：“在这光辉之内，包含了第一权力所创生的第一位灵魂，这是他曾用喜悦的目光注视的造物。”
像树梢被风吹斜，风过又因本身的力量而直立起来；同样，我听见她这句话，立即向这位灵魂倒拜，表示敬畏，后因与他谈话的欲望所致，才回复了我的勇气；我说：“果子呀！只有你是生而成熟的；人类的始祖呀！所有的新妇都是您的女儿和儿媳；我虔诚地恳请作对我说话，您知道我的所求，我只要听着，不用先开口。”
有时走兽蒙着布被，他内心的情感，可从布被的抖动中显露出来；同样，那在光辉之中的原始灵魂，他把对于我喜悦的情感，从他光辉的变动中完全显示在我面前了。
于是那灵魂道：“即使你不对我表白，我也辨别得出你的欲望，比你辨别已经确定的事物还要清晰，因为我看见他在那真实的镜子里，所有的事物都是从他里面反射出来的影子，而他却不是别的事物的影子。你愿意知道上帝何时把我放在那高高的花园里，那里就是她为你准备爬上长梯子的起点；又那美丽的景色在我眼前那么长久，使上帝大为恼怒的真正原因何在，我那时所用的、所造的言语是怎样。我的孩子呀！你要知道：并不是那果子的甜美引起这样的放逐，只因为我越过了界线罢了。我从你的贵妇人派遣维吉尔出发的地方，期盼升到你我现在相会之处，其间足足等了太阳的四千三百零二转；我住在地上的时候，又曾看见他在黄道十二宫穿过九百三十次。
“我使用的言语，在巨人宁录着手他不能完成的工作以前，就早已消灭净了；因为人类的理性不能长久坚持，他们的天性是随着天体而时有改变的。人类的言语，是自然的行径；他要这样，或要那样，自然都随着他，任凭他的自由选择。在我降到地狱忧郁之所以前‘耶’为在地上称至善的名字，我赖至善获此荣誉的欢乐；后来称为“以利”；这是不足为怪的，因为人类的习性，譬如树上的叶子，这一叶落了，另一叶又生了。
“至于我在那高出海面的山顶时，我的生活是纯洁的，而且还在得宠，我留在那里不过从第一时到第六时，当时太阳移动圆周四分之一罢了。”
With dazzled eyes, whilst wond'ring I remain'd,
Forth of the beamy flame which dazzled me,
Issued a breath, that in attention mute
Detain'd me; and these words it spake: "'T were well,
That, long as till thy vision, on my form
O'erspent, regain its virtue, with discourse
Thou compensate the brief delay. Say then,
Beginning, to what point thy soul aspires:"
"And meanwhile rest assur'd, that sight in thee
Is but o'erpowered a space, not wholly quench'd:
Since thy fair guide and lovely, in her look
Hath potency, the like to that which dwelt
In Ananias' hand.'' I answering thus:
"Be to mine eyes the remedy or late
Or early, at her pleasure; for they were
The gates, at which she enter'd, and did light
Her never dying fire. My wishes here
Are centered; in this palace is the weal,
That Alpha and Omega, is to all
The lessons love can read me." Yet again
The voice which had dispers'd my fear, when daz'd
With that excess, to converse urg'd, and spake:
"Behooves thee sift more narrowly thy terms,
And say, who level'd at this scope thy bow."
"Philosophy," said I, ''hath arguments,
And this place hath authority enough
'T' imprint in me such love: for, of constraint,
Good, inasmuch as we perceive the good,
Kindles our love, and in degree the more,
As it comprises more of goodness in 't.
The essence then, where such advantage is,
That each good, found without it, is naught else
But of his light the beam, must needs attract
The soul of each one, loving, who the truth
Discerns, on which this proof is built. Such truth
Learn I from him, who shows me the first love
Of all intelligential substances
Eternal: from his voice I learn, whose word
Is truth, that of himself to Moses saith,
'I will make all my good before thee pass.'
Lastly from thee I learn, who chief proclaim'st,
E'en at the outset of thy heralding,
In mortal ears the mystery of heav'n."
"Through human wisdom, and th' authority
Therewith agreeing," heard I answer'd, "keep
The choicest of thy love for God. But say,
If thou yet other cords within thee feel'st
That draw thee towards him; so that thou report
How many are the fangs, with which this love
Is grappled to thy soul." I did not miss,
To what intent the eagle of our Lord
Had pointed his demand; yea noted well
Th' avowal, which he led to; and resum'd:
"All grappling bonds, that knit the heart to God,
Confederate to make fast our clarity.
The being of the world, and mine own being,
The death which he endur'd that I should live,
And that, which all the faithful hope, as I do,
To the foremention'd lively knowledge join'd,
Have from the sea of ill love sav'd my bark,
And on the coast secur'd it of the right.
As for the leaves, that in the garden bloom,
My love for them is great, as is the good
Dealt by th' eternal hand, that tends them all."
I ended, and therewith a song most sweet
Rang through the spheres; and "Holy, holy, holy,"
Accordant with the rest my lady sang.
And as a sleep is broken and dispers'd
Through sharp encounter of the nimble light,
With the eye's spirit running forth to meet
The ray, from membrane on to the membrane urg'd;
And the upstartled wight loathes that he sees;
So, at his sudden waking, he misdeems
Of all around him, till assurance waits
On better judgment: thus the saintly came
Drove from before mine eyes the motes away,
With the resplendence of her own, that cast
Their brightness downward, thousand miles below.
Whence I my vision, clearer shall before,
Recover'd; and, well nigh astounded, ask'd
Of a fourth light, that now with us I saw.
And Beatrice: "The first diving soul,
That ever the first virtue fram'd, admires
Within these rays his Maker." Like the leaf,
That bows its lithe top till the blast is blown;
By its own virtue rear'd then stands aloof;
So I, the whilst she said, awe-stricken bow'd.
Then eagerness to speak embolden'd me;
And I began: "O fruit! that wast alone
Mature, when first engender'd! Ancient father!
That doubly seest in every wedded bride
Thy daughter by affinity and blood!
Devoutly as I may, I pray thee hold
Converse with me: my will thou seest; and I,
More speedily to hear thee, tell it not."
It chanceth oft some animal bewrays,
Through the sleek cov'ring of his furry coat.
The fondness, that stirs in him and conforms
His outside seeming to the cheer within:
And in like guise was Adam's spirit mov'd
To joyous mood, that through the covering shone,
Transparent, when to pleasure me it spake:
"No need thy will be told, which I untold
Better discern, than thou whatever thing
Thou holdst most certain: for that will I see
In Him, who is truth's mirror, and Himself
Parhelion unto all things, and naught else
To him. This wouldst thou hear; how long since God
Plac'd me high garden, from whose hounds
She led me up in this ladder, steep and long;
What space endur'd my season of delight;
Whence truly sprang the wrath that banish'd me;
And what the language, which I spake and fram'd
Not that I tasted of the tree, my son,
Was in itself the cause of that exile,
But only my transgressing of the mark
Assign'd me. There, whence at thy lady's hest
The Mantuan mov'd him, still was I debarr'd
This council, till the sun had made complete,
Four thousand and three hundred rounds and twice,
His annual journey; and, through every light
In his broad pathway, saw I him return,
Thousand save sev'nty times, the whilst I dwelt
Upon the earth. The language I did use
Was worn away, or ever Nimrod's race
Their unaccomplishable work began.
For naught, that man inclines to, ere was lasting,
Left by his reason free, and variable,
As is the sky that sways him. That he speaks,
Is nature's prompting: whether thus or thus,
She leaves to you, as ye do most affect it.
Ere I descended into hell's abyss,
El was the name on earth of the Chief Good,
Whose joy enfolds me: Eli then 't was call'd
And so beseemeth: for, in mortals, use
Is as the leaf upon the bough; that goes,
And other comes instead. Upon the mount
Most high above the waters, all my life,
Both innocent and guilty, did but reach
From the first hour, to that which cometh next
(As the sun changes quarter), to the sixth." 圣何得谈罗马教皇。但丁再度回顾。上升到第九重天：水晶天或原动天。
“光荣归于圣父，归于圣子，归于圣灵！”那时全天堂都唱着这歌，这样美妙的歌声使我陶醉了。似乎我所见的是全宇宙的微笑，因此我的沉醉来自听觉和视觉。欢乐呀！不可言说的喜悦呀！充满爱与和平的生活呀！使人不生觊觎的稳当的财富呀！
在我前面，有那四个热情的光辉，其中初来的一个开始发挥他更活泼的光明；后来他的外貌化为这样：他有木星的光明，但与火星交换了羽毛，假使他们是鸟。”
在天上指定每个的地位与职务的上帝，命令天上的歌队一律静止以后，我听到这样的活：“假使我换了颜色，你不要惊奇，因为我对你说话时，你将看见所有在这里的都要变色呢。在地上。那个篡夺了我的坐位的——我的坐位，我的坐位在上帝的儿子的面前还空虚着呢——他使我埋葬之地。成为污血之沟，垃圾之堆；那极恶的从这里被跌下去，就在那里得以逍遥自在。”
那时我看见全天都着了鲜色，像早晚太阳染他对方的云雾所成的颜色；还有，像一个有贞洁的妇人，她自信无他，但听到说及别人的丑事，不免有些难为情；同样，那时贝雅特丽齐的面色也换了。我想。当那最高权力受难的时期，天上也会如此的暗然无光呢。
稍后，他又继续说到，可是他的声调也变了，不亚于他外貌的变化：“基督的女人用我的血，以及利努斯的血，克莱图斯的血而长大，她的目标并不在聚集金钱；但为获取这个欢乐的生活西克斯图斯、庄护、加里斯都、乌尔班诺都在流淌许多眼泪以后继之以血。我们的意愿，并非在我们后继人的左右将耶教人民分为两部分；我所保管的钥匙并不曾要他们画在军旗上而去攻打那些受过洗礼的；我的像也不要他们刻作图章盖在那些买卖的和虚伪的文件上，这桩事情使我多次脸红而愤怒。我们在这里望见所有的牧场上充满穿着牧人衣服的贪狼。复仇的上帝呀！为什么你睡眠呢？”卡奥尔人和加斯科人都准备将我们的血一饮而尽呢！美妙的开端呀！将会有怎样可耻的结果呢？但那天帝以前曾使西庇阿保卫世界的光荣归属罗马，也许他不久就会加以援助罢；这是我可以预见到的。至于你呢？我的孩子，你是着你的重物回到下界的时节，请你开开口，不必把我向你公开的事情隐瞒一点。”
像我们大气中的水气凝成冻云而下降，当那太阳触及那天羊角的时候；同样，我看到那高空为一片胜利的光辉所装饰，他们彼时都是和我们在一处的。我的眼睛跟随他们，直至很远。出于我目力之外。彼时我的贵妇人了解我不再注意于上空，便对我说：“将你的眼光向下，试看你自己已经怎样旋转。”
自从我第一次向下遥望以来，我看到我已经移至在第一带所成之弧由中点至末尾；我看到盖特之外，此即尤利西斯所采取的疯狂路线；至于那对方面呢，那里便是欧罗巴使她自己成为愉悦负荷的海岸。如果在我脚下的太阳不前进一宫多，那末我在那小小的圆面上还能多看到一些呢。
我的精神，常常充斥着对于贝雅特丽齐的爱情，因此想回转眼光对着她的欲望更炽于前。虽然人体的自然与绘画的艺术，预备他们对于眼睛的引诱，因而惹出心灵的迷恋，这些美妙物品的总合，如果和那时我所转向的她的微笑的面容相比，简直如一无所有。因为这个注视的力量，使我离开勒达的巢，而突然投入最快的天。
这一层天，从最近处到最高处，都是那样地均匀，我真不知道贝雅特丽齐把我放在那一部分。那时她已明了我内心的不安，她微笑着；她如此欢喜，好像上帝游戏在她的脸上；她开始说：“宇宙的本性是中心静止，其余的都围绕他转动，从这里开始他的界限。这一重天只有神的心意，这里燃着爱，爱激起动，这里蕴着势力向各方流注。光和爱包围着他成为一个圈子，就如同他包围着别的天；这一个圈了只有包围他的明白其所以然。他的运动不受别的测量，但他测量别的，就像十这个数目包括这个数目的二分之一和五分之一。而且怎样时间的根是在这样一个瓶里，而他的叶子是在别的瓶里，你现在也明白了吧。
“贪欲呀！你汹涌地淹没了那些人类，使他们每个都抬不起头，出于你的波涛之上！有许多人的志愿如花朵一样，可是连绵的阴雨把果子腐蚀了。忠实和清白，只能求之于孩童；在他们颊下长毛之前，这些美德早已遗失了。例如：有许多说话不清的孩童愿意守斋期，但在说话流利的时期，便不问时节而狼吞虎咽了。又有许多说话不周到的孩子爱其母且听其言，但在说活周全以后，便盼望其母的埋葬。那位与晨同来，留晚而去者的美丽的女儿，她的颜色起初是雪白的，后来竟变为乌黑了。可是你不必惊讶，你要知道这是地上没有统治的人，所以人类离开他的正道。但在正月完全出于冬季。因为地上忽视百分之一口的缘故；在此之前，这些高天将大声疾呼，那盼望已久的荣幸日子将来临，那时船头和船尾将掉转，于是顺流行进于正道，而且真正的好果子将随着花朵而来。”
Then "Glory to the Father, to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit," rang aloud
Throughout all Paradise, that with the song
My spirit reel'd, so passing sweet the strain:
And what I saw was equal ecstasy;
One universal smile it seem'd of all things,
Joy past compare, gladness unutterable,
Imperishable life of peace and love,
Exhaustless riches and unmeasur'd bliss.
Before mine eyes stood the four torches lit;
And that, which first had come, began to wax
In brightness, and in semblance such became,
As Jove might be, if he and Mars were birds,
And interchang'd their plumes. Silence ensued,
Through the blest quire, by Him, who here appoints
Vicissitude of ministry, enjoin'd;
When thus I heard: "Wonder not, if my hue
Be chang'd; for, while I speak, these shalt thou see
All in like manner change with me. My place
He who usurps on earth (my place, ay, mine,
Which in the presence of the Son of God
Is void), the same hath made my cemetery
A common sewer of puddle and of blood:
The more below his triumph, who from hence
Malignant fell." Such colour, as the sun,
At eve or morning, paints an adverse cloud,
Then saw I sprinkled over all the sky.
And as th' unblemish'd dame, who in herself
Secure of censure, yet at bare report
Of other's failing, shrinks with maiden fear;
So Beatrice in her semblance chang'd:
And such eclipse in heav'n methinks was seen,
When the Most Holy suffer'd. Then the words
Proceeded, with voice, alter'd from itself
So clean, the semblance did not alter more.
"Not to this end was Christ's spouse with my blood,
With that of Linus, and of Cletus fed:
That she might serve for purchase of base gold:
But for the purchase of this happy life
Did Sextus, Pius, and Callixtus bleed,
And Urban, they, whose doom was not without
Much weeping seal'd. No purpose was of our
That on the right hand of our successors
Part of the Christian people should be set,
And part upon their left; nor that the keys,
Which were vouchsaf'd me, should for ensign serve
Unto the banners, that do levy war
On the baptiz'd: nor I, for sigil-mark
Set upon sold and lying privileges;
Which makes me oft to bicker and turn red.
In shepherd's clothing greedy wolves below
Range wide o'er all the pastures. Arm of God!
Why longer sleepst thou? Caorsines and Gascona
Prepare to quaff our blood. O good beginning
To what a vile conclusion must thou stoop!
But the high providence, which did defend
Through Scipio the world's glory unto Rome,
Will not delay its succour: and thou, son,
Who through thy mortal weight shall yet again
Return below, open thy lips, nor hide
What is by me not hidden." As a Hood
Of frozen vapours streams adown the air,
What time the she-goat with her skiey horn
Touches the sun; so saw I there stream wide
The vapours, who with us had linger'd late
And with glad triumph deck th' ethereal cope.
Onward my sight their semblances pursued;
So far pursued, as till the space between
From its reach sever'd them: whereat the guide
Celestial, marking me no more intent
On upward gazing, said, "Look down and see
What circuit thou hast compass'd." From the hour
When I before had cast my view beneath,
All the first region overpast I saw,
Which from the midmost to the bound'ry winds;
That onward thence from Gades I beheld
The unwise passage of Laertes' son,
And hitherward the shore, where thou, Europa!
Mad'st thee a joyful burden: and yet more
Of this dim spot had seen, but that the sun,
A constellation off and more, had ta'en
His progress in the zodiac underneath.
Then by the spirit, that doth never leave
Its amorous dalliance with my lady's looks,
Back with redoubled ardour were mine eyes
Led unto her: and from her radiant smiles,
Whenas I turn'd me, pleasure so divine
Did lighten on me, that whatever bait
Or art or nature in the human flesh,
Or in its limn'd resemblance, can combine
Through greedy eyes to take the soul withal,
Were to her beauty nothing. Its boon influence
From the fair nest of Leda rapt me forth,
And wafted on into the swiftest heav'n.
What place for entrance Beatrice chose,
I may not say, so uniform was all,
Liveliest and loftiest. She my secret wish
Divin'd; and with such gladness, that God's love
Seem'd from her visage shining, thus began:
"Here is the goal, whence motion on his race
Starts; motionless the centre, and the rest
All mov'd around. Except the soul divine,
Place in this heav'n is none, the soul divine,
Wherein the love, which ruleth o'er its orb,
Is kindled, and the virtue that it sheds;
One circle, light and love, enclasping it,
As this doth clasp the others; and to Him,
Who draws the bound, its limit only known.
Measur'd itself by none, it doth divide
Motion to all, counted unto them forth,
As by the fifth or half ye count forth ten.
The vase, wherein time's roots are plung'd, thou seest,
Look elsewhere for the leaves. O mortal lust!
That canst not lift thy head above the waves
Which whelm and sink thee down! The will in man
Bears goodly blossoms; but its ruddy promise
Is, by the dripping of perpetual rain,
Made mere abortion: faith and innocence
Are met with but in babes, each taking leave
Ere cheeks with down are sprinkled; he, that fasts,
While yet a stammerer, with his tongue let loose
Gluts every food alike in every moon.
One yet a babbler, loves and listens to
His mother; but no sooner hath free use
Of speech, than he doth wish her in her grave.
So suddenly doth the fair child of him,
Whose welcome is the morn and eve his parting,
To negro blackness change her virgin white.
"Thou, to abate thy wonder, note that none
Bears rule in earth, and its frail family
Are therefore wand'rers. Yet before the date,
When through the hundredth in his reck'ning drops
Pale January must be shor'd aside
From winter's calendar, these heav'nly spheres
Shall roar so loud, that fortune shall be fain
To turn the poop, where she hath now the prow;
So that the fleet run onward; and true fruit,
Expected long, shall crown at last the bloom!" 水晶天：天使的阶级。
引导我的心灵以入于天国的那一位，谴责当今尘世可悲的生活以后，像一个人的背后燃起火，在以前他既未看见，也未想到，而突然出现在对面的镜子里，于是他转过头去，查看镜子所告诉的话是否真实，才知道影像和实物相吻合，正和歌词与乐谱一样；同样，我记得我注视那双美眼那里爱神预备了圈套以捕捉我的时候，也遇见类似的情况；当我转过头去，我的眼睛正遇着天上的一点，从这儿发射强烈的光，其强烈的程度竟使人无法睁开眼睛，地上所见最小的星，如果排列在这一点的旁边，那末将使这小星和满月一样。
有些像在如果排列时候，围绕光源所出现的光轮一样，围绕这一点有一火圈以高速度在那里旋转，比包围宇宙的天还要殊胜些；这一圈以外有第二圈环绕，第二圈以外有第三圈环绕，三圈以外尚有第四、第五、第六圈。此外的第七圈已超出尤诺的使者的范围，因为这个范围太小，容纳不下了。同样还有第八圈、第九圈；他们旋转的速度逐渐减慢，按照他们距离一的数目为比例；他们离开那最纯净的光愈近，则亮度愈强；我想这是因为他们沉浸在真光里愈深的缘故。
我的贵妇人看见我在很深的疑惑之中，她便说：“从这一点悬着天和一切自然。试看那最接近的一圈，你要知道他能够旋转得这样快，是因为他被热烈的爱所激动的。”
于是我对她说：“如果宇宙的安排根据这里我所见的诸轮，那末我将满足干眼前的表现，但在感觉的世界则愈离中心越远的反而愈有神性。如果我的愿望得到满足，除非在这仅以光和爱为界限的、奇异的、天使的人殿以内，再听听你的解说；为什么抄本和原本不是一样。因为我自己思考是徒劳无益的。”
“如果说这样一个结不是你的指头所能解的，那是不用奇怪的；因为从来没有人尝试过，所以成为难解了。”我的贵妇人这样说；于是又继续说：“如果你要满足，那末聚精会神地听我的讲解。有形体的圈子的或大或小是依照他所含蓄的德性的或多或少。较大的善传播较大的福；较大的福含蓄在较大的形体中，如果他的各部分是均一的。所以，这携带诸天而运行的，相当于那最爱且最知的圈子。由此可见，如果你把你的尺度放在那德性上，而不放在那所见圈子的物质的表面上，你将看出其间非常的符合，就是各天的智慧最大的与最大的，最小的与最小的相当。”
像天空的大气。受了北风的柔和的一面所吹，因而云消雾散，碧空万里，明媚如笑一样；我听了我的贵妇人清楚的回答以后，心中也是这样想；而且真理被我发现，无异天上的一颗明星。当她的话停止以后，那些圈子上发射出火星，像沸铁所射出的一般。每粒火星因热烈而又射出许多别的火星；于是他们的数目简直超过棋盘上方格数的多倍。
我听见歌队更换轮番地唱着“和散那”，绕着那定点；他保持他们，而且要永远保持他们在已经在的地方。那时她看出我的心中又有疑惑，于是说：”首先两圈呈现在你眼前的是撒拉弗级及基路伯级。他们相联着转动得很快；他们可以尽量和那一点相似。只须他们的眼界愈高超便愈可能。环绕他们的别的爱，名为神貌的德乐尼级，因为他们是完成第一部之三组的。你要知道，他们的欢乐与他深入那真理成正比例，一切智慧都建立在那真理上面。由此可知幸福的基础在看见的行为，不在爱的行为，爱是随着见而升起的；眼力的尺度在功德，而功德又来源于神恩和善愿：这是一层一层递进的。
“那第二部之三组，他们发荣于永恒的春天，就是夜的白羊也不能剥夺他，他们不停地唱着和散那，他们有三种音调，来自三级的快乐。这一阶级是那二种高神：第一是神权级，其次是神德级，第三是神力级。那第三部的最先两圈的歌队是王子级和大安琪儿级；最后一圈是所有的安琪儿级在那里举行庆贺。这些阶级的天使都向上仰望着，向下施展他们的权力，就是说：向着上帝，一切被牵引，向下，一切牵引。
“丢尼修渴望着这些阶级，他给他们取名字，并且区分他们，和我说的完全一致。但是后来格利高里就和他有分歧，可是他不久升到天上睁眼一看，便微笑察看自己的错误了。如果这样神秘的真理，出于尘世人的嘴里，他的错误是用不着奇怪的；没错误的是因为那到过天上的启示了他，并且还告诉他关于这些圈子的真理。”
So she who doth imparadise my soul,
Had drawn the veil from off our pleasant life,
And bar'd the truth of poor mortality;
When lo! as one who, in a mirror, spies
The shining of a flambeau at his back,
Lit sudden ore he deem of its approach,
And turneth to resolve him, if the glass
Have told him true, and sees the record faithful
As note is to its metre; even thus,
I well remember, did befall to me,
Looking upon the beauteous eyes, whence love
Had made the leash to take me. As I turn'd;
And that, which, in their circles, none who spies,
Can miss of, in itself apparent, struck
On mine; a point I saw, that darted light
So sharp, no lid, unclosing, may bear up
Against its keenness. The least star we view
From hence, had seem'd a moon, set by its side,
As star by side of star. And so far off,
Perchance, as is the halo from the light
Which paints it, when most dense the vapour spreads,
There wheel'd about the point a circle of fire,
More rapid than the motion, which first girds
The world. Then, circle after circle, round
Enring'd each other; till the seventh reach'd
Circumference so ample, that its bow,
Within the span of Juno's messenger,
lied scarce been held entire. Beyond the sev'nth,
Follow'd yet other two. And every one,
As more in number distant from the first,
Was tardier in motion; and that glow'd
With flame most pure, that to the sparkle' of truth
Was nearest, as partaking most, methinks,
Of its reality. The guide belov'd
Saw me in anxious thought suspense, and spake:
"Heav'n, and all nature, hangs upon that point.
The circle thereto most conjoin'd observe;
And know, that by intenser love its course
Is to this swiftness wing'd." To whom I thus:
"It were enough; nor should I further seek,
Had I but witness'd order, in the world
Appointed, such as in these wheels is seen.
But in the sensible world such diff'rence is,
That is each round shows more divinity,
As each is wider from the centre. Hence,
If in this wondrous and angelic temple,
That hath for confine only light and love,
My wish may have completion I must know,
Wherefore such disagreement is between
Th' exemplar and its copy: for myself,
Contemplating, I fail to pierce the cause."
"It is no marvel, if thy fingers foil'd
Do leave the knot untied: so hard 't is grown
For want of tenting." Thus she said: "But take,"
She added, "if thou wish thy cure, my words,
And entertain them subtly. Every orb
Corporeal, doth proportion its extent
Unto the virtue through its parts diffus'd.
The greater blessedness preserves the more.
The greater is the body (if all parts
Share equally) the more is to preserve.
Therefore the circle, whose swift course enwheels
The universal frame answers to that,
Which is supreme in knowledge and in love
Thus by the virtue, not the seeming, breadth
Of substance, measure, thou shalt see the heav'ns,
Each to the' intelligence that ruleth it,
Greater to more, and smaller unto less,
Suited in strict and wondrous harmony."
As when the sturdy north blows from his cheek
A blast, that scours the sky, forthwith our air,
Clear'd of the rack, that hung on it before,
Glitters; and, With his beauties all unveil'd,
The firmament looks forth serene, and smiles;
Such was my cheer, when Beatrice drove
With clear reply the shadows back, and truth
Was manifested, as a star in heaven.
And when the words were ended, not unlike
To iron in the furnace, every cirque
Ebullient shot forth scintillating fires:
And every sparkle shivering to new blaze,
In number did outmillion the account
Reduplicate upon the chequer'd board.
Then heard I echoing on from choir to choir,
"Hosanna," to the fixed point, that holds,
And shall for ever hold them to their place,
From everlasting, irremovable.
Musing awhile I stood: and she, who saw
by inward meditations, thus began:
"In the first circles, they, whom thou beheldst,
Are seraphim and cherubim. Thus swift
Follow their hoops, in likeness to the point,
Near as they can, approaching; and they can
The more, the loftier their vision. Those,
That round them fleet, gazing the Godhead next,
Are thrones; in whom the first trine ends. And all
Are blessed, even as their sight descends
Deeper into the truth, wherein rest is
For every mind. Thus happiness hath root
In seeing, not in loving, which of sight
Is aftergrowth. And of the seeing such
The meed, as unto each in due degree
Grace and good-will their measure have assign'd.
The other trine, that with still opening buds
In this eternal springtide blossom fair,
Fearless of bruising from the nightly ram,
Breathe up in warbled melodies threefold
Hosannas blending ever, from the three
Transmitted. hierarchy of gods, for aye
Rejoicing, dominations first, next then
Virtues, and powers the third. The next to whom
Are princedoms and archangels, with glad round
To tread their festal ring; and last the band
Angelical, disporting in their sphere.
All, as they circle in their orders, look
Aloft, and downward with such sway prevail,
That all with mutual impulse tend to God.
These once a mortal view beheld. Desire
In Dionysius so intently wrought,
That he, as I have done rang'd them; and nam'd
Their orders, marshal'd in his thought. From him
Dissentient, one refus'd his sacred read.
But soon as in this heav'n his doubting eyes
Were open'd, Gregory at his error smil'd
Nor marvel, that a denizen of earth
Should scan such secret truth; for he had learnt
Both this and much beside of these our orbs,
From an eye-witness to heav'n's mysteries." 水晶天：贝雅特丽齐说明天使的真理，斥责说教者的荒诞。
拉托娜的两个孩子，一个处于白羊，一个处于天秤，都以地平线做他们要带的时候，天顶使他们左右平衡，然而倾刻之间，他们离开他们的腰带，而各自占据一方面了；在与此同样长的时间，贝雅特丽齐面带笑容，静静注视那曾经克服我的一点；稍后，她说：“我不必问你希望听些什么，我就可以对你说；因为我知道你的欲望在那一点，那里是一切空间和一切时间溶合之处。在他超越时间，超越别的一切所能理解的永恒之中，永恒的爱自愿显露于新爱；并不是为着他自己获得什么利益，这是不可能的，不过要使他的光辉在发扬的时候宣布：我存在。在以前他并没有睡着，因为上帝运行在水面上，不是在以前，也不是在以后，形式和物质，联合的和纯粹的，出自毫无缺陷的突然行为，像出自三箭弓的三矢；又像光线透过玻璃、琥珀，水晶等物，从到达至完全透过毫无间隔；同样，创造者的三种效果同时射出，完成一切，并无先后之分。造物之中，同时有一种秩序存在；纯粹的活动的源泉是宇宙的最高峰。纯粹的潜力居于最下面部分；在中间的是那永不解脱的潜力和活动的会合处。哲罗姆在他的著作中曾说过，天使在宇宙形成以前早已创造了；但我对你说的真理，早已在圣灵的著作上写过许多页了；如果你用心看，你将看得见的。在理论上也可看出一点来，就是说宇宙的推动者决不能创造了很长时间而不见成果。现在你已经知道在何处，在何时和这些神圣的爱是如何被创造的了：你的三个欲望可说已经满足。
“在创造的瞬息，在从一数到二十之前，有一部分反叛的天使扰乱了你们原质的下层。其余忠实的都留着，很高兴地执行他们的任务，就如你所见的，旋转而永不离开。堕落的原因，由于那该诅咒的骄傲的他，你知道他已被压在宇宙的重之下了。至于你所见的，留在这里的，他们都很温顺，而且认识使他们明了一切的善的功德；因此他们的眼界都依仗神光和他们的功德而高超了，而且他们的意志都是圆满而坚强。我不要你疑惑；你应当知道心悦诚服而接受神恩的便是有功德。
“现在，如果我的话你都听明白了，你不用别的帮助，你对于这个天使的集会，应当有更多的发现；可是在你们尘世学校里所教授的天使的性质是这样的：他们了解，他们记忆，他们愿意；我因为要使你看清纯净的真理，不堕入世俗暧昧的议论；所以我还得多说几句呢。
“这些灵体，自从他们聚精会神注视神面以来，他们从没有掉转他们的目光，对于他一切都是无所隐秘的。因此他们的目光并不为新事物所动摇，所以他们没有回忆各种分离的概念之必要。在尘世，你们不睡而梦，有的相信他们有记忆，有的不相信；但相信的更是错误，更为可羞。你们尘世的人推究事理，不走正道，总欢喜在表面上炫耀。可是天上对于这一类人愤慨还少些。至于那些把《圣经》放在脑后，或大胆把他曲解的，真是下贱。他们不知道流了多少血才把他们播种在地上，谦逊地守在他身边的是多么欢乐。每个人都卖弄他的聪明，炫耀他的创见；这些东西竞有说教者替他们宣传，而《福音书》反而默默地无人宣扬。这一个说：当耶稣遭难的时候，月亮后退，把日光遮盖起来，因此日光不能射到面；那一个说：这是日光自己躲避起来的，因此在西班牙、印度和犹太也有相同的一个日蚀。佛罗伦萨也没有这么多拉巴和平独，像每年各地讲经台上所讲的诸如此类的笑话；因此那些无知的绵羊只好从牧场上吃饱了西北风回来，也不因为他们未见到自己的损害而原谅那些牧人。基督从未对他的门徒说过：去，对世界宣扬笑话！但给他们一种真实的基础；他们不断宣扬于口的也就是这个。他们维护他们的信仰，就把《福音书》又当矛，又当盾。然而今日说教者以说笑话，扮鬼脸做道具，引起哄堂大笑，便自鸣得意，认为是他们说教的成功，不再求其他了。但是，如果大众看见他们的帽子里住着一只鸟儿，便知他们口中的赦免是毫无价值的了；世人对于没有实惠的信仰表示拥护，地上的愚人为什么如此之多呢！因此圣安东尼养肥他的猪，有的人则比猪更加坏，也是如此使用他们的伪币。
“现在我说得离题太远了，再把你的注意力引到正路上来吧，这样可以节省我们在旅途上的时间。这些天使，等级大有差别，他们的数目不是人类的语言和想象可以计算的；如果你看过但以理启示给你的，他说有千千万万，这也不是一个确定的数目。那原始光辉照耀他们，他们之所以有那么多差别，是因为他们所受光的不同而已。因为他的感情取决于他们对于他认识的程度，所以他们体味的爱也是浓淡不同的。现在你可以看出那永恒德性的伟大广博，因为他把他自己分裂为无数的镜子，但是他自己仍旧完整如一，与前无异。”
No longer than what time Latona's twins
Cover'd of Libra and the fleecy star,
Together both, girding the' horizon hang,
In even balance from the zenith pois'd,
Till from that verge, each, changing hemisphere,
Part the nice level; e'en so brief a space
Did Beatrice's silence hold. A smile
Bat painted on her cheek; and her fix'd gaze
Bent on the point, at which my vision fail'd:
When thus her words resuming she began:
"I speak, nor what thou wouldst inquire demand;
For I have mark'd it, where all time and place
Are present. Not for increase to himself
Of good, which may not be increas'd, but forth
To manifest his glory by its beams,
Inhabiting his own eternity,
Beyond time's limit or what bound soe'er
To circumscribe his being, as he will'd,
Into new natures, like unto himself,
Eternal Love unfolded. Nor before,
As if in dull inaction torpid lay.
For not in process of before or aft
Upon these waters mov'd the Spirit of God.
Simple and mix'd, both form and substance, forth
To perfect being started, like three darts
Shot from a bow three-corded. And as ray
In crystal, glass, and amber, shines entire,
E'en at the moment of its issuing; thus
Did, from th' eternal Sovran, beam entire
His threefold operation, at one act
Produc'd coeval. Yet in order each
Created his due station knew: those highest,
Who pure intelligence were made: mere power
The lowest: in the midst, bound with strict league,
Intelligence and power, unsever'd bond.
Long tract of ages by the angels past,
Ere the creating of another world,
Describ'd on Jerome's pages thou hast seen.
But that what I disclose to thee is true,
Those penmen, whom the Holy Spirit mov'd
In many a passage of their sacred book
Attest; as thou by diligent search shalt find
And reason in some sort discerns the same,
Who scarce would grant the heav'nly ministers
Of their perfection void, so long a space.
Thus when and where these spirits of love were made,
Thou know'st, and how: and knowing hast allay'd
Thy thirst, which from the triple question rose.
Ere one had reckon'd twenty, e'en so soon
Part of the angels fell: and in their fall
Confusion to your elements ensued.
The others kept their station: and this task,
Whereon thou lookst, began with such delight,
That they surcease not ever, day nor night,
Their circling. Of that fatal lapse the cause
Was the curst pride of him, whom thou hast seen
Pent with the world's incumbrance. Those, whom here
Thou seest, were lowly to confess themselves
Of his free bounty, who had made them apt
For ministries so high: therefore their views
Were by enlight'ning grace and their own merit
Exalted; so that in their will confirm'd
They stand, nor feel to fall. For do not doubt,
But to receive the grace, which heav'n vouchsafes,
Is meritorious, even as the soul
With prompt affection welcometh the guest.
Now, without further help, if with good heed
My words thy mind have treasur'd, thou henceforth
This consistory round about mayst scan,
And gaze thy fill. But since thou hast on earth
Heard vain disputers, reasoners in the schools,
Canvas the' angelic nature, and dispute
Its powers of apprehension, memory, choice;
Therefore, 't is well thou take from me the truth,
Pure and without disguise, which they below,
Equivocating, darken and perplex.
"Know thou, that, from the first, these substances,
Rejoicing in the countenance of God,
Have held unceasingly their view, intent
Upon the glorious vision, from the which
Naught absent is nor hid: where then no change
Of newness with succession interrupts,
Remembrance there needs none to gather up
Divided thought and images remote
"So that men, thus at variance with the truth
Dream, though their eyes be open; reckless some
Of error; others well aware they err,
To whom more guilt and shame are justly due.
Each the known track of sage philosophy
Deserts, and has a byway of his own:
So much the restless eagerness to shine
And love of singularity prevail.
Yet this, offensive as it is, provokes
Heav'n's anger less, than when the book of God
Is forc'd to yield to man's authority,
Or from its straightness warp'd: no reck'ning made
What blood the sowing of it in the world
Has cost; what favour for himself he wins,
Who meekly clings to it. The aim of all
Is how to shine: e'en they, whose office is
To preach the Gospel, let the gospel sleep,
And pass their own inventions off instead.
One tells, how at Christ's suffering the wan moon
Bent back her steps, and shadow'd o'er the sun
With intervenient disk, as she withdrew:
Another, how the light shrouded itself
Within its tabernacle, and left dark
The Spaniard and the Indian, with the Jew.
Such fables Florence in her pulpit hears,
Bandied about more frequent, than the names
Of Bindi and of Lapi in her streets.
The sheep, meanwhile, poor witless ones, return
From pasture, fed with wind: and what avails
For their excuse, they do not see their harm?
Christ said not to his first conventicle,
'Go forth and preach impostures to the world,'
But gave them truth to build on; and the sound
Was mighty on their lips; nor needed they,
Beside the gospel, other spear or shield,
To aid them in their warfare for the faith.
The preacher now provides himself with store
Of jests and gibes; and, so there be no lack
Of laughter, while he vents them, his big cowl
Distends, and he has won the meed he sought:
Could but the vulgar catch a glimpse the while
Of that dark bird which nestles in his hood,
They scarce would wait to hear the blessing said.
Which now the dotards hold in such esteem,
That every counterfeit, who spreads abroad
The hands of holy promise, finds a throng
Of credulous fools beneath. Saint Anthony
Fattens with this his swine, and others worse
Than swine, who diet at his lazy board,
Paying with unstamp'd metal for their fare.
"But (for we far have wander'd) let us seek
The forward path again; so as the way
Be shorten'd with the time. No mortal tongue
Nor thought of man hath ever reach'd so far,
That of these natures he might count the tribes.
What Daniel of their thousands hath reveal'd
With finite number infinite conceals.
The fountain at whose source these drink their beams,
With light supplies them in as many modes,
As there are splendours, that it shines on: each
According to the virtue it conceives,
Differing in love and sweet affection.
Look then how lofty and how huge in breadth
The' eternal might, which, broken and dispers'd
Over such countless mirrors, yet remains
Whole in itself and one, as at the first." |
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