天府：灵魂的住所。幸福者的玫瑰。皇帝亨利第七预留的座位。
离开我们大约有六千里，那里第六时散射着他的火，而这里的世界已经把他的影子投射到地平线上了，那时我们天上的几颗星已经没有能力把他们的光亮照到地上，因为太阳最华丽的使女已经来到，因此天空把星一颗一颗都关闭了，直至最明亮的一颗；同样，那些胜利的天使，曾经包围着那克服我眼力的一点；他好像被包围，其实他包围；他们一个一个都隐灭在我的面前面。我一无所见，而爱情又把我的目光引向到贝雅特丽齐。
如果我把从始以来所有说及这位圣女的言语聚合起来，作为唯一的赞颂，在这一次就不够用了。我看见她的美丽超过我们所有的度量，我相信只有创造她者可以欣赏她的全部。在这里我不得不承认自我失败，从来的喜剧诗人或悲剧诗人对于他们题材的某一点没有像我这样失败过。如在烈日的阳光下，使人眩晕到不得不闭眼，所以我回忆那温柔的微笑，反而破坏了我记忆本身。自从我初次在凡间看见她的面貌以后，直到今日的天上相遇。我对于她没有间断过我的歌唱；然而现在我的诗句却无能追求她的美丽了；如同每个艺术家，在他能力的极限不得不停止一样。
于是我把这件赞颂她的事情让给比我更和谐的喇叭，因为我应当赶快完成我艰苦的工作。那时她又用熟练的引导人的语气和手势开始说：“我们已从最大的形体进入最高的天；此天是纯粹的光；此光是智慧的光，充满着爱；此爱是对于真善的爱，充满着欢乐；此欢乐是超过一切的幸福。这里你将看见两类天国的战士，其中一类的形状，将和你在最后审判日所见的一样。”
像突然的闪电粉碎了我们的视觉，甚至对于更强的光也不起印象；同样，一种强烈的光淹没了我，我像被发亮的网包裹着一样，竟使我不见一物。”那使天宁静的爱，常常用这种礼节来欢迎新到的灵体，因此使烛适合于他的火。”我听见这几句简单的话以后，我觉得立刻有超过我固有的力量；我有了一种新的眼力。如此坚强，不管如何明亮的光，也不足以使我眩晕。于是我看见一光，像一条河流，光辉灿烂，两岸装饰着花朵像是一个奇异的春天。从这河流中蹦出活泼的火星，落在花朵之上，像宝石镶在黄金之中；稍后，他们似乎已被香气所陶醉了，又蹦入神奇的漩涡、这一个蹦入那一个又蹦出。
“你迫切地希望明白你所看见的事物，你这种崇高的愿望使我高兴。但在你的干渴解除以前，你必须先饮此水。”我眼睛的太阳这样对我说；接着又说：“那河流，那些进进出出的宝石，那些微笑的花朵，都是实体的影子，并不是他们尚属生硬而不可消化，实在是因为你还有缺欠，你的眼力还不够高深。”
就是那比平常迟醒的孩童，突然把脸转向他妈妈的胸怀，也没有我如此快的动作：我要使我的眼睛变成优良的镜子。我立即俯身在那流波之上，希望把我自己改进一些。我的睫毛一接触那流波，顿时长的似乎变成了圆的。于是，就如同假面具跳舞会里的众人把假面具脱去，使前后景象大不相同，那时在我之前的花朵和火星都显得皆大欢喜的样子，而我是明明白白看见天上的两群廷臣。
上帝之光辉呀！因为他，我看见那真国之崇高的胜利者，请赐给我叙述怎样看见他们的能力！
高高在上者是一光，他使诸造物看见造物者，他们仅以得见为快乐；此光散发而成圆形，其周围若作太阳的腰带则失之太大。此光是由原动天上面反射而来的诸光线所成，原动天则由那一处取得其生命和能力。像一个小山自映于他脚下的水中，以自见其所饰花草之富丽一样；同样，我看见所有从地面回升的，他们都坐在成千个团团位阶之中，而自照于此光之上。假如最下的位阶已经饱含这样大的光，那末这朵玫瑰花最外层的花瓣该有多么大呢？
然而我的眼力并不因为他的高大而有所不及，我对于这里的欢喜，不管在量的方面或质的方面都是一目了然。这里不因为近而有所增加，远而有所减少；因为那里上帝不凭借媒介而直接管理，自然规律是没有作用的。从永恒的玫瑰花的黄心，一瓣一瓣成圈而展开出去，同时发散对于造成永恒春天的太阳的赞美的芳香；贝雅特丽齐当时指引我看着，我虽沉默，然而很想说话；她于是说：“你且注意这些穿白袍的，他们的集会多么大！看我们的城，他的范围多么宽广！看我们的座位几乎都满了，现在所等待的只是极少数罢了！你现在所注视的大座位上，已经放着一个皇冠，在你参加此婚宴之前，将要来一位灵魂，他在凡间将是皇帝，就是伟大的亨利；他将去意大利整顿秩序，可是这个国度没有欢迎他的准备。那蛊惑你的盲目的贪欲，使你变成如同一个无知的小孩，他虽然饥饿到死也拒绝他的乳母。还有那时主持神事的人是这样一个货物，就是明里暗里都和那皇帝分道扬镳。然而这个人不会长久被上帝允许混在圣职之中，因为他将跌到魔法师西门那里，把那从阿南尼来的徘挤到更下的一层。”
Noon's fervid hour perchance six thousand miles
From hence is distant; and the shadowy cone
Almost to level on our earth declines;
When from the midmost of this blue abyss
By turns some star is to our vision lost.
And straightway as the handmaid of the sun
Puts forth her radiant brow, all, light by light,
Fade, and the spangled firmament shuts in,
E'en to the loveliest of the glittering throng.
Thus vanish'd gradually from my sight
The triumph, which plays ever round the point,
That overcame me, seeming (for it did)
Engirt by that it girdeth. Wherefore love,
With loss of other object, forc'd me bend
Mine eyes on Beatrice once again.
If all, that hitherto is told of her,
Were in one praise concluded, 't were too weak
To furnish out this turn. Mine eyes did look
On beauty, such, as I believe in sooth,
Not merely to exceed our human, but,
That save its Maker, none can to the full
Enjoy it. At this point o'erpower'd I fail,
Unequal to my theme, as never bard
Of buskin or of sock hath fail'd before.
For, as the sun doth to the feeblest sight,
E'en so remembrance of that witching smile
Hath dispossess my spirit of itself.
Not from that day, when on this earth I first
Beheld her charms, up to that view of them,
Have I with song applausive ever ceas'd
To follow, but not follow them no more;
My course here bounded, as each artist's is,
When it doth touch the limit of his skill.
She (such as I bequeath her to the bruit
Of louder trump than mine, which hasteneth on,
Urging its arduous matter to the close),
Her words resum'd, in gesture and in voice
Resembling one accustom'd to command:
"Forth from the last corporeal are we come
Into the heav'n, that is unbodied light,
Light intellectual replete with love,
Love of true happiness replete with joy,
Joy, that transcends all sweetness of delight.
Here shalt thou look on either mighty host
Of Paradise; and one in that array,
Which in the final judgment thou shalt see."
As when the lightning, in a sudden spleen
Unfolded, dashes from the blinding eyes
The visive spirits dazzled and bedimm'd;
So, round about me, fulminating streams
Of living radiance play'd, and left me swath'd
And veil'd in dense impenetrable blaze.
Such weal is in the love, that stills this heav'n;
For its own flame the torch this fitting ever!
No sooner to my list'ning ear had come
The brief assurance, than I understood
New virtue into me infus'd, and sight
Kindled afresh, with vigour to sustain
Excess of light, however pure. I look'd;
And in the likeness of a river saw
Light flowing, from whose amber-seeming waves
Flash'd up effulgence, as they glided on
'Twixt banks, on either side, painted with spring,
Incredible how fair; and, from the tide,
There ever and anon, outstarting, flew
Sparkles instinct with life; and in the flow'rs
Did set them, like to rubies chas'd in gold;
Then, as if drunk with odors, plung'd again
Into the wondrous flood; from which, as one
Re'enter'd, still another rose. "The thirst
Of knowledge high, whereby thou art inflam'd,
To search the meaning of what here thou seest,
The more it warms thee, pleases me the more.
But first behooves thee of this water drink,
Or ere that longing be allay'd." So spake
The day-star of mine eyes; then thus subjoin'd:
"This stream, and these, forth issuing from its gulf,
And diving back, a living topaz each,
With all this laughter on its bloomy shores,
Are but a preface, shadowy of the truth
They emblem: not that, in themselves, the things
Are crude; but on thy part is the defect,
For that thy views not yet aspire so high."
Never did babe, that had outslept his wont,
Rush, with such eager straining, to the milk,
As I toward the water, bending me,
To make the better mirrors of mine eyes
In the refining wave; and, as the eaves
Of mine eyelids did drink of it, forthwith
Seem'd it unto me turn'd from length to round,
Then as a troop of maskers, when they put
Their vizors off, look other than before,
The counterfeited semblance thrown aside;
So into greater jubilee were chang'd
Those flowers and sparkles, and distinct I saw
Before me either court of heav'n displac'd.
O prime enlightener! thou who crav'st me strength
On the high triumph of thy realm to gaze!
Grant virtue now to utter what I kenn'd,
There is in heav'n a light, whose goodly shine
Makes the Creator visible to all
Created, that in seeing him alone
Have peace; and in a circle spreads so far,
That the circumference were too loose a zone
To girdle in the sun. All is one beam,
Reflected from the summit of the first,
That moves, which being hence and vigour takes,
And as some cliff, that from the bottom eyes
Its image mirror'd in the crystal flood,
As if 't admire its brave appareling
Of verdure and of flowers: so, round about,
Eyeing the light, on more than million thrones,
Stood, eminent, whatever from our earth
Has to the skies return'd. How wide the leaves
Extended to their utmost of this rose,
Whose lowest step embosoms such a space
Of ample radiance! Yet, nor amplitude
Nor height impeded, but my view with ease
Took in the full dimensions of that joy.
Near or remote, what there avails, where God
Immediate rules, and Nature, awed, suspends
Her sway? Into the yellow of the rose
Perennial, which in bright expansiveness,
Lays forth its gradual blooming, redolent
Of praises to the never-wint'ring sun,
As one, who fain would speak yet holds his peace,
Beatrice led me; and, "Behold," she said,
"This fair assemblage! stoles of snowy white
How numberless! The city, where we dwell,
Behold how vast! and these our seats so throng'd
Few now are wanting here! In that proud stall,
On which, the crown, already o'er its state
Suspended, holds thine eyes—or ere thyself
Mayst at the wedding sup,—shall rest the soul
Of the great Harry, he who, by the world
Augustas hail'd, to Italy must come,
Before her day be ripe. But ye are sick,
And in your tetchy wantonness as blind,
As is the bantling, that of hunger dies,
And drives away the nurse. Nor may it be,
That he, who in the sacred forum sways,
Openly or in secret, shall with him
Accordant walk: Whom God will not endure
I' th' holy office long; but thrust him down
To Simon Magus, where Magna's priest
Will sink beneath him: such will be his meed." 幸福者的玫瑰。圣伯尔纳代替贝雅特丽齐引导但丁至游程终了。
那些神圣的战士，基督和他们结为夫妻在他的血中，展开在我面前是一朵洁白玫瑰花的形状。但是其余的呢，他们飞着，看着，唱着恋爱他们者的荣耀和创造他们到此优越地步者的恩情，像一群蜜蜂，一会儿没入花间，一会儿返回甜味的制造所；他们一会儿降到那花瓣众多的大花之中，一会儿又升到他们永久爱心所寄之处。他们的脸庞像活泼的火，他们的羽翼像黄金，其余则比雪还要洁白。他们一级一级降到花中，散布他们从鼓动双翼而得来的平静和热情。在上帝和花瓣之间，鼓翼者如此之多，但不遮蔽眼力，也不遮蔽了光荣；因为神光渗透宇宙的一切，就如同他们完成的程度，没有一物能够阻碍他的。
这个国度，宁静而欢乐，住着新旧的大众，他们都一致望着爱着那唯一的一点。三合之光呀！你在他们眼中只是独一的星，你充满给他们以无穷的平静，请看暴风骤雨多么骚动的我们的凡间！
如果那些野蛮人，从艾丽绚和她亲爱的儿子每日在那里旋转的地方，来到宫殿壮丽的罗马那时拉特兰超出于人类的工程，他们一定目瞪口呆，惊恐不安；至于我呢，我从人到神，从暂时到永久，从佛罗伦萨到公正纯洁的国度，我的惊恐是怎样呢！诚然，我当时惊喜交加，只是耳不闻如聋，口不言如哑罢了。像一个朝山进香的，他在庙里东瞧西看，立下一个心愿，早已想把庙里的情形回去告诉他的邻人了；同样，我在那活泼的光中，我到处游说，各级都看到了：上上，下下，四周。我看见那些激情爱心的面貌，装饰着别人的光彩和他们自己的微笑，他们的举止态度真是完美无缺。
直到那时，天堂的全部情况都已收到我的眼底了，没有一部分不经我留意过；可是我看了以后，心中有许多疑问，要向我的贵妇人请求讲解。我所要问的是这一位，可是回答我的却是另一位；我以为回头即看见贝雅特丽齐可是我所看见的却是一位老者，穿着荣耀的衣服，和那队伍里的一样。他的面貌和目光，含着和善的喜悦，像一位仁慈的父亲。我急忙地问道：“她在那儿？”他说：“为了完成你的欲望，达到你的目的起见，贝雅特丽齐把我从座位上请了来；如果你仰望那从上而下的第三级，你将会再看见她，在她的功德相应的座位上。”
我也不答话，抬头望见她了，那永恒的光从她身上反射出来，围绕着她成为一个光圈。如果一个没入海底的人，仰望那发生雷电最高的云端，也没有像我的眼光看到贝雅特丽齐这样远；可是她的形象下降在我视线中毫无阻碍，这是因为她和我之间没有任何媒介的缘故。
“贵妇人呀！你是我热烈的希望之所寄，你为救援我不惜留足迹在地狱；我已经看到一切事物，我所以得此恩惠和勇气，都要感谢你的权力和善心。你把我从奴隶的地位释放做一个自由人，由一切的途径，用一切的方法，只要在你的权力范围。请你对于我保持一颗宽大的胸怀，这样你将医好了的灵魂，在离开肉体以后，还值得你高兴！”
我这样祈祷；至于她呢，虽然好像离开我很远，但她仍旧微笑而报我以一眼，于是她转向那永恒的源泉了。
后来，那可敬的老者对我说：”为了完成你的神圣的旅程，依一种感人的请求和神圣的爱心把我派遣到你面前。把你的目光带进这个花园；你愈加注视他，你的目光愈加锐利，愈加可以趋向那神光。那天之后，她燃起我对于她的爱火；她将给我们一切的恩惠，因为我是她虔诚的伯尔纳。”
像是一个从克罗地亚来的，来看我们的维罗尼卡，因为自古以来的名声甚大，看了还不满足，故在心中道：“我主耶稣基督，真的上帝，这个就是你的面像么？”当时我注视那位慈祥者，他在地上便用瞑想而体味着平静的滋味的，我的心境也是如此。
他继续说：“恩惠的儿子呀！如何你的眼睛总看着下面，那欢乐的事物便永远下会被你认识。你要抬头望那些圈子，直到最远的一层，你将看见那女工，这个国度服从她而巨尊敬她。”
我抬起我的眼睛；像早晨东方的地平线上比西方落日之处要明亮；同样，我好像出幽谷而登上山顶，我看见最高圈的明亮超过其他各处。如同我们在地上等着那车子，就是法厄同不能驾御的车子，他所出现的区域最光亮，而其左或右的光线就衰弱了；同样，那和平的金光旗照耀于中心，四周的光辉都觉暗淡了。在中心部分，我看见成千的天使张着双翼，如同在那里庆祝佳节一样；每个天使以他的光彩和技术来区分类别。那里我看见一美人对于他们的游艺和唱歌表示微笑，因此在诸圣者中显出他们的皆大欢喜。即使我的叙述能和我的所见一样丰富，我也不敢尝试描写他们的快乐幸福的万分之一。
当他知道我专心注视那明亮的泉源时，伯尔纳也把注意力转向她，因为他的这般虔诚敬爱的态度，竟使我再注视她，比以前更加诚恳。
In fashion, as a snow-white rose, lay then
Before my view the saintly multitude,
Which in his own blood Christ espous'd. Meanwhile
That other host, that soar aloft to gaze
And celebrate his glory, whom they love,
Hover'd around; and, like a troop of bees,
Amid the vernal sweets alighting now,
Now, clustering, where their fragrant labour glows,
Flew downward to the mighty flow'r, or rose
From the redundant petals, streaming back
Unto the steadfast dwelling of their joy.
Faces had they of flame, and wings of gold;
The rest was whiter than the driven snow.
And as they flitted down into the flower,
From range to range, fanning their plumy loins,
Whisper'd the peace and ardour, which they won
From that soft winnowing. Shadow none, the vast
Interposition of such numerous flight
Cast, from above, upon the flower, or view
Obstructed aught. For, through the universe,
Wherever merited, celestial light
Glides freely, and no obstacle prevents.
All there, who reign in safety and in bliss,
Ages long past or new, on one sole mark
Their love and vision fix'd. O trinal beam
Of individual star, that charmst them thus,
Vouchsafe one glance to gild our storm below!
If the grim brood, from Arctic shores that roam'd,
(Where helice, forever, as she wheels,
Sparkles a mother's fondness on her son)
Stood in mute wonder 'mid the works of Rome,
When to their view the Lateran arose
In greatness more than earthly; I, who then
From human to divine had past, from time
Unto eternity, and out of Florence
To justice and to truth, how might I choose
But marvel too? 'Twixt gladness and amaze,
In sooth no will had I to utter aught,
Or hear. And, as a pilgrim, when he rests
Within the temple of his vow, looks round
In breathless awe, and hopes some time to tell
Of all its goodly state: e'en so mine eyes
Cours'd up and down along the living light,
Now low, and now aloft, and now around,
Visiting every step. Looks I beheld,
Where charity in soft persuasion sat,
Smiles from within and radiance from above,
And in each gesture grace and honour high.
So rov'd my ken, and its general form
All Paradise survey'd: when round I turn'd
With purpose of my lady to inquire
Once more of things, that held my thought suspense,
But answer found from other than I ween'd;
For, Beatrice, when I thought to see,
I saw instead a senior, at my side,
Rob'd, as the rest, in glory. Joy benign
Glow'd in his eye, and o'er his cheek diffus'd,
With gestures such as spake a father's love.
And, "Whither is she vanish'd?" straight I ask'd.
"By Beatrice summon'd," he replied,
"I come to aid thy wish. Looking aloft
To the third circle from the highest, there
Behold her on the throne, wherein her merit
Hath plac'd her." Answering not, mine eyes I rais'd,
And saw her, where aloof she sat, her brow
A wreath reflecting of eternal beams.
Not from the centre of the sea so far
Unto the region of the highest thunder,
As was my ken from hers; and yet the form
Came through that medium down, unmix'd and pure,
"O Lady! thou in whom my hopes have rest!
Who, for my safety, hast not scorn'd, in hell
To leave the traces of thy footsteps mark'd!
For all mine eyes have seen, I, to thy power
And goodness, virtue owe and grace. Of slave,
Thou hast to freedom brought me; and no means,
For my deliverance apt, hast left untried.
Thy liberal bounty still toward me keep.
That, when my spirit, which thou madest whole,
Is loosen'd from this body, it may find
Favour with thee." So I my suit preferr'd:
And she, so distant, as appear'd, look'd down,
And smil'd; then tow'rds th' eternal fountain turn'd.
And thus the senior, holy and rever'd:
"That thou at length mayst happily conclude
Thy voyage (to which end I was dispatch'd,
By supplication mov'd and holy love)
Let thy upsoaring vision range, at large,
This garden through: for so, by ray divine
Kindled, thy ken a higher flight shall mount;
And from heav'n's queen, whom fervent I adore,
All gracious aid befriend us; for that I
Am her own faithful Bernard." Like a wight,
Who haply from Croatia wends to see
Our Veronica, and the while 't is shown,
Hangs over it with never-sated gaze,
And, all that he hath heard revolving, saith
Unto himself in thought: "And didst thou look
E'en thus, O Jesus, my true Lord and God?
And was this semblance thine?" So gaz'd I then
Adoring; for the charity of him,
Who musing, in the world that peace enjoy'd,
Stood lively before me. "Child of grace!"
Thus he began: "thou shalt not knowledge gain
Of this glad being, if thine eyes are held
Still in this depth below. But search around
The circles, to the furthest, till thou spy
Seated in state, the queen, that of this realm
Is sovran." Straight mine eyes I rais'd; and bright,
As, at the birth of morn, the eastern clime
Above th' horizon, where the sun declines;
To mine eyes, that upward, as from vale
To mountain sped, at th' extreme bound, a part
Excell'd in lustre all the front oppos'd.
And as the glow burns ruddiest o'er the wave,
That waits the sloping beam, which Phaeton
Ill knew to guide, and on each part the light
Diminish'd fades, intensest in the midst;
So burn'd the peaceful oriflame, and slack'd
On every side the living flame decay'd.
And in that midst their sportive pennons wav'd
Thousands of angels; in resplendence each
Distinct, and quaint adornment. At their glee
And carol, smil'd the Lovely One of heav'n,
That joy was in the eyes of all the blest.
Had I a tongue in eloquence as rich,
As is the colouring in fancy's loom,
'T were all too poor to utter the least part
Of that enchantment. When he saw mine eyes
Intent on her, that charm'd him, Bernard gaz'd
With so exceeding fondness, as infus'd
Ardour into my breast, unfelt before. 幸福者的玫瑰：幸福者如何分布。孩童的灵魂。
爱恋着他的欢乐，那瞻仰者自愿做我的导师，于是开始他神圣的讲话：“马利亚用药膏治好了的创伤，是那位坐在她脚下的美丽女人弄出来的。坐在她的下面，就是第三级，你可以看见拉结和贝雅特丽齐。逐次向下你可以看见撒拉、利百加、犹滴以及她，是那因为忏梅自己的罪过，而唱出：“上帝呀，怜恤我！”者的曾祖母。我提到的她们的这些名字，是从玫瑰花瓣的上部数下来的。从第六级直至下部，都是希伯来的贵妇人，好像以花的鬈发划分一条界线；因为依照对于基督信仰之观点不同，她们就在神圣的阶级上成了隔离的墙壁，在这一边，所有的花瓣都长成了，坐着的是那信仰基督将光临的一群；在那一边，那些半圆圈上还有空着的座位，坐着的是目光转向已光临的基督的一群。
“在这方面有天之后光荣的座位及其以下的座位做了大分界线，同样，在她的对面，是大约翰的座位。他是永圣的，他在旷野吃尽苦楚，又牺牲了性命，又在地狱两年。以他为分界，他之下的座位是圣方济各、本尼狄克及奥古斯丁的，以及其他的，一级一级，从上至下。现在，容我们赞扬神的准备：因为这两种观点的信仰者，将平等的充满在这个花园呢。
“现在你要知道，这经过这两条分界线的中点的圈子以下，坐着一群他们自己没有功德的灵魂，在一定的条件下，他们依靠别人的力量才来到此的；因为在他们离开肉体的时候，他们不能做正确的选择，你可以看出他们的童颜，听出他们的童声，如果你专心看，专心听。
“现在你心中有些迷蒙，虽在迷蒙之中而你仍旧保持着沉默；但我愿意替你解开困惑的结，这里面有你微妙的思想被束缚着呢。在这广大的国度以内，竞没有一件偶然的事情发生。正和没有忧虑，没有饥渴一样；因为你所看见的一切，都是依据永恒的定律创造的，所以像指与指环一样的相应。因此这些趋向真生活太快的灵魂，他们所得地位之高低，都不是没有缘故的。这个国度所依赖的王，他所持有的大量仁爱，大量喜悦，没有一个人希望再多些；他凭他自己的欢心创造一切的心灵；凭他自己的兴趣赐给他们各种的恩惠：于此只看结果就够了。这事在你听读的《圣经》上已经讲得明明白白，就是那双生子愤怒着在娘肚里相争的这一个例子。由此可知，根据头发颜色的不同，那最高的光允许他们有花冠的恩惠。所以，并不是奖赏他们自己的行为，他们得着不同的座位，只因为他们原始视觉的差异。
“在创世不久以后的时期，天真烂漫的，只须依靠父母的信仰便可以得救。在第一时期已过，则男孩须行割礼，以增加其天真烂漫的双翼上的力量。但是一到了神恩时期，如果不受基督的完全洗礼，则天真烂漫的，也只好留到下界。
“现在，请注视那个和基督最相似的脸；因为只有他的光可以安排你去见那基督。”
我看见那些在高空飞翔的圣灵把如此的欢乐倾泻在那脸上，以前我所看见的，都没有叫我赞赏到这地步，也没有一种事物向我显示与上帝相似到这地步。那首先下降的爱唱道：“福哉！马利亚你被神恩所笼罩。”于是张翼在她的面前。对于这神歌，全幸福的天廷都相感应，每个脸上都显得更加沉静而明朗。
“圣父呀！你为我降到这下边，离开你应得的永久甜蜜的高座。请告诉我，那位天使是谁？他注视我们女王的眼睛这样欢乐。他充满着爱恋好似着了火。”我这样再向他请教，他曾从马利亚吸取美丽，就如同晨星之于太阳。
于是他对我说：“这里所有的天使和灵魂，其欢喜快乐充满于他的一身；我们也愿意他如此；因为当上帝的儿了愿意担起我们的重担的时候，是他把棕榈枝带给下界的马利亚。
“现在，在我说话的时候，你的眼睛要跟随着看，留心这最公正、最虔诚国度里的大名人。那在高位的两个，他们最幸福，因为挨近女工，他们是我们玫瑰的两个根。在她左边的是人类的始祖，因为他胆大的尝味，人类就尝着如此的苦味。在她右边，你可以看见圣教会的始祖，基督曾把这玫瑰花的钥匙托付给了他。那位，他在生前即见到那美妇基督以矛与钉而获得者的不幸时代，他又坐在他的右边：在前面一位的左边是一位领袖，那些吃着吗哪的，忘恩负义的，无主见的，谋叛的国民是他的下属。坐在彼得对面的是亚那，以注视她的女儿为乐，她的眼珠不动而唱着和散那。家族之祖的对面坐着的是露西亚，当你俯首在深渊边际的时候，她曾经说动你的贵妇人。
“但是，因为你昏睡的时间将过了，此处不得不加一句号，就如同好裁缝不得不对于他的布匹加以剪裁。让我们转眼向着那原始爱，你尽你的眼力，看入他的光辉吧。但恐怕你以为鼓翼前进了，其实你在后退，因此我在这里应当祈祷，以获得恩惠，她的恩惠有帮助你的力量；你诚心跟着我，我所说的话不要离开你的心，”于是他开始了那神圣的祈祷。
Freely the sage, though wrapt in musings high,
Assum'd the teacher's part, and mild began:
"The wound, that Mary clos'd, she open'd first,
Who sits so beautiful at Mary's feet.
The third in order, underneath her, lo!
Rachel with Beatrice. Sarah next,
Judith, Rebecca, and the gleaner maid,
Meek ancestress of him, who sang the songs
Of sore repentance in his sorrowful mood.
All, as I name them, down from deaf to leaf,
Are in gradation throned on the rose.
And from the seventh step, successively,
Adown the breathing tresses of the flow'r
Still doth the file of Hebrew dames proceed.
For these are a partition wall, whereby
The sacred stairs are sever'd, as the faith
In Christ divides them. On this part, where blooms
Each leaf in full maturity, are set
Such as in Christ, or ere he came, believ'd.
On th' other, where an intersected space
Yet shows the semicircle void, abide
All they, who look'd to Christ already come.
And as our Lady on her glorious stool,
And they who on their stools beneath her sit,
This way distinction make: e'en so on his,
The mighty Baptist that way marks the line
(He who endur'd the desert and the pains
Of martyrdom, and for two years of hell,
Yet still continued holy), and beneath,
Augustin, Francis, Benedict, and the rest,
Thus far from round to round. So heav'n's decree
Forecasts, this garden equally to fill.
With faith in either view, past or to come,
Learn too, that downward from the step, which cleaves
Midway the twain compartments, none there are
Who place obtain for merit of their own,
But have through others' merit been advanc'd,
On set conditions: spirits all releas'd,
Ere for themselves they had the power to choose.
And, if thou mark and listen to them well,
Their childish looks and voice declare as much.
"Here, silent as thou art, I know thy doubt;
And gladly will I loose the knot, wherein
Thy subtle thoughts have bound thee. From this realm
Excluded, chalice no entrance here may find,
No more shall hunger, thirst, or sorrow can.
A law immutable hath establish'd all;
Nor is there aught thou seest, that doth not fit,
Exactly, as the finger to the ring.
It is not therefore without cause, that these,
O'erspeedy comers to immortal life,
Are different in their shares of excellence.
Our Sovran Lord—that settleth this estate
In love and in delight so absolute,
That wish can dare no further—every soul,
Created in his joyous sight to dwell,
With grace at pleasure variously endows.
And for a proof th' effect may well suffice.
And 't is moreover most expressly mark'd
In holy scripture, where the twins are said
To, have struggled in the womb. Therefore, as grace
Inweaves the coronet, so every brow
Weareth its proper hue of orient light.
And merely in respect to his prime gift,
Not in reward of meritorious deed,
Hath each his several degree assign'd.
In early times with their own innocence
More was not wanting, than the parents' faith,
To save them: those first ages past, behoov'd
That circumcision in the males should imp
The flight of innocent wings: but since the day
Of grace hath come, without baptismal rites
In Christ accomplish'd, innocence herself
Must linger yet below. Now raise thy view
Unto the visage most resembling Christ:
For, in her splendour only, shalt thou win
The pow'r to look on him." Forthwith I saw
Such floods of gladness on her visage shower'd,
From holy spirits, winging that profound;
That, whatsoever I had yet beheld,
Had not so much suspended me with wonder,
Or shown me such similitude of God.
And he, who had to her descended, once,
On earth, now hail'd in heav'n; and on pois'd wing.
"Ave, Maria, Gratia Plena," sang:
To whose sweet anthem all the blissful court,
From all parts answ'ring, rang: that holier joy
Brooded the deep serene. "Father rever'd:
Who deign'st, for me, to quit the pleasant place,
Wherein thou sittest, by eternal lot!
Say, who that angel is, that with such glee
Beholds our queen, and so enamour'd glows
Of her high beauty, that all fire he seems."
So I again resorted to the lore
Of my wise teacher, he, whom Mary's charms
Embellish'd, as the sun the morning star;
Who thus in answer spake: "In him are summ'd,
Whatever of buxomness and free delight
May be in Spirit, or in angel, met:
And so beseems: for that he bare the palm
Down unto Mary, when the Son of God
Vouchsaf'd to clothe him in terrestrial weeds.
Now let thine eyes wait heedful on my words,
And note thou of this just and pious realm
The chiefest nobles. Those, highest in bliss,
The twain, on each hand next our empress thron'd,
Are as it were two roots unto this rose.
He to the left, the parent, whose rash taste
Proves bitter to his seed; and, on the right,
That ancient father of the holy church,
Into whose keeping Christ did give the keys
Of this sweet flow'r: near whom behold the seer,
That, ere he died, saw all the grievous times
Of the fair bride, who with the lance and nails
Was won. And, near unto the other, rests
The leader, under whom on manna fed
Th' ungrateful nation, fickle and perverse.
On th' other part, facing to Peter, lo!
Where Anna sits, so well content to look
On her lov'd daughter, that with moveless eye
She chants the loud hosanna: while, oppos'd
To the first father of your mortal kind,
Is Lucia, at whose hest thy lady sped,
When on the edge of ruin clos'd thine eye.
"But (for the vision hasteneth so an end)
Here break we off, as the good workman doth,
That shapes the cloak according to the cloth:
And to the primal love our ken shall rise;
That thou mayst penetrate the brightness, far
As sight can bear thee. Yet, alas! in sooth
Beating thy pennons, thinking to advance,
Thou backward fall'st. Grace then must first be gain'd;
Her grace, whose might can help thee. Thou in prayer
Seek her: and, with affection, whilst I sue,
Attend, and yield me all thy heart." He said,
And thus the saintly orison began. 圣伯尔纳向圣母马利亚祈祷。上帝的景象。
“童贞之母，汝子之女，心谦而德高，超越一切其他造物，是永久命令所前定者。人性因你的缘故而如此高贵，造物主不再藐视这个与那个之造物。在你的怀中，被热力燃起了爱情，此热力又在这永久的平静中开出这花朵。在这里，你是我们日中的仁爱，在地上，你是人类希望的活源。圣母！你如此伟大，权力无边，谁要希望神恩而不祈求于你，如同不翼而飞。但是你的善心，不仅对于祈求者加以援助，就是并未祈求者，你也常常予以一臂之力。宽容和慷慨大慈大悲，一切美德，凡造物所有者，无不集于你的一身。
“现在，有一个人，他从宇宙最深的洞窟直到这里，曾经一一看过种种灵魂的生活，他恳求你，赐给他一点恩惠，叫他有足够的能力，把他的眼睛举得再高些，向着那最后的大福。至于我呢，我从没有为我自己恳求过这种眼力，像为他恳求这样热烈，我奉献给你我所有的祈祷，我希望这不是徒劳的；于是又因为你的祈祷而消除人类眼睛上的一切迷雾，并且把广大的最高欢乐全部展现在他面前。
“我还要请求于你，你是能做你所愿做的女王，在他瞻仰过这大景象以后，请你保护他的情感健全无疵。你的保护强于人类的冲动；你看吧！贝雅特丽齐以及许多圣灵，都合掌向着你，附和我的祈祷了。”
那双被上帝所喜爱的眼睛，盯着向她祈求的人，早已表示虔诚的祈祷已被接受了。于是他们抬起头来向着那永恒的光，我想从未有别的造物这样以清晰的目光注视他过。至于我呢，我将接近我所有的心愿之终点，我完成我欲望上的最高努力。伯尔纳向我做了一个手势，又微笑一下，指示我应当向上望了，但是我早已准备了这种姿态；因为我的眼力逐渐精一，透入那高光逐渐深刻，此高光的本身就是真理。此后我所见的超越我所能说的；舌头既不能描述，记忆力也就不能胜任这艰巨任务了。
常有人在梦中看见许多事物，醒后便不能记忆，所能说的只有苦乐之感受，而其他景象则不能重现于心中。我也是这样：所有当时我见到的景象都没有了，我心中由那景象所生的快慰犹存。像雪在阳光之下融化了；像西比拉写在树叶上的预言被风吹散了。
至高无上的光呀！你超出于人类思想之外，你把曾经启示我的再赐一些回光在我的记忆里吧。你使我的舌头有足够的能力至少传述你光荣中的一粒火星，以遗留给后来的人吧；因为，如果我的记忆中重现一些事物，我的诗句中再闻一些回声，他们更加可以明了你的胜利吧。
我想，如果我对于那刺目的活光掉转我的眼睛，我将仍停留于迷惑之途。由于这种原因，我记得那时我尽力忍受那强烈的光，因此我的一瞥可以到达那无穷的权力。
丰富的神恩呀！你使我敢于定睛那永恒的光，我已经到了我眼力的终端！在他的深处，我看见宇宙纷散的纸张，都被爱合订为一册；本质和偶然性和他们的关系，似乎都融合了，竟使我所能说的只是一单纯的光而已。我相信这个全宇宙的结我已经看见了，因为我说到此处我心中觉得非常的欢乐呢。不过一会儿工夫。我竟像生了昏睡病的人，比记起二十五个世纪以前阿耳戈船的影子惊吓了海神这个故事还要难。
这样、我的精神与一切隔绝，专心地注视着，不移动又不分心、愈注视而欲望愈炽烈。一个人注视那种光以后，便不能允许转向别的事物；因为做欲望之目标的善，是完全聚集在那种光里面，在他里面的是完善，在他之外的就有缺欠。
现在，我的记述更落在我所能有的一些微少的记忆的后面，简直不如含着乳房的舌头。并不是说我瞻仰的活光在不断的变化，他是始终如一的；只是我的眼力因注视而逐渐加强，所以那唯一的景象也因我的变化而变化了。
在那高光之深沉灿烂的本体里，我瞥见三个圈子，是三种颜色而同样大小；一个似乎是另一个的反射，好像一虹被另一虹所反射的样子，而那第三个似乎是被这个和那个所鼓动的火。唉！我的话语多么无能，表现出我的认识多么软弱！而我的认识和我的所见相比，真可说：“微乎其微”了。永恒的光呀！你建立只在你自己，只你认识你自己，而且被你所了解又了解你，爱你又向你微笑。那个似乎是你的反射光而包含在你里面的圈子，当我的眼睛看在上面的时候，似乎现出他的本色而绘出我们人类的图形；我的目光全然贯注在他上面。
像一个几何学家，他专心致志地测量那圆周，他想了又想，可是没有结果，因为找不出他的原理；我对于那新见的景象也是如此；我希望知道一个人形怎么会和一个圈子结合，他怎么会在那里找着了地位；但是我自己的力量不能胜任，除非我的心灵被那闪光所击，在他里面我的欲望满足了。
达到这想象的最高点，我的力量不够了；但是我的欲望和意志，像车轮转运均一，这都是由于那爱的调节；是爱也，动太阳而移群星。
"O virgin mother, daughter of thy Son,
Created beings all in lowliness
Surpassing, as in height, above them all,
Term by th' eternal counsel pre-ordain'd,
Ennobler of thy nature, so advanc'd
In thee, that its great Maker did not scorn,
Himself, in his own work enclos'd to dwell!
For in thy womb rekindling shone the love
Reveal'd, whose genial influence makes now
This flower to germin in eternal peace!
Here thou to us, of charity and love,
Art, as the noon-day torch: and art, beneath,
To mortal men, of hope a living spring.
So mighty art thou, lady! and so great,
That he who grace desireth, and comes not
To thee for aidance, fain would have desire
Fly without wings. Nor only him who asks,
Thy bounty succours, but doth freely oft
Forerun the asking. Whatsoe'er may be
Of excellence in creature, pity mild,
Relenting mercy, large munificence,
Are all combin'd in thee. Here kneeleth one,
Who of all spirits hath review'd the state,
From the world's lowest gap unto this height.
Suppliant to thee he kneels, imploring grace
For virtue, yet more high to lift his ken
Toward the bliss supreme. And I, who ne'er
Coveted sight, more fondly, for myself,
Than now for him, my prayers to thee prefer,
(And pray they be not scant) that thou wouldst drive
Each cloud of his mortality away;
That on the sovran pleasure he may gaze.
This also I entreat of thee, O queen!
Who canst do what thou wilt! that in him thou
Wouldst after all he hath beheld, preserve
Affection sound, and human passions quell.
Lo! Where, with Beatrice, many a saint
Stretch their clasp'd hands, in furtherance of my suit!"
The eyes, that heav'n with love and awe regards,
Fix'd on the suitor, witness'd, how benign
She looks on pious pray'rs: then fasten'd they
On th' everlasting light, wherein no eye
Of creature, as may well be thought, so far
Can travel inward. I, meanwhile, who drew
Near to the limit, where all wishes end,
The ardour of my wish (for so behooved),
Ended within me. Beck'ning smil'd the sage,
That I should look aloft: but, ere he bade,
Already of myself aloft I look'd;
For visual strength, refining more and more,
Bare me into the ray authentical
Of sovran light. Thenceforward, what I saw,
Was not for words to speak, nor memory's self
To stand against such outrage on her skill.
As one, who from a dream awaken'd, straight,
All he hath seen forgets; yet still retains
Impression of the feeling in his dream;
E'en such am I: for all the vision dies,
As 't were, away; and yet the sense of sweet,
That sprang from it, still trickles in my heart.
Thus in the sun-thaw is the snow unseal'd;
Thus in the winds on flitting leaves was lost
The Sybil's sentence. O eternal beam!
(Whose height what reach of mortal thought may soar?)
Yield me again some little particle
Of what thou then appearedst, give my tongue
Power, but to leave one sparkle of thy glory,
Unto the race to come, that shall not lose
Thy triumph wholly, if thou waken aught
Of memory in me, and endure to hear
The record sound in this unequal strain.
Such keenness from the living ray I met,
That, if mine eyes had turn'd away, methinks,
I had been lost; but, so embolden'd, on
I pass'd, as I remember, till my view
Hover'd the brink of dread infinitude.
O grace! unenvying of thy boon! that gav'st
Boldness to fix so earnestly my ken
On th' everlasting splendour, that I look'd,
While sight was unconsum'd, and, in that depth,
Saw in one volume clasp'd of love, whatever
The universe unfolds; all properties
Of substance and of accident, beheld,
Compounded, yet one individual light
The whole. And of such bond methinks I saw
The universal form: for that whenever
I do but speak of it, my soul dilates
Beyond her proper self; and, till I speak,
One moment seems a longer lethargy,
Than five-and-twenty ages had appear'd
To that emprize, that first made Neptune wonder
At Argo's shadow darkening on his flood.
With fixed heed, suspense and motionless,
Wond'ring I gaz'd; and admiration still
Was kindled, as I gaz'd. It may not be,
That one, who looks upon that light, can turn
To other object, willingly, his view.
For all the good, that will may covet, there
Is summ'd; and all, elsewhere defective found,
Complete. My tongue shall utter now, no more
E'en what remembrance keeps, than could the babe's
That yet is moisten'd at his mother's breast.
Not that the semblance of the living light
Was chang'd (that ever as at first remain'd)
But that my vision quickening, in that sole
Appearance, still new miracles descry'd,
And toil'd me with the change. In that abyss
Of radiance, clear and lofty, seem'd methought,
Three orbs of triple hue clipt in one bound:
And, from another, one reflected seem'd,
As rainbow is from rainbow: and the third
Seem'd fire, breath'd equally from both. Oh speech
How feeble and how faint art thou, to give
Conception birth! Yet this to what I saw
Is less than little. Oh eternal light!
Sole in thyself that dwellst; and of thyself
Sole understood, past, present, or to come!
Thou smiledst; on that circling, which in thee
Seem'd as reflected splendour, while I mus'd;
For I therein, methought, in its own hue
Beheld our image painted: steadfastly
I therefore por'd upon the view. As one
Who vers'd in geometric lore, would fain
Measure the circle; and, though pondering long
And deeply, that beginning, which he needs,
Finds not; e'en such was I, intent to scan
The novel wonder, and trace out the form,
How to the circle fitted, and therein
How plac'd: but the flight was not for my wing;
Had not a flash darted athwart my mind,
And in the spleen unfolded what it sought.
Here vigour fail'd the tow'ring fantasy:
But yet the will roll'd onward, like a wheel
In even motion, by the Love impell'd,
That moves the sun in heav'n and all the stars. |
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