升入第三層：懲怒。但丁出神見幻象。
　　　
　　 那時太陽在天空所要走的里程，等於從日出至第三時之終；天體旋轉，如小兒之滾鐵環，歷萬世而無窮；淨界的黃昏，恰是我家乡的夜半。那時陽光射在我們的臉上，因為我們要繞山而行，此時已面嚮西方了；可是我那時另外感到有一種光芒重壓在我的眉宇上，簡直勝過陽光，我不懂是什麽緣故造成的，衹是驚奇；我舉起手來，遮在眼上，以避開這種過分刺目的光芒。
　　　
　　 當一種光綫由水面或鏡面反射起來的時候，其反射到對面的和原來射下的正好相等，和石子下墜的現象完全不同，這是在學術上和經驗上都可以被證明的。那迫在我眉上的我想也是一種反射光，所以我的眼睛須快快避開。
　　　
　　 我問：“我柔和的父親！這般叫我難以忍受的光芒是從何而來呢？”他答道：“假使這種光叫你暈眩，你不必驚奇，他來自上帝的傢臣，她是一位迎接我們上升的使者。不久後，你對於這種光芒便不會感到難受；成為習慣以後，你接受反而覺得愉快了。”
　　　
　　 我們接近仁愛的天使，他用喜悅的口氣說：“請從這裏上升，這裏有一個階梯，不像以前的那麽陡峭了。”我們離開那兒，登上階梯，他在我們身後唱着：“慈悲的人的人有福極了！”又聽見說：“你獲得成功了，你歡喜罷！”
　　　
　　 我的老師和我，孤單單兩個人步步上升，我想乘此機會問他幾句話，於是轉嚮他說：”剛纔那個羅馬的靈魂，說什麽‘無分的東西，究竟是什麽意思呢？”
　　　
　　 他於是答道：“他已經明白他最大罪惡的惡果了；所以他指出這份罪惡，叫人不要恐懼他的刑罰而替他過份悲傷。因為世人的心太註意在財産上了，財産分之者愈衆，則每個人享受的便愈少；可是，假使你們的欲望放在那至高的幸福上面，就不生這種煩惱了。因為在天上，衹說“我們的’，占有人的數目愈多，個人的幸福愈大。”我說：“對於你的解釋不能滿意，比我沒有開口以前還要莫名。怎麽可能一種財産，占有人的數目愈多，個人的享受反而愈大呢？”他對我說：“因為你還是衹註意在世俗的東西，所以你遮住真光獲取黑暗。那無窮無盡的財産生在天上，嚮着慈愛奔流，如同光始自明亮的物體一般。他愈是尋到了多施者，愈是給得多；慈愛的範圍愈推廣，永久的善也由此倍增；天上聚集的靈魂愈多，慈愛的互施愈頻，如同鏡子相互反射他們所受的光一般。假使我的解說仍不能清晰你的認識，那末在你逢見貝雅特麗齊，她可以滿足你的希望，並講解其他的問題。現在衹要當心把令你痛苦的五個創傷醫好，此外有二個已經得到平復了。”
　　　
　　 我很想說：“你已令我明瞭了。”那時我看見我們已到了更高的一圈，因為我急乎尋求新的景色，這句話也就不說了。那裏我忽然如隨夢境，看見許多人同處一個殿裏；在入口處，有一個姦人。用慈母一般的口氣說：“我兒，為甚麽對我們這樣做呢？看哪！你父親和我傷心來尋你。”她的話一停止，剛纔我所見的也消失了。
　　　
　　 立刻又出現另一婦人，淚流滿面，似經受了重大侮辱的模樣，她面嚮一個貴族說：“你是這城的主人，為着這個城的名字，諸神間曾經發生過爭執，而且這個城是一切學問的始作者，請你復仇，為那放肆的手臂竟敢公然擁抱我們的女兒，庇西特拉圖呀！”那個貴族，在我看似乎是很和善的，慢慢地答道：“假使愛我們的要受責罰，那末害我們的要接受怎樣的處罰呢？”
　　　
　　 後來我又看見一夥百姓，都是怒火衝霄，用石子投嚮一個少年，大傢叫喊道：“殺呀！殺呀！”那少年呢，業已將死，快跌倒在地了，但他的眼望嚮天空，現出憐恤的面容，在受這樣兇狠的歐擊下，他請求上帝赦免他的虐殺者。
　　　
　　 當我醒覺後，想起剛纔所見的一切，原來都是幻象，而並非虛事。我的嚮導見我像從睡眠中醒來說：“你怎樣了，像不由自主的人？你已經走過半裏多路，眼睛似乎被面幕遮住，一雙腿搖搖擺擺地像一個醉漢或夢遊人。”我回說：“我柔和的父親呀！如果你願意聽，我將把我在雙腿搖擺時所見的景象告訴你。”他說：“就算你戴上一百個面具，也瞞不過我輕微的思想。你所見的，是你不得不為和平的水這是從永久的愛泉裏流出來的專心緻志的緣故。我問：“你怎樣了”，並非指你眼睛看見的，是叫你在腳上用些力量。一個懶惰的人應當受些刺激，因為他並不急於去利用他醒後的寶貴光陰呀！”
　　　
　　 我們嚮前行進，趁着夕陽，極目遠望；不久一陣黑煙，嚮我們滾滾襲來，頓時如入暗夜，沒有地方能為我們做避難所；那時眼睛失去了功用，而且也隔絶了清潔的空氣。

　　As much as 'twixt the third hour's close and dawn,
　　Appeareth of heav'n's sphere, that ever whirls
　　As restless as an infant in his play,
　　So much appear'd remaining to the sun
　　Of his slope journey towards the western goal.
　　
　　Evening was there, and here the noon of night;
　　and full upon our forehead smote the beams.
　　For round the mountain, circling, so our path
　　Had led us, that toward the sun-set now
　　Direct we journey'd: when I felt a weight
　　Of more exceeding splendour, than before,
　　Press on my front. The cause unknown, amaze
　　Possess'd me, and both hands against my brow
　　Lifting, I interpos'd them, as a screen,
　　That of its gorgeous superflux of light
　　Clipp'd the diminish'd orb. As when the ray,
　　Striking On water or the surface clear
　　Of mirror, leaps unto the opposite part,
　　Ascending at a glance, e'en as it fell,
　　(And so much differs from the stone, that falls)
　　Through equal space, as practice skill hath shown;
　　Thus with refracted light before me seemed
　　The ground there smitten; whence in sudden haste
　　My sight recoil'd. "What is this, sire belov'd!
　　'Gainst which I strive to shield the sight in vain?"
　　Cried I, "and which towards us moving seems?"
　　
　　"Marvel not, if the family of heav'n,"
　　He answer'd, "yet with dazzling radiance dim
　　Thy sense it is a messenger who comes,
　　Inviting man's ascent. Such sights ere long,
　　Not grievous, shall impart to thee delight,
　　As thy perception is by nature wrought
　　Up to their pitch." The blessed angel, soon
　　As we had reach'd him, hail'd us with glad voice:
　　"Here enter on a ladder far less steep
　　Than ye have yet encounter'd." We forthwith
　　Ascending, heard behind us chanted sweet,
　　"Blessed the merciful," and "happy thou!
　　That conquer'st." Lonely each, my guide and I
　　Pursued our upward way; and as we went,
　　Some profit from his words I hop'd to win,
　　And thus of him inquiring, fram'd my speech:
　　
　　"What meant Romagna's spirit, when he spake
　　Of bliss exclusive with no partner shar'd?"
　　
　　He straight replied: "No wonder, since he knows,
　　What sorrow waits on his own worst defect,
　　If he chide others, that they less may mourn.
　　Because ye point your wishes at a mark,
　　Where, by communion of possessors, part
　　Is lessen'd, envy bloweth up the sighs of men.
　　No fear of that might touch ye, if the love
　　Of higher sphere exalted your desire.
　　For there, by how much more they call it ours,
　　So much propriety of each in good
　　Increases more, and heighten'd charity
　　Wraps that fair cloister in a brighter flame."
　　
　　"Now lack I satisfaction more," said I,
　　"Than if thou hadst been silent at the first,
　　And doubt more gathers on my lab'ring thought.
　　How can it chance, that good distributed,
　　The many, that possess it, makes more rich,
　　Than if 't were shar'd by few?" He answering thus:
　　"Thy mind, reverting still to things of earth,
　　Strikes darkness from true light. The highest good
　　Unlimited, ineffable, doth so speed
　　To love, as beam to lucid body darts,
　　Giving as much of ardour as it finds.
　　The sempiternal effluence streams abroad
　　Spreading, wherever charity extends.
　　So that the more aspirants to that bliss
　　Are multiplied, more good is there to love,
　　And more is lov'd; as mirrors, that reflect,
　　Each unto other, propagated light.
　　If these my words avail not to allay
　　Thy thirsting, Beatrice thou shalt see,
　　Who of this want, and of all else thou hast,
　　Shall rid thee to the full. Provide but thou
　　That from thy temples may be soon eras'd,
　　E'en as the two already, those five scars,
　　That when they pain thee worst, then kindliest heal,"
　　
　　"Thou," I had said, "content'st me," when I saw
　　The other round was gain'd, and wond'ring eyes
　　Did keep me mute. There suddenly I seem'd
　　By an ecstatic vision wrapt away;
　　And in a temple saw, methought, a crowd
　　Of many persons; and at th' entrance stood
　　A dame, whose sweet demeanour did express
　　A mother's love, who said, "Child! why hast thou
　　Dealt with us thus? Behold thy sire and I
　　Sorrowing have sought thee;" and so held her peace,
　　And straight the vision fled. A female next
　　Appear'd before me, down whose visage cours'd
　　Those waters, that grief forces out from one
　　By deep resentment stung, who seem'd to say:
　　"If thou, Pisistratus, be lord indeed
　　Over this city, nam'd with such debate
　　Of adverse gods, and whence each science sparkles,
　　Avenge thee of those arms, whose bold embrace
　　Hath clasp'd our daughter; "and to fuel, meseem'd,
　　Benign and meek, with visage undisturb'd,
　　Her sovran spake: "How shall we those requite,
　　Who wish us evil, if we thus condemn
　　The man that loves us?" After that I saw
　　A multitude, in fury burning, slay
　　With stones a stripling youth, and shout amain
　　"Destroy, destroy!" and him I saw, who bow'd
　　Heavy with death unto the ground, yet made
　　His eyes, unfolded upward, gates to heav'n,
　　
　　Praying forgiveness of th' Almighty Sire,
　　Amidst that cruel conflict, on his foes,
　　With looks, that With compassion to their aim.
　　
　　Soon as my spirit, from her airy flight
　　Returning, sought again the things, whose truth
　　Depends not on her shaping, I observ'd
　　How she had rov'd to no unreal scenes
　　
　　Meanwhile the leader, who might see I mov'd,
　　As one, who struggles to shake off his sleep,
　　Exclaim'd: "What ails thee, that thou canst not hold
　　Thy footing firm, but more than half a league
　　Hast travel'd with clos'd eyes and tott'ring gait,
　　Like to a man by wine or sleep o'ercharg'd?"
　　
　　"Beloved father! so thou deign," said I,
　　"To listen, I will tell thee what appear'd
　　Before me, when so fail'd my sinking steps."
　　
　　He thus: "Not if thy Countenance were mask'd
　　With hundred vizards, could a thought of thine
　　How small soe'er, elude me. What thou saw'st
　　Was shown, that freely thou mightst ope thy heart
　　To the waters of peace, that flow diffus'd
　　From their eternal fountain. I not ask'd,
　　What ails thee? for such cause as he doth, who
　　Looks only with that eye which sees no more,
　　When spiritless the body lies; but ask'd,
　　To give fresh vigour to thy foot. Such goads
　　The slow and loit'ring need; that they be found
　　Not wanting, when their hour of watch returns."
　　
　　So on we journey'd through the evening sky
　　Gazing intent, far onward, as our eyes
　　With level view could stretch against the bright
　　Vespertine ray: and lo! by slow degrees
　　Gath'ring, a fog made tow'rds us, dark as night.
　　There was no room for 'scaping; and that mist
　　Bereft us, both of sight and the pure air.

　　忿怒的靈魂。倫巴第人馬可的談話。
　　　
　　 地獄的暗夜，和沒有星辰、烏雲密佈的昏夜，也不能把我的視綫遮蔽得像此處的黑煙，無異厚厚的毛布一塊，壓在我的臉上，叫我睜不開眼。那時我忠實的嚮導走近我，把他的肩頭讓給我。如同瞎子搭着別人的肩走一般，免得踏錯路，碰在障礙物上，甚至跌死了也說不定，我搭着我的嚮導人，走在難忍的空氣裏面，他衹說：“當心不要脫離開我。”
　　　
　　 我聽見喧囂聲，似乎每個人都在祈求替人脫罪的上帝的為羔羊給他和平與憐恤。“上帝的羔羊”，這就是開場的頭一句；而他們似乎在一齊說，十分和諧。
　　　
　　 我說：”老師！我聽見的是靈魂麽？”他答道：“你猜想得不錯，他們正在解開忿怒的結呢。”“你是誰？你穿過我們的黑幕，你談論我們，似乎還是翻看歷書過生活的人的口氣。”這是一個靈魂的聲音；那時我的老師對我說：“你答復他，並且問他是否可以由此上升。”於是我說：“在此滌惡的造物呀！你將清潔的同到造物主那裏去；假使你跟從我的步閥，你可以知道一樁大奇事呢。”他答道：“我將盡我所能範圍的伴着你，雖然這股黑煙令我們不能視覺，但依靠着聽覺，可以使我們連係在一處的。”
　　　
　　 於是我開始說：“我帶着這具皮囊，衹有死神可以令他脫離靈魂奔赴天上的行程、經過悲慘的地獄而跋涉到這裏。上帝賜我這般恩惠，允許我觀光他的朝廷，這是近代所未有的例子；你在生前是誰，請不要勿瞞我。還有，告訴我，我走的路是否錯，你的話將作為我們的指南針。”
　　　
　　 “我是倫巴第人，叫做馬可；對於世故懂得很深；我愛德行，然而此德行不再為世人所信奉了。你上來的路不錯。”那靈魂如此回答，又說：“當你到了天庭，我請你替我祈禱。”
　　　
　　 我對他說：“我决定替你做所要求的事情。但是，我心裏有一個迷惑，急待解决了纔安心。我的疑惑很簡單，現在聽到你的話，又回想起在別處聽到的，疑惑愈加深刻了。世人放棄德行，你對我說的的確是真的，他們衹是蒙了重重的罪惡。但是，請你明了地指出他的原因，我好再轉告他人。有些人把這原因歸罪天上其他人則把他歸罪世間。”
　　　
　　 那個靈魂先長嘆了一聲，然後對我說：“老兄啊！世人原本是瞎子，你從那裏來，你是知道得很清楚的。世間一班活人，都把一切事咎歸之天上的星辰，似乎天在擺布一切。似不可動搖的必然一般。事情如果真是如此，則世人的自由意志將消失，而勸善懲惡也就不合理了。天給我們一種原始運動，我不說一切；即使我說一切，則他也賦予我們一種辨別善惡的智慧，還有自由的意志；這種意志起初也許和自然的影響相搏而感着痛苦，但我們內心苦善用之則必得最終的勝利。你們雖然自由，但你們仍在一種更偉大而更完備的勢力之下，這種勢力在你們身上賦與了智慧，這不是星辰可以管轄的。假使世人果然走了邪路，這個原因是在自己，應當在你們良知裏面找出來。我且把這種癥結指出給你看：一個靈魂，從上帝柔和的手裏創造出來那時她像一個女孩子，會哭會笑。天真爛漫，除卻尋求歡樂以外，別的一無所知。最初，她的趣味在平庸的歡樂；除非有傢長或馬勒去節制她的欲望，否則她便沉迷在裏面而不得解脫。於是創要製法律以作馬勒，要立統治者，他至少能辨別那真誠的鐘樓。法律有了，但是誰去執行呢？沒有人！因為領導群羊的牧人能夠反芻，但是卻沒有奇蹄，因此所有的百姓看見他們的領袖也衹是爭取他們所渴望的財富，於是他們也衹是衣於此，食於此，而不暇遠求了。你可以看到世人的漸趨下流，是由於這些領導人，並非由於人類自己性質上的變壞。羅馬，他從前散布地上以幸福，一嚮有兩個太陽，照明兩條路徑：一塵世九一是上帝的。現在呢，一個太陽遮沒另外的一個了；徵戰的寶劍和十字架都柄在一個人的手中。這二件東西在一起就弄得必然糟糕了：因為合在一起，這個便不怕那個。假使你願不相信我的話，那末請看此麥穗，一種植物體現的價值在他所産生的種子。在那波河和阿迪傑河灌溉的土地上，腓特烈遭受反對之前，那裏德行和禮貌都被世人所稱許，在今日呢，如有曉得廉恥的人從那兒經過，我可以擔保他不會遇見正人君子，也沒有君子來接近他。那兒還剩存三位老人，這是舊時代用他們來譏諷新時代的，上帝把他們遣送到更舒適的生活似乎遲了一步。這三位是：庫拉多，好人蓋拉爾多和圭多，最好用法蘭西語叫他們為“單純的倫巴第人’。“我總說一句：今日羅馬教堂，把兩種權力緊篡不放，跌入泥塘裏去，她自己和她所懷抱着的都被污穢了！”
　　　
　　 我說：”我的馬可呀！你的道理說得很好，我現在懂得為什麽利未的子孫不得治理生産了；但是你所說的蓋拉爾多，他是舊時代的遺老，用以譴責野蠻的新時代的，他究竟是誰呢？”他回道：“或者是你哄我，或者是你來考問我，否則你說着托斯卡那語，似乎不該不知道好人蓋拉爾多罷。我不知他是否尚有別的名字，不過他的女兒是蓋婭。上帝保佑你，我不能再伴你嚮前了。看罷！光綫已經射入黑煙來了；天使就在前面，而我還不好見他的面。”於是那靈魂轉身去了，無法再聽我的說話。

　　Hell's dunnest gloom, or night unlustrous, dark,
　　Of every planes 'reft, and pall'd in clouds,
　　Did never spread before the sight a veil
　　In thickness like that fog, nor to the sense
　　So palpable and gross. Ent'ring its shade,
　　Mine eye endured not with unclosed lids;
　　Which marking, near me drew the faithful guide,
　　Offering me his shoulder for a stay.
　　
　　As the blind man behind his leader walks,
　　Lest he should err, or stumble unawares
　　On what might harm him, or perhaps destroy,
　　I journey'd through that bitter air and foul,
　　Still list'ning to my escort's warning voice,
　　"Look that from me thou part not." Straight I heard
　　Voices, and each one seem'd to pray for peace,
　　And for compassion, to the Lamb of God
　　That taketh sins away. Their prelude still
　　Was "Agnus Dei," and through all the choir,
　　One voice, one measure ran, that perfect seem'd
　　The concord of their song. "Are these I hear
　　Spirits, O master?" I exclaim'd; and he:
　　"Thou aim'st aright: these loose the bonds of wrath."
　　
　　"Now who art thou, that through our smoke dost cleave?
　　And speak'st of us, as thou thyself e'en yet
　　Dividest time by calends?" So one voice
　　Bespake me; whence my master said: "Reply;
　　And ask, if upward hence the passage lead."
　　
　　"O being! who dost make thee pure, to stand
　　Beautiful once more in thy Maker's sight!
　　Along with me: and thou shalt hear and wonder."
　　Thus I, whereto the spirit answering spake:
　　
　　"Long as 't is lawful for me, shall my steps
　　Follow on thine; and since the cloudy smoke
　　Forbids the seeing, hearing in its stead
　　Shall keep us join'd." I then forthwith began
　　"Yet in my mortal swathing, I ascend
　　To higher regions, and am hither come
　　Through the fearful agony of hell.
　　And, if so largely God hath doled his grace,
　　That, clean beside all modern precedent,
　　He wills me to behold his kingly state,
　　From me conceal not who thou wast, ere death
　　Had loos'd thee; but instruct me: and instruct
　　If rightly to the pass I tend; thy words
　　The way directing as a safe escort."
　　
　　"I was of Lombardy, and Marco call'd:
　　Not inexperienc'd of the world, that worth
　　I still affected, from which all have turn'd
　　The nerveless bow aside. Thy course tends right
　　Unto the summit:" and, replying thus,
　　He added, "I beseech thee pray for me,
　　When thou shalt come aloft." And I to him:
　　"Accept my faith for pledge I will perform
　　What thou requirest. Yet one doubt remains,
　　That wrings me sorely, if I solve it not,
　　Singly before it urg'd me, doubled now
　　By thine opinion, when I couple that
　　With one elsewhere declar'd, each strength'ning other.
　　The world indeed is even so forlorn
　　Of all good as thou speak'st it and so swarms
　　With every evil. Yet, beseech thee, point
　　The cause out to me, that myself may see,
　　And unto others show it: for in heaven
　　One places it, and one on earth below."
　　
　　Then heaving forth a deep and audible sigh,
　　"Brother!" he thus began, "the world is blind;
　　And thou in truth com'st from it. Ye, who live,
　　Do so each cause refer to heav'n above,
　　E'en as its motion of necessity
　　Drew with it all that moves. If this were so,
　　Free choice in you were none; nor justice would
　　There should be joy for virtue, woe for ill.
　　Your movements have their primal bent from heaven;
　　Not all; yet said I all; what then ensues?
　　Light have ye still to follow evil or good,
　　And of the will free power, which, if it stand
　　Firm and unwearied in Heav'n's first assay,
　　Conquers at last, so it be cherish'd well,
　　Triumphant over all. To mightier force,
　　To better nature subject, ye abide
　　Free, not constrain'd by that, which forms in you
　　The reasoning mind uninfluenc'd of the stars.
　　If then the present race of mankind err,
　　Seek in yourselves the cause, and find it there.
　　Herein thou shalt confess me no false spy.
　　
　　"Forth from his plastic hand, who charm'd beholds
　　Her image ere she yet exist, the soul
　　Comes like a babe, that wantons sportively
　　Weeping and laughing in its wayward moods,
　　As artless and as ignorant of aught,
　　Save that her Maker being one who dwells
　　With gladness ever, willingly she turns
　　To whate'er yields her joy. Of some slight good
　　The flavour soon she tastes; and, snar'd by that,
　　With fondness she pursues it, if no guide
　　Recall, no rein direct her wand'ring course.
　　Hence it behov'd, the law should be a curb;
　　A sovereign hence behov'd, whose piercing view
　　Might mark at least the fortress and main tower
　　Of the true city. Laws indeed there are:
　　But who is he observes them? None; not he,
　　Who goes before, the shepherd of the flock,
　　Who chews the cud but doth not cleave the hoof.
　　Therefore the multitude, who see their guide
　　Strike at the very good they covet most,
　　Feed there and look no further. Thus the cause
　　Is not corrupted nature in yourselves,
　　But ill-conducting, that hath turn'd the world
　　To evil. Rome, that turn'd it unto good,
　　Was wont to boast two suns, whose several beams
　　Cast light on either way, the world's and God's.
　　One since hath quench'd the other; and the sword
　　Is grafted on the crook; and so conjoin'd
　　Each must perforce decline to worse, unaw'd
　　By fear of other. If thou doubt me, mark
　　The blade: each herb is judg'd of by its seed.
　　That land, through which Adice and the Po
　　Their waters roll, was once the residence
　　Of courtesy and velour, ere the day,
　　That frown'd on Frederick; now secure may pass
　　Those limits, whosoe'er hath left, for shame,
　　To talk with good men, or come near their haunts.
　　Three aged ones are still found there, in whom
　　The old time chides the new: these deem it long
　　Ere God restore them to a better world:
　　The good Gherardo, of Palazzo he
　　Conrad, and Guido of Castello, nam'd
　　In Gallic phrase more fitly the plain Lombard.
　　On this at last conclude. The church of Rome,
　　Mixing two governments that ill assort,
　　Hath miss'd her footing, fall'n into the mire,
　　And there herself and burden much defil'd."
　　
　　"O Marco!" I replied, shine arguments
　　Convince me: and the cause I now discern
　　Why of the heritage no portion came
　　To Levi's offspring. But resolve me this
　　Who that Gherardo is, that as thou sayst
　　Is left a sample of the perish'd race,
　　And for rebuke to this untoward age?"
　　
　　"Either thy words," said he, "deceive; or else
　　Are meant to try me; that thou, speaking Tuscan,
　　Appear'st not to have heard of good Gherado;
　　The sole addition that, by which I know him;
　　Unless I borrow'd from his daughter Gaia
　　Another name to grace him. God be with you.
　　I bear you company no more. Behold
　　The dawn with white ray glimm'ring through the mist.
　　I must away--the angel comes--ere he
　　Appear." He said, and would not hear me more.

　　出第三層，入第四層。淨界中罪惡與懺悔者的分類。
　　　
　　 讀者諸君，你們中間也許有到過阿爾卑斯山中的，在那裏遭遇濃霧，人的視綫被遮蔽了，就象鼴鼠透過他的眼翳而看東西一樣。及至厚厚的濕氣消散以後，陽光微微地射入了。假使你們還能起那時的景象，那末你們也就想象得出我那時初見夕陽的景象。我們就這樣步出如雲的黑煙中，隨着我忠實的導師，則見山腳下已經無法照見陽光了。
　　　
　　 幻想呀！你有時把我們周圍的外物遮去，雖然有一千個喇叭嚮我們吹也無法聽見，誰賦給你這種“無中生有”的能力呢？或許是一種天上的光激勵你的，這種光或是本有的，或是由於神意而遣送下的。那時我看見一位殘忍的婦人變化為鳥兒，她以歌聲來悅人；我的精神專註在這裏面，所有外物都不能進入我的感覺。後來我的幻想進入了另一境界，看見一位怒氣滿面的漢子死在十字架上，在旁側的是亞哈隨魯大王，他的妻子以斯帖，還有那位在語言上和行為上都是正直的未底改。這個幻象破裂後如同水泡因水幹而必破裂一樣，我又看到一個少女哭訴說：“王後呀！為什麽你一怒而自盡呢？你的自盡是不願失去拉維尼亞；但你還是失去我。哭你的就是我，我的母親，就是你的死令我哭泣。”
　　　
　　 如同一個入睡的人，因為新的光射在他的眼皮上而驚醒，雖然醒了，但依舊睡眼朦朧；那時我的幻想纔剛消逝，臉上便觸到一種異於尋常的光。我四周環看，要找出那光源，忽聽見有人說：“從這裏上升！”聽到這話以後，我又想找出那說話的人是誰，定要看見他的臉不息。但是，在此處我的視覺失去功用，因為說話的人躲在光裏面，如對着太陽張不開眼一樣，我如何見得到他的真形呢？
　　　
　　 那時我的引導人說：“這是一位神遣的天使，他不等我們請求，便把上升的路指示我們，卻將自己藏在光裏面。他對我們做事，像對他自己做事一般。一個人如果看到別人需要，還等着別人的請求、顯見不是誠心的援助了。我們的步閥，應當順從他的指引；在黑夜臨頭之前，我們應努力上升；否則，我就要等到明日纔可以舉步。”
　　　
　　 於是我跟着我老帥，把腳踏在那裏的階梯上；我踏到第一級的時候，我感覺有如鳥翼一般的東西扇在我的面上，同時聽見有人說：“愛和平的人有福了，他們不會有不當的忿怒。”那時，僅在我們的頂上還留有一些晚光，夜馬上要來了，四周的天宇已經出現了星。“我的氣力呀！你為什麽捨離我呢？”我心裏對自己如此說，因為那時我的兩腿已經疲乏，急需休息了。
　　　
　　 我們登階梯的盡頭，停在那兒，像船靠了岸一般。我聳着耳朵傾聽，試試是否可以在這新圈子裏聽到些什麽；我轉嚮我的老師道：“我仁愛的父親呀！請告訴我，我們所到的這層圈子，是懲戒哪一種罪惡呢，假使我們的腳停了，你的衷告卻不必停息。他對我說：“愛善而懈怠其責任的，在此地補償他的債；此地懲戒搖槳不力的懶惰者。但是，假使你要更明瞭我的話，請你專心一意聽我說，也許從我們的滯留之中得着些好處。”
　　　
　　 他開始說：“不論造物主或造物都不能離愛而存在：此愛或屬自然的，或屬理性的。自然的愛常不涉於罪惡；其他則罪惡或由於趨嚮目標之不當，或由於用力之不及或大過。造物若趨嚮於主要的財富，或次要的財富較有節制，則不會成為罪惡的起源；但若趨嚮幹主要的利益而並不熱心趨嚮於次要的財富而過度，那末都會違背他的造物者。
　　　
　　 “由此你可以明白愛是美德的種子，也同樣會是應得懲戒的行為。凡愛不能失卻主體，所以人不能嫉妒他自己；凡人都不能超然獨立而獨存，所以不能對於造物上出生嫉妒。因此，假使我的分類不誤，那末人類對所愛做的壞事，就是施於他鄰近的人了。這種愛的産生有二個態度：一種人喜歡自高自大，將他的鄰人視作卑小，衹恐怕自己有一天要塌下來。另一種人要保持他自己的富貴尊榮，將恐別人超過他，於是他心中憂愁，希冀別人臨禍。還有一種人，因為受了委屈，便大怒立刻要報復他的冤傢。這三種乖戾的愛，在下面三層受懲戒。
　　　
　　 “現在我要對你說其他種愛，在趨嚮財富的分寸不確到好處。每個人都隱隱約約認識一種憑以安身立命的財富，而希冀得着他，如果對愛或趨嚮財富示以冷淡，那末在你正式懺悔後，便會在此受懲戒。另有一種財富並不使人快樂，並非真實的幸福所聚，也不是一切美德的果和根。但生愛並追求於此者，每易操之太過，則在我們上面的三層受懲戒。可是分為哪樣三種罪惡呢，我暫不對你說破，因為將來你自己可以明白的。”

　　Call to remembrance, reader, if thou e'er
　　Hast, on a mountain top, been ta'en by cloud,
　　Through which thou saw'st no better, than the mole
　　Doth through opacous membrane; then, whene'er
　　The wat'ry vapours dense began to melt
　　Into thin air, how faintly the sun's sphere
　　Seem'd wading through them; so thy nimble thought
　　May image, how at first I re-beheld
　　The sun, that bedward now his couch o'erhung.
　　
　　Thus with my leader's feet still equaling pace
　　From forth that cloud I came, when now expir'd
　　The parting beams from off the nether shores.
　　
　　O quick and forgetive power! that sometimes dost
　　So rob us of ourselves, we take no mark
　　Though round about us thousand trumpets clang!
　　What moves thee, if the senses stir not? Light
　　Kindled in heav'n, spontaneous, self-inform'd,
　　Or likelier gliding down with swift illapse
　　By will divine. Portray'd before me came
　　The traces of her dire impiety,
　　Whose form was chang'd into the bird, that most
　　Delights itself in song: and here my mind
　　Was inwardly so wrapt, it gave no place
　　To aught that ask'd admittance from without.
　　
　　Next shower'd into my fantasy a shape
　　As of one crucified, whose visage spake
　　Fell rancour, malice deep, wherein he died;
　　And round him Ahasuerus the great king,
　　Esther his bride, and Mordecai the just,
　　Blameless in word and deed. As of itself
　　That unsubstantial coinage of the brain
　　Burst, like a bubble, Which the water fails
　　That fed it; in my vision straight uprose
　　A damsel weeping loud, and cried, "O queen!
　　O mother! wherefore has intemperate ire
　　Driv'n thee to loath thy being? Not to lose
　　Lavinia, desp'rate thou hast slain thyself.
　　Now hast thou lost me. I am she, whose tears
　　Mourn, ere I fall, a mother's timeless end."
　　
　　E'en as a sleep breaks off, if suddenly
　　New radiance strike upon the closed lids,
　　The broken slumber quivering ere it dies;
　　Thus from before me sunk that imagery
　　Vanishing, soon as on my face there struck
　　The light, outshining far our earthly beam.
　　As round I turn'd me to survey what place
　　I had arriv'd at, "Here ye mount," exclaim'd
　　A voice, that other purpose left me none,
　　Save will so eager to behold who spake,
　　I could not choose but gaze. As 'fore the sun,
　　That weighs our vision down, and veils his form
　　In light transcendent, thus my virtue fail'd
　　Unequal. "This is Spirit from above,
　　Who marshals us our upward way, unsought;
　　And in his own light shrouds him. As a man
　　Doth for himself, so now is done for us.
　　For whoso waits imploring, yet sees need
　　Of his prompt aidance, sets himself prepar'd
　　For blunt denial, ere the suit be made.
　　Refuse we not to lend a ready foot
　　At such inviting: haste we to ascend,
　　Before it darken: for we may not then,
　　Till morn again return." So spake my guide;
　　And to one ladder both address'd our steps;
　　And the first stair approaching, I perceiv'd
　　Near me as 'twere the waving of a wing,
　　That fann'd my face and whisper'd: "Blessed they
　　The peacemakers: they know not evil wrath."
　　
　　Now to such height above our heads were rais'd
　　The last beams, follow'd close by hooded night,
　　That many a star on all sides through the gloom
　　Shone out. "Why partest from me, O my strength?"
　　So with myself I commun'd; for I felt
　　My o'ertoil'd sinews slacken. We had reach'd
　　The summit, and were fix'd like to a bark
　　Arriv'd at land. And waiting a short space,
　　If aught should meet mine ear in that new round,
　　Then to my guide I turn'd, and said: "Lov'd sire!
　　Declare what guilt is on this circle purg'd.
　　If our feet rest, no need thy speech should pause."
　　
　　He thus to me: "The love of good, whate'er
　　Wanted of just proportion, here fulfils.
　　Here plies afresh the oar, that loiter'd ill.
　　But that thou mayst yet clearlier understand,
　　Give ear unto my words, and thou shalt cull
　　Some fruit may please thee well, from this delay.
　　
　　"Creator, nor created being, ne'er,
　　My son," he thus began, "was without love,
　　Or natural, or the free spirit's growth.
　　Thou hast not that to learn. The natural still
　　Is without error; but the other swerves,
　　If on ill object bent, or through excess
　　Of vigour, or defect. While e'er it seeks
　　The primal blessings, or with measure due
　　Th' inferior, no delight, that flows from it,
　　Partakes of ill. But let it warp to evil,
　　Or with more ardour than behooves, or less.
　　Pursue the good, the thing created then
　　Works 'gainst its Maker. Hence thou must infer
　　That love is germin of each virtue in ye,
　　And of each act no less, that merits pain.
　　Now since it may not be, but love intend
　　The welfare mainly of the thing it loves,
　　All from self-hatred are secure; and since
　　No being can be thought t' exist apart
　　And independent of the first, a bar
　　Of equal force restrains from hating that.
　　
　　"Grant the distinction just; and it remains
　　The' evil must be another's, which is lov'd.
　　Three ways such love is gender'd in your clay.
　　There is who hopes (his neighbour's worth deprest,)
　　Preeminence himself, and coverts hence
　　For his own greatness that another fall.
　　There is who so much fears the loss of power,
　　Fame, favour, glory (should his fellow mount
　　Above him), and so sickens at the thought,
　　He loves their opposite: and there is he,
　　Whom wrong or insult seems to gall and shame
　　That he doth thirst for vengeance, and such needs
　　Must doat on other's evil. Here beneath
　　This threefold love is mourn'd. Of th' other sort
　　Be now instructed, that which follows good
　　But with disorder'd and irregular course.
　　
　　"All indistinctly apprehend a bliss
　　On which the soul may rest, the hearts of all
　　Yearn after it, and to that wished bourn
　　All therefore strive to tend. If ye behold
　　Or seek it with a love remiss and lax,
　　This cornice after just repenting lays
　　Its penal torment on ye. Other good
　　There is, where man finds not his happiness:
　　It is not true fruition, not that blest
　　Essence, of every good the branch and root.
　　The love too lavishly bestow'd on this,
　　Along three circles over us, is mourn'd.
　　Account of that division tripartite
　　Expect not, fitter for thine own research."

　　第四層：懲惰。維吉爾談愛之性質。但丁在山上的第二夜。聖譯諾修道院院長。
　　　
　　 那了不起的學者總結他的議論後，註視我的面孔，看我是否對於他的解說滿意。那時我又被一種新的希冀所苦，外表雖示沉默，內心則說：“衹恐怕我的問題大多，要令你討厭。”但我安詳的父親已經發現我不敢吐露的心計了，他鼓勵我將他說出來。於是我說：“老師！我的見識在你的智慧中得以明朗，你所議論的我都明白了。然而，我請求你，親愛的父親，再把愛的意義確定一番。因為你曾將所有的善惡都歸之於愛。”
　　　
　　 於是他對我說：“請你擡起敏銳理解的眼光看着我，那末自作導師的言人之過失，便要開顯在你面前了。此心，原是為愛得很快而創造的，見到一切令他歡樂的東西，他便如驚醒了一般，馬上追求上去。你的感覺從實物抽取一種印象，展現在你的心裏，使你的心牽挂着他。轉嚮以後，假使傾心於這個對象，這傾心就是愛：這是心物之間經過喜悅而發生的新聯繫。就像人的上升運動，因為他的性質是上升，直上升到那令他的物質最易恆久的所在；同樣，着了迷的心也必牽入欲的地步，這是一精神的運動，非達到享樂的目的而不止息。世人說：“一切愛的行為。其本質是值得贊許的事情。”現在你可以明白他們是多麽不能認知真理的深遂了，因為愛的本質也許是好的，可是封蠟雖好，印跡卻不一定都好呀！”
　　　
　　 我答道：“你的話和我的專註，讓我充分明了愛是什麽；但我又為另一疑團所纏縛，就是：愛牽於外物，而內心立即受其影響而生衝動，所以內心所取的路為直為麯是沒有責任的。”
　　　
　　 他又對我說：“凡在道理上可以解釋的，我都能對你解說；至於超出此點，關於信仰問題，請你等待貝雅特麗齊罷。一切本體的外在，他和物質有別而相連，他含詠着一種特別的能力，這種能力除非在表現上看出來，除非在他的作用上顯出來，正如植物的生命要從他的葉緑上顯出來一般。所以人類不知道他的最高智慧根於何處，也不知道他對於最高物的欲望緣何而生，衹是像蜜蜂一樣，憑他們的本能釀蜜；這種智慧和欲望的本質不值得稱許和指斥責的。可是在那欲望興奮的時候，你的內心會出生一種思考的能力，許可或阻止；從最高理念推導理由，作為選擇愛的善惡標準，這就是值得稱許的。凡是依從根本上推導出理由的人，都懂得這種內心的選擇自由，此所以世上還留存着道德學。總之：即使一切的貪愛是生於必然的需要，可是駕馭他的能力也駐你的內心呀！貝雅特麗齊稱許這種能力為自由意志；將來她要對你述及的，請你謹記。”
　　　
　　 那時月亮升空已久，幾近夜半；月亮如着火的吊桶，星辰也因之稀疏了。那時月亮在天空所劃過的路綫正是羅馬的住民望見太陽下沉於撒丁和科西嘉之間的時候所輝耀的路痕。那高貴的靈魂，他在庇埃特拉較所有曼圖亞其他各鎮還要著名，他已經將我轉給他的重擔卸下了；我呢，則把他答復我的明瞭而滿的道理收藏起來，我似要沉沉睡去一般。但睡魔忽然被人驅走，從我們後面有一群人蜂擁而來。
　　　
　　 如同古時在伊斯美努斯河和阿索浦河岸的長夜，由於祈禱已庫斯，忒拜人成群地跑攏來一般，那時一群靈魂順着圈子，快着步伐，靠着自願和正愛奮力而前。不久他們便追及我們，由於他們都在拼命地跑。而最前的兩個揮淚呼喚道：“馬利亞曾急忙朝山地裏去！”“凱撒捨下馬賽，直趨西班牙，圍攻伊萊爾達！”後面隨着的輪流地喊道：“快些！快些！不要要因為冷淡的愛而失去時間！盡心為善，庶幾可以再蒙天佑！”
　　　
　　 我的引導人嚮他們說：“靈魂們呀！你們誠摯地在此懺悔過去的疏忽，過去的懈怠於嚮善，你們已是蒙天之佑了。這一位是活人我並非誑說，他要上升，衹等陽光的臨照；所以，請你們告訴我們最近的上升路徑。”
　　　
　　 一個靈魂答道：“隨着我們來，你可以遇見一處裂縫。我們被速行的欲念所鼓動，不能停下來。如果你認為我們的禮貌有虧，那末請你原諒。我是維羅納地方聖澤諾修道院的院長，處在好赭鬍子的治下，由於他，米蘭過着悲哀的歲月。我又知道一個人，他的一隻腳已經踏進墳墓裏了，他不久就會為那個修道院哀傷。悔恨自己對於那裏的權力，因為他可恥的兒子，形既醜陋，心尤惡劣，他不應該派他在那裏做牧師呀！”這個靈魂是否繼續再說下去，或是已經閉口，我都不知道，因為他已經離得遠了；可是我所聽到的，我都把這些記住了。
　　　
　　 那位無時無刻不在協助我的導師說：“請你轉身朝着這裏，聽取兩個詛咒懶惰的結果罷。”最後的兩個靈魂說：“那海水為他們分開的民衆，在他們的子孫被約旦河看見以前就死了！”“那些不願分擔安齊塞斯賜予的辛苦的百姓，他們過着一種不體面的生活！”
　　　
　　 那些靈魂們遠去，我們不再看得見他們了；我心裏發生一種新的思想，繼此而起的又産生其他種種，思想起伏，如海浪；最後，我的眼睛閉上了，我的思想又化為夢境。

　　The teacher ended, and his high discourse
　　Concluding, earnest in my looks inquir'd
　　If I appear'd content; and I, whom still
　　Unsated thirst to hear him urg'd, was mute,
　　Mute outwardly, yet inwardly I said:
　　"Perchance my too much questioning offends."
　　But he, true father, mark'd the secret wish
　　By diffidence restrain'd, and speaking, gave
　　Me boldness thus to speak: "Master, my Sight
　　Gathers so lively virtue from thy beams,
　　That all, thy words convey, distinct is seen.
　　Wherefore I pray thee, father, whom this heart
　　Holds dearest! thou wouldst deign by proof t' unfold
　　That love, from which as from their source thou bring'st
　　All good deeds and their opposite." He then:
　　"To what I now disclose be thy clear ken
　　Directed, and thou plainly shalt behold
　　How much those blind have err'd, who make themselves
　　The guides of men. The soul, created apt
　　To love, moves versatile which way soe'er
　　Aught pleasing prompts her, soon as she is wak'd
　　By pleasure into act. Of substance true
　　Your apprehension forms its counterfeit,
　　And in you the ideal shape presenting
　　Attracts the soul's regard. If she, thus drawn,
　　incline toward it, love is that inclining,
　　And a new nature knit by pleasure in ye.
　　Then as the fire points up, and mounting seeks
　　His birth-place and his lasting seat, e'en thus
　　Enters the captive soul into desire,
　　Which is a spiritual motion, that ne'er rests
　　Before enjoyment of the thing it loves.
　　Enough to show thee, how the truth from those
　　Is hidden, who aver all love a thing
　　Praise-worthy in itself: although perhaps
　　Its substance seem still good. Yet if the wax
　　Be good, it follows not th' impression must."
　　"What love is," I return'd, "thy words, O guide!
　　And my own docile mind, reveal. Yet thence
　　New doubts have sprung. For from without if love
　　Be offer'd to us, and the spirit knows
　　No other footing, tend she right or wrong,
　　Is no desert of hers." He answering thus:
　　"What reason here discovers I have power
　　To show thee: that which lies beyond, expect
　　From Beatrice, faith not reason's task.
　　Spirit, substantial form, with matter join'd
　　Not in confusion mix'd, hath in itself
　　Specific virtue of that union born,
　　Which is not felt except it work, nor prov'd
　　But through effect, as vegetable life
　　By the green leaf. From whence his intellect
　　Deduced its primal notices of things,
　　Man therefore knows not, or his appetites
　　Their first affections; such in you, as zeal
　　In bees to gather honey; at the first,
　　Volition, meriting nor blame nor praise.
　　But o'er each lower faculty supreme,
　　That as she list are summon'd to her bar,
　　Ye have that virtue in you, whose just voice
　　Uttereth counsel, and whose word should keep
　　The threshold of assent. Here is the source,
　　Whence cause of merit in you is deriv'd,
　　E'en as the affections good or ill she takes,
　　Or severs, winnow'd as the chaff. Those men
　　Who reas'ning went to depth profoundest, mark'd
　　That innate freedom, and were thence induc'd
　　To leave their moral teaching to the world.
　　Grant then, that from necessity arise
　　All love that glows within you; to dismiss
　　Or harbour it, the pow'r is in yourselves.
　　Remember, Beatrice, in her style,
　　Denominates free choice by eminence
　　The noble virtue, if in talk with thee
　　She touch upon that theme." The moon, well nigh
　　To midnight hour belated, made the stars
　　Appear to wink and fade; and her broad disk
　　Seem'd like a crag on fire, as up the vault
　　That course she journey'd, which the sun then warms,
　　When they of Rome behold him at his set.
　　Betwixt Sardinia and the Corsic isle.
　　And now the weight, that hung upon my thought,
　　Was lighten'd by the aid of that clear spirit,
　　Who raiseth Andes above Mantua's name.
　　I therefore, when my questions had obtain'd
　　Solution plain and ample, stood as one
　　Musing in dreary slumber; but not long
　　Slumber'd; for suddenly a multitude,
　　
　　The steep already turning, from behind,
　　Rush'd on. With fury and like random rout,
　　As echoing on their shores at midnight heard
　　Ismenus and Asopus, for his Thebes
　　If Bacchus' help were needed; so came these
　　Tumultuous, curving each his rapid step,
　　By eagerness impell'd of holy love.
　　
　　Soon they o'ertook us; with such swiftness mov'd
　　The mighty crowd. Two spirits at their head
　　Cried weeping; "Blessed Mary sought with haste
　　The hilly region. Caesar to subdue
　　Ilerda, darted in Marseilles his sting,
　　And flew to Spain."--"Oh tarry not: away;"
　　The others shouted; "let not time be lost
　　Through slackness of affection. Hearty zeal
　　To serve reanimates celestial grace."
　　
　　"O ye, in whom intenser fervency
　　Haply supplies, where lukewarm erst ye fail'd,
　　Slow or neglectful, to absolve your part
　　Of good and virtuous, this man, who yet lives,
　　(Credit my tale, though strange) desires t' ascend,
　　So morning rise to light us. Therefore say
　　Which hand leads nearest to the rifted rock?"
　　
　　So spake my guide, to whom a shade return'd:
　　"Come after us, and thou shalt find the cleft.
　　We may not linger: such resistless will
　　Speeds our unwearied course. Vouchsafe us then
　　Thy pardon, if our duty seem to thee
　　Discourteous rudeness. In Verona I
　　Was abbot of San Zeno, when the hand
　　Of Barbarossa grasp'd Imperial sway,
　　That name, ne'er utter'd without tears in Milan.
　　And there is he, hath one foot in his grave,
　　Who for that monastery ere long shall weep,
　　Ruing his power misus'd: for that his son,
　　Of body ill compact, and worse in mind,
　　And born in evil, he hath set in place
　　Of its true pastor." Whether more he spake,
　　Or here was mute, I know not: he had sped
　　E'en now so far beyond us. Yet thus much
　　I heard, and in rememb'rance treasur'd it.
　　
　　He then, who never fail'd me at my need,
　　Cried, "Hither turn. Lo! two with sharp remorse
　　Chiding their sin!" In rear of all the troop
　　These shouted: "First they died, to whom the sea
　　Open'd, or ever Jordan saw his heirs:
　　And they, who with Aeneas to the end
　　Endur'd not suffering, for their portion chose
　　Life without glory." Soon as they had fled
　　Past reach of sight, new thought within me rose
　　By others follow'd fast, and each unlike
　　Its fellow: till led on from thought to thought,
　　And pleasur'd with the fleeting train, mine eye
　　Was clos'd, and meditation chang'd to dream.

　　但丁的第二夢。入第五層：懲貪，懲奢。教皇安德利亞諾第五。
　　　
　　 在一個時候，白天的熱氣己被地球有時被土星所剋服，不能再溫暖月亮的冷氣；那時塵土卜者，在天破曉之前，看見他們的“洪福”已東升在天際，知道黑暗是不會久滯了；就在那時我夢到一位婦人：說話是口吃的，眼睛是斜視的，腳是麯的，手是斷的，面色是灰白的。
　　　
　　 我望着她；於是，如同陽光溫暖被夜的寒氣所冰凍了的四肢一般，我的目光使她的舌頭柔軟了；不久，她又可以完全直立了，而且面上顯了光彩，正如神所賜給我的一樣。
　　　
　　 當她的舌頭自主了以後，她便開始歌唱，我想不去聽她，似乎有點難以辦到。她唱道：“我是柔順的西王，常在海中迷惑航海兒聽我歌者得若大歡樂。我的歌，迷惑了尤利西斯的航程；他和我同住，使他覺得：此間樂，不思蜀。”
　　　
　　 她的嘴唇還未閉合，忽然有一位聖女模樣，現在我的旁邊，令她心中昏亂。聖女含怒喝道：“呵！維吉爾，維吉爾，這人是誰呀？”那時維吉爾來了，註視着貞節的女人，突然拉住第一個女人、扯開她的衣服，把她的肚子露出來讓我看：衹覺有一股臭味，刺入我的鼻孔，馬上我醒了。我張開眼睛一看，好人維吉爾對着我說：”我至少已喊過你三遍了，快起來罷！我們去找可以上升的裂縫罷！”
　　　
　　 我立了起來，衹見遍山都是陽光了，我們背着新太陽嚮前進發，跟隨維吉爾走，我的頭腦盛滿了思想，使我彎麯得像半座橋。那時我聽到有人說：“來罷，這兒是入口！”這種聲音親切有味，和悅動人不是人間所聞的。
　　　
　　 那位說完後，撲開雙翼，如同天鵝一般，引我們從山壁間飛升。他搖動他的雙翼，扇着我們，說：“哀慟的人有福了，因為他們的靈魂必得以安慰。”
　　　
　　 “你怎樣了？為什麽衹把眼睛釘在地上！”我的引導人對我這樣說，那時天使已飛凌在我們二人之上了。我答道：“剛纔新見的幻境使我放心不下，我還是在琢磨他。”他說：”你看見了古妖婦，由於她，他們在我們上面哭泣着。你已經看見人們怎樣躲避她了。知道這一點就夠了；努力踏着步閥，擡起你的眼睛，望着那永恆的聖王指點給你在大軌道上旋轉的目標罷。”
　　　
　　 如同鷹獵一般，先註視看了一下自己的腳是否鎖着，再聽獵人的訊號，便一飛衝天而去，因為當前的飼料在引誘他；那時的我也是如此，一口氣便登上裂縫的頂頭，那裏進入了淨界山的第五層。在這層，我看到所有的靈魂都躺在地上，面孔朝下，深深地哭泣着。我聽到他們說：“我的靈魂貼着塵土！”這句話和嘆息的聲音相混合，簡直分不出來。
　　　
　　 “上帝的選民呀！正義和希望使你們的痛苦削弱了許多，請指示我們上升的階梯。”“如果你們可以豁免躺在這裏，希望找到一條最快的上升路徑、那末你們的右手應當經常嚮着山外。”
　　　
　　 以上是詩人的請求和離我們不遠的一個靈魂的回答。我們聽了這句回答，便明白其中所含蓄的意思。我轉眼望着我的嚮導，他用一個喜悅的表示，允許我未宣佈的願望。
　　　
　　 我離開我的老師走到剛纔說話的靈魂面前，對他說：“靈魂呀！你的哭泣會使你的果實早成熟，否則難以再見上帝的面。請你為了我們暫時停止你的功課罷！並告訴我，你是誰？為什麽你們背嚮青天？假使你要傳達什麽消息到哪裏，我可以效力，因為我是活着從世間來的。”
　　　
　　 他對我說：“在你知道我們為什麽背嚮着蒼天前，先請瞭解“我是一個彼得的承繼者’。在希埃斯特裏和契亞維裏二地之間，流着一條美麗的河流，這條河的名字，被我們的氏族采用為名姓。一個月零幾天，我便覺得那件外套的份量，一個人要想披着他而不染污點很不容易，披過那件外套以後，其他的負擔可說輕如鴻毛了。我信奉上帝，唉！已經遲了；但我做了羅馬的牧師以後，便認識了人生是虛幻的。我看見那裏的人心不能平靜，也不能過一種超脫塵世的生活，因此我纔有追求永久生活的激情。在此以前，我是脫離上帝的靈魂，嗜財如命，沒有節制；現在。你看我受的這種懲戒罷。一個貪慳人所得的結果，從這裏懺悔者的姿態上可以表示出來；這山上所有的懲戒，其痛苦再沒有大過此地的了。在從前，我們的目力衹是釘住地上的東西，不肯些許旋轉眼珠嚮天空望望，由此正義設下了這種刑罰。又因為貪欲熄滅我們為善的熱忱，我們的舉措都無是處，所以在此地正義要我們受拘束，手和腳都縛着，直等到公平的上帝歡喜的一天，我們衹好躺在這裏，無法動彈。”
　　　
　　 我那時跪了下去，正欲開口說話，可是他已聽覺到我有這種尊敬的舉動了。他說：“你為什麽要跪下？”我說：“憑我的良心，對於你的身分要示以尊敬。”他答道：“老弟！你快些站起來；不要誤會。你我和別人，都是在神聖權力之下的服役者。假使你不知道《福音書》上‘他們不再是大婦’的話，那末我可以提醒你。現在你可以趕路了，我不願你冉逗留在這裏，因為你妨礙我的哭泣；如你剛纔所說，這是為着要使我的果實成熟。在那裏，我有一個侄女，名叫阿拉嘉，品性端正，衹要她不把我傢的惡榜樣學了去；她是我留在那裏的唯一傢人。”

　　It was the hour, when of diurnal heat
　　No reliques chafe the cold beams of the moon,
　　O'erpower'd by earth, or planetary sway
　　Of Saturn; and the geomancer sees
　　His Greater Fortune up the east ascend,
　　Where gray dawn checkers first the shadowy cone;
　　When 'fore me in my dream a woman's shape
　　There came, with lips that stammer'd, eyes aslant,
　　Distorted feet, hands maim'd, and colour pale.
　　
　　I look'd upon her; and as sunshine cheers
　　Limbs numb'd by nightly cold, e'en thus my look
　　Unloos'd her tongue, next in brief space her form
　　Decrepit rais'd erect, and faded face
　　With love's own hue illum'd. Recov'ring speech
　　She forthwith warbling such a strain began,
　　That I, how loth soe'er, could scarce have held
　　Attention from the song. "I," thus she sang,
　　"I am the Siren, she, whom mariners
　　On the wide sea are wilder'd when they hear:
　　Such fulness of delight the list'ner feels.
　　I from his course Ulysses by my lay
　　Enchanted drew. Whoe'er frequents me once
　　Parts seldom; so I charm him, and his heart
　　Contented knows no void." Or ere her mouth
　　Was clos'd, to shame her at her side appear'd
　　A dame of semblance holy. With stern voice
　　She utter'd; "Say, O Virgil, who is this?"
　　Which hearing, he approach'd, with eyes still bent
　　Toward that goodly presence: th' other seiz'd her,
　　And, her robes tearing, open'd her before,
　　And show'd the belly to me, whence a smell,
　　Exhaling loathsome, wak'd me. Round I turn'd
　　Mine eyes, and thus the teacher: "At the least
　　Three times my voice hath call'd thee. Rise, begone.
　　Let us the opening find where thou mayst pass."
　　
　　I straightway rose. Now day, pour'd down from high,
　　Fill'd all the circuits of the sacred mount;
　　And, as we journey'd, on our shoulder smote
　　The early ray. I follow'd, stooping low
　　My forehead, as a man, o'ercharg'd with thought,
　　Who bends him to the likeness of an arch,
　　That midway spans the flood; when thus I heard,
　　"Come, enter here," in tone so soft and mild,
　　As never met the ear on mortal strand.
　　
　　With swan-like wings dispread and pointing up,
　　Who thus had spoken marshal'd us along,
　　Where each side of the solid masonry
　　The sloping, walls retir'd; then mov'd his plumes,
　　And fanning us, affirm'd that those, who mourn,
　　Are blessed, for that comfort shall be theirs.
　　
　　"What aileth thee, that still thou look'st to earth?"
　　Began my leader; while th' angelic shape
　　A little over us his station took.
　　
　　"New vision," I replied, "hath rais'd in me
　　Surmizings strange and anxious doubts, whereon
　　My soul intent allows no other thought
　　Or room or entrance."—"Hast thou seen," said he,
　　"That old enchantress, her, whose wiles alone
　　The spirits o'er us weep for? Hast thou seen
　　How man may free him of her bonds? Enough.
　　Let thy heels spurn the earth, and thy rais'd ken
　　Fix on the lure, which heav'n's eternal King
　　Whirls in the rolling spheres." As on his feet
　　The falcon first looks down, then to the sky
　　Turns, and forth stretches eager for the food,
　　That woos him thither; so the call I heard,
　　So onward, far as the dividing rock
　　Gave way, I journey'd, till the plain was reach'd.
　　
　　On the fifth circle when I stood at large,
　　A race appear'd before me, on the ground
　　All downward lying prone and weeping sore.
　　"My soul hath cleaved to the dust," I heard
　　With sighs so deep, they well nigh choak'd the words.
　　"O ye elect of God, whose penal woes
　　Both hope and justice mitigate, direct
　　Tow'rds the steep rising our uncertain way."
　　
　　"If ye approach secure from this our doom,
　　Prostration—and would urge your course with speed,
　　See that ye still to rightward keep the brink."
　　
　　So them the bard besought; and such the words,
　　Beyond us some short space, in answer came.
　　
　　I noted what remain'd yet hidden from them:
　　Thence to my liege's eyes mine eyes I bent,
　　And he, forthwith interpreting their suit,
　　Beckon'd his glad assent. Free then to act,
　　As pleas'd me, I drew near, and took my stand
　　O`er that shade, whose words I late had mark'd.
　　And, "Spirit!" I said, "in whom repentant tears
　　Mature that blessed hour, when thou with God
　　Shalt find acceptance, for a while suspend
　　For me that mightier care. Say who thou wast,
　　Why thus ye grovel on your bellies prone,
　　And if in aught ye wish my service there,
　　Whence living I am come." He answering spake
　　"The cause why Heav'n our back toward his cope
　　Reverses, shalt thou know: but me know first
　　The successor of Peter, and the name
　　And title of my lineage from that stream,
　　That' twixt Chiaveri and Siestri draws
　　His limpid waters through the lowly glen.
　　A month and little more by proof I learnt,
　　With what a weight that robe of sov'reignty
　　Upon his shoulder rests, who from the mire
　　Would guard it: that each other fardel seems
　　But feathers in the balance. Late, alas!
　　Was my conversion: but when I became
　　Rome's pastor, I discern'd at once the dream
　　And cozenage of life, saw that the heart
　　Rested not there, and yet no prouder height
　　Lur'd on the climber: wherefore, of that life
　　No more enamour'd, in my bosom love
　　Of purer being kindled. For till then
　　I was a soul in misery, alienate
　　From God, and covetous of all earthly things;
　　Now, as thou seest, here punish'd for my doting.
　　Such cleansing from the taint of avarice
　　Do spirits converted need. This mount inflicts
　　No direr penalty. E'en as our eyes
　　Fasten'd below, nor e'er to loftier clime
　　Were lifted, thus hath justice level'd us
　　Here on the earth. As avarice quench'd our love
　　Of good, without which is no working, thus
　　Here justice holds us prison'd, hand and foot
　　Chain'd down and bound, while heaven's just Lord shall please.
　　So long to tarry motionless outstretch'd."
　　
　　My knees I stoop'd, and would have spoke; but he,
　　Ere my beginning, by his ear perceiv'd
　　I did him reverence; and "What cause," said he,
　　"Hath bow'd thee thus!"—"Compunction," I rejoin'd.
　　"And inward awe of your high dignity."
　　
　　"Up," he exclaim'd, "brother! upon thy feet
　　Arise: err not: thy fellow servant I,
　　(Thine and all others') of one Sovran Power.
　　If thou hast ever mark'd those holy sounds
　　Of gospel truth, 'nor shall be given ill marriage,'
　　Thou mayst discern the reasons of my speech.
　　Go thy ways now; and linger here no more.
　　Thy tarrying is a let unto the tears,
　　With which I hasten that whereof thou spak'st.
　　I have on earth a kinswoman; her name
　　Alagia, worthy in herself, so ill
　　Example of our house corrupt her not:
　　And she is all remaineth of me there."

　　續第五層。休·卡佩。地震。
　　　
　　 一方面，我不願意和他的談話中斷，但在另一方面，我更不願意妨礙他的懺悔；所以，我心裏固然不愉快，但為使他愉快起見，我衹好讓海綿在未浸透以前退出水中。”
　　　
　　 我嚮前行進，我的引導人也揀着空地嚮前行進，沿着山壁，如貼近墻旁走路一般，因為那裏懺悔的靈魂很多，都從眼睛裏點滴地把那充滿世界的罪惡洗涮出去；他們躺着，從山壁嚮外直到本圈的邊際。
　　　
　　 古母狼呀！我詛咒你，你的掠獲物比一切其他的禽獸都多些，然而你的貪婪是沒有底的呀！天呀！人們總相信天上星移，人間物換，然而他什麽時候來到，將她驅逐呢？
　　　
　　 我們慢步嚮前走，靜聽着靈魂們的哀哀哭泣，和他們的自怨自艾。偶然聽見有人喚道：“溫柔的馬利亞呀！”這種呼聲是從我們前面的靈魂呼喚出來的，象是一位正在分娩的女人的呼聲；又聽見接着說：“你這樣的睏窮，看你所住的客店就能知道了，你不得不在這裏卸下你神聖的擔子。”後來我又聽見說：“好法布裏求斯呀！你寧可貧睏而有德，不願意巨富而造罪。”
　　　
　　 這些話使我聽了很歡喜，我走上去，接近那位象是發言的靈魂，希望能夠知道他是誰。那時他又說到尼古拉對於三個少女的慷慨。令她們過着體面榮譽的生活。我說：“靈魂呀！你的話說得多麽好！請告訴我：你是準？為什麽衹你一個人將這些好事重提呢，你回答我個會沒有酬勞，假使我回去，步完那邁嚮終端的短促人生之路。
　　　
　　 他答道：“我會對你說。但不是為着世間的報酬，屍因為你在生前競能得到這樣大的恩惠。我是一株壞樹的根，彼不祥的影子落在基督教國土上面，使那裏不能再收穫好的果實。假使杜埃、裏爾、根特和布魯日有能力，不久就會報復他的惡行。我正在祈求那審判一切的他呢。我在那裏的名字是休·卡佩；從我生出了那些腓力和路易，在近來這些歲月，他們統治着法蘭西。我是一個巴黎屠夫的兒子。當前朝王統絶嗣以後，就是惟存的一個也披了法衣，我看見國傢政治的繮繩操控在我的手中，又得到新的領土，因而擴充我的權力，繁殖我的黨羽，由此孀婦一樣的王冠便置在我兒子的頭上，從他開演一係神聖的國王。直至普洛旺斯的大嫁資沒能奪去我族的廉恥前，我族雖是沒有什麽了不得，至少也未做什麽缺德事。從此之後他們或用強力，或用欺詐，開始他們的奪掠；後來以賠償的名義獲取龐迪耶、諾曼底和加斯科尼。查理到了意大利，用賠嘗的名義，讓康拉丁做了刀下鬼；後來又將聖托馬斯送回西天，也是用了故技賠償的名義。“我又將見一個時代來到，離此已經不遠了；那時會另有一個查理出自法蘭西，他和他的親族更被人瞭解得多。他出國並未帶有兵器，衹帶了一支猶大玩的槍；他玩弄得很巧妙，居然把佛羅倫薩的大肚子刺破了。他在那裏沒有贏着土地，衹贏得了罪業和羞辱。在別人看來是很嚴重，但他覺得自己的錯誤還很輕微。還有一個查理，他以前出身於船上的俘虜，我將看見他便賣他的女兒，斤斤較量，像海盜便賣他們的奴隸。貪欲呀！你還可以做得更過份些麽？因為你已經引誘我的後裔到不再顧惜親生血肉的地步了！然而竟還有一樁前無古人、後無來者的罪惡呢。我將看見百合花進了阿南尼，把在職的基督做成囚徒，我又看到他受人戲弄，我又看見他喝着酸醋和膽汁，他被輾轉在活強盜的手裏折磨殺害了，我看見新彼拉多的殘忍尚不止此：他不尊正義的法令，競將貪欲的手伸到教堂裏來了。我的上帝呀！哪一天我可以看到復仇，使我歡喜呢？這種復仇雖能瞞過我的眼睛，然而你在暗中已有計劃，這纔令我的憤怒和緩些。我剛纔說到那聖靈的唯一新婦，引出你的疑問，要求我的解釋，須知在晝間我們的祈禱裏經常說着；不過，在夜間我們便訴說着相反的例證了。在夜間，我們敘說匹格瑪利翁，他由於無底的金錢欲，做了叛徒、盜賊和謀殺尊親的人；彌達斯貪心的要求，成為人間永久的笑柄，我們每個人都記得亞幹盜竊戰利品，似乎約書亞餘怒未盡，還會在這裏懲戒他呢。我們譴責撤非喇和她的丈夫；我們對於赫利奧多洛斯的被馬足踏而表示歡呼；波呂墨斯托爾的謀殺波呂多斯，使全山都蒙着羞辱。最後，我們在這裏喊道：“剋拉蘇！告訴我們，因為你知道，黃金的滋味怎樣？”有的講得高些，有的講得低些，要看各人的情緒是熱烈，還是冷淡。所以，日裏敘說善人的言行，不衹我一人、衹因為你靠近我，旁人沒有比我講得更高聲。”
　　　
　　 我們離開這位靈魂，我們盡力嚮前行進，那時我突然感到山地震動，像一件嚮下墜的東西；我打了一個寒戰，驟然驚嚇得像將死的人一般。女神拉托娜在他上面生下“天的兩衹眼睛”以前，那德洛斯島的震動也不這樣利害，不久，四周起了一片呼聲，我的老師對我說：“不要怕，我伴着你呢！”人傢都叫着，我能分辨清楚的是：“光榮歸於在天的上帝！”我們呆立不動，躊躇未决，像那些牧羊人初次聽見贊美歌一般，直至地震停止，呼聲完結。
　　　
　　 我們再趕着神聖的路，看到靈魂們躺在地上，都仍照舊哭泣着。假使我記得不錯，我那時因為有一件事不知道他的原委，希望知道的念頭很強烈。但我也不敢問那快着步伐的引導人，自己一人也想不透，我就是這樣膽小而沉思着嚮前走去。

　　Ill strives the will, 'gainst will more wise that strives
　　His pleasure therefore to mine own preferr'd,
　　I drew the sponge yet thirsty from the wave.
　　
　　Onward I mov'd: he also onward mov'd,
　　Who led me, coasting still, wherever place
　　Along the rock was vacant, as a man
　　Walks near the battlements on narrow wall.
　　For those on th' other part, who drop by drop
　　Wring out their all-infecting malady,
　　Too closely press the verge. Accurst be thou!
　　Inveterate wolf! whose gorge ingluts more prey,
　　Than every beast beside, yet is not fill'd!
　　So bottomless thy maw!—Ye spheres of heaven!
　　To whom there are, as seems, who attribute
　　All change in mortal state, when is the day
　　Of his appearing, for whom fate reserves
　　To chase her hence? —With wary steps and slow
　　We pass'd; and I attentive to the shades,
　　Whom piteously I heard lament and wail;
　　
　　And, 'midst the wailing, one before us heard
　　Cry out "O blessed Virgin!" as a dame
　　In the sharp pangs of childbed; and "How poor
　　Thou wast," it added, "witness that low roof
　　Where thou didst lay thy sacred burden down.
　　O good Fabricius! thou didst virtue choose
　　With poverty, before great wealth with vice."
　　
　　The words so pleas'd me, that desire to know
　　The spirit, from whose lip they seem'd to come,
　　Did draw me onward. Yet it spake the gift
　　Of Nicholas, which on the maidens he
　　Bounteous bestow'd, to save their youthful prime
　　Unblemish'd. "Spirit! who dost speak of deeds
　　So worthy, tell me who thou was," I said,
　　"And why thou dost with single voice renew
　　Memorial of such praise. That boon vouchsaf'd
　　Haply shall meet reward; if I return
　　To finish the Short pilgrimage of life,
　　Still speeding to its close on restless wing."
　　
　　"I," answer'd he, "will tell thee, not for hell,
　　Which thence I look for; but that in thyself
　　Grace so exceeding shines, before thy time
　　Of mortal dissolution. I was root
　　Of that ill plant, whose shade such poison sheds
　　O'er all the Christian land, that seldom thence
　　Good fruit is gather'd. Vengeance soon should come,
　　Had Ghent and Douay, Lille and Bruges power;
　　And vengeance I of heav'n's great Judge implore.
　　Hugh Capet was I high: from me descend
　　The Philips and the Louis, of whom France
　　Newly is govern'd; born of one, who ply'd
　　The slaughterer's trade at Paris. When the race
　　Of ancient kings had vanish'd (all save one
　　Wrapt up in sable weeds) within my gripe
　　I found the reins of empire, and such powers
　　Of new acquirement, with full store of friends,
　　That soon the widow'd circlet of the crown
　　Was girt upon the temples of my son,
　　He, from whose bones th' anointed race begins.
　　Till the great dower of Provence had remov'd
　　The stains, that yet obscur'd our lowly blood,
　　Its sway indeed was narrow, but howe'er
　　It wrought no evil: there, with force and lies,
　　Began its rapine; after, for amends,
　　Poitou it seiz'd, Navarre and Gascony.
　　To Italy came Charles, and for amends
　　Young Conradine an innocent victim slew,
　　And sent th' angelic teacher back to heav'n,
　　Still for amends. I see the time at hand,
　　That forth from France invites another Charles
　　To make himself and kindred better known.
　　Unarm'd he issues, saving with that lance,
　　Which the arch-traitor tilted with; and that
　　He carries with so home a thrust, as rives
　　The bowels of poor Florence. No increase
　　Of territory hence, but sin and shame
　　Shall be his guerdon, and so much the more
　　As he more lightly deems of such foul wrong.
　　I see the other, who a prisoner late
　　Had steps on shore, exposing to the mart
　　His daughter, whom he bargains for, as do
　　The Corsairs for their slaves. O avarice!
　　What canst thou more, who hast subdued our blood
　　So wholly to thyself, they feel no care
　　Of their own flesh? To hide with direr guilt
　　Past ill and future, lo! the flower-de-luce
　　Enters Alagna! in his Vicar Christ
　　Himself a captive, and his mockery
　　Acted again! Lo! lo his holy lip
　　The vinegar and gall once more applied!
　　And he 'twixt living robbers doom'd to bleed!
　　Lo! the new Pilate, of whose cruelty
　　Such violence cannot fill the measure up,
　　With no degree to sanction, pushes on
　　Into the temple his yet eager sails!
　　
　　"O sovran Master! when shall I rejoice
　　To see the vengeance, which thy wrath well-pleas'd
　　In secret silence broods?—While daylight lasts,
　　So long what thou didst hear of her, sole spouse
　　Of the Great Spirit, and on which thou turn'dst
　　To me for comment, is the general theme
　　Of all our prayers: but when it darkens, then
　　A different strain we utter, then record
　　Pygmalion, whom his gluttonous thirst of gold
　　Made traitor, robber, parricide: the woes
　　Of Midas, which his greedy wish ensued,
　　Mark'd for derision to all future times:
　　And the fond Achan, how he stole the prey,
　　That yet he seems by Joshua's ire pursued.
　　Sapphira with her husband next, we blame;
　　And praise the forefeet, that with furious ramp
　　Spurn'd Heliodorus. All the mountain round
　　Rings with the infamy of Thracia's king,
　　Who slew his Phrygian charge: and last a shout
　　Ascends: "Declare, O Crassus! for thou know'st,
　　The flavour of thy gold." The voice of each
　　Now high now low, as each his impulse prompts,
　　Is led through many a pitch, acute or grave.
　　Therefore, not singly, I erewhile rehears'd
　　That blessedness we tell of in the day:
　　But near me none beside his accent rais'd."
　　
　　From him we now had parted, and essay'd
　　With utmost efforts to surmount the way,
　　When I did feel, as nodding to its fall,
　　The mountain tremble; whence an icy chill
　　Seiz'd on me, as on one to death convey'd.
　　So shook not Delos, when Latona there
　　Couch'd to bring forth the twin-born eyes of heaven.
　　
　　Forthwith from every side a shout arose
　　So vehement, that suddenly my guide
　　Drew near, and cried: "Doubt not, while I conduct thee."
　　"Glory!" all shouted (such the sounds mine ear
　　Gather'd from those, who near me swell'd the sounds)
　　"Glory in the highest be to God." We stood
　　Immovably suspended, like to those,
　　The shepherds, who first heard in Bethlehem's field
　　That song: till ceas'd the trembling, and the song
　　Was ended: then our hallow'd path resum'd,
　　Eying the prostrate shadows, who renew'd
　　Their custom'd mourning. Never in my breast
　　Did ignorance so struggle with desire
　　Of knowledge, if my memory do not err,
　　As in that moment; nor through haste dar'd I
　　To question, nor myself could aught discern,
　　So on I far'd in thoughtfulness and dread.

　　地震的原因。詩人斯塔援烏斯的遭遇。
　　　
　　 自然的幹渴永無解除的時候，除非喝下可憐的撒瑪利亞婦人聽懇求的水，那時我的心裏如火燎一般，跟着我的引導人，急速地行在那躺滿着懺悔者的路上，對於這種正義的懲戒由衷地。忽然，如路加所寫的耶酥，從墳墓裏走出來，出現在兩個行路人的後面一般，有一個靈魂出現，眼看地上，也跟在我們後面走着。起初我們並未覺得，直到後來他自己說：“我的兄弟們，上帝賜你們平安！”我們聞聲，馬上回轉頭去看，維吉爾回報他一個適當的敬禮，並且答道：“天國召你去赴幸福者的平安集會！那裏我在永遠放逐之列了。”
　　　
　　 “怎樣的？”那個靈魂說着，伴着我們前行。“假使你不是上帝所召集的靈魂，誰又將你引到這裏來的呢？”我的老師說：“假使你看見這一位額上天使所刻的記號，你將看出他是有特權前往幸福者那裏去的。但日夜紡織的剋羅托，仍沒有把供給她的每人的棉紗紡完；他的靈魂，原也是你我的姊妹行，衹是他不能獨自上升，因為他還不能像我們這樣便利；所以我被差遣從地獄的巨口那邊引導他，直到這裏；以後還要伴着他，直上升到我的智力尚能企及的範圍。請你告訴我，如果你知道，為什麽剛纔山地震動，而且全山的靈魂，直到山腳下，為什麽同聲歡呼呢？”
　　　
　　 維吉爾問了這個問題，真是正合着我的心竅；我希望他的答復出使我求知的俗火可以熄滅了！
　　　
　　 那靈魂開始道：“此山為神的律令所管轄，不會有一件是隨意的，也沒有一件是偶然的。這裏是超出一切世間變化的；除卻神對於山有所施受的一種原因以外，沒有其他可以變化的原因，因為沒有雨，沒有雹，沒有雪，沒有露，也沒有霜，可以略高過那短小的三階石的。雲，不問厚薄，是不聚現的；也沒有閃電，也沒有陶瑪斯的女兒幻化天際，她在地上是常常易換位置的。山下幹空氣的上升，也不能超過剛纔說的三階石，那裏聖徒彼得的代理人放着腳呢。山下即使有多少的搖撼，但是風衹在地上隱伏着，從未有什麽影響及到這裏。此山的震動，衹會在一個靈魂自覺洗滌幹淨，可以上升或開始嚮上行走的時候，那時其他靈魂的歡呼也會隨之而起。滌罪幹淨與否，衹有靈魂自己的意志可以明證，他的意志能擔保靈魂的上升，也會以得到這種恩惠而滿足。固然起初靈魂是急於要上升，但這種欲望會被神的正義所約束，如此他反而自甘懺悔了。我自己呢，躺在這裏受苦已經近五百多年了，直至現在我纔自覺有遷入更高住所的欲望。因此你感覺到地震，並且聽見全山的靈魂發出對上帝的頌揚，庶幾他們也能夠早升天國！”
　　　
　　 那靈魂這樣說着。一個人愈是口渴，則所喝的愈加像甘露一般，所以我那時的快樂真非言語所能說明。
　　　
　　 那時我明睿的引導人說：“現在我看到你們怎樣被這裏的網纏縛，又怎樣撕破了他走出來，因此有地震，因此有歡呼。但是，是否可以你告訴我：你是誰？為什麽躺在此地這麽許多？”
　　　
　　 那靈魂答道：“在那英明的狄托，獲得天帝的援助，替猶大所出賣的血復仇的年代，我以最持久最光榮的稱號在地上活着，雖然聲名顯著，但卻沒有信仰。我的話句是美麗的音樂，圖盧茲是我的出生地，羅馬吸引我撲嚮他的懷裏，在那裏我頂戴着月桂冠。那些百姓稱我叫斯塔提烏斯；我歌吟忒拜的事績，又歌吟偉大的阿基琉斯；可是我未能全負第二個重擔而半途倒下了。我的詩興是發生於神的火星，他點燃我的內心，還有成千的人也被他鼓舞激勵；我所指的是《埃阿斯紀》；她是我的母親，在詩國裏她是我的乳娘；沒有她，我做不出有一毫份量的東西。假使維吉爾那時還生在世，我寧可放逐在外，遲享幸福一年；與他同住呢。”
　　　
　　 維吉爾聽了此語，即嚮我使了一個眼色，暗示：“莫開口！”但是我們的笑聲和淚珠都是聽從情感的命令，每每不是我們的意志所能操縱的，衹為我們是誠實而不做作的人。那時我的嘴角不覺流露過一絲的微笑，也不過像有情人的秋波一轉；然而那個靈魂業已停止敘說，一雙眼睛釘住我的眼睛、這裏是反射心境最真切的地方；於是他說：“我祝你完成你辛苦的事業！但請你告訴我，為什麽你的臉上閃過微笑呢？”
　　　
　　 那時我已陷入兩面夾攻的地位：一面要我保守靜默，一面又請求我的說明；於是我無計可施，衹好微嘆一聲，而我的老師也明白我的為難了，對我說：“說罷！不必怕；他所問的，你爽快地口答他就是了。”
　　　
　　 於是，我說道：“古靈魂呀！我的微笑使你覺得奇怪；可是還有更可驚異的事情在後面呢！他，引導我的智慧嚮上的人，也就是你從彼處抽取歌吟人和神之力量的維吉爾呀！假使你以為我的微笑有其它理由，那末你把我的話丟開，而相信你自己的話罷。”
　　　
　　 那時斯塔提烏斯已經趴在地上去擁抱我老師的腳了；我的老師說：“兄弟！不必如此，因為你不過是影子，而在你前面的我也不過是影子，”於是他立了起來說：“現在你可以明白我愛慕你的真誠，竟忘記了我們的狀態是虛空的影子，我竟把影子當做固體的東西呢！”

　　The natural thirst, ne'er quench'd but from the well,
　　Whereof the woman of Samaria crav'd,
　　Excited: haste along the cumber'd path,
　　After my guide, impell'd; and pity mov'd
　　My bosom for the 'vengeful deed, though just.
　　When lo! even as Luke relates, that Christ
　　Appear'd unto the two upon their way,
　　New-risen from his vaulted grave; to us
　　A shade appear'd, and after us approach'd,
　　Contemplating the crowd beneath its feet.
　　We were not ware of it; so first it spake,
　　Saying, "God give you peace, my brethren!" then
　　Sudden we turn'd: and Virgil such salute,
　　As fitted that kind greeting, gave, and cried:
　　"Peace in the blessed council be thy lot
　　Awarded by that righteous court, which me
　　To everlasting banishment exiles!"
　　
　　"How!" he exclaim'd, nor from his speed meanwhile
　　Desisting, "If that ye be spirits, whom God
　　Vouchsafes not room above, who up the height
　　Has been thus far your guide?" To whom the bard:
　　"If thou observe the tokens, which this man
　　Trac'd by the finger of the angel bears,
　　'Tis plain that in the kingdom of the just
　　He needs must share. But sithence she, whose wheel
　　Spins day and night, for him not yet had drawn
　　That yarn, which, on the fatal distaff pil'd,
　　Clotho apportions to each wight that breathes,
　　His soul, that sister is to mine and thine,
　　Not of herself could mount, for not like ours
　　Her ken: whence I, from forth the ample gulf
　　Of hell was ta'en, to lead him, and will lead
　　Far as my lore avails. But, if thou know,
　　Instruct us for what cause, the mount erewhile
　　Thus shook and trembled: wherefore all at once
　　Seem'd shouting, even from his wave-wash'd foot."
　　
　　That questioning so tallied with my wish,
　　The thirst did feel abatement of its edge
　　E'en from expectance. He forthwith replied,
　　"In its devotion nought irregular
　　This mount can witness, or by punctual rule
　　Unsanction'd; here from every change exempt.
　　Other than that, which heaven in itself
　　Doth of itself receive, no influence
　　Can reach us. Tempest none, shower, hail or snow,
　　Hoar frost or dewy moistness, higher falls
　　Than that brief scale of threefold steps: thick clouds
　　Nor scudding rack are ever seen: swift glance
　　Ne'er lightens, nor Thaumantian Iris gleams,
　　That yonder often shift on each side heav'n.
　　Vapour adust doth never mount above
　　The highest of the trinal stairs, whereon
　　Peter's vicegerent stands. Lower perchance,
　　With various motion rock'd, trembles the soil:
　　But here, through wind in earth's deep hollow pent,
　　I know not how, yet never trembled: then
　　Trembles, when any spirit feels itself
　　So purified, that it may rise, or move
　　For rising, and such loud acclaim ensues.
　　Purification by the will alone
　　Is prov'd, that free to change society
　　Seizes the soul rejoicing in her will.
　　Desire of bliss is present from the first;
　　But strong propension hinders, to that wish
　　By the just ordinance of heav'n oppos'd;
　　Propension now as eager to fulfil
　　Th' allotted torment, as erewhile to sin.
　　And I who in this punishment had lain
　　Five hundred years and more, but now have felt
　　Free wish for happier clime. Therefore thou felt'st
　　The mountain tremble, and the spirits devout
　　Heard'st, over all his limits, utter praise
　　To that liege Lord, whom I entreat their joy
　　To hasten." Thus he spake: and since the draught
　　Is grateful ever as the thirst is keen,
　　No words may speak my fullness of content.
　　
　　"Now," said the instructor sage, "I see the net
　　That takes ye here, and how the toils are loos'd,
　　Why rocks the mountain and why ye rejoice.
　　Vouchsafe, that from thy lips I next may learn,
　　Who on the earth thou wast, and wherefore here
　　So many an age wert prostrate."—"In that time,
　　When the good Titus, with Heav'n's King to help,
　　Aveng'd those piteous gashes, whence the blood
　　By Judas sold did issue, with the name
　　Most lasting and most honour'd there was I
　　Abundantly renown'd," the shade reply'd,
　　"Not yet with faith endued. So passing sweet
　　My vocal Spirit, from Tolosa, Rome
　　To herself drew me, where I merited
　　A myrtle garland to inwreathe my brow.
　　Statius they name me still. Of Thebes I sang,
　　And next of great Achilles: but i' th' way
　　Fell with the second burthen. Of my flame
　　Those sparkles were the seeds, which I deriv'd
　　From the bright fountain of celestial fire
　　That feeds unnumber'd lamps, the song I mean
　　Which sounds Aeneas' wand'rings: that the breast
　　I hung at, that the nurse, from whom my veins
　　Drank inspiration: whose authority
　　Was ever sacred with me. To have liv'd
　　Coeval with the Mantuan, I would bide
　　The revolution of another sun
　　Beyond my stated years in banishment."
　　
　　The Mantuan, when he heard him, turn'd to me,
　　And holding silence: by his countenance
　　Enjoin'd me silence but the power which wills,
　　Bears not supreme control: laughter and tears
　　Follow so closely on the passion prompts them,
　　They wait not for the motions of the will
　　In natures most sincere. I did but smile,
　　As one who winks; and thereupon the shade
　　Broke off, and peer'd into mine eyes, where best
　　Our looks interpret. "So to good event
　　Mayst thou conduct such great emprize," he cried,
　　"Say, why across thy visage beam'd, but now,
　　The lightning of a smile!" On either part
　　Now am I straiten'd; one conjures me speak,
　　Th' other to silence binds me: whence a sigh
　　I utter, and the sigh is heard. "Speak on;"
　　The teacher cried; "and do not fear to speak,
　　But tell him what so earnestly he asks."
　　Whereon I thus: "Perchance, O ancient spirit!
　　Thou marvel'st at my smiling. There is room
　　For yet more wonder. He who guides my ken
　　On high, he is that Mantuan, led by whom
　　Thou didst presume of men and gods to sing.
　　If other cause thou deem'dst for which I smil'd,
　　Leave it as not the true one; and believe
　　Those words, thou spak'st of him, indeed the cause."
　　
　　Now down he bent t' embrace my teacher's feet;
　　But he forbade him: "Brother! do it not:
　　Thou art a shadow, and behold'st a shade."
　　He rising answer'd thus: "Now hast thou prov'd
　　The force and ardour of the love I bear thee,
　　When I forget we are but things of air,
　　And as a substance treat an empty shade."

　　斯塔提烏斯之罪惡和其信仰耶教。升入第六層：懲貪食。
　　　
　　 那位天使抹去我額上的斑痕，指點我們上第六層的路，對我們說：“渴慕正義的人有福了。”卻沒有說別的；於是我們離開了那位天使。我覺得比經過以前的階梯更輕快，跟着兩位靈魂快步上升，毫無勞苦。
　　　
　　 那時維吉爾開始說：“一種真心的愛慕發出的時候，常常激發別人的愛慕。自從尤維納利斯墮到地獄的候判所的時候，他說起對於你的感情，於是我對於你也就産生了感情。對於來見過的人我從未有過這樣熱烈的感情，所以這次我們的相遇，使我覺得這些上升的階梯也縮短距離了。請你告訴我、像朋友一般原諒我的戇直；也請你坦白地回答我，像朋友一般：像你這樣勤學而充滿知識的人物，貪吝如何會侵蝕你的胸懷呢？”
　　　
　　 這些話引來斯塔提烏斯輕輕的笑聲；於是他答道：“你的每句話，都是愛我的標志。天下事每每因為其真實內容不被人知，因而使人見疑，發生種種繆誤的猜測。從你的問題，可見你因為我所在的圈子，意謂我在人世過着貪吝的生活。實則我離開貪吝很遠，因為反而極端，使我受懲戒，達幾千次的滿月。直到我拜讀了你的詩，纔矯正了我的過失。你對人類的天性表示憤慨：“對於黃金的神聖的饑餓呀！你如何不節制人類的嗜欲呢？’同時我感覺到那滾着重物時撞擊的痛苦。於是我心知我對於費用手面太闊綽了，我需要懺悔正和犯了別的罪惡一樣。有許多靈魂，復活起來都要精光着腦袋，因為他們在生前並不瞭解犯了此罪，直到最後一刻還不知道懺悔呀！請你知道：互相嚮反的罪惡。在這裏一並弄幹他的緑色呢。”所以，我雖和貪吝者在一處哭泣，而我所犯的正是和他們相反的罪惡。”
　　　
　　 那時唱《牧歌》的說：“當你歌吟伊俄卡斯忒雙重悲哀的鬥爭的時候，你懇求剋利俄伴着你，那時你似乎還沒有信仰；沒有信仰，為善仍有不足，假使你有信仰，那末是什麽陽光，或者什麽燭光。替你排那黑暗，因此你扯起你的帆，去追隨那個似打魚的聖徒呢？”
　　　
　　 他答道：“你是第一位引導我嚮往帕爾納斯山；飲了那裏的甘泉；也是你第一個照明我歸嚮上帝的路。你好比一位夜行人，掮着火把在身後，自己沒有受益，但照明了跟着走的人。你的詩中寫道：“世紀重光，正義再生，人返聖古，天降新民。’因為你，我成為詩人；因為你，我成為耶教徒。但為使你更明了我的描寫起見，我的手不得不更加以渲染。那時全世界已滲入新的信仰，這是從永久王國的使者所布散出來的種子；我記得你的話非常和那些新的預言者相符合，他們是我所常常造訪的。我那時逐漸覺得他們的確是很神聖的，然而他們竟遭受圖密善的虐待，我常為他們灑下同情之淚。我逗留在那裏的時候，常常幫助他們；我見到他們正義的生存，就令我輕衊其他一切的宗派。我在詩中寫到希臘人進兵到了忒拜的河流以前，我已經受了洗禮；但是因為我害怕，衹是秘密地做一個耶教徒，在許多年之間，我仍舊扮做一個異教徒。這種畏縮的行為令我在第四圈裏跑了四百多年。所以，你為我掀開帳幕在他的裏面正藴蓄着我剛纔所說的大善呢。我們上升的路中途還有多餘的時間，請你告訴我：我們的老泰倫提烏斯、凱齊留斯、普勞圖斯、瓦留斯在那兒呢，假使你知道；他們是否有罪要懺悔。在哪一層？”
　　　
　　 我的引導人答道：“你所說的他們，還有佩爾西烏斯，還有其他許多位和我，邊同那位希臘人，他吃文藝女神的奶比誰都多，都處在黑暗牢獄的第一層。我們不時談及那座山。那兒是我們的乳母所居之處。歐裏庇得斯同着我們，還有女提豐、西降尼得斯、阿伽同和其他希臘人。他們都曾頂戴過月桂冠。那裏還可以看到你所歌吟的人物：安提戈、得伊貶勒、阿耳癸亞和伊斯墨，她還悲哀得像在人世一般。那裏還可以看到指示蘭癸亞泉水的她；還有泰瑞西阿斯的女兒，忒提斯和戴伊達密婭及其姊妹們。”
　　　
　　 現在兩位詩人都靜默了，四處一望，已經攀出了山縫，到了階梯的盡頭；那時四個日神的女僕已經落在後面，第五個走在轅前，引着熱烈的車子騰嚮高空。我的引導人對我說：“我想我們應當把右肩朝嚮山的外邊，照着我們以前的方向行進。”於是習慣引領我們的步閥，而且我們也覺得沒有疑惑，因為此外還有那位高貴的靈魂伴着我們攀升。他們二人行在前面。我跟在後面，靜聽他們的討論，使我解析詩歌的藝術。
　　　
　　 但不久他們高妙的討論因為一株樹而中阻了；那樹生在路中，結滿了果實，清香撲鼻。鬆柏之類的樹愈嚮上則芽枝愈稀少，那樹正相反，愈嚮下愈稀少；所以，我想沒有人能爬上那樹的。在山壁的那邊，有亮晶晶的飛瀑從高高的岩石裏落下來，散在樹葉之間。
　　　
　　 兩位詩人接近那樹；樹葉間有聲音說道：“這些食品你們嘗都不能嘗！”接着又說：“馬利亞衹想使那婚筵可以圓滿而不失禮，並非為着你們的口腹之欲，古羅馬婦女的飲料衹有白水；但以理輕視膳食而得智慧，在最初黃金時代，人民饑則食橡子如美餚，渴則飲清流如甘露，蜂蜜和蝗蟲是施洗的約翰在曠野的食料，所以他是很光榮的人；他的偉大一如在《福音書》中所宣說給你們看的。”

　　Now we had left the angel, who had turn'd
　　To the sixth circle our ascending step,
　　One gash from off my forehead raz'd: while they,
　　Whose wishes tend to justice, shouted forth:
　　"Blessed!" and ended with, "I thirst:" and I,
　　More nimble than along the other straits,
　　So journey'd, that, without the sense of toil,
　　I follow'd upward the swift-footed shades;
　　When Virgil thus began: "Let its pure flame
　　From virtue flow, and love can never fail
　　To warm another's bosom' so the light
　　Shine manifestly forth. Hence from that hour,
　　When 'mongst us in the purlieus of the deep,
　　Came down the spirit of Aquinum's hard,
　　Who told of thine affection, my good will
　　Hath been for thee of quality as strong
　　As ever link'd itself to one not seen.
　　Therefore these stairs will now seem short to me.
　　But tell me: and if too secure I loose
　　The rein with a friend's license, as a friend
　　Forgive me, and speak now as with a friend:
　　How chanc'd it covetous desire could find
　　Place in that bosom, 'midst such ample store
　　Of wisdom, as thy zeal had treasur'd there?"
　　
　　First somewhat mov'd to laughter by his words,
　　Statius replied: "Each syllable of thine
　　Is a dear pledge of love. Things oft appear
　　That minister false matters to our doubts,
　　When their true causes are remov'd from sight.
　　Thy question doth assure me, thou believ'st
　　I was on earth a covetous man, perhaps
　　Because thou found'st me in that circle plac'd.
　　Know then I was too wide of avarice:
　　And e'en for that excess, thousands of moons
　　Have wax'd and wan'd upon my sufferings.
　　And were it not that I with heedful care
　　Noted where thou exclaim'st as if in ire
　　With human nature, 'Why, thou cursed thirst
　　Of gold! dost not with juster measure guide
　　The appetite of mortals?' I had met
　　The fierce encounter of the voluble rock.
　　Then was I ware that with too ample wing
　　The hands may haste to lavishment, and turn'd,
　　As from my other evil, so from this
　　In penitence. How many from their grave
　　Shall with shorn locks arise, who living, aye
　　And at life's last extreme, of this offence,
　　Through ignorance, did not repent. And know,
　　The fault which lies direct from any sin
　　In level opposition, here With that
　　Wastes its green rankness on one common heap.
　　Therefore if I have been with those, who wail
　　Their avarice, to cleanse me, through reverse
　　Of their transgression, such hath been my lot."
　　
　　To whom the sovran of the pastoral song:
　　"While thou didst sing that cruel warfare wag'd
　　By the twin sorrow of Jocasta's womb,
　　From thy discourse with Clio there, it seems
　　As faith had not been shine: without the which
　　Good deeds suffice not. And if so, what sun
　　Rose on thee, or what candle pierc'd the dark
　　That thou didst after see to hoist the sail,
　　And follow, where the fisherman had led?"
　　
　　He answering thus: "By thee conducted first,
　　I enter'd the Parnassian grots, and quaff'd
　　Of the clear spring; illumin'd first by thee
　　Open'd mine eyes to God. Thou didst, as one,
　　Who, journeying through the darkness, hears a light
　　Behind, that profits not himself, but makes
　　His followers wise, when thou exclaimedst, 'Lo!
　　A renovated world! Justice return'd!
　　Times of primeval innocence restor'd!
　　And a new race descended from above!'
　　Poet and Christian both to thee I owed.
　　That thou mayst mark more clearly what I trace,
　　My hand shall stretch forth to inform the lines
　　With livelier colouring. Soon o'er all the world,
　　By messengers from heav'n, the true belief
　　Teem'd now prolific, and that word of thine
　　Accordant, to the new instructors chim'd.
　　Induc'd by which agreement, I was wont
　　Resort to them; and soon their sanctity
　　So won upon me, that, Domitian's rage
　　Pursuing them, I mix'd my tears with theirs,
　　And, while on earth I stay'd, still succour'd them;
　　And their most righteous customs made me scorn
　　All sects besides. Before I led the Greeks
　　In tuneful fiction, to the streams of Thebes,
　　I was baptiz'd; but secretly, through fear,
　　Remain'd a Christian, and conform'd long time
　　To Pagan rites. Five centuries and more,
　　T for that lukewarmness was fain to pace
　　Round the fourth circle. Thou then, who hast rais'd
　　The covering, which did hide such blessing from me,
　　Whilst much of this ascent is yet to climb,
　　Say, if thou know, where our old Terence bides,
　　Caecilius, Plautus, Varro: if condemn'd
　　They dwell, and in what province of the deep."
　　"These," said my guide, "with Persius and myself,
　　And others many more, are with that Greek,
　　Of mortals, the most cherish'd by the Nine,
　　In the first ward of darkness. There ofttimes
　　We of that mount hold converse, on whose top
　　For aye our nurses live. We have the bard
　　Of Pella, and the Teian, Agatho,
　　Simonides, and many a Grecian else
　　Ingarlanded with laurel. Of thy train
　　Antigone is there, Deiphile,
　　Argia, and as sorrowful as erst
　　Ismene, and who show'd Langia's wave:
　　Deidamia with her sisters there,
　　And blind Tiresias' daughter, and the bride
　　Sea-born of Peleus." Either poet now
　　Was silent, and no longer by th' ascent
　　Or the steep walls obstructed, round them cast
　　Inquiring eyes. Four handmaids of the day
　　Had finish'd now their office, and the fifth
　　Was at the chariot-beam, directing still
　　Its balmy point aloof, when thus my guide:
　　"Methinks, it well behooves us to the brink
　　Bend the right shoulder' circuiting the mount,
　　As we have ever us'd." So custom there
　　Was usher to the road, the which we chose
　　Less doubtful, as that worthy shade complied.
　　
　　They on before me went; I sole pursued,
　　List'ning their speech, that to my thoughts convey'd
　　Mysterious lessons of sweet poesy.
　　But soon they ceas'd; for midway of the road
　　A tree we found, with goodly fruitage hung,
　　And pleasant to the smell: and as a fir
　　Upward from bough to bough less ample spreads,
　　So downward this less ample spread, that none.
　　Methinks, aloft may climb. Upon the side,
　　That clos'd our path, a liquid crystal fell
　　From the steep rock, and through the sprays above
　　Stream'd showering. With associate step the bards
　　Drew near the plant; and from amidst the leaves
　　A voice was heard: "Ye shall be chary of me;"
　　And after added: "Mary took more thought
　　For joy and honour of the nuptial feast,
　　Than for herself who answers now for you.
　　The women of old Rome were satisfied
　　With water for their beverage. Daniel fed
　　On pulse, and wisdom gain'd. The primal age
　　Was beautiful as gold; and hunger then
　　Made acorns tasteful, thirst each rivulet
　　Run nectar. Honey and locusts were the food,
　　Whereon the Baptist in the wilderness
　　Fed, and that eminence of glory reach'd
　　And greatness, which the' Evangelist records."

　　貪食者的懺悔。但丁遇見浮雷塞·竇那蒂。
　　　
　　 當我定睛看着緑葉，像一個終身追逐小鳥的人，那時尤勝親父的人對我說：“我兒！現在你來罷；對於允許我們的時間，應當善加利用他。”我即轉過臉，腳步也不遲慢，追上兩位哲人；他們討論着，使我在路上絲毫無失。不久，忽有含淚的歌嘆聲：“主阿！求你使我嘴唇翕開；我的口便傳揚贊美您的歌，”這種歌聲使人聽了悲喜交集。
　　　
　　 我問道：“親愛的父親呀！這種歌聲從何而來？”他答道：“定是靈魂們來還他們的債了。”
　　　
　　 如同沉思的過客，在途中遇見不相識的人，便轉目註視，但並未停止腳步，步在我們後面的那群錄魂也如此。他們寂靜的，恭敬的，快着步伐趕超過來，用驚奇的眼光望着我們而走過。他們的眼睛暗黑而凹陷，面色灰白，渾身無肉，衹是皮包骨頭。我不相信從前厄律西剋同由於饑餓會形容枯槁到這般地步。我心裏這樣說：“看罷！這應是耶路撒冷在滅亡的時候，馬利亞食她自己兒子肉的時候了！”他們的眼窩似沒有寶石的指環；若將人的面相讀作“哦莫”，那末這裏的靈魂很明顯地表示出一個“愛姆”來，一個人，要是不明白其中的原委，怎麽會相信那果子和清泉的氣味能夠引發欲望，因而造成這般的形狀呢？
　　　
　　 我正懷疑他們究竟因為什麽而饑餓到如此地步，不懂他們為什麽如此消瘦，他們的皮膚也幹癟之極，那時忽有一個靈魂從眼窩深處轉着眼珠望着我，於是他高聲喊道；“這個對於“我是什麽恩惠呀！”從他的面容看來，我並不認識他；但是從他的聲音聽來，我便知道他是誰了。一綫微光，使我憶起他的本來面目，我知道他定是浮雷塞。
　　　
　　 他請求我道：“不要註意我疥癬般的皮膚，也不必關心我肌肉的有無，但你告訴我，你怎會到這裏？這二位伴着你的靈魂是誰？快些對我說！”我答道：“你死的時候我曾經為你流過淚，但現在你的面容讓我的悲哀也不小於那一次呀！所以，為上帝的緣故，請你先告訴我，誰令你如此的？我正在驚異的時候，勿要問我，因為我的思想在那一方面，决不會回答你恰到好處。”
　　　
　　 於是他先對我說：“由於神的諭令，在我們後面的那樹和水，都有使我們消瘦的能力。這些靈魂，在生之日，口腹之欲都是太過，因此現在在這裏忍饑受渴，和淚而歌，滌洗他們的罪惡。這裏果實的氛芳和灑落青葉上的甘露，惹起我們飲食之欲，在我們心裏炙如火燒一般。我們跑在圈子上，不止一次重受這樣的痛苦；我說痛苦，其實要說安慰；因為我們趨前樹，是被一種欲望所驅，這種欲望正和基督流血救人，在十字架上喊着‘以利’一樣。”
　　　
　　 我對他說：“浮雷塞，從你離開我們的人世，轉升更好的所在，到現在也不過五年罷。假使說你在與上帝和解以前，已經沒有犯罪的能力。為什麽你能夠到這裏呢？我想你還應當在下面，以時間賠償時間呢。”
　　　
　　 於是他又對我說：“那早早使我嘗到甜美的痛苦的人，是我親愛的奈拉：用她泉水般的眼淚，用她虔誠的祈禱，和她連綿輕輕嘆息，她令我免除在山腳下的等待和其他各圈的滯留。我溫柔的寡婦，她既是我心中所親愛的，也是上帝所寶貴而嘉奬的，因為她能獨行美善。我想撒丁的巴巴嘉的婦女比我所離開的巴巴嘉的婦女還負貞節。親愛的兄弟呀！你還要我說什麽呢？照我的眼光來看，有一個時代將到，已經不遠了；到那時，佛羅倫薩厚顔的婦女，將被講經臺嚮禁止露胸凸乳而逐出門了，一種需要紀律的強製而穿衣服的婦女，是怎樣一種野蠻婦女或是阿拉伯婦女呢？但是，假使無恥的造物知道天正在預備幹預她們，或許她們會號啕大哭罷。假使我的預言不錯，那末在現在聽着催眠麯的嬰兒下巴長出細毛以前，她們就要傷悲了。兄弟！你不要再瞞住你的故事了；不僅是我一個，所有這裏的靈魂都看到你的影子了。”
　　　
　　 於是我對他說：“假使你回憶起你對於我和我對於你的關係，那末這種回憶仍叫人不勝惆悵。行在我前面的這一位，他把我從那種生活裏拉出來，這不過是幾天前的事情，那時他的姊妹臉兒正圓着說到“他”時我指着太陽。他引導我經過那真死人的黑暗國度，我用結實的肉身跟隨他。由於他的鼓舞，又隨着他上升，繞着這些山路，在這裏你們把世間的彎麯拉直了。他說要伴着我直至貝雅特麗齊所在之處，到那裏他纔和我分離我指着他說)：就是他，維吉爾， 對我這樣說的。至於那一位呢，就是在不久前，此處山地震動的時候，他清償了債務，超脫而去的靈魂。”

　　On the green leaf mine eyes were fix'd, like his
　　Who throws away his days in idle chase
　　Of the diminutive, when thus I heard
　　The more than father warn me: "Son! our time
　　Asks thriftier using. Linger not: away."
　　
　　Thereat my face and steps at once I turn'd
　　Toward the sages, by whose converse cheer'd
　　I journey'd on, and felt no toil: and lo!
　　A sound of weeping and a song: "My lips,
　　O Lord!" and these so mingled, it gave birth
　　To pleasure and to pain. "O Sire, belov'd!
　　Say what is this I hear?" Thus I inquir'd.
　　
　　"Spirits," said he, "who as they go, perchance,
　　Their debt of duty pay." As on their road
　　The thoughtful pilgrims, overtaking some
　　Not known unto them, turn to them, and look,
　　But stay not; thus, approaching from behind
　　With speedier motion, eyed us, as they pass'd,
　　A crowd of spirits, silent and devout.
　　The eyes of each were dark and hollow: pale
　　Their visage, and so lean withal, the bones
　　Stood staring thro' the skin. I do not think
　　Thus dry and meagre Erisicthon show'd,
　　When pinc'ed by sharp-set famine to the quick.
　　
　　"Lo!" to myself I mus'd, "the race, who lost
　　Jerusalem, when Mary with dire beak
　　Prey'd on her child." The sockets seem'd as rings,
　　From which the gems were drops. Who reads the name
　　Of man upon his forehead, there the M
　　Had trac'd most plainly. Who would deem, that scent
　　Of water and an apple, could have prov'd
　　Powerful to generate such pining want,
　　Not knowing how it wrought? While now I stood
　　Wond'ring what thus could waste them (for the cause
　　Of their gaunt hollowness and scaly rind
　　Appear'd not) lo! a spirit turn'd his eyes
　　In their deep-sunken cell, and fasten'd then
　　On me, then cried with vehemence aloud:
　　"What grace is this vouchsaf'd me?" By his looks
　　I ne'er had recogniz'd him: but the voice
　　Brought to my knowledge what his cheer conceal'd.
　　Remembrance of his alter'd lineaments
　　Was kindled from that spark; and I agniz'd
　　The visage of Forese. "Ah! respect
　　This wan and leprous wither'd skin," thus he
　　Suppliant implor'd, "this macerated flesh.
　　Speak to me truly of thyself. And who
　　Are those twain spirits, that escort thee there?
　　Be it not said thou Scorn'st to talk with me."
　　
　　"That face of thine," I answer'd him, "which dead
　　I once bewail'd, disposes me not less
　　For weeping, when I see It thus transform'd.
　　Say then, by Heav'n, what blasts ye thus? The whilst
　　I wonder, ask not Speech from me: unapt
　　Is he to speak, whom other will employs."
　　
　　He thus: "The water and tee plant we pass'd,
　　Virtue possesses, by th' eternal will
　　Infus'd, the which so pines me. Every spirit,
　　Whose song bewails his gluttony indulg'd
　　Too grossly, here in hunger and in thirst
　　Is purified. The odour, which the fruit,
　　And spray, that showers upon the verdure, breathe,
　　Inflames us with desire to feed and drink.
　　Nor once alone encompassing our route
　　We come to add fresh fuel to the pain:
　　Pain, said I? solace rather: for that will
　　To the tree leads us, by which Christ was led
　　To call Elias, joyful when he paid
　　Our ransom from his vein." I answering thus:
　　"Forese! from that day, in which the world
　　For better life thou changedst, not five years
　　Have circled. If the power of sinning more
　　Were first concluded in thee, ere thou knew'st
　　That kindly grief, which re-espouses us
　　To God, how hither art thou come so soon?
　　I thought to find thee lower, there, where time
　　Is recompense for time." He straight replied:
　　"To drink up the sweet wormwood of affliction
　　I have been brought thus early by the tears
　　Stream'd down my Nella's cheeks. Her prayers devout,
　　Her sighs have drawn me from the coast, where oft
　　Expectance lingers, and have set me free
　　From th' other circles. In the sight of God
　　So much the dearer is my widow priz'd,
　　She whom I lov'd so fondly, as she ranks
　　More singly eminent for virtuous deeds.
　　The tract most barb'rous of Sardinia's isle,
　　Hath dames more chaste and modester by far
　　Than that wherein I left her. O sweet brother!
　　What wouldst thou have me say? A time to come
　　Stands full within my view, to which this hour
　　Shall not be counted of an ancient date,
　　When from the pulpit shall be loudly warn'd
　　Th' unblushing dames of Florence, lest they bare
　　Unkerchief'd bosoms to the common gaze.
　　What savage women hath the world e'er seen,
　　What Saracens, for whom there needed scourge
　　Of spiritual or other discipline,
　　To force them walk with cov'ring on their limbs!
　　But did they see, the shameless ones, that Heav'n
　　Wafts on swift wing toward them, while I speak,
　　Their mouths were op'd for howling: they shall taste
　　Of Borrow (unless foresight cheat me here)
　　Or ere the cheek of him be cloth'd with down
　　Who is now rock'd with lullaby asleep.
　　Ah! now, my brother, hide thyself no more,
　　Thou seest how not I alone but all
　　Gaze, where thou veil'st the intercepted sun."
　　
　　Whence I replied: "If thou recall to mind
　　What we were once together, even yet
　　Remembrance of those days may grieve thee sore.
　　That I forsook that life, was due to him
　　Who there precedes me, some few evenings past,
　　When she was round, who shines with sister lamp
　　To his, that glisters yonder," and I show'd
　　The sun. "Tis he, who through profoundest night
　　Of he true dead has brought me, with this flesh
　　As true, that follows. From that gloom the aid
　　Of his sure comfort drew me on to climb,
　　And climbing wind along this mountain-steep,
　　Which rectifies in you whate'er the world
　　Made crooked and deprav'd I have his word,
　　That he will bear me company as far
　　As till I come where Beatrice dwells:
　　But there must leave me. Virgil is that spirit,
　　Who thus hath promis'd," and I pointed to him;
　　"The other is that shade, for whom so late
　　Your realm, as he arose, exulting shook
　　Through every pendent cliff and rocky bound."

　　續浮雷塞的談話。盧卡人波拿君塔。出第六層。
　　　
　　 談話不妨礙行路，行路也不妨礙談話；我們邊說邊走，頗像順風裏行船。那些似乎已死過二次的靈魂，“從他們深凹的眼窩裏用驚奇的目光註視我，因為他們已知道我是活人。
　　　
　　 我繼續說：“我想他之所以遲遲而行，也許是因為伴着我們的緣故，但是，請告訴我，假使你知道，畢卡爾達在哪裏？還要請你告訴我，在這些關註我的靈魂之中是否有值得我關註的人？”浮雷塞開始說：“我的姊妹，也不知是因為她的美，或是出於她的善，她已經升至奧林普斯神山之，戴上勝利的花冠了。”他又說：“這裏並不禁止告知每個靈魂的姓名，因為我們節制飲食而不成人形了。這一位是言時點以手指波拿君塔，盧卡的波拿君塔；在他後面的一個，臉上的孔穴最深，他曾經將聖教堂抱在臂彎裏，他是從圖爾來的，他斷食在維爾納洽酒裏浸過的博爾塞納湖裏的鰻魚。”
　　　
　　 他又喊了好幾個靈魂的名字；被喊的都現出滿意，並沒有不高興的表示。我看見烏巴爾迪諾，他由於很餓，用他的牙齒空嚼；還有卜尼法齊奧，用他像城堡的旗桿來牧民。我看到馬爾凱塞，他曾有閑暇在福爾裏飲酒，雖然不渴。但他從未言醉。一個人看見許多人，在其中常有一個特別引人註意的，因此我被那盧卡人所吸引，他也似乎比別人更願意認識我。他喃喃地自語些什麽，我衹聽見了“簡圖卡”，這是從他嘴裏吐出來的，這是他感到正義的創傷之處，因此使他消瘦。那時我說：“靈魂呀！你似乎很想和我說話，你說罷！庶幾我可以明白你的意思，你我的欲望都能滿足。”
　　　
　　 他開始說：“一個女子生了，她尚未戴着頭巾，她將使我的城叫你歡喜，雖然許多人都咒駡他。你帶着這個預言到那裏去；假使我的喃喃之聲有誤，那末有事實可以使你明白。現在請你告訴我，你是否是新詩創作的一位？那新詩是以‘貴夫人們，你們對於愛情是有智慧的’一行開頭的。”我對他說：“我是一個人，當愛情鼓舞我的時候，我依從他發自我內心的使命寫下來。”他說：“兄弟呀！我終於明白那錄事和圭托內和我不能追及所謂清新之體的癥結所在了。我很明白你的筆忠實地跟從他的使命。這是我們所難及的。研究到底，這個詩體與那個詩體的差別莫外乎此。”波拿君塔似乎滿足了，緘口不言了。
　　　
　　 如同一群鳥飛往尼羅河畔過鼕一般，先在天空盤了一個圈子，後來便一直綫地飛走了；那裏的靈魂也是如此，先嚮四周看了一下，因為身體輕捷和意志堅強的緣故，快着步伐嚮前去了。又如同那賽跑落伍的，聽其同伴前進，自己卻在後面徐徐行動，直待喘息的暫止；那時的浮雷塞就是這樣，他聽一群靈魂跑遠去，卻跟在我後面說話，他說：“什麽時候我能再看見你？”我答道：“我不知道我還活多少時候，但我再到此地，决不會早過我的意志；因為我生活的地方是一天比一天淪喪道德，似乎已經走上毀滅的路了。”
　　　
　　 他又說：“現在你去罷！我看見那最壞的他拖在一隻走獸的尾巴上，朝着那不能洗清罪惡的山𠔌裏去了！走獸跑得一步快一步，最後把他的身體弄得七零八落，不成人形。那些天體不必數次轉動言時他擡頭望着天，你便可以明白我表白不十分清楚的話。現在，我要快走了，這裏的時間很寶貴的，我伴隨你走已經很久了。”
　　　
　　 如同騎馬的人，脫離隊伍，加鞭趕上，希望奪取錦標一般；那時浮雷塞放開步閥，離我們去了；我還是伴着兩位世界級的大學者在路上。當他跑遠時，我的目光追隨他的形狀，我的思想追隨他的話語。那時我又看到一株青枝緑葉的樹，綴滿着果子；這株樹並不離開甚遠，可是因為繞山的路是彎麯的，所以直到現在才望見。”
　　　
　　 我看見樹下有許多靈魂舉起手，同時呼喚着，像小兒乞求食物一般，可是得不到問答；但是那食物並不隱藏起來，衹是高高在上，激惹他們的欲念，那些靈魂失望之餘，衹有離去；於是我們走到那拒絶了許多請求和淚水的大樹下。
　　　
　　 “嚮前走過去，但不要接近！再上面有一株樹，他的果子曾經被夏娃吃過，這裏的一株是從他那兒生出來的。”在那枝葉之間有人這般如是說着；於是維吉爾、斯塔提烏斯和我都從靠近山的一邊走過去。那時又聽見說：“記住那些由雲生的壞東西，在他們酒醉以後，挺着他們的復胸和特修斯相鬥；那些在飲水時顯示懦弱的希伯來人，基甸從高原衝嚮米甸人的時候，不願意把他們看做部
　　　
　　 我們從兩邊中的一邊走過去，聽到敘述各種饕餮的罪惡，大都因為非分的所得而引生的。後來我們走在沉寂的路上，約行了一千多步，各人默默地想着，不發一言。忽然有一種聲音說：“你們孤單的三位，默默地想着，往那兒去呢？”我聽了很是吃驚，像膽小的野獸。我擡頭想找到說話的人，衹見勝過像爐子裏的結晶體和金屬品的一團紅光，就是他在發言；他又說：“假使你們歡喜上升，在這裏可以轉彎，由此能求精神的安寧。”
　　　
　　 他的光芒竟使我暫時失去視覺，所以我轉身到老師的背後，衹憑聽覺作行進的引導。如同五月微風，在黎明前，浸染花中的氣息，柔和地拂在我的額心，這就是那天使的翼拂着我，使我出生的愉快感覺。於是我聽見說：“這些人有福了，他們蒙着神的照耀，知道減少口腹之欲，衹有對於正義永遠感到饑餓。”

　　Our journey was not slacken'd by our talk,
　　Nor yet our talk by journeying. Still we spake,
　　And urg'd our travel stoutly, like a ship
　　When the wind sits astern. The shadowy forms,
　　
　　That seem'd things dead and dead again, drew in
　　At their deep-delved orbs rare wonder of me,
　　Perceiving I had life; and I my words
　　Continued, and thus spake; "He journeys up
　　Perhaps more tardily then else he would,
　　For others' sake. But tell me, if thou know'st,
　　Where is Piccarda? Tell me, if I see
　　Any of mark, among this multitude,
　　Who eye me thus."—"My sister (she for whom,
　　'Twixt beautiful and good I cannot say
　　Which name was fitter ) wears e'en now her crown,
　　And triumphs in Olympus." Saying this,
　　He added: "Since spare diet hath so worn
　　Our semblance out, 't is lawful here to name
　　Each one. This," and his finger then he rais'd,
　　"Is Buonaggiuna,—Buonaggiuna, he
　　Of Lucca: and that face beyond him, pierc'd
　　Unto a leaner fineness than the rest,
　　Had keeping of the church: he was of Tours,
　　And purges by wan abstinence away
　　Bolsena's eels and cups of muscadel."
　　
　　He show'd me many others, one by one,
　　And all, as they were nam'd, seem'd well content;
　　For no dark gesture I discern'd in any.
　　I saw through hunger Ubaldino grind
　　His teeth on emptiness; and Boniface,
　　That wav'd the crozier o'er a num'rous flock.
　　I saw the Marquis, who tad time erewhile
　　To swill at Forli with less drought, yet so
　　Was one ne'er sated. I howe'er, like him,
　　That gazing 'midst a crowd, singles out one,
　　So singled him of Lucca; for methought
　　Was none amongst them took such note of me.
　　Somewhat I heard him whisper of Gentucca:
　　The sound was indistinct, and murmur'd there,
　　Where justice, that so strips them, fix'd her sting.
　　
　　"Spirit!" said I, "it seems as thou wouldst fain
　　Speak with me. Let me hear thee. Mutual wish
　　To converse prompts, which let us both indulge."
　　
　　He, answ'ring, straight began: "Woman is born,
　　Whose brow no wimple shades yet, that shall make
　　My city please thee, blame it as they may.
　　Go then with this forewarning. If aught false
　　My whisper too implied, th' event shall tell
　　But say, if of a truth I see the man
　　Of that new lay th' inventor, which begins
　　With 'Ladies, ye that con the lore of love'."
　　
　　To whom I thus: "Count of me but as one
　　Who am the scribe of love; that, when he breathes,
　　Take up my pen, and, as he dictates, write."
　　
　　"Brother!" said he, "the hind'rance which once held
　　The notary with Guittone and myself,
　　Short of that new and sweeter style I hear,
　　Is now disclos'd. I see how ye your plumes
　　Stretch, as th' inditer guides them; which, no question,
　　Ours did not. He that seeks a grace beyond,
　　Sees not the distance parts one style from other."
　　And, as contented, here he held his peace.
　　
　　Like as the bird, that winter near the Nile,
　　In squared regiment direct their course,
　　Then stretch themselves in file for speedier flight;
　　Thus all the tribe of spirits, as they turn'd
　　Their visage, faster deaf, nimble alike
　　Through leanness and desire. And as a man,
　　Tir'd With the motion of a trotting steed,
　　Slacks pace, and stays behind his company,
　　Till his o'erbreathed lungs keep temperate time;
　　E'en so Forese let that holy crew
　　Proceed, behind them lingering at my side,
　　And saying: "When shall I again behold thee?"
　　
　　"How long my life may last," said I, "I know not;
　　This know, how soon soever I return,
　　My wishes will before me have arriv'd.
　　Sithence the place, where I am set to live,
　　Is, day by day, more scoop'd of all its good,
　　And dismal ruin seems to threaten it."
　　
　　"Go now," he cried: "lo! he, whose guilt is most,
　　Passes before my vision, dragg'd at heels
　　Of an infuriate beast. Toward the vale,
　　Where guilt hath no redemption, on it speeds,
　　Each step increasing swiftness on the last;
　　Until a blow it strikes, that leaveth him
　　A corse most vilely shatter'd. No long space
　　Those wheels have yet to roll" (therewith his eyes
　　Look'd up to heav'n) "ere thou shalt plainly see
　　That which my words may not more plainly tell.
　　I quit thee: time is precious here: I lose
　　Too much, thus measuring my pace with shine."
　　
　　As from a troop of well-rank'd chivalry
　　One knight, more enterprising than the rest,
　　Pricks forth at gallop, eager to display
　　His prowess in the first encounter prov'd
　　So parted he from us with lengthen'd strides,
　　And left me on the way with those twain spirits,
　　Who were such mighty marshals of the world.
　　
　　When he beyond us had so fled mine eyes
　　No nearer reach'd him, than my thought his words,
　　The branches of another fruit, thick hung,
　　And blooming fresh, appear'd. E'en as our steps
　　Turn'd thither, not far off it rose to view.
　　Beneath it were a multitude, that rais'd
　　Their hands, and shouted forth I know not What
　　Unto the boughs; like greedy and fond brats,
　　That beg, and answer none obtain from him,
　　Of whom they beg; but more to draw them on,
　　He at arm's length the object of their wish
　　Above them holds aloft, and hides it not.
　　
　　At length, as undeceiv'd they went their way:
　　And we approach the tree, who vows and tears
　　Sue to in vain, the mighty tree. "Pass on,
　　And come not near. Stands higher up the wood,
　　Whereof Eve tasted, and from it was ta'en
　　'this plant." Such sounds from midst the thickets came.
　　Whence I, with either bard, close to the side
　　That rose, pass'd forth beyond. "Remember," next
　　We heard, "those noblest creatures of the clouds,
　　How they their twofold bosoms overgorg'd
　　Oppos'd in fight to Theseus: call to mind
　　The Hebrews, how effeminate they stoop'd
　　To ease their thirst; whence Gideon's ranks were thinn'd,
　　As he to Midian march'd adown the hills."
　　
　　Thus near one border coasting, still we heard
　　The sins of gluttony, with woe erewhile
　　Reguerdon'd. Then along the lonely path,
　　Once more at large, full thousand paces on
　　We travel'd, each contemplative and mute.
　　
　　"Why pensive journey thus ye three alone?"
　　Thus suddenly a voice exclaim'd: whereat
　　I shook, as doth a scar'd and paltry beast;
　　Then rais'd my head to look from whence it came.
　　
　　Was ne'er, in furnace, glass, or metal seen
　　So bright and glowing red, as was the shape
　　I now beheld. "If ye desire to mount,"
　　He cried, "here must ye turn. This way he goes,
　　Who goes in quest of peace." His countenance
　　Had dazzled me; and to my guides I fac'd
　　Backward, like one who walks, as sound directs.
　　
　　As when, to harbinger the dawn, springs up
　　On freshen'd wing the air of May, and breathes
　　Of fragrance, all impregn'd with herb and flowers,
　　E'en such a wind I felt upon my front
　　Blow gently, and the moving of a wing
　　Perceiv'd, that moving shed ambrosial smell;
　　And then a voice: "Blessed are they, whom grace
　　Doth so illume, that appetite in them
　　Exhaleth no inordinate desire,
　　Still hung'ring as the rule of temperance wills."

　　斯塔提烏斯解釋肉體和靈魂的發生，死後靈魂的存在。
　　　
　　 升入第七層：懲貪色。
　　　
　　 已經到了不可再遲遲上升的時間，因為那時太陽已把子午圈的位置留給金牛，而夜將之讓給天蝎了，因此我們像趕路的人，不問眼前有什麽宜人風景，也决不滯留腳步；我們行在狹縫的階梯上，一個從前一個在後地走着，因為那裏不容兩人並行。
　　　
　　 像小鸛鳥撲開他的兩翼想飛起，然後又放下，不敢冒險離開他的窩一般；那時我已鼓動我的嘴唇，很想發問，可是又不敢啓。我溫和的父親已經瞭解我的心意，雖怏怏地走着，仍然對我說：“射出你的話箭罷，因為你的弓已經拉滿。”於是我纔開口說：“靈魂並不需要食品，為什麽他們會餓瘦如此呢？”他說：“假使你記得如何墨勒阿格洛斯因為一段着火木的燒完而消滅，那末這個也並不叫你過於難懂。而且，假使你想到你的一舉一動由鏡子裏影出影像來，那末對於你似乎難解的也許會顯得容易罷。不過，為使你的求知欲滿足起見，這裏是斯塔提烏斯，我現在請求他替你把傷痕醫治好。”
　　　
　　 斯塔提烏斯答道：“假使我在你面前，把他所見的永久的內容，解說給他聽，那末我衹好說不敢違背你的指示罷。”於是他就對我說：“孩子呀！假使你專心一意聽我的解說，那末對於你的疑問，或可得到一綫光明。最純淨的血，不被幹渴的脈管所吸取，像桌子上多餘下來的食品一般；他在心髒裏獲取一種潛在的能力，足以形成全身的肢體。亦如普通的血周流脈管而供給材料一般；更經過洗煉的工夫，他便降至身體的一部分，這部分不必指出他的名稱；由此，在一個天然的瓶裏滴入另一種血。他們混合在一處，這後一個是被動的，那前一個是主動的，如此他是從完美的地方生出的。聯合了以後，便開始工作，最初是把材料凝固，其次給凝固的材料賦以生命。這種主動的能力變為一種靈魂，關於植物的靈魂，所不同者，衹是前一種尚在中途，而後一種已達到目的地罷了。而後再繼續工作，他便能運動，能感覺，就像海中的珊瑚蟲；由此再發展其他器官的力量，因為他已經含那些種子了。孩子呀！這種由父體的心髒來的能力，受自然愛護，一再地發展不息；但是怎樣從一個動物變化成一個人類，這個你仍未知道。在這一點上，使一位比你更聰明的人也搞錯了；根據他的學說，他把智慧和靈魂分離，因為他未曾尋得主宰智慧的器官。請你敞開胸懷來聽真理的言論罷！你要知道，頭腦的組織在胚胎裏完成以後，馬上第一動力轉嚮他，對於自然的偉大藝術的喜悅，嚮他吹入一種新精神，與其他已有的相合，合成為一個單純的靈魂，於是他能生長，他能感覺，他能反省自己。你要是疑惑我的話，那末請看太陽的熱情罷，他使周流於葡萄藤中的液汁轉為甜酒。當那拉刻西斯度完她棉紗的時候，那靈魂脫離肉體，把人的和神的部分都帶了走，其他的能力都消逝，而記憶，智慧和意志反比先前的還要敏銳。說也奇怪，那靈魂並未停止生命，他自己飄落到兩條河岸之一，立即明白他自己應采取的路徑。及至一定的地點以後，那成形的能力嚮四周散發出來，形狀大小與活的肢體一樣。如同空氣中充滿雨點的時候，因為日光的反照而成為各樣的顔色一般；同樣，靈魂所在之處，他有能力使周鄰的空氣成為各種的形狀；又如同焰跟隨火移動一般，同樣，靈魂的移動，他的新形狀也如此跟了走。此後便把這個與生前相似的形態叫做影子；此後更把感覺的器官也羅織成功，譬如視覺。如此我們能說，我們能笑，我們能流淚和嘆息，這都是你在山上所見到聽到的。影子形狀的變化，也是隨着我們的欲望和各種其他苦樂後感而發生的。這便是你覺得奇怪的原因。”
　　　
　　 現在我們臨到了最後一個圈子，嚮右邊轉彎。立即發現到另一個擔心的事情，那裏的山壁冒出火焰，被風推着，火焰頂都嚮着上面。我們衹好一個一個魚貫而行，走在圈子的邊緣，一方面怕被火所炙，一方面又怕跌落深淵。
　　　
　　 我的引導人說：“在這種地方，最要把眼睛睜大，走錯一步便要出亂子。”那時我聽見大火之中唱道：“至高仁愛的上帝呀，”因此我很想轉過頭去看看。我看見在火焰中穿梭的靈魂；我盯看他們的步伐，一時又盯看我自己的。他們唱完贊美歌以後，同聲呼叫道；“我一個男人都不認識。”以後又低聲吟着贊美詩。唱詩完畢，馬上又喊道：“狄阿娜守在樹林裏，趕走了艾麗綺，因為她中了愛神的毒箭。”於是他們又唱，他們又稱揚女人和男子的貞潔者，因為這些是盡了道德上和結婚上義務的人。
　　　
　　 我想，這裏的靈魂就在火焰之中受到這樣的痛楚：僅用這種醫療方法，上天使他們最後一個創口愈合了。

　　It was an hour, when he who climbs, had need
　　To walk uncrippled: for the sun had now
　　To Taurus the meridian circle left,
　　And to the Scorpion left the night. As one
　　That makes no pause, but presses on his road,
　　Whate'er betide him, if some urgent need
　　Impel: so enter'd we upon our way,
　　One before other; for, but singly, none
　　That steep and narrow scale admits to climb.
　　
　　E'en as the young stork lifteth up his wing
　　Through wish to fly, yet ventures not to quit
　　The nest, and drops it; so in me desire
　　Of questioning my guide arose, and fell,
　　Arriving even to the act, that marks
　　A man prepar'd for speech. Him all our haste
　　Restrain'd not, but thus spake the sire belov'd:
　　"Fear not to speed the shaft, that on thy lip
　　Stands trembling for its flight." Encourag'd thus
　　I straight began: "How there can leanness come,
　　Where is no want of nourishment to feed?"
　　
　　"If thou," he answer'd, "hadst remember'd thee,
　　How Meleager with the wasting brand
　　Wasted alike, by equal fires consum'd,
　　This would not trouble thee: and hadst thou thought,
　　How in the mirror your reflected form
　　With mimic motion vibrates, what now seems
　　Hard, had appear'd no harder than the pulp
　　Of summer fruit mature. But that thy will
　　In certainty may find its full repose,
　　Lo Statius here! on him I call, and pray
　　That he would now be healer of thy wound."
　　
　　"If in thy presence I unfold to him
　　The secrets of heaven's vengeance, let me plead
　　Thine own injunction, to exculpate me."
　　So Statius answer'd, and forthwith began:
　　"Attend my words, O son, and in thy mind
　　Receive them: so shall they be light to clear
　　The doubt thou offer'st. Blood, concocted well,
　　Which by the thirsty veins is ne'er imbib'd,
　　And rests as food superfluous, to be ta'en
　　From the replenish'd table, in the heart
　　Derives effectual virtue, that informs
　　The several human limbs, as being that,
　　Which passes through the veins itself to make them.
　　Yet more concocted it descends, where shame
　　Forbids to mention: and from thence distils
　　In natural vessel on another's blood.
　　Then each unite together, one dispos'd
　　T' endure, to act the other, through meet frame
　　Of its recipient mould: that being reach'd,
　　It 'gins to work, coagulating first;
　　Then vivifies what its own substance caus'd
　　To bear. With animation now indued,
　　The active virtue (differing from a plant
　　No further, than that this is on the way
　　And at its limit that) continues yet
　　To operate, that now it moves, and feels,
　　As sea sponge clinging to the rock: and there
　　Assumes th' organic powers its seed convey'd.
　　'This is the period, son! at which the virtue,
　　That from the generating heart proceeds,
　　Is pliant and expansive; for each limb
　　Is in the heart by forgeful nature plann'd.
　　How babe of animal becomes, remains
　　For thy consid'ring. At this point, more wise,
　　Than thou hast err'd, making the soul disjoin'd
　　From passive intellect, because he saw
　　No organ for the latter's use assign'd.
　　
　　"Open thy bosom to the truth that comes.
　　Know soon as in the embryo, to the brain,
　　Articulation is complete, then turns
　　The primal Mover with a smile of joy
　　On such great work of nature, and imbreathes
　　New spirit replete with virtue, that what here
　　Active it finds, to its own substance draws,
　　And forms an individual soul, that lives,
　　And feels, and bends reflective on itself.
　　And that thou less mayst marvel at the word,
　　Mark the sun's heat, how that to wine doth change,
　　Mix'd with the moisture filter'd through the vine.
　　
　　"When Lachesis hath spun the thread, the soul
　　Takes with her both the human and divine,
　　Memory, intelligence, and will, in act
　　Far keener than before, the other powers
　　Inactive all and mute. No pause allow'd,
　　In wond'rous sort self-moving, to one strand
　　Of those, where the departed roam, she falls,
　　Here learns her destin'd path. Soon as the place
　　Receives her, round the plastic virtue beams,
　　Distinct as in the living limbs before:
　　And as the air, when saturate with showers,
　　The casual beam refracting, decks itself
　　With many a hue; so here the ambient air
　　Weareth that form, which influence of the soul
　　Imprints on it; and like the flame, that where
　　The fire moves, thither follows, so henceforth
　　The new form on the spirit follows still:
　　Hence hath it semblance, and is shadow call'd,
　　With each sense even to the sight endued:
　　Hence speech is ours, hence laughter, tears, and sighs
　　Which thou mayst oft have witness'd on the mount
　　Th' obedient shadow fails not to present
　　Whatever varying passion moves within us.
　　And this the cause of what thou marvel'st at."
　　
　　Now the last flexure of our way we reach'd,
　　And to the right hand turning, other care
　　Awaits us. Here the rocky precipice
　　Hurls forth redundant flames, and from the rim
　　A blast upblown, with forcible rebuff
　　Driveth them back, sequester'd from its bound.
　　
　　Behoov'd us, one by one, along the side,
　　That border'd on the void, to pass; and I
　　Fear'd on one hand the fire, on th' other fear'd
　　Headlong to fall: when thus th' instructor warn'd:
　　"Strict rein must in this place direct the eyes.
　　A little swerving and the way is lost."
　　
　　Then from the bosom of the burning mass,
　　"O God of mercy!" heard I sung; and felt
　　No less desire to turn. And when I saw
　　Spirits along the flame proceeding, I
　　Between their footsteps and mine own was fain
　　To share by turns my view. At the hymn's close
　　They shouted loud, "I do not know a man;"
　　Then in low voice again took up the strain,
　　Which once more ended, "To the wood," they cried,
　　"Ran Dian, and drave forth Callisto, stung
　　With Cytherea's poison:" then return'd
　　Unto their song; then marry a pair extoll'd,
　　Who liv'd in virtue chastely, and the bands
　　Of wedded love. Nor from that task, I ween,
　　Surcease they; whilesoe'er the scorching fire
　　Enclasps them. Of such skill appliance needs
　　To medicine the wound, that healeth last.

　　第七層：懲貪色。圭多·圭尼采裏。阿爾諾·丹尼埃爾。
　　　
　　 我們一前一後，沿着邊際行進，善良的老師時常對我說：“當心。謹聽我的警告。”
　　　
　　 那時陽光射在我的右肩上，西方的天空已由碧色染做白色；我的影子使那裏的火焰顯得紅色，就是這一點差異，過往那裏的靈魂便非常驚奇。因此他們開始七嘴八舌議論，其中一個對其他靈魂說：“他不像氣一般的身體。”於是有幾個盡量地來接近我，衹當心不脫離火焰罷了。
　　　
　　 “你呀！走在別人後面，不是行得慢的緣故，也許是尊敬頂戴別人的原因罷，請你回答我，在渴中在火中的我。也不僅是我一個人希望回答，在這裏的一群，都比印度人，或埃塞俄比亞人更需要清涼的水，請告訴我們，為什麽你會像墻壁一堵把太陽遮住，或許你尚沒有落入死神的網？”
　　　
　　 一個靈魂這般懇切地問我，我本想立即將我的情形告訴他，要不是那時恰另有一種奇異的事情出現；那時在火道之中另有一群靈魂對面而來，這些靈魂引起我的註目。那裏，雙方的靈魂搶步迎上前相互接吻擁抱。他們滿足於瞬時的致敬，很像黑蟻的隊伍。在路上互相擦嘴。以探問前途或食品所在的模樣。在他們友誼的彼此致敬以後，尚未放步走以前，他們用力叫喊，來的道：“所多瑪和蛾摩拉！”去的道：“帕西菲躲匿進母牛的肚子，刺激公牛的性欲！”於是他們像鶴群一般飛去，有的懼怕太陽，投嚮黎菲山去，有的畏霜雪，投嚮沙漠地去；那些靈魂也是如此地分道揚鑣，一群嚮前進，一群往後去，仍舊回覆揮淚而歌詩的情形，並叫喊着最適合於他們的句子。
　　　
　　 那些先前要和我接談的靈魂，現在又貼到我的旁邊，現出等我答復的神氣。第二次現出他們的欲望，我說：“靈魂呀！無論如何你們可以獲得安樂的境界；我的四肢，既不少，也不老，卻都沒有留在世間且還隨着我，我的確帶着我的血肉之軀。我由此嚮上，因為不願意長久做盲人；一位聖女，她替我討到了恩惠，因此我可以奉恩帶着我的肉身經過你們的世界。但是，假使要你們的大欲望早日滿足，要那充滿愛的廣大的天來接引你們，那末務請你告訴我，你是誰，嚮你們背後去的一群是為了什麽，庶幾我好將其記錄在紙上。”
　　　
　　 那些靈魂聽了我的話，好像山野田夫初入城市，目瞪口呆，不發一言；每個靈魂都現着這般神氣；但是，經過了一些時候，驚奇過去了，他們高貴的心也就平復了。
　　　
　　 那先前問我話的那位靈魂開始道：“你是有福了！因為要有較高的生命層次，才能到我們這國度裏來訪問。那些不同我們一路走的人，他們所犯的就是古昔凱撒在勝利的時候被人傢呼作“皇后’的那一回事。所以他們在離開我們的當兒叫着所多瑪，這是你剛聽到的；他們自己詛咒自己，復加在火中的恥辱。我們的罪惡是陰陽同體；但是因為我們不遵守人類的律例我們的荒淫像禽獸一般，所以我們叫着那藏在木牛裏面的帕西菲的名字，用以表示我們的羞恥，現在你已經知道我們的行為我們的罪惡了。假使你還要知道我們的名字那末非但時間不夠，而且我也不知道這那麽多。我想滿足你的要求，衹有把我的名字告訴你：我是圭多·圭尼采裏，我已經到這裏來洗滌，這是因為我在末日臨頭前已經懺悔了。”
　　　
　　 如同在呂枯耳戈斯懊喪之際，兩個兒子忽然投進他們母親懷裏一般，我也同樣生出那感覺，衹是沒有那般的勇氣，當我聽見我的父親，而且也是比我更勝者的詩父，他們都是製作溫柔高雅的愛情詩的詩人，親自說出自己的名字的時候。那時我聽不見別人說話，自己也不說話，衹是沉思着，長久地註視着他；因為火的隔膜，使我不能更接近他。當我看了他一個飽以後，對他說願意替他效勞，並發誓請他相信我的話。於是他對我說：“我聽了你的話，在我心上留下了深刻明晰的印象，就是勒特河的水也不能將他洗卻，或令他暗淡。但是，假使你的誓言出於真誠、那末請你對我說，為什麽你在言語上和態度上對我表示這樣真誠的感情呢？”我對他說：”你的甜美的詩歌，衹要我們的語言還流行着，我始終寶貴你所寫下的每一字句呢。”
　　　
　　 他又說：“兄弟呀！這一位，我用手指點給你看言時指點在他前面的一個靈魂，他是應用他方言的裏手；無論是愛情詩歌或散文傳奇，他都遠勝他人，衹有愚人才把裏摩日的詩人擺在他的上面。人們的耳朵衹信聞謠傳，而不論其事實；在看過作品或明了理由以前，便存了成見。我們的前輩，多數就是這種人。對於圭托內以口耳相傳地稱述他的好處；但是，最後被大衆的真理戰勝了。現在，如果你有這樣大的特權，允許你進基督所主持的修道院，那末請你在那裏為我唱一支‘我們在天上的父’；對於此世界是需要的，在此地我們已經沒有再犯罪的能力了。”
　　　
　　 後來，也許是把位置讓給他鄰近的一位，他沒入火焰中而不見了，好像遊魚沉到水底一般。於是我略微趕上幾步，貼近方纔他所指點的一位，說在我的心中對於他的大名有一個光榮的位置呢。
　　　
　　 那靈魂很大方地說：“你謙和的請求，令我很高興，我不願意再隱匿我的名字，我是阿爾諾，揮着眼淚，歌着詩而行進；我想念從前的猖狂，我見到未來的日子而歡樂。現在，我請求你，美德引導你到階梯的頂端，請你常常想起我的痛苦。”說完，他便匿入滌罪的烈火中去了。

　　While singly thus along the rim we walk'd,
　　Oft the good master warn'd me: "Look thou well.
　　Avail it that I caution thee." The sun
　　Now all the western clime irradiate chang'd
　　From azure tinct to white; and, as I pass'd,
　　My passing shadow made the umber'd flame
　　Burn ruddier. At so strange a sight I mark'd
　　That many a spirit marvel'd on his way.
　　
　　This bred occasion first to speak of me,
　　"He seems," said they, "no insubstantial frame:"
　　Then to obtain what certainty they might,
　　Stretch'd towards me, careful not to overpass
　　The burning pale. "O thou, who followest
　　The others, haply not more slow than they,
　　But mov'd by rev'rence, answer me, who burn
　　In thirst and fire: nor I alone, but these
　　All for thine answer do more thirst, than doth
　　Indian or Aethiop for the cooling stream.
　　Tell us, how is it that thou mak'st thyself
　　A wall against the sun, as thou not yet
　　Into th' inextricable toils of death
　　Hadst enter'd?" Thus spake one, and I had straight
　　Declar'd me, if attention had not turn'd
　　To new appearance. Meeting these, there came,
　　Midway the burning path, a crowd, on whom
　　Earnestly gazing, from each part I view
　　The shadows all press forward, sev'rally
　　Each snatch a hasty kiss, and then away.
　　E'en so the emmets, 'mid their dusky troops,
　　Peer closely one at other, to spy out
　　Their mutual road perchance, and how they thrive.
　　
　　That friendly greeting parted, ere dispatch
　　Of the first onward step, from either tribe
　　Loud clamour rises: those, who newly come,
　　Shout "Sodom and Gomorrah!" these, "The cow
　　Pasiphae enter'd, that the beast she woo'd
　　Might rush unto her luxury." Then as cranes,
　　That part towards the Riphaean mountains fly,
　　Part towards the Lybic sands, these to avoid
　　The ice, and those the sun; so hasteth off
　　One crowd, advances th' other; and resume
　　Their first song weeping, and their several shout.
　　
　　Again drew near my side the very same,
　　Who had erewhile besought me, and their looks
　　Mark'd eagerness to listen. I, who twice
　　Their will had noted, spake: "O spirits secure,
　　Whene'er the time may be, of peaceful end!
　　My limbs, nor crude, nor in mature old age,
　　Have I left yonder: here they bear me, fed
　　With blood, and sinew-strung. That I no more
　　May live in blindness, hence I tend aloft.
　　There is a dame on high, who wind for us
　　This grace, by which my mortal through your realm
　　I bear. But may your utmost wish soon meet
　　Such full fruition, that the orb of heaven,
　　Fullest of love, and of most ample space,
　　Receive you, as ye tell (upon my page
　　Henceforth to stand recorded) who ye are,
　　And what this multitude, that at your backs
　　Have past behind us." As one, mountain-bred,
　　Rugged and clownish, if some city's walls
　　He chance to enter, round him stares agape,
　　Confounded and struck dumb; e'en such appear'd
　　Each spirit. But when rid of that amaze,
　　(Not long the inmate of a noble heart)
　　He, who before had question'd, thus resum'd:
　　"O blessed, who, for death preparing, tak'st
　　Experience of our limits, in thy bark!
　　Their crime, who not with us proceed, was that,
　　For which, as he did triumph, Caesar heard
　　The snout of 'queen,' to taunt him. Hence their cry
　　Of 'Sodom,' as they parted, to rebuke
　　Themselves, and aid the burning by their shame.
　　Our sinning was Hermaphrodite: but we,
　　Because the law of human kind we broke,
　　Following like beasts our vile concupiscence,
　　Hence parting from them, to our own disgrace
　　Record the name of her, by whom the beast
　　In bestial tire was acted. Now our deeds
　　Thou know'st, and how we sinn'd. If thou by name
　　Wouldst haply know us, time permits not now
　　To tell so much, nor can I. Of myself
　　Learn what thou wishest. Guinicelli I,
　　Who having truly sorrow'd ere my last,
　　Already cleanse me." With such pious joy,
　　As the two sons upon their mother gaz'd
　　From sad Lycurgus rescu'd, such my joy
　　(Save that I more represt it) when I heard
　　From his own lips the name of him pronounc'd,
　　Who was a father to me, and to those
　　My betters, who have ever us'd the sweet
　　And pleasant rhymes of love. So nought I heard
　　Nor spake, but long time thoughtfully I went,
　　Gazing on him; and, only for the fire,
　　Approach'd not nearer. When my eyes were fed
　　By looking on him, with such solemn pledge,
　　As forces credence, I devoted me
　　Unto his service wholly. In reply
　　He thus bespake me: "What from thee I hear
　　Is grav'd so deeply on my mind, the waves
　　Of Lethe shall not wash it off, nor make
　　A whit less lively. But as now thy oath
　　Has seal'd the truth, declare what cause impels
　　That love, which both thy looks and speech bewray."
　　
　　"Those dulcet lays," I answer'd, "which, as long
　　As of our tongue the beauty does not fade,
　　Shall make us love the very ink that trac'd them."
　　
　　"Brother!" he cried, and pointed at a shade
　　Before him, "there is one, whose mother speech
　　Doth owe to him a fairer ornament.
　　He in love ditties and the tales of prose
　　Without a rival stands, and lets the fools
　　Talk on, who think the songster of Limoges
　　O'ertops him. Rumour and the popular voice
　　They look to more than truth, and so confirm
　　Opinion, ere by art or reason taught.
　　Thus many of the elder time cried up
　　Guittone, giving him the prize, till truth
　　By strength of numbers vanquish'd. If thou own
　　So ample privilege, as to have gain'd
　　Free entrance to the cloister, whereof Christ
　　Is Abbot of the college, say to him
　　One paternoster for me, far as needs
　　For dwellers in this world, where power to sin
　　No longer tempts us." Haply to make way
　　For one, that follow'd next, when that was said,
　　He vanish'd through the fire, as through the wave
　　A fish, that glances diving to the deep.
　　
　　I, to the spirit he had shown me, drew
　　A little onward, and besought his name,
　　For which my heart, I said, kept gracious room.
　　He frankly thus began: "Thy courtesy
　　So wins on me, I have nor power nor will
　　To hide me. I am Arnault; and with songs,
　　Sorely lamenting for my folly past,
　　Thorough this ford of fire I wade, and see
　　The day, I hope for, smiling in my view.
　　I pray ye by the worth that guides ye up
　　Unto the summit of the scale, in time
　　Remember ye my suff'rings." With such words
　　He disappear'd in the refining flame.

　　但丁走過第七層的火焰。但丁的第三夢。上升到山頂平地。維吉爾最後的話。
　　　
　　 當太陽的第一光綫射在基督流血之地，伊貝羅河已在高高的天秤之下，恆河之波已被中午的熱力所蒸發的時候，那時在淨界山的一天已步入終了，上帝之歡樂的天使現在我們的面前。他站在圈子的邊緣上，火焰的外面，歌道：“清心的人有福了！”一種聲調比我們的響亮得多。
　　　
　　 接着他又說：“不能再嚮前走了，神聖的靈魂，假使你們不先往火裏灼燒一下。進去罷！對於那面的歌聲不要始終聾着耳朵。”那時我們已走近他，因為他所說的話，我聽了嚇得像躺在墳墓裏的死人一祥。
　　　
　　 我把兩手交叉在我胸前，註視着熊熊的火焰，觀想出一個被燒肉體的慘狀。兩位和善的引導人，都關切地回頭來看我，維吉爾對我說：“我的兒呀！這裏或許有些痛苦，但决不至於死。請你記起罷！請你記起罷！你登在格呂翁的背上不也是平平安安嗎。現在更接近上帝，反而有危險麽？你要相信，你就是身處這火焰的懷裏一千年，也難得燒去你的一根頭髮。假使你認為我在騙你，那末把你的衣角伸進火焰中去試一下如何？你盡可放心，一點也不必怕，堅定你的意志走進去！”但是，我的腳，違返着我的良心，像生了根一般，絶不肯移動。
　　　
　　 維吉爾看見我固執不動，有些惱怒；他對我說：“看罷，我的兒，在貝雅特麗齊和你之間，衹隔閡着這一堵火墻！”如同皮刺摩斯在垂死的時候，聽見提斯柏的名字而張開眼睛望着他的情人一般，當我一聽見那個永遠珍藏在我心中的名字，我不再堅持了，我回轉身嚮着我聰明的引導人。那時他搖着頭說：“怎樣？你還願意站在這一邊麽？”於是他微笑了，像一個大人用一枚果子便徵服了一個孩子一般。
　　　
　　 於是維吉爾在前，首先進入火焰之中，讓斯塔提烏斯跟在我的後面做殿軍，此刻以前斯塔提烏斯一直處在我們二人之間的。當我進入火焰中，我覺得我寧願投入沸湯以取得清涼，因其熱度之高真是無可比擬。我溫和的父親，為鼓勵我的勇氣起見，不時提及貝雅特麗齊；他對我說：“我似乎已經看到她的那雙眼睛了！”並且還有一種歌聲引導着我們的腳步，因為留意那歌聲，不知不覺已前進到攀登階梯的地方。“快過來，蒙我父賜福的！”這話是從那裏一種光芒裏面發出來的，光芒甚強，我的眼睛也不能看他。他又說：“太陽下降，夜色已臨，不要停止，加快步伐，趁西方尚留着那一綫餘輝。”
　　　
　　 我們奮而嚮上兩岩之間的階梯；太陽很低了，我的影子正射在我的前面。僅僅攀升了幾步，我和我的老師們都見到太陽瞬間沒入地下，因為那時我的影子消滅了。在夜色籠罩大地前，我們每人把一層階梯當做床鋪，固然我們還想上升，可是依照山上的規則，我們的力量被剝奪了。
　　　
　　 如同山羊尚未吃草以前，先在山頭跳躍一回，而後天氣熱了，再在樹蔭下細嚼他們的食料，而牧人則倚着牧杖在那裏保護他們；到了夜間，牧人露宿在外面，守護羊群的四周，以防禦野獸的襲擾；那時我們三人也如此，我充山羊，而他們兩位則是牧人，高高的山壁聳立在我們左右。從那裏所見到的天空其小，但是我看見一簇星，比平常的更大更亮。我沉思着，註視着，就這樣睡去了，在夢中往往可以知道將要發生的事實。
　　　
　　 我想，在那基西拉她似乎永被情火所燒從東方開始放射光明在山頂之際，我在夢中看見一位貴婦人，既年輕又漂亮，在一塊草原上采摘花朵，歌唱道：“誰要問我的名字，請你知曉，我叫利亞，我揮動我美麗的手，左采花右采花，用以圍做一個花圈。我要裝飾自己，使我在鏡中看得可愛；而我的妹妹拉結從未離開過她的鏡子，從早到晚坐在那裏。她欣賞她漂亮的眼睛而喜悅，至於我則愛用我的手裝扮自己。她滿足於默想，我則滿足於行動。”
　　　
　　 現在，晨光已經漸漸透發出來，引起旅客們的欣喜，他們已經步步接近自己的傢園了；夜的黑影，嚮四圍逃散，我的睡眠也被他們撩走；於是我爬了起來，看見兩位大師已經站在那裏了。“那甜美的果實，人類不知花費了多少代價去尋他，今天要為你解渴了。”這些話是維吉爾對我說的，無論什麽饋贈品也沒有這般甜美。我一再地希求上升，我每走上一步，愈覺得需要生出翅膀，叫我可以飛翔。
　　　
　　 當階梯都臣臨我們的下方，我們來到他的頭巔，維吉爾眼望着我，他說：“我的兒呀！永久的火和暫時的火你都閱歷過了；現在。到了這個地點，我自己也不能識別。我用我的智慧和謹慎，將你帶臨這裏；現在，你能善用自己的意志做引導了。你已經離開了山道，走出了狹路。看那太陽罷，已經照明你的眉宇；再看地上的淺草，叢花，矮樹罷，這都是此土自我孕育的。那一雙美麗的眼睛，他們曾經藴淚慰我來救助你，現在你可以期待他們的光臨。你坐在這裏也好，你行走花草之間也好，不必再盼望我的指引，我的手勢了。自由，正直而健全，是你的意志，不聽從他的指引是一種錯誤；所以我為你戴上皇冕和法冠。”

　　Now was the sun so station'd, as when first
　　His early radiance quivers on the heights,
　　Where stream'd his Maker's blood, while Libra hangs
　　Above Hesperian Ebro, and new fires
　　Meridian flash on Ganges' yellow tide.
　　
　　So day was sinking, when the' angel of God
　　Appear'd before us. Joy was in his mien.
　　Forth of the flame he stood upon the brink,
　　And with a voice, whose lively clearness far
　　Surpass'd our human, "Blessed are the pure
　　In heart," he Sang: then near him as we came,
　　"Go ye not further, holy spirits!" he cried,
　　"Ere the fire pierce you: enter in; and list
　　Attentive to the song ye hear from thence."
　　
　　I, when I heard his saying, was as one
　　Laid in the grave. My hands together clasp'd,
　　And upward stretching, on the fire I look'd,
　　And busy fancy conjur'd up the forms
　　Erewhile beheld alive consum'd in flames.
　　
　　Th' escorting spirits turn'd with gentle looks
　　Toward me, and the Mantuan spake: "My son,
　　Here torment thou mayst feel, but canst not death.
　　Remember thee, remember thee, if I
　　Safe e'en on Geryon brought thee: now I come
　　More near to God, wilt thou not trust me now?
　　Of this be sure: though in its womb that flame
　　A thousand years contain'd thee, from thy head
　　No hair should perish. If thou doubt my truth,
　　Approach, and with thy hands thy vesture's hem
　　Stretch forth, and for thyself confirm belief.
　　Lay now all fear, O lay all fear aside.
　　Turn hither, and come onward undismay'd."
　　I still, though conscience urg'd' no step advanc'd.
　　
　　When still he saw me fix'd and obstinate,
　　Somewhat disturb'd he cried: "Mark now, my son,
　　From Beatrice thou art by this wall
　　Divided." As at Thisbe's name the eye
　　Of Pyramus was open'd (when life ebb'd
　　Fast from his veins), and took one parting glance,
　　While vermeil dyed the mulberry; thus I turn'd
　　To my sage guide, relenting, when I heard
　　The name, that springs forever in my breast.
　　
　　He shook his forehead; and, "How long," he said,
　　"Linger we now?" then smil'd, as one would smile
　　Upon a child, that eyes the fruit and yields.
　　Into the fire before me then he walk'd;
　　And Statius, who erewhile no little space
　　Had parted us, he pray'd to come behind.
　　
　　I would have cast me into molten glass
　　To cool me, when I enter'd; so intense
　　Rag'd the conflagrant mass. The sire belov'd,
　　To comfort me, as he proceeded, still
　　Of Beatrice talk'd. "Her eyes," saith he,
　　"E'en now I seem to view." From the other side
　　A voice, that sang, did guide us, and the voice
　　Following, with heedful ear, we issued forth,
　　There where the path led upward. "Come," we heard,
　　"Come, blessed of my Father." Such the sounds,
　　That hail'd us from within a light, which shone
　　So radiant, I could not endure the view.
　　"The sun," it added, "hastes: and evening comes.
　　Delay not: ere the western sky is hung
　　With blackness, strive ye for the pass." Our way
　　Upright within the rock arose, and fac'd
　　Such part of heav'n, that from before my steps
　　The beams were shrouded of the sinking sun.
　　
　　Nor many stairs were overpass, when now
　　By fading of the shadow we perceiv'd
　　The sun behind us couch'd: and ere one face
　　Of darkness o'er its measureless expanse
　　Involv'd th' horizon, and the night her lot
　　Held individual, each of us had made
　　A stair his pallet: not that will, but power,
　　Had fail'd us, by the nature of that mount
　　Forbidden further travel. As the goats,
　　That late have skipp'd and wanton'd rapidly
　　Upon the craggy cliffs, ere they had ta'en
　　Their supper on the herb, now silent lie
　　And ruminate beneath the umbrage brown,
　　While noonday rages; and the goatherd leans
　　Upon his staff, and leaning watches them:
　　And as the swain, that lodges out all night
　　In quiet by his flock, lest beast of prey
　　Disperse them; even so all three abode,
　　I as a goat and as the shepherds they,
　　Close pent on either side by shelving rock.
　　
　　A little glimpse of sky was seen above;
　　Yet by that little I beheld the stars
　　In magnitude and rustle shining forth
　　With more than wonted glory. As I lay,
　　Gazing on them, and in that fit of musing,
　　Sleep overcame me, sleep, that bringeth oft
　　Tidings of future hap. About the hour,
　　As I believe, when Venus from the east
　　First lighten'd on the mountain, she whose orb
　　Seems always glowing with the fire of love,
　　A lady young and beautiful, I dream'd,
　　Was passing o'er a lea; and, as she came,
　　Methought I saw her ever and anon
　　Bending to cull the flowers; and thus she sang:
　　"Know ye, whoever of my name would ask,
　　That I am Leah: for my brow to weave
　　A garland, these fair hands unwearied ply.
　　To please me at the crystal mirror, here
　　I deck me. But my sister Rachel, she
　　Before her glass abides the livelong day,
　　Her radiant eyes beholding, charm'd no less,
　　Than I with this delightful task. Her joy
　　In contemplation, as in labour mine."
　　
　　And now as glimm'ring dawn appear'd, that breaks
　　More welcome to the pilgrim still, as he
　　Sojourns less distant on his homeward way,
　　Darkness from all sides fled, and with it fled
　　My slumber; whence I rose and saw my guide
　　Already risen. "That delicious fruit,
　　Which through so many a branch the zealous care
　　Of mortals roams in quest of, shall this day
　　Appease thy hunger." Such the words I heard
　　From Virgil's lip; and never greeting heard
　　So pleasant as the sounds. Within me straight
　　Desire so grew upon desire to mount,
　　Thenceforward at each step I felt the wings
　　Increasing for my flight. When we had run
　　O'er all the ladder to its topmost round,
　　As there we stood, on me the Mantuan fix'd
　　His eyes, and thus he spake: "Both fires, my son,
　　The temporal and eternal, thou hast seen,
　　And art arriv'd, where of itself my ken
　　No further reaches. I with skill and art
　　Thus far have drawn thee. Now thy pleasure take
　　For guide. Thou hast o'ercome the steeper way,
　　O'ercome the straighter. Lo! the sun, that darts
　　His beam upon thy forehead! lo! the herb,
　　The arboreta and flowers, which of itself
　　This land pours forth profuse! Till those bright eyes
　　With gladness come, which, weeping, made me haste
　　To succour thee, thou mayst or seat thee down,
　　Or wander where thou wilt. Expect no more
　　Sanction of warning voice or sign from me,
　　Free of thy own arbitrement to choose,
　　Discreet, judicious. To distrust thy sense
　　Were henceforth error. I invest thee then
　　With crown and mitre, sovereign o'er thyself."

　　地上樂園：神林中的仙女。
　　　
　　 我因為急切想知道那神林的內部和他的四周，所以並未等待，立即動身慢步嚮前，行進於香氣撲鼻的平原上，那裏樹木茂密而青翠，加以朝陽的光輝，真是爽心悅目。
　　　
　　 那裏又些許柔和的風拂在我臉上，那風沒有變化，力量是輕微無比；因為這一絲風，那些樹葉抖動，都嚮着神聖的山的初影這方面傾斜；但傾斜的程度很小，並不怎麽離開他們天然的位置，如此打斷枝頭小鳥們的歌聲；他們充滿歡樂而盡情地歌唱，用以迎接晨風，同時樹葉之間有嗚嗚的低音協奏着；這個無異於基雅席的海岸上埃俄洛斯送出東南風來的時候，從那鬆林裏奏出來的鬆濤之聲。
　　　
　　 我慢步走入古樹林已經很深了，因為我不再能見進來的路口。在我的面前發現一條小溪，溪水嚮左流淌，把生長在他兩岸的草推倒在水面上。地上最純淨的水和那裏的水相比，似乎還顯混濁一點；雖然他流在永久的樹蔭之下從不瀉下一些日光或月光，但在河底的東西卻一無隱匿。我的腳步為溪水所阻，但我的眼光卻望着在水的那邊，盡情地賞鑒廣大而多變的豐草佳木。當時我忽然發現一幅奇景，使我改變了思想的路綫：原來是一個孤單的女子，她一方面唱着，方面采着花，在那錦綉萬般的路上。
　　　
　　 我對她說：“美麗的貴婦人呀！你在愛情的光綫中溫暖自己，假使我能夠從你的外表，看清你的內心。是否可以請你近前幾步，走近這條河岸，好令我聽懂你的歌聲。你使我憶及普洛塞皮娜，那時她的媽媽失掉了她，她失掉了方采的春花。”
　　　
　　 如同一個舞蹈的女子，不是兩足一前一後地走着。簡直是並合着在地上滑動一般，那少婦轉嚮我，在黃花和紅花的地毯上面，無異於一位含羞的處女，低着她的眉眸。她依了我的請求，靠近了我，於是她那柔和的歌聲生起了意義。
　　　
　　 她一到了河邊，那裏仙溪的水浸透了河邊的草，她纔賜恩把頭擡起來朝嚮我。我不相信愛神被她兒子無意中射傷了的時候，她的睫毛間會射出這般的光彩。那少婦在對岸嚮我微笑，手中不斷地理着花朵，那都是此地無種而生的植物。她和我之間的距離也不過三步光景，然而薛西斯渡過，至今猶為人類驕傲的約束的赫勒斯滂而見恨於萊安德，因為賽斯托斯和阿比多斯之間的洶涌波濤，也並不超越此小溪之見恨於我，因為彼時尚未可以交通。
　　　
　　 於是她開始說：“你們是新到此地，這是選擇出來贈給人類的窠；也許因為我在此間微笑，引起你們的疑惑；但《詩篇》中的“你令我歡喜”可以放出些光明，除卻你們心中的昏暗呢。你，走在前面的，張口請求我的一位，你是否想聽見更多的話？我專為解答你的問題而來，直至令你滿意為止。”
　　　
　　 我說：“這水和這樹林的音樂，和我不久以前所聽到的話相衝突。”
　　　
　　 因此她說：“我將解說你覺得奇怪的原因。除掉你眼前的翳障。至高之善，他本身完備，創造了善人，且使之嚮善，又賦與這塊地方，作為永久安寧的保證品。由於他的過失，他不過短時間住於此地；因為他的過失，他把正大的歡樂和愉快的遊戲變做了眼淚和勞苦。由於水氣和地氣的緣故，隨熱力的蒸發，造就地上的暴風怒雨，但此處高高在上，已和天相接壤，從鎖門之處起，可以免除風雨的傷害。現在，此地純潔的空氣，全體由於原動力而旋轉，兜着大圈子而未間斷，這轉動損擊此地的高處，因此使此地茂密的樹林生起聲音。被撞擊的植物又轉而鼓動空氣，嚮外散播他的功德；在其他地點，依照他的能力和水土，孕育各種德性的不同樹木。你要懂得這道理，那末在沒有種子的地方，忽然長出了植物，也不必驚奇了。你要知道，你所在的聖地是藴含有一切的種子，而且其中有一種果實不是地上可以采到的。至於此水的源頭呢，他不是從水汽遇冷而凝結來的，像那地上的河水體積上有增有減；他有永久不變的源頭，他是由上帝的意志，所獲得的分量正和流入流出於兩邊的分量相等。在這邊流淌着的一條，有能將人們罪惡的記憶洗卻的功用；在那邊的則回覆每樁善行的記憶。這邊的叫做勒特，那邊的叫做歐諾埃，先嘗了這邊的，再去嘗了那邊的，就會生效力。他們的味道是超出一切的；雖然我開示你的就是這一點，但是你的求知欲可以全解了。我還要送給你一條餘論，雖然超出我允許的範圍以外，但我想對於你不是無足珍貴的。那些古詩人，他們歌吟黃金時代及其幸福狀態，夢想這塊土地也許在帕爾納斯山上。然而，這裏是真璞的人類的根基；這裏的春天是永恆的，這裏有一切的果實；這裏的水正是人所稱頌的瓊漿玉露。”
　　　
　　 那時我回頭望了一下我的兩位詩人，他們聽到最後那段的解釋而面帶微笑；於是我又轉嚮那美麗的貴婦人。

　　Through that celestial forest, whose thick shade
　　With lively greenness the new-springing day
　　Attemper'd, eager now to roam, and search
　　Its limits round, forthwith I left the bank,
　　Along the champain leisurely my way
　　Pursuing, o'er the ground, that on all sides
　　Delicious odour breath'd. A pleasant air,
　　That intermitted never, never veer'd,
　　Smote on my temples, gently, as a wind
　　Of softest influence: at which the sprays,
　　Obedient all, lean'd trembling to that part
　　Where first the holy mountain casts his shade,
　　Yet were not so disorder'd, but that still
　　Upon their top the feather'd quiristers
　　Applied their wonted art, and with full joy
　　Welcom'd those hours of prime, and warbled shrill
　　Amid the leaves, that to their jocund lays
　　inept tenor; even as from branch to branch,
　　Along the piney forests on the shore
　　Of Chiassi, rolls the gath'ring melody,
　　When Eolus hath from his cavern loos'd
　　The dripping south. Already had my steps,
　　Though slow, so far into that ancient wood
　　Transported me, I could not ken the place
　　Where I had enter'd, when behold! my path
　　Was bounded by a rill, which to the left
　　With little rippling waters bent the grass,
　　That issued from its brink. On earth no wave
　　How clean soe'er, that would not seem to have
　　Some mixture in itself, compar'd with this,
　　Transpicuous, clear; yet darkly on it roll'd,
　　Darkly beneath perpetual gloom, which ne'er
　　Admits or sun or moon light there to shine.
　　
　　My feet advanc'd not; but my wond'ring eyes
　　Pass'd onward, o'er the streamlet, to survey
　　The tender May-bloom, flush'd through many a hue,
　　In prodigal variety: and there,
　　As object, rising suddenly to view,
　　That from our bosom every thought beside
　　With the rare marvel chases, I beheld
　　A lady all alone, who, singing, went,
　　And culling flower from flower, wherewith her way
　　Was all o'er painted. "Lady beautiful!
　　Thou, who (if looks, that use to speak the heart,
　　Are worthy of our trust), with love's own beam
　　Dost warm thee," thus to her my speech I fram'd:
　　"Ah! please thee hither towards the streamlet bend
　　Thy steps so near, that I may list thy song.
　　Beholding thee and this fair place, methinks,
　　I call to mind where wander'd and how look'd
　　Proserpine, in that season, when her child
　　The mother lost, and she the bloomy spring."
　　
　　As when a lady, turning in the dance,
　　Doth foot it featly, and advances scarce
　　One step before the other to the ground;
　　Over the yellow and vermilion flowers
　　Thus turn'd she at my suit, most maiden-like,
　　Valing her sober eyes, and came so near,
　　That I distinctly caught the dulcet sound.
　　Arriving where the limped waters now
　　Lav'd the green sward, her eyes she deign'd to raise,
　　That shot such splendour on me, as I ween
　　Ne'er glanced from Cytherea's, when her son
　　Had sped his keenest weapon to her heart.
　　Upon the opposite bank she stood and smil'd
　　through her graceful fingers shifted still
　　The intermingling dyes, which without seed
　　That lofty land unbosoms. By the stream
　　Three paces only were we sunder'd: yet
　　The Hellespont, where Xerxes pass'd it o'er,
　　(A curb for ever to the pride of man)
　　Was by Leander not more hateful held
　　For floating, with inhospitable wave
　　'Twixt Sestus and Abydos, than by me
　　That flood, because it gave no passage thence.
　　
　　"Strangers ye come, and haply in this place,
　　That cradled human nature in its birth,
　　Wond'ring, ye not without suspicion view
　　My smiles: but that sweet strain of psalmody,
　　'Thou, Lord! hast made me glad,' will give ye light,
　　Which may uncloud your minds. And thou, who stand'st
　　The foremost, and didst make thy suit to me,
　　Say if aught else thou wish to hear: for I
　　Came prompt to answer every doubt of thine."
　　
　　She spake; and I replied: "I know not how
　　To reconcile this wave and rustling sound
　　Of forest leaves, with what I late have heard
　　Of opposite report." She answering thus:
　　"I will unfold the cause, whence that proceeds,
　　Which makes thee wonder; and so purge the cloud
　　That hath enwraps thee. The First Good, whose joy
　　Is only in himself, created man
　　For happiness, and gave this goodly place,
　　His pledge and earnest of eternal peace.
　　Favour'd thus highly, through his own defect
　　He fell, and here made short sojourn; he fell,
　　And, for the bitterness of sorrow, chang'd
　　Laughter unblam'd and ever-new delight.
　　That vapours none, exhal'd from earth beneath,
　　Or from the waters (which, wherever heat
　　Attracts them, follow), might ascend thus far
　　To vex man's peaceful state, this mountain rose
　　So high toward the heav'n, nor fears the rage
　　Of elements contending, from that part
　　Exempted, where the gate his limit bars.
　　Because the circumambient air throughout
　　With its first impulse circles still, unless
　　Aught interpose to cheek or thwart its course;
　　Upon the summit, which on every side
　　To visitation of th' impassive air
　　Is open, doth that motion strike, and makes
　　Beneath its sway th' umbrageous wood resound:
　　And in the shaken plant such power resides,
　　That it impregnates with its efficacy
　　The voyaging breeze, upon whose subtle plume
　　That wafted flies abroad; and th' other land
　　Receiving (as 't is worthy in itself,
　　Or in the clime, that warms it), doth conceive,
　　And from its womb produces many a tree
　　Of various virtue. This when thou hast heard,
　　The marvel ceases, if in yonder earth
　　Some plant without apparent seed be found
　　To fix its fibrous stem. And further learn,
　　That with prolific foison of all seeds,
　　This holy plain is fill'd, and in itself
　　Bears fruit that ne'er was pluck'd on other soil.
　　The water, thou behold'st, springs not from vein,
　　As stream, that intermittently repairs
　　And spends his pulse of life, but issues forth
　　From fountain, solid, undecaying, sure;
　　And by the will omnific, full supply
　　Feeds whatsoe'er On either side it pours;
　　On this devolv'd with power to take away
　　Remembrance of offence, on that to bring
　　Remembrance back of every good deed done.
　　From whence its name of Lethe on this part;
　　On th' other Eunoe: both of which must first
　　Be tasted ere it work; the last exceeding
　　All flavours else. Albeit thy thirst may now
　　Be well contented, if I here break off,
　　No more revealing: yet a corollary
　　I freely give beside: nor deem my words
　　Less grateful to thee, if they somewhat pass
　　The stretch of promise. They, whose verse of yore
　　The golden age recorded and its bliss,
　　On the Parnassian mountain, of this place
　　Perhaps had dream'd. Here was man guiltless, here
　　Perpetual spring and every fruit, and this
　　The far-fam'd nectar." Turning to the bards,
　　When she had ceas'd, I noted in their looks
　　A smile at her conclusion; then my face
　　Again directed to the lovely dame.

　　神秘的遊行隊。
　　　
　　 她之言畢，像一個迷戀的少婦歌唱，繼之以：“得赦免其過，遮蓋其罪的，這人是有福的！”而且，像山林女神一般，歡喜孤單地在樹蔭下遊散，有的希望見到陽光，有的則要躲避他；她那時沿着河邊。逆流而行，我也跟着她的樣兒，在河的這邊小步而行。我們尚未步完百步光景，兩岸同時彎麯，令我面嚮着東方。
　　　
　　 我們行了不久，那少婦轉身嚮我說：“我的兄弟，請認真看着聽着罷！”忽然有光綫透過大樹林的全部，我懷疑這是閃電；但是閃電馬上就消逝，這個卻持續着，而且更加明亮起來，我心裏想：“這是什麽光啊？”在光明的空氣裏，又升起柔和的音調傳播着；那時令我升出真正的虔誠，使我抱怨夏娃的大膽，因為上天下地都服從了，她以一個剛剛造就的女流，便不肯忍耐在面幕之下；假使她能安心些，那末我也早已嘗着這種難以言語形容的美妙了，而且要受享得更長久。
　　　
　　 當我行進於永久幸福的最早果子之間，真是目亂心迷，希望嘗到更多的幸福喜悅，那時我們前面明亮的空氣在青枝緑葉之下，漸變得像燒着的炭火，柔和的聲音聽得出是一首歌。神聖的少女呀！假使為着你們我挨餓，受冷，失眠，那將有正大的理由嚮你們要求報酬呢。現在，赫立康應當給我以泉水，而烏拉尼姬應當帶領她的歌隊協助我，把難於下筆的東西織成詩句。
　　　
　　 行稍遠，我似乎看見有七株金樹，因為我們和他們之間尚有相當長距離；走近以後，那些東西的外形雖大致不變，但我的識別力纔認出他們是燈臺；所聽到的歌聲是“和散那”。燈臺的上面，放着火光，照耀儀仗的行進，比晴夜中天的滿月還顯明亮。我感到奇怪，回頭問善人維吉爾，而他所回覆我的也是一付覺得奇怪的面相。我衹好再轉過去，看那堂堂的景象，他們遲遲嚮我們而來，恐怕姍姍來遲的新娘也顯比他們快些。
　　　
　　 那少婦嚮我喊道：“為什麽你衹望着那些光，不註意他們後面前來的事物呢？”於是在燈臺引照之下我看見後面有一群穿白衣裳的，那潔白之色，在地上從未見過。白光從我左邊的水面反射回來；假使我嚮水面看，他又將我的左像反射出來，如鏡子一般。
　　　
　　 當我行到和那些儀仗衹距一河之隔的時候，為看得清楚起見，我在這邊岸上駐定了腳。我看至燈臺嚮前移進時，後面留着彩色的尾巴，像長旒一般；因此在上面的空氣出現七條不同顔色的帶子，如太陽所做的弓，月亮所成的腰圍。這些帶子嚮後延伸，竟出於我視綫之外；據我的判斷，最在外邊的帶子彼此也相距有十步。
　　　
　　 在這光耀的天空之下，如我在前所寫，行來二十四位長老，兩個一排走着，頭戴着百含花冠。他們歌唱道：“你在亞當的女兒中有福了，你的美麗永久有福了！”
　　　
　　 在我對岸之花草地上，這些天之選民走過以後，像天上的星跟隨着星一般，來了四衹活物，每個頭上戴看緑葉冠。每衹有六扇翅膀。翅膀上滿布着眼睛；假使阿爾古斯的眼睛還睜着，他們就是這般亮晶晶的，要描寫他們各個的形狀，讀者諸君，恕我沒有這種閑筆，因為還有別的迫切的工作，使我難以再遲慢了。但是請一讀《以西結書》罷，以西結描繪怎樣看見他們從冷的地方到來，在烏雲和電光之中，其捷如旋風一般；我所見的，就寫在他所做的書上；衹是關於翅膀記敘方面，則約翰同於我而異於他。
　　　
　　 在四個活物之間。有一輛凱旋的車子，在兩支輪盤上，由一隻半鷹半獅的怪物拉着行走。他把兩個翅膀高舉在中間一條光帶和其他三條光帶之間，而並不觸及任何一條；他們高舉到望不見邊的程度；他飛鳥的部分是金黃色，其餘部分是白色混和着朱砂色。不僅在羅馬之阿非利加努斯或奧古斯都勝利的時候，沒有人見過這樣漂亮的車子；就是太陽神的車子與之並駕，也不免遜色；太陽神的車子，駛出正道，由於地球的請求，尤比特大神依照神秘的正義將之燒毀了。
　　　
　　 三個貴婦人在右輪盤這邊環繞舞蹈：一個是紅色，紅到和火不能分辨清楚；第二個的肌肉和骨胳，看上去似碧玉做就；第三個像新降的潤雪；一時似乎白色的做前導，一時又似乎紅色的做前導，依她的歌聲，其餘兩個調節她們舞步的快慢。在左輪盤的一邊，是四個穿着紫色的貴婦人，示以她們的歡樂，其中一位有三衹眼睛的做着前導。
　　　
　　 在我已描寫的一群人後面，我看見兩位老者，衣服式樣不同，但是在儀態上是同樣莊重而可敬。一個現出他是著名的希波革拉底的傢族；希波革拉底是自然為了他最寶貴的造物人類而造就的。其他一個顯出他之與衆不同，帶了一把銳利而發亮的寶劍，我雖是在流水的這邊，也頗覺得恐懼。後來又看見四個，都示以謙遜的態度；最後是一個孤單的老者，他出神地行着，但視覺卻很敏銳。這六個老人的服色都和第一群的一致，衹是他們不戴百合花冠，卻是玫瑰花和別的紅花；從稍遠處望去，一個人會發誓說他們睫毛以上都冒着火呢。
　　　
　　 當那車子正對着我的時候，聽見一聲霹靂，那些高貴的人物都隨着燈臺而一律停止了前行。

　　Singing, as if enamour'd, she resum'd
　　And clos'd the song, with "Blessed they whose sins
　　Are cover'd." Like the wood-nymphs then, that tripp'd
　　Singly across the sylvan shadows, one
　　Eager to view and one to 'scape the sun,
　　So mov'd she on, against the current, up
　　The verdant rivage. I, her mincing step
　　Observing, with as tardy step pursued.
　　
　　Between us not an hundred paces trod,
　　The bank, on each side bending equally,
　　Gave me to face the orient. Nor our way
　　Far onward brought us, when to me at once
　　She turn'd, and cried: "My brother! look and hearken."
　　And lo! a sudden lustre ran across
　　Through the great forest on all parts, so bright
　　I doubted whether lightning were abroad;
　　But that expiring ever in the spleen,
　　That doth unfold it, and this during still
　　And waxing still in splendor, made me question
　　What it might be: and a sweet melody
　　Ran through the luminous air. Then did I chide
　　With warrantable zeal the hardihood
　　Of our first parent, for that there were earth
　　Stood in obedience to the heav'ns, she only,
　　Woman, the creature of an hour, endur'd not
　　Restraint of any veil: which had she borne
　　Devoutly, joys, ineffable as these,
　　Had from the first, and long time since, been mine.
　　
　　While through that wilderness of primy sweets
　　That never fade, suspense I walk'd, and yet
　　Expectant of beatitude more high,
　　Before us, like a blazing fire, the air
　　Under the green boughs glow'd; and, for a song,
　　Distinct the sound of melody was heard.
　　
　　O ye thrice holy virgins! for your sakes
　　If e'er I suffer'd hunger, cold and watching,
　　Occasion calls on me to crave your bounty.
　　Now through my breast let Helicon his stream
　　Pour copious; and Urania with her choir
　　Arise to aid me: while the verse unfolds
　　Things that do almost mock the grasp of thought.
　　
　　Onward a space, what seem'd seven trees of gold,
　　The intervening distance to mine eye
　　Falsely presented; but when I was come
　　So near them, that no lineament was lost
　　Of those, with which a doubtful object, seen
　　Remotely, plays on the misdeeming sense,
　　Then did the faculty, that ministers
　　Discourse to reason, these for tapers of gold
　　Distinguish, and it th' singing trace the sound
　　"Hosanna." Above, their beauteous garniture
　　Flam'd with more ample lustre, than the moon
　　Through cloudless sky at midnight in her full.
　　
　　I turn'd me full of wonder to my guide;
　　And he did answer with a countenance
　　Charg'd with no less amazement: whence my view
　　Reverted to those lofty things, which came
　　So slowly moving towards us, that the bride
　　Would have outstript them on her bridal day.
　　
　　The lady called aloud: "Why thus yet burns
　　Affection in thee for these living, lights,
　　And dost not look on that which follows them?"
　　
　　I straightway mark'd a tribe behind them walk,
　　As if attendant on their leaders, cloth'd
　　With raiment of such whiteness, as on earth
　　Was never. On my left, the wat'ry gleam
　　Borrow'd, and gave me back, when there I look'd.
　　As in a mirror, my left side portray'd.
　　
　　When I had chosen on the river's edge
　　Such station, that the distance of the stream
　　Alone did separate me; there I stay'd
　　My steps for clearer prospect, and beheld
　　The flames go onward, leaving, as they went,
　　The air behind them painted as with trail
　　Of liveliest pencils! so distinct were mark'd
　　All those sev'n listed colours, whence the sun
　　Maketh his bow, and Cynthia her zone.
　　These streaming gonfalons did flow beyond
　　My vision; and ten paces, as I guess,
　　Parted the outermost. Beneath a sky
　　So beautiful, came foul and-twenty elders,
　　By two and two, with flower-de-luces crown'd.
　　
　　All sang one song: "Blessed be thou among
　　The daughters of Adam! and thy loveliness
　　Blessed for ever!" After that the flowers,
　　And the fresh herblets, on the opposite brink,
　　Were free from that elected race; as light
　　In heav'n doth second light, came after them
　　Four animals, each crown'd with verdurous leaf.
　　With six wings each was plum'd, the plumage full
　　Of eyes, and th' eyes of Argus would be such,
　　Were they endued with life. Reader, more rhymes
　　Will not waste in shadowing forth their form:
　　For other need no straitens, that in this
　　I may not give my bounty room. But read
　　Ezekiel; for he paints them, from the north
　　How he beheld them come by Chebar's flood,
　　In whirlwind, cloud and fire; and even such
　　As thou shalt find them character'd by him,
　　Here were they; save as to the pennons; there,
　　From him departing, John accords with me.
　　
　　The space, surrounded by the four, enclos'd
　　A car triumphal: on two wheels it came
　　Drawn at a Gryphon's neck; and he above
　　Stretch'd either wing uplifted, 'tween the midst
　　And the three listed hues, on each side three;
　　So that the wings did cleave or injure none;
　　And out of sight they rose. The members, far
　　As he was bird, were golden; white the rest
　　With vermeil intervein'd. So beautiful
　　A car in Rome ne'er grac'd Augustus pomp,
　　Or Africanus': e'en the sun's itself
　　Were poor to this, that chariot of the sun
　　Erroneous, which in blazing ruin fell
　　At Tellus' pray'r devout, by the just doom
　　Mysterious of all-seeing Jove. Three nymphs
　　at the right wheel, came circling in smooth dance;
　　The one so ruddy, that her form had scarce
　　Been known within a furnace of clear flame:
　　The next did look, as if the flesh and bones
　　Were emerald: snow new-fallen seem'd the third.
　　
　　Now seem'd the white to lead, the ruddy now;
　　And from her song who led, the others took
　　Their treasure, swift or slow. At th' other wheel,
　　A band quaternion, each in purple clad,
　　Advanc'd with festal step, as of them one
　　The rest conducted, one, upon whose front
　　Three eyes were seen. In rear of all this group,
　　Two old men I beheld, dissimilar
　　In raiment, but in port and gesture like,
　　Solid and mainly grave; of whom the one
　　Did show himself some favour'd counsellor
　　Of the great Coan, him, whom nature made
　　To serve the costliest creature of her tribe.
　　His fellow mark'd an opposite intent,
　　Bearing a sword, whose glitterance and keen edge,
　　E'en as I view'd it with the flood between,
　　Appall'd me. Next four others I beheld,
　　Of humble seeming: and, behind them all,
　　One single old man, sleeping, as he came,
　　With a shrewd visage. And these seven, each
　　Like the first troop were habited, but wore
　　No braid of lilies on their temples wreath'd.
　　Rather with roses and each vermeil flower,
　　A sight, but little distant, might have sworn,
　　That they were all on fire above their brow.
　　
　　Whenas the car was o'er against me, straight.
　　Was heard a thund'ring, at whose voice it seem'd
　　The chosen multitude were stay'd; for there,
　　With the first ensigns, made they solemn halt.

　　貝雅特麗齊的出現：對於但丁的譴責。
　　　
　　 那第一天的七星，他既不曉下降。也不懂上升，除罪惡而外不受其他的遮蔽，他在那裏教示各人註意他自己的職責，也猶如較下的七星指引水手們到達港口一般；當他應聲止步的時候，那些真人原在他和半鷹半獅的怪物之間，都轉扭身來，嚮着車子，像面着他們永久的和平一般；其中有一位，似乎是從天上特派下來的，唱道：“我的新婦，你從黎巴嫩來罷！”他高唱了三次，於是其餘的都隨着他唱。
　　　
　　 好比在末日審判的一天，幸福者聽到着號筒的召集，每個都從他每人的墳墓裏站起來，再唱起愉快的贊美歌一般；那時神車的上方，應着那位崇高的長老呼聲，翔至百來位天官和天使，他們的生命都是永久的。他們都說：“為來者祝福。”他們又從上方把花朵散嚮四方，都說：“滿手分送百合花！”
　　　
　　 我常常發見，在黎明的時分，東方染作玫瑰色，其餘的天空是碧海一般；不久太陽的面龐顯露出來，因為晨起的霧氣，使他的光芒變得溫和，像披着面紗一般，由此我的眼睛可以凝視他，而不感着暈眩；同樣，當天使們拋散花朵，如雨點般散落在車子內外的時候，我在花雨繽紛之中赫見一位貴婦人，她蒙着白麵紗，其上頂戴着一個橄欖樹葉編的花冠，披着一件緑披肩，其下襯一件鮮紅似火的長袍。在我的精神上，見到她而感着震蕩和恐懼，這件事雖早已成為久遠的過去，但是在我的眼睛認識她以前，我已經因為她發出的神秘的莊嚴而感着舊情的偉大了。
　　　
　　 當我的目光接觸到她崇高的德性，受着她的打擊，這在我未脫童年的時期已經受過的打擊，那時我將臉轉嚮左邊，好比一個孩子受了驚嚇和痛苦後，找尋他的母親一般，我想對維吉爾說：“我周身的血，沒有點滴不在震蕩了！我認識了我舊時情火的信號！”
　　　
　　 但維吉爾那時已經悄然離開我們；維吉爾是我最親愛的父親，維吉爾是受她的委托來救護我的。雖然有我們古母親所過失的一切，也不足以阻止我在不久前雨露水洗淨了的臉上再被淚水所。
　　　
　　 “但丁！維吉爾已經去了，不要再哭泣了，不要再哭泣了；你要為着別的傷痛而哭泣。”
　　　
　　 像一位海軍元帥，時在船頭，時在船尾，指揮船上的水手，鼓勵他們的勇氣；同樣，在那車子的左面，當我聽見我不得不寫在這裏的我的名字的時候，我看清了那位貴婦人，起初她身處衆天使的花雨之中，現在從小溪的對岸，把一雙明眸望嚮我。雖然從她的額頭下垂着面紗，頂戴着敏爾代的枝葉，難見她的全貌，但是她皇后一般的氣度是凜然不可侵犯的。她用一種聲音，像一個人把最厲害的話置在後面一般，她繼續對我說：“看好我；我的的確確是貝雅特麗齊！你怎樣敢攀上這山？你不知道這裏的人都是快樂的嗎？”
　　　
　　 我聞聽此言，俯下頭，眼看着清流，其中是我的影像，重重恥辱壓在我的額上，我衹好將我的目光移嚮草地上來。一個母親有時對於她的孩子會惱怒；我看貝雅特麗齊那時對於我也是如此。因為她的話在憐愛之中含有辛酸的味道，她靜默以後，那些天使立即唱道：“上帝呀！我有望於你。”但是他們並不唱過“我的腳”這一句。
　　　
　　 好比意大利背脊的活柱子上面積存的雪，遇着斯拉沃尼亞風而凍結凝固，假使遇上無影子的地方吹來的風，他便要溶解流下，如燭之遇火；同樣，在我未聽到那與永久的天體相和諧的歌聲之前，我沒有淚水，也沒有嘆息；但是當我聽了那甜美的歌聲後，我知道這歌聲裏對我表示的同情，勝於他們如此說：“貴婦人！為什麽你這般羞辱他？”那時現存我心的冰塊，融化為水和氣伴着痛楚從胸中嚮口中眼中襲來。
　　　
　　 彼時貝雅特麗齊仍舊立在車子的近邊，轉嚮懷着憐憫心的天使們說：”你們在無窮的日子裏面，無時無刻不在監視，也非昏夜，也非睡眠，足以使你們對於世界的前行疏忽一步；所以我的回話當十分留意，務必使在對岸哭泣的那位知曉，由此他的過失和責罰相稱。不僅偉大的天體，依照所伴的星座，去判定每個造物的命運，而且有神之賜與，從高高的難見的雲間像雨一般滋潤世間；這個人在年輕的時代，就富於才能，很具産生善果的根基。可是田地愈加肥沃，如若耕種不良，就愈加生産惡莠和野草。有若幹時日，我的姿容支持着他：我的一雙年輕的眼睛誘他看，我引導他走在正道。但一到我在人生第二時期之戶限，我的生命變換了，他便離開我而委身於其他。當我解脫於肉體而進入於靈魂界的時候，我的美麗和德性都增長了，在他的心目中，不再視我為可愛，於是他的腳便踏嚮邪路上，追逐世間歡樂的虛影，須知這些都是有名無實的。我曾經在他夢中和醒時去感化他，但是他竟無動於衷。他沉迷得愈深了，沒有方法可以救拔他，除非把墮落的罪人給他示現。由此我去叩了死人的國門，含淚求助那一位引導他到此地的人。上帝至高的律令要被破壞了，假使他能泅過勒特河，品嚐着美妙味，而不支付相當的代價，就是說怎不令他多灑些懺悔的眼淚。”

　　Soon as the polar light, which never knows
　　Setting nor rising, nor the shadowy veil
　　Of other cloud than sin, fair ornament
　　Of the first heav'n, to duty each one there
　　Safely convoying, as that lower doth
　　The steersman to his port, stood firmly fix'd;
　　Forthwith the saintly tribe, who in the van
　　Between the Gryphon and its radiance came,
　　Did turn them to the car, as to their rest:
　　And one, as if commission'd from above,
　　In holy chant thrice shorted forth aloud:
　　"Come, spouse, from Libanus!" and all the rest
　　Took up the song—At the last audit so
　　The blest shall rise, from forth his cavern each
　　Uplifting lightly his new-vested flesh,
　　As, on the sacred litter, at the voice
　　Authoritative of that elder, sprang
　　A hundred ministers and messengers
　　Of life eternal. "Blessed thou! who com'st!"
　　And, "O," they cried, "from full hands scatter ye
　　Unwith'ring lilies;" and, so saying, cast
　　Flowers over head and round them on all sides.
　　
　　I have beheld, ere now, at break of day,
　　The eastern clime all roseate, and the sky
　　Oppos'd, one deep and beautiful serene,
　　And the sun's face so shaded, and with mists
　　Attemper'd at lids rising, that the eye
　　Long while endur'd the sight: thus in a cloud
　　Of flowers, that from those hands angelic rose,
　　And down, within and outside of the car,
　　Fell showering, in white veil with olive wreath'd,
　　A virgin in my view appear'd, beneath
　　Green mantle, rob'd in hue of living flame:
　　
　　And o'er my Spirit, that in former days
　　Within her presence had abode so long,
　　No shudd'ring terror crept. Mine eyes no more
　　Had knowledge of her; yet there mov'd from her
　　A hidden virtue, at whose touch awak'd,
　　The power of ancient love was strong within me.
　　
　　No sooner on my vision streaming, smote
　　The heav'nly influence, which years past, and e'en
　　In childhood, thrill'd me, than towards Virgil I
　　Turn'd me to leftward, panting, like a babe,
　　That flees for refuge to his mother's breast,
　　If aught have terrified or work'd him woe:
　　And would have cried: "There is no dram of blood,
　　That doth not quiver in me. The old flame
　　Throws out clear tokens of reviving fire:"
　　But Virgil had bereav'd us of himself,
　　Virgil, my best-lov'd father; Virgil, he
　　To whom I gave me up for safety: nor,
　　All, our prime mother lost, avail'd to save
　　My undew'd cheeks from blur of soiling tears.
　　
　　"Dante, weep not, that Virgil leaves thee: nay,
　　Weep thou not yet: behooves thee feel the edge
　　Of other sword, and thou shalt weep for that."
　　
　　As to the prow or stern, some admiral
　　Paces the deck, inspiriting his crew,
　　When 'mid the sail-yards all hands ply aloof;
　　Thus on the left side of the car I saw,
　　(Turning me at the sound of mine own name,
　　Which here I am compell'd to register)
　　The virgin station'd, who before appeared
　　Veil'd in that festive shower angelical.
　　
　　Towards me, across the stream, she bent her eyes;
　　Though from her brow the veil descending, bound
　　With foliage of Minerva, suffer'd not
　　That I beheld her clearly; then with act
　　Full royal, still insulting o'er her thrall,
　　Added, as one, who speaking keepeth back
　　The bitterest saying, to conclude the speech:
　　"Observe me well. I am, in sooth, I am
　　Beatrice. What! and hast thou deign'd at last
　　Approach the mountain? knewest not, O man!
　　Thy happiness is whole?" Down fell mine eyes
　　On the clear fount, but there, myself espying,
　　Recoil'd, and sought the greensward: such a weight
　　Of shame was on my forehead. With a mien
　　Of that stern majesty, which doth surround
　　mother's presence to her awe-struck child,
　　She look'd; a flavour of such bitterness
　　Was mingled in her pity. There her words
　　Brake off, and suddenly the angels sang:
　　"In thee, O gracious Lord, my hope hath been:"
　　But went no farther than, "Thou Lord, hast set
　　My feet in ample room." As snow, that lies
　　Amidst the living rafters on the back
　　Of Italy congeal'd when drifted high
　　And closely pil'd by rough Sclavonian blasts,
　　Breathe but the land whereon no shadow falls,
　　And straightway melting it distils away,
　　Like a fire-wasted taper: thus was I,
　　Without a sigh or tear, or ever these
　　Did sing, that with the chiming of heav'n's sphere,
　　Still in their warbling chime: but when the strain
　　Of dulcet symphony, express'd for me
　　Their soft compassion, more than could the words
　　"Virgin, why so consum'st him?" then the ice,
　　Congeal'd about my bosom, turn'd itself
　　To spirit and water, and with anguish forth
　　Gush'd through the lips and eyelids from the heart.
　　
　　Upon the chariot's right edge still she stood,
　　Immovable, and thus address'd her words
　　To those bright semblances with pity touch'd:
　　"Ye in th' eternal day your vigils keep,
　　So that nor night nor slumber, with close stealth,
　　Conveys from you a single step in all
　　The goings on of life: thence with more heed
　　I shape mine answer, for his ear intended,
　　Who there stands weeping, that the sorrow now
　　May equal the transgression. Not alone
　　Through operation of the mighty orbs,
　　That mark each seed to some predestin'd aim,
　　As with aspect or fortunate or ill
　　The constellations meet, but through benign
　　Largess of heav'nly graces, which rain down
　　From such a height, as mocks our vision, this man
　　Was in the freshness of his being, such,
　　So gifted virtually, that in him
　　All better habits wond'rously had thriv'd.
　　The more of kindly strength is in the soil,
　　So much doth evil seed and lack of culture
　　Mar it the more, and make it run to wildness.
　　These looks sometime upheld him; for I show'd
　　My youthful eyes, and led him by their light
　　In upright walking. Soon as I had reach'd
　　The threshold of my second age, and chang'd
　　My mortal for immortal, then he left me,
　　And gave himself to others. When from flesh
　　To spirit I had risen, and increase
　　Of beauty and of virtue circled me,
　　I was less dear to him, and valued less.
　　His steps were turn'd into deceitful ways,
　　Following false images of good, that make
　　No promise perfect. Nor avail'd me aught
　　To sue for inspirations, with the which,
　　I, both in dreams of night, and otherwise,
　　Did call him back; of them so little reck'd him,
　　Such depth he fell, that all device was short
　　Of his preserving, save that he should view
　　The children of perdition. To this end
　　I visited the purlieus of the dead:
　　And one, who hath conducted him thus high,
　　Receiv'd my supplications urg'd with weeping.
　　It were a breaking of God's high decree,
　　If Lethe should be past, and such food tasted
　　Without the cost of some repentant tear."

　　但丁的自由；他飲勒特河的水。對貝雅特麗齊的瞻望。
　　　
　　 “你呀！立在神聖的溪水那邊。”現在她把談鋒直接轉嚮着我，方纔的旁敲側擊已經令我受不住了；她緊接着說，不稍停頓：“你說，你說，我所講的是否實在；我對於你這樣指摘，你應有所辯白罷！”
　　　
　　 我的精神昏亂了，雖然要開口說，但是聲音竟被閉在嘴唇以內，發不出來。
　　　
　　 她等了片刻，於是說：“你想什麽？回答我！因為你對於過失的記憶，尚沒有被這條水抹去呀！”慚愧和恐懼聯合起來，使我的口中隱隱約約透出一個“是”字，如要瞭解，尚須得眼睛的幫助呢。好比射箭一般，因為用力過大，弓也折了，弦也斷了，那箭便不再有力量達到目的地；我在重負的壓力之下折斷了。除卻眼淚和嘆息嚮外迸出，那聲音卻滯留在半路上了。於是她對我說：“在我鼓舞起你的欲望之際，那欲望本誘導你去渴慕那至善，除此以外是別無可希求的，究竟是什麽壕溝，什麽山脈，橫在你的前面，使你失去越進的希望呢？究竟是什麽一種誘惑，一種什麽利益，使你迷戀於他，而馳逐不息呢？”
　　　
　　 我長嘆了一聲以後，簡直失去回答的力量，我的雙唇實在難於動作。我哭泣着說：“現世的財富，攜着他們虛妄的歡樂，在你的目光離棄我的一刻，便將我的腳步引嚮別處去了！”於是她又說：“即使你保持沉默，或否認你方纔的自白，也是徒勞，因為在這樣最大的審判官之前，你的過失會不被人傢知曉麽？不過。罪人的過犯須是從他自己的嘴裏說出來，則在天上的法庭裏那磨石將逆着刀口而轉動。可是這次你對於你的過犯感到慚愧，下次要是你再聽見西王的歌聲，也許你會更堅定些。離開你灑淚的種子罷，聽我說：你要知道，在我的肉體被葬之後，你應當采取一個正和你的行徑相反的方向。無論在自然界或藝術界，能夠令你迷戀的，莫過於我的體態和美色，然而現在已和塵土同腐了！這樣珍貴的寶物，因為我的死而歸於消散，世上是否還有別的東西可以鼓舞起你的欲望呢？你已經被虛妄的歡樂中的第一箭，你應當提高你的思想追隨我，因為我已經不在塵世上了。你不應當嚮着地面飛，再去經受到別的創傷，就是說，你不應當再去追逐嬌小的女郎或其它別的轉眼成空的虛榮。黃口小鳥也許會被射中了第二箭或第三箭；但是對於毛羽已豐滿的，便無從張網和矢箭了。”
　　　
　　 我像一個孩子，含羞不語，望眼着她，自怨自艾地立着，聽受貝雅特麗齊的責難。她又說：“我的話，不過刺激你的耳朵，現在，擡高你的鬍須罷！通過視覺，也許給你更大的痛苦呢。”一株高大的橡樹。由於我們自己的風，或是從雅爾巴斯之地襲來的風，我想他在連根拔起時所用的抵抗力，也不及我聽受了她的命令，把下巴擡起時所用的如此這般；尤其是她用”鬍須”來代替“眼睛”，使我覺得她的話語中間所蓄含的苦汁。
　　　
　　 當我擡起頭來的時候，我看到那些最初的造物已經終止散花；我的眼睛還有些暈眩，看見貝雅特麗齊轉身面嚮着那個兩種自然聯合成一體的怪物。雖然她籠在面紗之下，雖然她在河的對岸，但是在我看來，她的美麗超過舊日的貝雅特麗齊，也猶如她在人間的時候；超過所有別的女子一樣。那時後悔刺激我到如此這般劇烈。竟使我對於一切令我離開貝雅特麗齊的東西發生痛恨。我的內疚實在太深，竟使我昏倒而不省人事，後來的事情，衹有責備我的她知道。
　　　
　　 不久，我的神志清醒了，我看見那最初遇着的那一位少婦臨在我的上面，她說：“拉着我！拉着我！”她把我浸在河水裏，直沒到我的咽喉；她將我拖在她後面，她在水上行走着，輕飄得如一隻小舟。當我靠到了幸福的對岸，我聽見有人歌唱：“求你潔淨我。”歌聲非常柔和，回憶已難，何況筆述。那漂亮的少婦張開她的臂彎，摟住我的頭，將他浸在水裏，我少不得又吞下幾口水。於是她把我拉上岸來，就在濕淋淋的狀態下將我帶到四位美女的中間，她們舉着手臂環繞我舞蹈。
　　　
　　 那時她們開始唱歌道：”在此地，我們是山林水澤的女神；在天上，我們是明星。在貝雅特麗齊降世之前，我們早已被指派為她的侍女了。我們將引導你到她的面前；但為你耐得住他們的光明起見，可先看在車子那邊的三位，因為她們銳利的凝視，足以加強你的目力呢。”
　　　
　　 唱完以後，她們把我引至半鷹半獅的胸前，那裏貝雅特麗齊立着，轉身嚮着我們，她們對我說：“專心一意地註視她罷！我們已經將你放擺碧玉之前，從前愛神曾由此處投出他的標槍。”
　　　
　　 比火還熱烈的千種欲望，使我的目睛專註在那閃耀着的秋波，那時她正凝註在半鷹半獅的身上，像太陽射於鏡子裏一般；同樣那兩重性格的怪獸同樣從貝雅特麗齊的眼睛裏反射出來，一時化這種形狀，一時又為別種形狀。請想想看，讀者諸君！那時怪獸一動未動，而他的形象卻是千變萬化，這個豈不是很可驚奇的麽？
　　　
　　 當時我的心中充滿着驚奇和喜悅，好比嘗到一種食品，愈吃便愈加感到饑餓；那時另外三位女神表示要做一件更高級的事情，跳舞嚮前，唱着她們的麯子：“轉動罷！貝雅特麗齊：瞬動神聖的眸子，為着你忠實的朋友吧！他因為要見到你，已經歷經了長路。允許我們的請求，賜給他些許恩惠，將你的面紗垂下，露出你的櫻唇，讓他領略你所隱藏的第二美吧！”
　　　
　　 永久的光多麽燦目呀！那些生在帕爾納斯山影裏，或喝着那裏泉水的蒼白者，誰有這般膽量，願意嘗試將你在和諧的天幕之下，自由的空氣呼吸中，顯示在我面前卸下面紗的一剎那，描寫下來呢？

　　"O Thou!" her words she thus without delay
　　Resuming, turn'd their point on me, to whom
　　They but with lateral edge seem'd harsh before,
　　"Say thou, who stand'st beyond the holy stream,
　　If this be true. A charge so grievous needs
　　Thine own avowal." On my faculty
　　Such strange amazement hung, the voice expir'd
　　Imperfect, ere its organs gave it birth.
　　
　　A little space refraining, then she spake:
　　"What dost thou muse on? Answer me. The wave
　　On thy remembrances of evil yet
　　Hath done no injury." A mingled sense
　　Of fear and of confusion, from my lips
　　Did such a "Yea" produce, as needed help
　　Of vision to interpret. As when breaks
　　In act to be discharg'd, a cross-bow bent
　　Beyond its pitch, both nerve and bow o'erstretch'd,
　　The flagging weapon feebly hits the mark;
　　Thus, tears and sighs forth gushing, did I burst
　　Beneath the heavy load, and thus my voice
　　Was slacken'd on its way. She straight began:
　　"When my desire invited thee to love
　　The good, which sets a bound to our aspirings,
　　What bar of thwarting foss or linked chain
　　Did meet thee, that thou so should'st quit the hope
　　Of further progress, or what bait of ease
　　Or promise of allurement led thee on
　　Elsewhere, that thou elsewhere should'st rather wait?"
　　
　　A bitter sigh I drew, then scarce found voice
　　To answer, hardly to these sounds my lips
　　Gave utterance, wailing: "Thy fair looks withdrawn,
　　Things present, with deceitful pleasures, turn'd
　　My steps aside." She answering spake: "Hadst thou
　　Been silent, or denied what thou avow'st,
　　Thou hadst not hid thy sin the more: such eye
　　Observes it. But whene'er the sinner's cheek
　　Breaks forth into the precious-streaming tears
　　Of self-accusing, in our court the wheel
　　Of justice doth run counter to the edge.
　　Howe'er that thou may'st profit by thy shame
　　For errors past, and that henceforth more strength
　　May arm thee, when thou hear'st the Siren-voice,
　　Lay thou aside the motive to this grief,
　　And lend attentive ear, while I unfold
　　How opposite a way my buried flesh
　　Should have impell'd thee. Never didst thou spy
　　In art or nature aught so passing sweet,
　　As were the limbs, that in their beauteous frame
　　Enclos'd me, and are scatter'd now in dust.
　　If sweetest thing thus fail'd thee with my death,
　　What, afterward, of mortal should thy wish
　　Have tempted? When thou first hadst felt the dart
　　Of perishable things, in my departing
　　For better realms, thy wing thou should'st have prun'd
　　To follow me, and never stoop'd again
　　To 'bide a second blow for a slight girl,
　　Or other gaud as transient and as vain.
　　The new and inexperienc'd bird awaits,
　　Twice it may be, or thrice, the fowler's aim;
　　But in the sight of one, whose plumes are full,
　　In vain the net is spread, the arrow wing'd."
　　
　　I stood, as children silent and asham'd
　　Stand, list'ning, with their eyes upon the earth,
　　Acknowledging their fault and self-condemn'd.
　　And she resum'd: "If, but to hear thus pains thee,
　　Raise thou thy beard, and lo! what sight shall do!"
　　
　　With less reluctance yields a sturdy holm,
　　Rent from its fibers by a blast, that blows
　　From off the pole, or from Iarbas' land,
　　Than I at her behest my visage rais'd:
　　And thus the face denoting by the beard,
　　I mark'd the secret sting her words convey'd.
　　
　　No sooner lifted I mine aspect up,
　　Than downward sunk that vision I beheld
　　Of goodly creatures vanish; and mine eyes
　　Yet unassur'd and wavering, bent their light
　　On Beatrice. Towards the animal,
　　Who joins two natures in one form, she turn'd,
　　And, even under shadow of her veil,
　　And parted by the verdant rill, that flow'd
　　Between, in loveliness appear'd as much
　　Her former self surpassing, as on earth
　　All others she surpass'd. Remorseful goads
　　Shot sudden through me. Each thing else, the more
　　Its love had late beguil'd me, now the more
　　I Was loathsome. On my heart so keenly smote
　　The bitter consciousness, that on the ground
　　O'erpower'd I fell: and what my state was then,
　　She knows who was the cause. When now my strength
　　Flow'd back, returning outward from the heart,
　　The lady, whom alone I first had seen,
　　I found above me. "Loose me not," she cried:
　　"Loose not thy hold;" and lo! had dragg'd me high
　　As to my neck into the stream, while she,
　　Still as she drew me after, swept along,
　　Swift as a shuttle, bounding o'er the wave.
　　
　　The blessed shore approaching then was heard
　　So sweetly, "Tu asperges me," that I
　　May not remember, much less tell the sound.
　　The beauteous dame, her arms expanding, clasp'd
　　My temples, and immerg'd me, where 't was fit
　　The wave should drench me: and thence raising up,
　　Within the fourfold dance of lovely nymphs
　　Presented me so lav'd, and with their arm
　　They each did cover me. "Here are we nymphs,
　　And in the heav'n are stars. Or ever earth
　　Was visited of Beatrice, we
　　Appointed for her handmaids, tended on her.
　　We to her eyes will lead thee; but the light
　　Of gladness that is in them, well to scan,
　　Those yonder three, of deeper ken than ours,
　　Thy sight shall quicken." Thus began their song;
　　And then they led me to the Gryphon's breast,
　　While, turn'd toward us, Beatrice stood.
　　"Spare not thy vision. We have stationed thee
　　Before the emeralds, whence love erewhile
　　Hath drawn his weapons on thee." As they spake,
　　A thousand fervent wishes riveted
　　Mine eyes upon her beaming eyes, that stood
　　Still fix'd toward the Gryphon motionless.
　　As the sun strikes a mirror, even thus
　　Within those orbs the twofold being, shone,
　　For ever varying, in one figure now
　　Reflected, now in other. Reader! muse
　　How wond'rous in my sight it seem'd to mark
　　A thing, albeit steadfast in itself,
　　Yet in its imag'd semblance mutable.
　　
　　Full of amaze, and joyous, while my soul
　　Fed on the viand, whereof still desire
　　Grows with satiety, the other three
　　With gesture, that declar'd a loftier line,
　　Advanc'd: to their own carol on they came
　　Dancing in festive ring angelical.
　　
　　"Turn, Beatrice!" was their song: "O turn
　　Thy saintly sight on this thy faithful one,
　　Who to behold thee many a wearisome pace
　　Hath measur'd. Gracious at our pray'r vouchsafe
　　Unveil to him thy cheeks: that he may mark
　　Thy second beauty, now conceal'd." O splendour!
　　O sacred light eternal! who is he
　　So pale with musing in Pierian shades,
　　Or with that fount so lavishly imbued,
　　Whose spirit should not fail him in th' essay
　　To represent thee such as thou didst seem,
　　When under cope of the still-chiming heaven
　　Thou gav'st to open air thy charms reveal'd.

　　《啓示錄》的景象：以神車的變遷表示教會的憂患。
　　　
　　 我的眼目這般地專一，以滿足我十年來的饑渴，竟使我別的所有感覺都停止了作用。在我的兩旁像堵起墻壁一般，遮蔽所有其它的東西，使我不起註意，衹有那神聖的微笑吸引我的目光，重入她舊時的羅網。當時那些女神努力使我的面龐轉嚮我的左方，因為我聽見她們大聲疾呼道：“太定神了！”那種強光對於我的眼睛的影響，無異於經受了日光的打擊，使我一時竟不能看見東西；但是我看見了弱光以後，眼力恢復了；所謂弱光，是比較我剛纔努力回避的東西而言。我看見那光榮的隊伍已經展開。嚮右邊轉彎，太陽和七種火焰照在前面。
　　　
　　 好比藏在盾後的軍隊先嚮後撤退，跟着軍旗逐漸轉嚮，然後把全綫的秩序變更了；同樣，這天國的軍隊在車子前面先行展開。第二步纔輪到車子的轉動。那些貴婦人返回到靠車輪的位置，半鷹半獅的怪物車動有福的車，他似乎用不着使他的羽毛起皺紋。牽我過河的少婦，斯塔提烏斯和我，都身處車輪畫小弧綫的一邊。
　　　
　　 我們經過遠古的樹林，信任了蛇的居民已一無所有，那時天使們的歌聲調整我們的步伐。我們步行了三箭之地，於是貝雅特麗齊從車上降下來。我聽見大傢竊竊私語着：“亞當！”於是他們環繞着一株每根枝上都無花葉的樹。此樹衹頂上生葉，高高在上．就是移植到印度人的樹林中，對於他的高度彼等也是會驚奇的。他們環繞着那堅強的樹喚道；“你有福了，格利豐！你的嘴沒有啄食這株甜美的樹。因為嘗他美味的人都得痛斷了肚腸呢！”兩重性質的走獸道：“因此保存下了一切正義的種子。”於是他掉轉來嚮着他所牽的轅木，把車子推近那無花無葉的樹，並使和他的一枝相接觸。
　　　
　　 像在我們地上的植物，當那大光混和着天鯉的光照射下來的時候，發芽含苞，不待太陽車趕至別的星座之下，立即萬花齊放，顔色鮮美一般；同樣，剛纔裸露着的樹，忽然氣象煥然一新，開滿了比玫瑰稍弱，而比紫羅蘭稍強的花。
　　　
　　 那時大衆環繞着樹唱贊美的歌；這種歌聲我在地上從未聽到過，而且我也未能聽完他的音調。
　　　
　　 假使我能夠描寫那些無情的眼睛，他們的長醒所受的損害甚大，因為聽到緒任剋斯的故事而入睡，那末，我將像畫傢依據範本，描寫我的怎樣入睡。但是誰能描述自己的睡眠呢？我將記錄我醒時的一切所見。我說那時有一種強烈的光綫，射過那睡眠的面幕；我聽見人喊我道：“快起來吧！你做什麽？”
　　　
　　 在昔彼得、約翰和雅各被帶去看蘋果樹的花，那花使天使們對於他的果實生出渴望，因而成為天上永久的喜筵；他們突然昏迷過去，因為一句話而醒來，這句話可以打破更深的睡眠，但醒來時不見了摩西，也未見以利亞，衹看到他們夫子的長袍已換了顔色；同樣，在我醒轉時，我衹看到那位以前引我在河邊行走的少婦，立在我的身旁，我很覺奇怪，我問：“貝雅特麗齊在那裏呢？”
　　　
　　 她答道：“你看吧？她坐在新生花葉的樹根上呢。你看吧！她的伴侶環繞着她，其他的儀仗，已經在更和諧更高雅的歌聲中，隨格利豐上了天。”我不知道她的話是否還在講下去，因為我已望見了那一位，她令我停止註意一切別的東西。
　　　
　　 她獨坐樸素之地，她留在那裏，似乎是看護那聖車，就是那具有兩種形狀的怪獸所拉的車子。七個女神環繞她，像圍墻一般，每個女神手裏都點着火，這些火不是北風或是南風可以吹熄了的。
　　　
　　 貝雅特麗齊對我說：“你在此地承做山林住民會是一個短時期，你將永久伴我做那羅馬之市民，在那裏基督也是羅馬人。所以，為有益於塵世過鬍塗人生的人們起見，請你的眼睛註視在這車子上面，把你所看到的寫出來，告訴他們。”我呢，我聽命她最細微的指示，把我的精神和眼睛都用在她所指定的地方。
　　　
　　 當烏雲密佈的時候，就算閃電也沒有這般快，那時從遙遠的天際，我看到一隻尤比特大神的鳥直嚮那樹降下，撲壞了他的花，他的新葉，甚至於他的樹皮；他又使盡全力打擊那車子，令他成為暴風顛波中的一條船，惡浪有時打擊在他的船頭，有時在他的船尾。
　　　
　　 於是我看到一隻母狐，似乎已久不進食，竄進那凱旋的聖車內部；但貝雅特麗齊叱責她的罪過，將她趕出，她盡她瘦骨所能承負的力量逃去了。於是我又看見那鷹從第一次來的方向再次下降，直入車座，在那裏抖落他的羽毛。那時我聽見天上劃過一種聲音，似乎是從悲傷的心裏發出來的，說：“我的小船呀！你承載了太多的過失呀！”
　　　
　　 次又看見在車輪間的地面似乎裂開一縫，爬出一條竜來，利用他的尾巴鑽入車中；後來又像黃蜂縮回他的針刺一般，縮回了他的毒尾，奪取了一部分車底，揚長而去了。那剩餘的部分，鋪着羽毛，像肥土上生長的雜草一般，這羽毛的贈與，或許是真誠的美意，然而後來再度的贈與，不問輪盤上和轅木上，在打一個呵欠的短時內，都被羽毛蓋沒了。
　　　
　　 那部聖潔的機械，就是這樣的變化：忽然從那裏生長出許多頭來，轅木上有三個，車座的四隅各生有一個。前三個帶角像牛頭，其他四個則每個有一角在額間；我們在塵世從未見過這樣的怪物。
　　　
　　 於是我看到一個無恥的娼妓坐在車上，穩固得像山上的堡壘一般。她嚮四周觀望。我又看見一個巨人站在她的身旁，似乎像是保護她的樣子；他們時時刻刻吻着嘴。但是，因為她把一雙遊移淫蕩的眼睛望嚮我，那位兇暴的情夫就將她從頭到腳用鞭子抽打着。他滿懷着嫉妒和憤怒，鬆懈了怪物，牽引他走過樹林，這樣，他便能使我和那娼妓以及怪物之間生出了屏障。

　　Mine eyes with such an eager coveting,
　　Were bent to rid them of their ten years' thirst,
　　No other sense was waking: and e'en they
　　Were fenc'd on either side from heed of aught;
　　So tangled in its custom'd toils that smile
　　Of saintly brightness drew me to itself,
　　When forcibly toward the left my sight
　　The sacred virgins turn'd; for from their lips
　　I heard the warning sounds: "Too fix'd a gaze!"
　　
　　Awhile my vision labor'd; as when late
　　Upon the' o'erstrained eyes the sun hath smote:
　　But soon to lesser object, as the view
　　Was now recover'd (lesser in respect
　　To that excess of sensible, whence late
　　I had perforce been sunder'd) on their right
　　I mark'd that glorious army wheel, and turn,
　　Against the sun and sev'nfold lights, their front.
　　As when, their bucklers for protection rais'd,
　　A well-rang'd troop, with portly banners curl'd,
　　Wheel circling, ere the whole can change their ground:
　　E'en thus the goodly regiment of heav'n
　　Proceeding, all did pass us, ere the car
　　Had slop'd his beam. Attendant at the wheels
　　The damsels turn'd; and on the Gryphon mov'd
　　The sacred burden, with a pace so smooth,
　　No feather on him trembled. The fair dame
　　Who through the wave had drawn me, companied
　　By Statius and myself, pursued the wheel,
　　Whose orbit, rolling, mark'd a lesser arch.
　　
　　Through the high wood, now void (the more her blame,
　　Who by the serpent was beguil'd) I past
　　With step in cadence to the harmony
　　Angelic. Onward had we mov'd, as far
　　Perchance as arrow at three several flights
　　Full wing'd had sped, when from her station down
　　Descended Beatrice. With one voice
　　All murmur'd "Adam," circling next a plant
　　Despoil'd of flowers and leaf on every bough.
　　Its tresses, spreading more as more they rose,
　　Were such, as 'midst their forest wilds for height
　　The Indians might have gaz'd at. "Blessed thou!
　　Gryphon, whose beak hath never pluck'd that tree
　　Pleasant to taste: for hence the appetite
　　Was warp'd to evil." Round the stately trunk
　　Thus shouted forth the rest, to whom return'd
　　The animal twice-gender'd: "Yea: for so
　　The generation of the just are sav'd."
　　And turning to the chariot-pole, to foot
　　He drew it of the widow'd branch, and bound
　　There left unto the stock whereon it grew.
　　
　　As when large floods of radiance from above
　　Stream, with that radiance mingled, which ascends
　　Next after setting of the scaly sign,
　　Our plants then burgeon, and each wears anew
　　His wonted colours, ere the sun have yok'd
　　Beneath another star his flamy steeds;
　　Thus putting forth a hue, more faint than rose,
　　And deeper than the violet, was renew'd
　　The plant, erewhile in all its branches bare.
　　
　　Unearthly was the hymn, which then arose.
　　I understood it not, nor to the end
　　Endur'd the harmony. Had I the skill
　　To pencil forth, how clos'd th' unpitying eyes
　　Slumb'ring, when Syrinx warbled, (eyes that paid
　　So dearly for their watching,) then like painter,
　　That with a model paints, I might design
　　The manner of my falling into sleep.
　　But feign who will the slumber cunningly;
　　I pass it by to when I wak'd, and tell
　　How suddenly a flash of splendour rent
　　The curtain of my sleep, and one cries out:
　　"Arise, what dost thou?" As the chosen three,
　　On Tabor's mount, admitted to behold
　　The blossoming of that fair tree, whose fruit
　　Is coveted of angels, and doth make
　　Perpetual feast in heaven, to themselves
　　Returning at the word, whence deeper sleeps
　　Were broken, that they their tribe diminish'd saw,
　　Both Moses and Elias gone, and chang'd
　　The stole their master wore: thus to myself
　　Returning, over me beheld I stand
　　The piteous one, who cross the stream had brought
　　My steps. "And where," all doubting, I exclaim'd,
　　"Is Beatrice?"—"See her," she replied,
　　"Beneath the fresh leaf seated on its root.
　　Behold th' associate choir that circles her.
　　The others, with a melody more sweet
　　And more profound, journeying to higher realms,
　　Upon the Gryphon tend." If there her words
　　Were clos'd, I know not; but mine eyes had now
　　Ta'en view of her, by whom all other thoughts
　　Were barr'd admittance. On the very ground
　　Alone she sat, as she had there been left
　　A guard upon the wain, which I beheld
　　Bound to the twyform beast. The seven nymphs
　　Did make themselves a cloister round about her,
　　And in their hands upheld those lights secure
　　From blast septentrion and the gusty south.
　　
　　"A little while thou shalt be forester here:
　　And citizen shalt be forever with me,
　　Of that true Rome, wherein Christ dwells a Roman
　　To profit the misguided world, keep now
　　Thine eyes upon the car; and what thou seest,
　　Take heed thou write, returning to that place."
　　
　　Thus Beatrice: at whose feet inclin'd
　　Devout, at her behest, my thought and eyes,
　　I, as she bade, directed. Never fire,
　　With so swift motion, forth a stormy cloud
　　Leap'd downward from the welkin's farthest bound,
　　As I beheld the bird of Jove descending
　　Pounce on the tree, and, as he rush'd, the rind,
　　Disparting crush beneath him, buds much more
　　And leaflets. On the car with all his might
　　He struck, whence, staggering like a ship, it reel'd,
　　At random driv'n, to starboard now, o'ercome,
　　And now to larboard, by the vaulting waves.
　　
　　Next springing up into the chariot's womb
　　A fox I saw, with hunger seeming pin'd
　　Of all good food. But, for his ugly sins
　　The saintly maid rebuking him, away
　　Scamp'ring he turn'd, fast as his hide-bound corpse
　　Would bear him. Next, from whence before he came,
　　I saw the eagle dart into the hull
　　O' th' car, and leave it with his feathers lin'd;
　　And then a voice, like that which issues forth
　　From heart with sorrow riv'd, did issue forth
　　From heav'n, and, "O poor bark of mine!" it cried,
　　"How badly art thou freighted!" Then, it seem'd,
　　That the earth open'd between either wheel,
　　And I beheld a dragon issue thence,
　　That through the chariot fix'd his forked train;
　　And like a wasp that draggeth back the sting,
　　So drawing forth his baleful train, he dragg'd
　　Part of the bottom forth, and went his way
　　Exulting. What remain'd, as lively turf
　　With green herb, so did clothe itself with plumes,
　　Which haply had with purpose chaste and kind
　　Been offer'd; and therewith were cloth'd the wheels,
　　Both one and other, and the beam, so quickly
　　A sigh were not breath'd sooner. Thus transform'd,
　　The holy structure, through its several parts,
　　Did put forth heads, three on the beam, and one
　　On every side; the first like oxen horn'd,
　　But with a single horn upon their front
　　The four. Like monster sight hath never seen.
　　O'er it methought there sat, secure as rock
　　On mountain's lofty top, a shameless whore,
　　Whose ken rov'd loosely round her. At her side,
　　As 't were that none might bear her off, I saw
　　A giant stand; and ever, and anon
　　They mingled kisses. But, her lustful eyes
　　Chancing on me to wander, that fell minion
　　Scourg'd her from head to foot all o'er; then full
　　Of jealousy, and fierce with rage, unloos'd
　　The monster, and dragg'd on, so far across
　　The forest, that from me its shades alone
　　Shielded the harlot and the new-form'd brute.

　　貝雅特麗齊的預言；但丁的使命。優樂埃河水。
　　　
　　 “上帝呀！外邦人侵入了你的所有地。”那些女神開始歌唱着，二位先唱，四位繼起，在和諧的詩篇中含着泣涕。那時貝雅特麗齊長吐一口同情的嘆息，聽着她們歌；她的面容沮喪，無異於馬利亞身在十字架的腳下。但是那些少女們停止歌唱以後，便讓她說話。她立了起來如火一般紅着面頰，答道：“親愛的姊妹們！等不多時，你們就不得見我；再等不多時，你們必還要見我。”
　　　
　　 於是她做手勢叫她們七人走在前面，跟隨在她後面的是我和那少婦及尚未離開我們的哲人。我們就如此嚮前行進，我想她尚未走到第十步，她回頭望我一下，很安靜地對我說：“你趕上幾步，假使我對你說話，你能聽得清楚些。”當我依着她的命令走近時，她又說：”兄弟！現在你已經靠攏我，為什麽你不敢嚮我問話呢？”
　　　
　　 譬如在尊長之前說話，由於低聲下氣，那字句便難於完全透出齒外；我那時也是如此，半吞半吐地說：“我的聖女！你知道我的需要，那就足夠。”
　　　
　　 於是她對我說：“我希望你脫離畏俱和害羞的束縛，不要再似夢中說話一樣。我告訴你：被蛇所破損的船，先前是有的，如今已不會有了；造成腐敗景象的主角，應當相信上帝的復仇並不怕肉湯。並非那鷹，他留他的羽毛在車上，由此車子變成怪物。又作了巨人的掠獲物，他沒有賢明的繼承人；因為我能看得清楚，所以我告訴你，那些福星已經預備降臨，沒什麽可阻止他們；在那時候，上帝將派遣一位五百十五，會殺死那女賊及隨她作惡的巨人。或許我的預言曖昧得像忒彌斯和斯芬剋斯，不足以說服你，因為依於她們的樣子，就會遮蔽了你的聰明；但不久就有事實來證明那些納伊阿得斯，她們會解釋這個難解的謎，不致於丟失她們的羊群和五穀。你記住，我對你說的，你可以轉達給那些活人，他們的生活衹是嚮着死亡賽跑。你留心，當你寫給他們看的時候，切勿將你所見到的那株樹的迂化丟失掉，他已經在此地被脫皮兩次了。不論是誰使他脫皮或損害他，終是侮辱上帝的行為，因為上帝創造他是有神聖的目的呢。第一個吃他的果子的靈魂，在痛苦煎熬之中，等待了五千多年，纔得以搭救他的人。他為了咬一口而責罰他自己。假使你從樹的高度和他頂上的發展，不能推測他有特別的原因，那未你的智慧可說是睡覺了。假使你閑散的思想不像在厄爾薩，河水硬化你的精神，你的嬉戲不像皮刺摩斯染污了嗓子一般而染污了你的精神，那末衹從這些情景看來，你將認識上帝對於禁食此樹在道德上的公正了。但是，由於我看到你的精神已化為頑石，已被罪惡所染污，所以我話語的光使你眩暈；我願意你都記取在心裏，即使不能全寫下來。你就像是一個朝山進香的客人也須在手杖上纏繞些棕櫚的枝葉罷。”
　　　
　　 我說：“我的腦中印上你的思想，好比火漆上受了鈐記一般，他的印象不會變化的了。但是，為什麽這些可寶貴的話要舉得這般高，出於我的眼界以外；我的精神愈加追尋他，愈加叫我望不到他呢？”
　　　
　　 她說：“這個要令你知道，你所追隨的學派，脫離我的訓示是多麽遠，由此你可以看到，你所取的路徑和神的路徑，相差不啻於天壤。”
　　　
　　 那時我答道：“我不記得在什麽時候曾經遠離了你，在這一點上，我的良心也未覺得什麽不安。”
　　　
　　 她微笑着說：“假使你未記得，那末你記得今天嘗了勒特河的水麽？我們看到煙，就可以證明有火；如此你的遺忘恰是證明你的欲望嚮指別處。但以後我將明明白白地講話了，為的是要叫你平凡的眼力看得清楚。”
　　　
　　 那時太陽最光明，他的移動也顯最遲慢；他正在子午圈上，這圈是各地不同樣的。那七位少女，像帶兵的人發現前面的新奇東西而停步一般，止步在灰色樹影的邊際，那影子無異阿爾卑斯山腳下的緑葉繁枝射於寒流之上。在她們前面，我好比看到了發自同源的幼發拉底河和底格裏斯河，像兩個依依惜別的朋友。
　　　
　　 “光明呀！人類的光榮呀！這條從同一的源頭，分道而去的水叫什麽名字呢？”我這樣請求的時候，我所得到的回覆是：“你請瑪苔爾達告訴你吧。”那美麗的少婦，於是好像辯護她的過失一般，說：“我已經告知過這個，還有其它的事情；我想勒特河的水不至於把這些也替他洗卻吧。”
　　　
　　 於是貝雅特麗齊說：“或許是一種更大的憂慮，妨礙他的記憶，使他內心的眼睛有了遮蔽。但是，看那嚮前歡流的優樂埃；把他帶領到那兒去吧，你是做慣這件事情的，讓他暗淡了的美德重複生機吧！”
　　　
　　 像一位好善者，不說半句推諉的話，立即圓滿別人心願；同樣，那美麗的少婦拉了我的手，嚮前走着，一方面又莊重地對斯塔提烏斯說：“跟他來。”
　　　
　　 讀者諸君！假使我有更多的篇幅可抒寫，我將歌詠那美妙的泉人至少歌頌一部分；我對於他永不會覺得滿足的；但這第二部的歌麯已經充分了，藝術上的約束不允許再寫下去。
　　　
　　 我從那最神聖的水波回來，我已再生，像新樹再生了新葉，我已清淨而準備上升到群星。

　　"The heathen, Lord! are come!" responsive thus,
　　The trinal now, and now the virgin band
　　Quaternion, their sweet psalmody began,
　　Weeping; and Beatrice listen'd, sad
　　And sighing, to the song', in such a mood,
　　That Mary, as she stood beside the cross,
　　Was scarce more chang'd. But when they gave her place
　　To speak, then, risen upright on her feet,
　　She, with a colour glowing bright as fire,
　　Did answer: "Yet a little while, and ye
　　Shall see me not; and, my beloved sisters,
　　Again a little while, and ye shall see me."
　　
　　Before her then she marshall'd all the seven,
　　And, beck'ning only motion'd me, the dame,
　　And that remaining sage, to follow her.
　　
　　So on she pass'd; and had not set, I ween,
　　Her tenth step to the ground, when with mine eyes
　　Her eyes encounter'd; and, with visage mild,
　　"So mend thy pace," she cried, "that if my words
　　Address thee, thou mayst still be aptly plac'd
　　To hear them." Soon as duly to her side
　　I now had hasten'd: "Brother!" she began,
　　"Why mak'st thou no attempt at questioning,
　　As thus we walk together?" Like to those
　　Who, speaking with too reverent an awe
　　Before their betters, draw not forth the voice
　　Alive unto their lips, befell me shell
　　That I in sounds imperfect thus began:
　　"Lady! what I have need of, that thou know'st,
　　And what will suit my need." She answering thus:
　　"Of fearfulness and shame, I will, that thou
　　Henceforth do rid thee: that thou speak no more,
　　As one who dreams. Thus far be taught of me:
　　The vessel, which thou saw'st the serpent break,
　　Was and is not: let him, who hath the blame,
　　Hope not to scare God's vengeance with a sop.
　　Without an heir for ever shall not be
　　That eagle, he, who left the chariot plum'd,
　　Which monster made it first and next a prey.
　　Plainly I view, and therefore speak, the stars
　　E'en now approaching, whose conjunction, free
　　From all impediment and bar, brings on
　　A season, in the which, one sent from God,
　　(Five hundred, five, and ten, do mark him out)
　　That foul one, and th' accomplice of her guilt,
　　The giant, both shall slay. And if perchance
　　My saying, dark as Themis or as Sphinx,
　　Fail to persuade thee, (since like them it foils
　　The intellect with blindness) yet ere long
　　Events shall be the Naiads, that will solve
　　This knotty riddle, and no damage light
　　On flock or field. Take heed; and as these words
　　By me are utter'd, teach them even so
　　To those who live that life, which is a race
　　To death: and when thou writ'st them, keep in mind
　　Not to conceal how thou hast seen the plant,
　　That twice hath now been spoil'd. This whoso robs,
　　This whoso plucks, with blasphemy of deed
　　Sins against God, who for his use alone
　　Creating hallow'd it. For taste of this,
　　In pain and in desire, five thousand years
　　And upward, the first soul did yearn for him,
　　Who punish'd in himself the fatal gust.
　　
　　"Thy reason slumbers, if it deem this height
　　And summit thus inverted of the plant,
　　Without due cause: and were not vainer thoughts,
　　As Elsa's numbing waters, to thy soul,
　　And their fond pleasures had not dyed it dark
　　As Pyramus the mulberry, thou hadst seen,
　　In such momentous circumstance alone,
　　God's equal justice morally implied
　　In the forbidden tree. But since I mark thee
　　In understanding harden'd into stone,
　　And, to that hardness, spotted too and stain'd,
　　So that thine eye is dazzled at my word,
　　I will, that, if not written, yet at least
　　Painted thou take it in thee, for the cause,
　　That one brings home his staff inwreath'd with palm.
　　
　　I thus: "As wax by seal, that changeth not
　　Its impress, now is stamp'd my brain by thee.
　　But wherefore soars thy wish'd-for speech so high
　　Beyond my sight, that loses it the more,
　　The more it strains to reach it?"—"To the end
　　That thou mayst know," she answer'd straight, "the school,
　　That thou hast follow'd; and how far behind,
　　When following my discourse, its learning halts:
　　And mayst behold your art, from the divine
　　As distant, as the disagreement is
　　'Twixt earth and heaven's most high and rapturous orb."
　　
　　"I not remember," I replied, "that e'er
　　I was estrang'd from thee, nor for such fault
　　Doth conscience chide me." Smiling she return'd:
　　"If thou canst, not remember, call to mind
　　How lately thou hast drunk of Lethe's wave;
　　And, sure as smoke doth indicate a flame,
　　In that forgetfulness itself conclude
　　Blame from thy alienated will incurr'd.
　　From henceforth verily my words shall be
　　As naked as will suit them to appear
　　In thy unpractis'd view." More sparkling now,
　　And with retarded course the sun possess'd
　　The circle of mid-day, that varies still
　　As th' aspect varies of each several clime,
　　When, as one, sent in vaward of a troop
　　For escort, pauses, if perchance he spy
　　Vestige of somewhat strange and rare: so paus'd
　　The sev'nfold band, arriving at the verge
　　Of a dun umbrage hoar, such as is seen,
　　Beneath green leaves and gloomy branches, oft
　　To overbrow a bleak and alpine cliff.
　　And, where they stood, before them, as it seem'd,
　　Tigris and Euphrates both beheld,
　　Forth from one fountain issue; and, like friends,
　　Linger at parting. "O enlight'ning beam!
　　O glory of our kind! beseech thee say
　　What water this, which from one source deriv'd
　　Itself removes to distance from itself?"
　　
　　To such entreaty answer thus was made:
　　"Entreat Matilda, that she teach thee this."
　　
　　And here, as one, who clears himself of blame
　　Imputed, the fair dame return'd: "Of me
　　He this and more hath learnt; and I am safe
　　That Lethe's water hath not hid it from him."
　　
　　And Beatrice: "Some more pressing care
　　That oft the memory 'reeves, perchance hath made
　　His mind's eye dark. But lo! where Eunoe cows!
　　Lead thither; and, as thou art wont, revive
　　His fainting virtue." As a courteous spirit,
　　That proffers no excuses, but as soon
　　As he hath token of another's will,
　　Makes it his own; when she had ta'en me, thus
　　The lovely maiden mov'd her on, and call'd
　　To Statius with an air most lady-like:
　　"Come thou with him." Were further space allow'd,
　　Then, Reader, might I sing, though but in part,
　　That beverage, with whose sweetness I had ne'er
　　Been sated. But, since all the leaves are full,
　　Appointed for this second strain, mine art
　　With warning bridle checks me. I return'd
　　From the most holy wave, regenerate,
　　If 'en as new plants renew'd with foliage new,
　　Pure and made apt for mounting to the stars.

　　祈願。但丁與貝雅特麗齊由山頂嚮諸天飛揚。
　　　
　　 原動者的一切光輝滲透全宇宙，於是有的地方照耀多一些，有的地方少一些。
　　　
　　 我曾經在受他的光最多的天上；我所看見過的那些事物，不是從那裏降下來的人所能復述的；因為我們愈接近欲望的目的，我們的智慧愈深沉。遠非記憶所能追憶。但一切神聖國度裏的事物，凡我的思想所能儲蓄的，現在將成為我謳歌的材料。
　　　
　　 慈善的阿波羅呀！為這最後一步的工作，請你使我有充足的能力，因此我有資格接受你所愛戀的月桂。直到此處，帕爾納斯山的一個山峰對於我就夠了；但現在進入這最後的競技場，我需要兩個。請你進入我的胸中，吹響你勝利的歌，像你把瑪耳緒阿斯從他的皮囊裏拉出來的時候一樣。神力呀！如果你助我一臂之力，允許我把幸福國度裏的影像，從我的腦子裏再現出來，那末你將見到我走嚮你愛戀的樹，戴上他的葉子，這是由於我的材料和你的參予使我獲得的。父呀！人間一位皇帝或一位詩人為其勝利而得到他的太少啦這是人類意志上的錯誤與恥辱，應該知道珀紐斯的灌木的葉子，引動一個人的欲望把他做冠冕的時候，應當散發喜悅在得爾福神靈的周圍呢。
　　　
　　 一顆小小的火星，往往點着一根大火把；因為我的榜樣，也許有更美好的禱詞，足以獲得西拉的報答呢。
　　　
　　 世界的燈，從各地的隘口升起以照耀衆生；但他從那四個圈子相交於三個十字之點升起的時候，他所走的路程是更為吉祥，他所同着的星是更為慈善，因此他更適宜使地蠟軟化而印着他的形像。
　　　
　　 在一個隘口，差不多使那邊形成早晨，而這邊形成黃昏；那半球白晝，而其他地區是黑夜；那時我看見貝雅特麗齊轉身嚮左，凝視太陽；就是老鷹也沒有這樣專註望着他上面，好像第二光綫是從第一光綫發射出來而反射上去一樣；好像旅客的心願是回歸故鄉一樣；同樣，從她的動作，她的眼神而影響了我的思想，我不自覺模仿她而目不轉睛在太陽上面，超越了我們平常的能力。有許多事情。在那裏是可能的，而在這裏卻是不可能了，因為這是地方的關係，那裏原是最適宜於人類的住所。
　　　
　　 但是我不能長久地註視着他，我看着他像從火爐裏拿出來的紅鐵。火光四射；不久，在我看去，似乎白晝又增加了一個新的白晝，好像全能的上帝在天上又增裝了第二個太陽一樣。貝雅特麗齊還是站立着，眼盯在永久的輪上；當我把目光離開太陽，便轉移在她身上。在我註視她的時候，我的精神起了變化，好像格勞科斯吃了某種草而變成海中諸神的侶伴一樣。這種人性上的變換，是不能用語言表達出來的，慶幸蒙神恩有此經驗的，衹需舉一個例子來說，就足夠了。當時我在那兒是否是唯一後造的呢？慈愛之神呀！你統管諸天，你用你的光把我高舉起來，衹有你是知道的。
　　　
　　 你使他因為欲望的原因而永久旋轉的輪，由於你所調節的諧音，吸引了我的心靈的時候，我好像看見太陽的火彌漫在太空，其範圍之大遠非大水所成的海面可以比擬。
　　　
　　 那新奇的音調和燦爛的光芒，激起我探索他的原因的欲望，以前從沒有過這樣強烈。那時貝雅特麗齊窺見我的心底，如我知道我自己一樣；為鎮定我的思緒起見，她在我開口之前啓齒了，她開始說：“你自己被錯誤的假象所遮蔽了；如果你擺脫了他，你的所見所知便不同了。現在你已經不在凡間，就如你的所信；就是霹靂從他的老傢落下來，也沒有你回到他那兒的這樣快。”
　　　
　　 假如說我因為幾句簡短的，為輕鬆愉快的談話解除了迷惑，那末我立即又投入另一新的煩悶；於是我說：“我從驚奇之中已經得着平靜，但我所不解的是：為什麽我會超升於輕物之上呢？”
　　　
　　 那時她發出了一聲憐憫的嘆息，她將雙眼轉嚮我，她的神氣像慈愛的母親望着她那不懂人事的孩子一樣。她於是說：“一切事物，彼此之間都有一個互相的秩序；這種秩序就是那使宇宙和上帝相似的形式。於此，那些高級造物追蹤着永久的權力，這就是一切規律的終極目的，依照這種規律，一切事物通過各種途徑傾心而往，或多些或少些而接近他們的本源；由此他們劃過事物的海而到達各種的口岸，依照着他們各個所賦予的天性。有的把火送到月球；有的在那兒撥生物的心；有的使地球凝集為一團；有的使弓射箭，其所及不僅為無知覺的東西，而且是有情之輩呢。天帝，他統轄一切，用他的光保持天的持久和平。那裏有旋轉着最快的天；現在我們就是嚮着那裏飛行，像弓弦之力推着離弦的箭到達一個預定的目標一樣，他把我們送往歡樂的目的地。誠然，就如同形式常常不能和藝術的意志相契合，因為物質是不足以從命的；同樣，那造物常常有能力離開指定的目標。而去追逐着別的方面例如火可以從雲頭落下來，如果他最初的突進是嚮往地上似是而非的歡樂。那末你的上升，我想，也用不着再有懷疑，比山頂的水嚮山下流去更不用懷疑。如果無一阻礙，而你仍然住在下界，就好比活潑的火仍然留在地上一樣，那纔是怪事呢。”
　　　
　　 於是貝雅特麗齊把她的目光朝嚮天上了。

　　His glory, by whose might all things are mov'd,
　　Pierces the universe, and in one part
　　Sheds more resplendence, elsewhere less. In heav'n,
　　That largeliest of his light partakes, was I,
　　Witness of things, which to relate again
　　Surpasseth power of him who comes from thence;
　　For that, so near approaching its desire
　　Our intellect is to such depth absorb'd,
　　That memory cannot follow. Nathless all,
　　That in my thoughts I of that sacred realm
　　Could store, shall now be matter of my song.
　　
　　Benign Apollo! this last labour aid,
　　And make me such a vessel of thy worth,
　　As thy own laurel claims of me belov'd.
　　Thus far hath one of steep Parnassus' brows
　　Suffic'd me; henceforth there is need of both
　　For my remaining enterprise Do thou
　　Enter into my bosom, and there breathe
　　So, as when Marsyas by thy hand was dragg'd
　　Forth from his limbs unsheath'd. O power divine!
　　If thou to me of shine impart so much,
　　That of that happy realm the shadow'd form
　　Trac'd in my thoughts I may set forth to view,
　　Thou shalt behold me of thy favour'd tree
　　Come to the foot, and crown myself with leaves;
　　For to that honour thou, and my high theme
　　Will fit me. If but seldom, mighty Sire!
　　To grace his triumph gathers thence a wreath
　　Caesar or bard (more shame for human wills
　　Deprav'd) joy to the Delphic god must spring
　　From the Pierian foliage, when one breast
　　Is with such thirst inspir'd. From a small spark
　　Great flame hath risen: after me perchance
　　Others with better voice may pray, and gain
　　From the Cirrhaean city answer kind.
　　
　　Through diver passages, the world's bright lamp
　　Rises to mortals, but through that which joins
　　Four circles with the threefold cross, in best
　　Course, and in happiest constellation set
　　He comes, and to the worldly wax best gives
　　Its temper and impression. Morning there,
　　Here eve was by almost such passage made;
　　And whiteness had o'erspread that hemisphere,
　　Blackness the other part; when to the left
　　I saw Beatrice turn'd, and on the sun
　　Gazing, as never eagle fix'd his ken.
　　As from the first a second beam is wont
　　To issue, and reflected upwards rise,
　　E'en as a pilgrim bent on his return,
　　So of her act, that through the eyesight pass'd
　　Into my fancy, mine was form'd; and straight,
　　Beyond our mortal wont, I fix'd mine eyes
　　Upon the sun. Much is allowed us there,
　　That here exceeds our pow'r; thanks to the place
　　Made for the dwelling of the human kind
　　
　　I suffer'd it not long, and yet so long
　　That I beheld it bick'ring sparks around,
　　As iron that comes boiling from the fire.
　　And suddenly upon the day appear'd
　　A day new-ris'n, as he, who hath the power,
　　Had with another sun bedeck'd the sky.
　　
　　Her eyes fast fix'd on the eternal wheels,
　　Beatrice stood unmov'd; and I with ken
　　Fix'd upon her, from upward gaze remov'd
　　At her aspect, such inwardly became
　　As Glaucus, when he tasted of the herb,
　　That made him peer among the ocean gods;
　　Words may not tell of that transhuman change:
　　And therefore let the example serve, though weak,
　　For those whom grace hath better proof in store
　　
　　If I were only what thou didst create,
　　Then newly, Love! by whom the heav'n is rul'd,
　　Thou know'st, who by thy light didst bear me up.
　　Whenas the wheel which thou dost ever guide,
　　Desired Spirit! with its harmony
　　Temper'd of thee and measur'd, charm'd mine ear,
　　Then seem'd to me so much of heav'n to blaze
　　With the sun's flame, that rain or flood ne'er made
　　A lake so broad. The newness of the sound,
　　And that great light, inflam'd me with desire,
　　Keener than e'er was felt, to know their cause.
　　
　　Whence she who saw me, clearly as myself,
　　To calm my troubled mind, before I ask'd,
　　Open'd her lips, and gracious thus began:
　　"With false imagination thou thyself
　　Mak'st dull, so that thou seest not the thing,
　　Which thou hadst seen, had that been shaken off.
　　Thou art not on the earth as thou believ'st;
　　For light'ning scap'd from its own proper place
　　Ne'er ran, as thou hast hither now return'd."
　　
　　Although divested of my first-rais'd doubt,
　　By those brief words, accompanied with smiles,
　　Yet in new doubt was I entangled more,
　　And said: "Already satisfied, I rest
　　From admiration deep, but now admire
　　How I above those lighter bodies rise."
　　
　　Whence, after utt'rance of a piteous sigh,
　　She tow'rds me bent her eyes, with such a look,
　　As on her frenzied child a mother casts;
　　Then thus began: "Among themselves all things
　　Have order; and from hence the form, which makes
　　The universe resemble God. In this
　　The higher creatures see the printed steps
　　Of that eternal worth, which is the end
　　Whither the line is drawn. All natures lean,
　　In this their order, diversely, some more,
　　Some less approaching to their primal source.
　　Thus they to different havens are mov'd on
　　Through the vast sea of being, and each one
　　With instinct giv'n, that bears it in its course;
　　This to the lunar sphere directs the fire,
　　This prompts the hearts of mortal animals,
　　This the brute earth together knits, and binds.
　　Nor only creatures, void of intellect,
　　Are aim'd at by this bow; but even those,
　　That have intelligence and love, are pierc'd.
　　That Providence, who so well orders all,
　　With her own light makes ever calm the heaven,
　　In which the substance, that hath greatest speed,
　　Is turn'd: and thither now, as to our seat
　　Predestin'd, we are carried by the force
　　Of that strong cord, that never looses dart,
　　But at fair aim and glad. Yet is it true,
　　That as ofttimes but ill accords the form
　　To the design of art, through sluggishness
　　Of unreplying matter, so this course
　　Is sometimes quitted by the creature, who
　　Hath power, directed thus, to bend elsewhere;
　　As from a cloud the fire is seen to fall,
　　From its original impulse warp'd, to earth,
　　By vicious fondness. Thou no more admire
　　Thy soaring, (if I rightly deem,) than lapse
　　Of torrent downwards from a mountain's height.
　　There would in thee for wonder be more cause,
　　If, free of hind'rance, thou hadst fix'd thyself
　　Below, like fire unmoving on the earth."
　　
　　So said, she turn'd toward the heav'n her face.

　　上升至第一重天月球天。關於月球的暗斑。
　　　
　　 你們呀！坐着一條小船兒，跟着我歌唱着前進。一路聽到此地，請回到你們自己熟悉的岸上去吧！不要在遼闊的海面上冒險！萬一離開了我，也許你們要迷路呢！
　　　
　　 我所走的水路是從未有人航行過的；彌耳瓦鼓勵我，阿波羅引導我，九位女神指示我以大熊星。
　　　
　　 至於你們啊！少數的讀者，早已擡頭望着天使們的面包了，那是地上永不充足的食品；你們當然可以劃動你們的船在玄奧的海上，跟隨着我那尚未平復的波浪。
　　　
　　 那些經過科爾喀斯的榮耀的英雄，在他們看見伊阿宋做了農夫的時候，他們的驚奇也不會強於你們的吧！
　　　
　　 那對於和上帝同樣的天國之嚮往，一生而永不減退，攜帶我們上升很快，簡直和你們擡頭見天一樣快。
　　　
　　 貝雅特麗齊看着高處，我又看着她；衹是箭置於弦，拉弦發箭的一忽兒，我已經到了一處，那裏就有一件神奇的事情使我專註；她，我的心思從未能瞞過她，面嚮着我，既喜悅又美麗，她對我說：“高舉你射恩的思想嚮着上帝，因為他已經使我們進入了第一星。”
　　　
　　 我感覺被濃雲包裹着，那濃雲是凝固而光亮，像太陽光照耀下的金剛石一樣。那永恆的珍珠接納我們進去，像水點容納光綫而不破裂一樣。
　　　
　　 有人也許要問，那時我是否有物與物相觸的感覺，一物怎樣會與另一物相容合；但是由於我們的性質會和上帝相容合，這件事不更引起我們的驚奇麽？那裏我們衹依賴直覺，沒有證明，衹依據自悟而明曉了原始的真理。
　　　
　　 我答道：“貴婦人，我是非常地感恩呢，他把我從有生死的世界帶到這裏，我真心感激他！但是請你告訴我，這物體上的暗斑，在凡世的民衆曾為他創造出該隱的故事，究竟是怎麽回事？”
　　　
　　 她稍稍微笑一下，於是說：“如果民衆的意見是錯誤了，那末是他們知識的鎖尚未開啓，驚奇的箭不應再射中了你；須知雖然有了知識做嚮導，理智的翼總還失之過短呢。但是，把你的思想對我說出吧！”
　　　
　　 我說：“在這裏出現明暗的不同，我想是由於物質的稀疏和稠密吧。”
　　　
　　 於是她說：“不然，如果你聽了我的議論，你就知道你的思想墜入錯誤的深淵了。那第八重天顯現給你許多光，無論在本質上和亮度上都是各不相同的。如果僅是稀薄和稠密這一種原因，那末也應僅顯現出一種德性，就是或多或少或相等罷了。現在顯示的德性就有種種不同，應當是創造的原則並非一個。但依你所說，原則要歸納成一個呢。
　　　
　　 又，如果稀薄是你所問的暗斑的來源，那末這行星的某部分也許缺乏物質，成了窟窿直穿過去；也許像動物的軀體，肥肉後面連着瘦肉一樣，稀薄和稠密重疊着。如果前一種的設想是對的，那末在日蝕的時候，就該有光從窟窿裏透過來，然而這種現象是沒有的，後一種的設想呢，我也要說明他的虛妄，以上情況使你的意見不能成立。
　　　
　　 “如果光綫透入稀薄層以後，並不穿過月球，便遇着稠密層的阻擋，從那裏反射出來，如同彩色光透過玻璃，遇着他後面鍍的錫而反射過來一樣。你如果說從較後部分反射出來的，比從表面反射出來的光綫暗淡些；那末有一個試驗，可以引導你走出這個誤區，這就是你們藝術的淵源。取三面鏡子，兩面放你前面為等距離，第三面在其他二面之間，但是離你遠些。你同時望着三面鏡子，在你背後點着火，照耀三面鏡子，於是他們的反射光都射入你的眼睛裏來。那時你將看見較遠鏡子裏的光面是小些，但他的亮度卻和較近二面鏡子裏的沒有強弱之別。
　　　
　　 “現在，如同雪地被熱光所照耀，因而消滅了他的白色和嚴寒一樣你的認識已擺脫了錯誤的思想，接受燦爛的光吧！
　　　
　　 “在那神的和平的空間，旋轉看一個天體，一切事物都包含在他的勢力之內。在其次的天體，他顯示着許多東西，分配這事物在種種和他異體而包含於其內的原質上面。其他的天體再分配他們特異的德性，像不同的種子各自奔赴他們的目標一樣。
　　　
　　 “這些宇宙的器官，你現在知道了吧，他們層層傳遞，受之於上，而施之於下。你要留心，我就從這條路，直往你所企盼的真理，這些真理使你以後不至於失去你唯一的渡口。就如鐵匠掌握他的鐵錘，同樣，諸聖輪的運動和德性必須來源於諸幸福的原動者；那放着許多美麗的光的天，他源於最高智慧而旋轉，而獲得印象。像在你的塵世內，各種器官發展各種的功用，而你的心靈卻是主宰；同樣，那最高智慧散布他的善意給群星，而自守於靜一。不同的德性聯合於不同的精巧的個體，就如生命聯合在你的軀體上。因為那德性的來源是由於喜悅的造化，他散發光明在各個體，就如喜悅從眼珠裏透出。由此德性生出光與光的差異，並不是由於稀薄和稠密；依照所散發善意的程度，出現昏暗和明亮，這是形式的原則。”

　　All ye, who in small bark have following sail'd,
　　Eager to listen, on the advent'rous track
　　Of my proud keel, that singing cuts its way,
　　Backward return with speed, and your own shores
　　Revisit, nor put out to open sea,
　　Where losing me, perchance ye may remain
　　Bewilder'd in deep maze. The way I pass
　　Ne'er yet was run: Minerva breathes the gale,
　　Apollo guides me, and another Nine
　　To my rapt sight the arctic beams reveal.
　　Ye other few, who have outstretch'd the neck.
　　Timely for food of angels, on which here
　　They live, yet never know satiety,
　　Through the deep brine ye fearless may put out
　　Your vessel, marking, well the furrow broad
　　Before you in the wave, that on both sides
　　Equal returns. Those, glorious, who pass'd o'er
　　To Colchos, wonder'd not as ye will do,
　　When they saw Jason following the plough.
　　
　　The increate perpetual thirst, that draws
　　Toward the realm of God's own form, bore us
　　Swift almost as the heaven ye behold.
　　
　　Beatrice upward gaz'd, and I on her,
　　And in such space as on the notch a dart
　　Is plac'd, then loosen'd flies, I saw myself
　　Arriv'd, where wond'rous thing engag'd my sight.
　　Whence she, to whom no work of mine was hid,
　　Turning to me, with aspect glad as fair,
　　Bespake me: "Gratefully direct thy mind
　　To God, through whom to this first star we come."
　　
　　Me seem'd as if a cloud had cover'd us,
　　Translucent, solid, firm, and polish'd bright,
　　Like adamant, which the sun's beam had smit
　　Within itself the ever-during pearl
　　Receiv'd us, as the wave a ray of light
　　Receives, and rests unbroken. If I then
　　Was of corporeal frame, and it transcend
　　Our weaker thought, how one dimension thus
　　Another could endure, which needs must be
　　If body enter body, how much more
　　Must the desire inflame us to behold
　　That essence, which discovers by what means
　　God and our nature join'd! There will be seen
　　That which we hold through faith, not shown by proof,
　　But in itself intelligibly plain,
　　E'en as the truth that man at first believes.
　　
　　I answered: "Lady! I with thoughts devout,
　　Such as I best can frame, give thanks to Him,
　　Who hath remov'd me from the mortal world.
　　But tell, I pray thee, whence the gloomy spots
　　Upon this body, which below on earth
　　Give rise to talk of Cain in fabling quaint?"
　　
　　She somewhat smil'd, then spake: "If mortals err
　　In their opinion, when the key of sense
　　Unlocks not, surely wonder's weapon keen
　　Ought not to pierce thee; since thou find'st, the wings
　　Of reason to pursue the senses' flight
　　Are short. But what thy own thought is, declare."
　　
　　Then I: "What various here above appears,
　　Is caus'd, I deem, by bodies dense or rare."
　　
　　She then resum'd: "Thou certainly wilt see
　　In falsehood thy belief o'erwhelm'd, if well
　　Thou listen to the arguments, which I
　　Shall bring to face it. The eighth sphere displays
　　Numberless lights, the which in kind and size
　　May be remark'd of different aspects;
　　If rare or dense of that were cause alone,
　　One single virtue then would be in all,
　　Alike distributed, or more, or less.
　　Different virtues needs must be the fruits
　　Of formal principles, and these, save one,
　　Will by thy reasoning be destroy'd. Beside,
　　If rarity were of that dusk the cause,
　　Which thou inquirest, either in some part
　　That planet must throughout be void, nor fed
　　With its own matter; or, as bodies share
　　Their fat and leanness, in like manner this
　　Must in its volume change the leaves. The first,
　　If it were true, had through the sun's eclipse
　　Been manifested, by transparency
　　Of light, as through aught rare beside effus'd.
　　But this is not. Therefore remains to see
　　The other cause: and if the other fall,
　　Erroneous so must prove what seem'd to thee.
　　If not from side to side this rarity
　　Pass through, there needs must be a limit, whence
　　Its contrary no further lets it pass.
　　And hence the beam, that from without proceeds,
　　Must be pour'd back, as colour comes, through glass
　　Reflected, which behind it lead conceals.
　　Now wilt thou say, that there of murkier hue
　　Than in the other part the ray is shown,
　　By being thence refracted farther back.
　　From this perplexity will free thee soon
　　Experience, if thereof thou trial make,
　　The fountain whence your arts derive their streame.
　　Three mirrors shalt thou take, and two remove
　　From thee alike, and more remote the third.
　　Betwixt the former pair, shall meet thine eyes;
　　Then turn'd toward them, cause behind thy back
　　A light to stand, that on the three shall shine,
　　And thus reflected come to thee from all.
　　Though that beheld most distant do not stretch
　　A space so ample, yet in brightness thou
　　Will own it equaling the rest. But now,
　　As under snow the ground, if the warm ray
　　Smites it, remains dismantled of the hue
　　And cold, that cover'd it before, so thee,
　　Dismantled in thy mind, I will inform
　　With light so lively, that the tremulous beam
　　Shall quiver where it falls. Within the heaven,
　　Where peace divine inhabits, circles round
　　A body, in whose virtue dies the being
　　Of all that it contains. The following heaven,
　　That hath so many lights, this being divides,
　　Through different essences, from it distinct,
　　And yet contain'd within it. The other orbs
　　Their separate distinctions variously
　　Dispose, for their own seed and produce apt.
　　Thus do these organs of the world proceed,
　　As thou beholdest now, from step to step,
　　Their influences from above deriving,
　　And thence transmitting downwards. Mark me well,
　　How through this passage to the truth I ford,
　　The truth thou lov'st, that thou henceforth alone,
　　May'st know to keep the shallows, safe, untold.
　　
　　"The virtue and motion of the sacred orbs,
　　As mallet by the workman's hand, must needs
　　By blessed movers be inspir'd. This heaven,
　　Made beauteous by so many luminaries,
　　From the deep spirit, that moves its circling sphere,
　　Its image takes an impress as a seal:
　　And as the soul, that dwells within your dust,
　　Through members different, yet together form'd,
　　In different pow'rs resolves itself; e'en so
　　The intellectual efficacy unfolds
　　Its goodness multiplied throughout the stars;
　　On its own unity revolving still.
　　Different virtue compact different
　　Makes with the precious body it enlivens,
　　With which it knits, as life in you is knit.
　　From its original nature full of joy,
　　The virtue mingled through the body shines,
　　As joy through pupil of the living eye.
　　From hence proceeds, that which from light to light
　　Seems different, and not from dense or rare.
　　This is the formal cause, that generates
　　Proportion'd to its power, the dusk or clear."

　　月球天：靈魂之未能堅守信誓者。畢卡爾達·竇那蒂；皇后康斯坦斯。
　　　
　　 那太陽從前用愛情溫潤我的心懷，現在卻用證明和辯駁把美麗的真理的面目顯示給我；我那時想擡起頭來嚮他承認我的錯誤，信服他的講解；但有一種影像出現，使我凝神註意他們，因此我忘記了想做的事情。
　　　
　　 如果我們觀看一塊透明的玻璃，或清澈而容易見底的水面，將有我們的影像反射出來，那影像淡薄得和白額上安放着的珠子一樣；那時我所見的影像也好像如此，他們假裝想跟我說話的樣子；因此我所犯的錯誤，正和那戀着水中影的少年人相反。
　　　
　　 我看到這些影像以後，認為是回光返照，便轉過臉來嚮後面望去，想尋找影像的來源；但不見一物，於是衹好再轉過臉望着我的引導人的溫和的光；在她微笑的時候，她神聖的眼睛裏便發光。
　　　
　　 她說：“你不要怪我對於你幼稚的思想而微笑，因為你還沒有站在真理的立場上，衹是依循着你的舊習慣，東尋西找撲個空。這些你所見的影像都是真的物體，他們所以貶謫在此。是因為他們沒有堅守他們的誓言、信仰。那末你對他們說話，聽他們，信任他們，不允許他們的腳離開使他們滿意的真光。”
　　　
　　 我於是轉身面嚮着一位似乎最想說話的影像，就急急忙忙地對她說：“幸福的精靈呀！你在永久生命的光輝之中，感受一種不體驗不可知的溫柔；如果你看得起我，請你告訴我你的名字和你們的經歷。”那時她的眼睛微笑着，立即答道：“我們的仁愛决不把正當的要求拒之門外，也像他把仁愛施於各處一樣。我在塵世間，是未婚的修女；如果你仔細地回憶一下，我的美麗的增多，不致於使你不認識我是誰；你將再認識我是畢卡爾達，我和其他的幸福者同在這裏，我們在運動最慢的天體上。我們的熱情，是被聖靈所燃着，得以符合他的秩序為歡樂；此種際遇，似乎並不算得意，因為我們忽視了我們的信仰、誓言，有一部分沒有履行的緣故。”
　　　
　　 於是我對她說：“在你的體貌上，發散着一種神光，因此使我初看不認識，我的記憶力顧及不到；現在你既然告訴我你的名字，可以幫助我認識你。請你告訴我，你們在這裏享受幸福，是否還希望更高的上升，以便更接近上帝，更加受到他的愛呢？”
　　　
　　 她和其他的精靈一同微笑了一會，後來像被上帝的愛燃燒着一樣，很高興地回答我道：“兄弟！我們的希望是被仁愛的德性所穩定了，他衹允許我們要求我們應該有的東西，我們沒有別的願望。如果我們希求過高的，這種願望便不是與上帝的意志相一致，上帝指定我們就在這裏；如果我們在生活之中仁愛是必需的，而你再考慮所謂仁愛的內容，你將見到的這種願望在天上是不可能的。幸福者的意志與神的意志相一致，這是尤其重要之事，所以我們衹有唯一意志。因此我們一層一層被安排在這天國裏，凡是足以取悅於統治我們的君主，便是我們大傢的快樂。他的意志給我們安悅；他好像海洋一樣，創造的一切和自然所形成的一切都歸於他。”
　　　
　　 那時我很明白，在天上到處都是天堂，而且至善聽賜的恩惠並不一樣。然而像一個人獲取於這種食品，而仍希望於那種，於是對這種表示滿足，對那種表示希求；同樣，我在行動上和語言上請求她告訴我：她未能遵守的信約是什麽？
　　　
　　 她說：“天上有一位處境比我們高的女人，因為她的生活圓滿，功德高超的緣故，在世間有很多人采取她的衣式和面紗，她們不論在醒時在睡時都願意伴隨着那丈夫直到死，他接受她們合乎仁愛的一切信約。我以她為法，從少女的時候即逃避塵世；我穿上她的袍，我發願遵守她的信條。後來有幾個男人，慣於做惡多而行善少，把我從甜美的修道院裏拉出來；上帝知道我後來如何生活呢！
　　　
　　 “還有，在我右邊的一位，她在這一重天裏發最亮的光輝，凡是說到我的事都與她的事相同。她是女修士，也是有人把她臉上的神聖面紗拉下來的。但在她違背誓願返到塵世以後，那面紗從未離開過她的心。這就是那大康斯但斯的光，他從士瓦本的第二暴風生出第三暴風與最後權力。”
　　　
　　 她這樣說，於是開始唱：“福哉！馬利亞。”一邊唱着，一邊消滅，像重物沉入深淵一樣。我的視綫跟着她，直到看不見為止，纔轉過臉來嚮着一個更可敬愛的目標，就是註視着貝雅特麗齊；但她的光芒射嚮我的眼睛太強了，起初是受不了的，因此推遲了我的發問。

　　That sun, which erst with love my bosom warm'd
　　Had of fair truth unveil'd the sweet aspect,
　　By proof of right, and of the false reproof;
　　And I, to own myself convinc'd and free
　　Of doubt, as much as needed, rais'd my head
　　Erect for speech. But soon a sight appear'd,
　　Which, so intent to mark it, held me fix'd,
　　That of confession I no longer thought.
　　
　　As through translucent and smooth glass, or wave
　　Clear and unmov'd, and flowing not so deep
　　As that its bed is dark, the shape returns
　　So faint of our impictur'd lineaments,
　　That on white forehead set a pearl as strong
　　Comes to the eye: such saw I many a face,
　　All stretch'd to speak, from whence I straight conceiv'd
　　Delusion opposite to that, which rais'd
　　Between the man and fountain, amorous flame.
　　
　　Sudden, as I perceiv'd them, deeming these
　　Reflected semblances to see of whom
　　They were, I turn'd mine eyes, and nothing saw;
　　Then turn'd them back, directed on the light
　　Of my sweet guide, who smiling shot forth beams
　　From her celestial eyes. "Wonder not thou,"
　　She cry'd, "at this my smiling, when I see
　　Thy childish judgment; since not yet on truth
　　It rests the foot, but, as it still is wont,
　　Makes thee fall back in unsound vacancy.
　　True substances are these, which thou behold'st,
　　Hither through failure of their vow exil'd.
　　But speak thou with them; listen, and believe,
　　That the true light, which fills them with desire,
　　Permits not from its beams their feet to stray."
　　
　　Straight to the shadow which for converse seem'd
　　Most earnest, I addressed me, and began,
　　As one by over-eagerness perplex'd:
　　"O spirit, born for joy! who in the rays
　　Of life eternal, of that sweetness know'st
　　The flavour, which, not tasted, passes far
　　All apprehension, me it well would please,
　　If thou wouldst tell me of thy name, and this
　　Your station here." Whence she, with kindness prompt,
　　And eyes glist'ning with smiles: "Our charity,
　　To any wish by justice introduc'd,
　　Bars not the door, no more than she above,
　　Who would have all her court be like herself.
　　I was a virgin sister in the earth;
　　And if thy mind observe me well, this form,
　　With such addition grac'd of loveliness,
　　Will not conceal me long, but thou wilt know
　　Piccarda, in the tardiest sphere thus plac'd,
　　Here 'mid these other blessed also blest.
　　Our hearts, whose high affections burn alone
　　With pleasure, from the Holy Spirit conceiv'd,
　　Admitted to his order dwell in joy.
　　And this condition, which appears so low,
　　Is for this cause assign'd us, that our vows
　　Were in some part neglected and made void."
　　
　　Whence I to her replied: "Something divine
　　Beams in your countenance, wond'rous fair,
　　From former knowledge quite transmuting you.
　　Therefore to recollect was I so slow.
　　But what thou sayst hath to my memory
　　Given now such aid, that to retrace your forms
　　Is easier. Yet inform me, ye, who here
　　Are happy, long ye for a higher place
　　More to behold, and more in love to dwell?"
　　
　　She with those other spirits gently smil'd,
　　Then answer'd with such gladness, that she seem'd
　　With love's first flame to glow: "Brother! our will
　　Is in composure settled by the power
　　Of charity, who makes us will alone
　　What we possess, and nought beyond desire;
　　If we should wish to be exalted more,
　　Then must our wishes jar with the high will
　　Of him, who sets us here, which in these orbs
　　Thou wilt confess not possible, if here
　　To be in charity must needs befall,
　　And if her nature well thou contemplate.
　　Rather it is inherent in this state
　　Of blessedness, to keep ourselves within
　　The divine will, by which our wills with his
　　Are one. So that as we from step to step
　　Are plac'd throughout this kingdom, pleases all,
　　E'en as our King, who in us plants his will;
　　And in his will is our tranquillity;
　　It is the mighty ocean, whither tends
　　Whatever it creates and nature makes."
　　
　　Then saw I clearly how each spot in heav'n
　　Is Paradise, though with like gracious dew
　　The supreme virtue show'r not over all.
　　
　　But as it chances, if one sort of food
　　Hath satiated, and of another still
　　The appetite remains, that this is ask'd,
　　And thanks for that return'd; e'en so did I
　　In word and motion, bent from her to learn
　　What web it was, through which she had not drawn
　　The shuttle to its point. She thus began:
　　"Exalted worth and perfectness of life
　　The Lady higher up enshrine in heaven,
　　By whose pure laws upon your nether earth
　　The robe and veil they wear, to that intent,
　　That e'en till death they may keep watch or sleep
　　With their great bridegroom, who accepts each vow,
　　Which to his gracious pleasure love conforms.
　　from the world, to follow her, when young
　　Escap'd; and, in her vesture mantling me,
　　Made promise of the way her sect enjoins.
　　Thereafter men, for ill than good more apt,
　　Forth snatch'd me from the pleasant cloister's pale.
　　God knows how after that my life was fram'd.
　　This other splendid shape, which thou beholdst
　　At my right side, burning with all the light
　　Of this our orb, what of myself I tell
　　May to herself apply. From her, like me
　　A sister, with like violence were torn
　　The saintly folds, that shaded her fair brows.
　　E'en when she to the world again was brought
　　In spite of her own will and better wont,
　　Yet not for that the bosom's inward veil
　　Did she renounce. This is the luminary
　　Of mighty Constance, who from that loud blast,
　　Which blew the second over Suabia's realm,
　　That power produc'd, which was the third and last."
　　
　　She ceas'd from further talk, and then began
　　"Ave Maria" singing, and with that song
　　Vanish'd, as heavy substance through deep wave.
　　
　　Mine eye, that far as it was capable,
　　Pursued her, when in dimness she was lost,
　　Turn'd to the mark where greater want impell'd,
　　And bent on Beatrice all its gaze.
　　But she as light'ning beam'd upon my looks:
　　So that the sight sustain'd it not at first.
　　Whence I to question her became less prompt.

　　貝雅特麗齊解釋但丁的兩個疑問：幸福靈魂的住所；為強力所脅迫而未能完成信誓的靈魂。
　　　
　　 有兩種同樣引起食欲的食品，有自由選擇權的人要在食品未進口中以前饑餓而死了；一隻綿羊站在兩條惡狼之間，都是同樣的可怕；還有一條狗走在兩衹鹿的中間；同樣，我處於相等的兩個疑問之間，如果我仍然保持沉默，是不應受到受責備和贊揚的，因為這是必然的結果。我雖然保持沉默，但我的願望已經呈現在我的臉上，用他來表示發問實在比我的發言還要強烈些。
　　　
　　 於是貝雅特麗齊的所為，就像但以理使尼布甲尼撒由憤怒變為平和而糾正了他的殘暴之一樣；她說：“我看見你心中的兩個疑團使你急促不安，壓得你喘不過氣來。你的問題是：如果那好的意志常在，而別人的強迫竟減少他的功德，這是什麽道理？另一個疑點，是來自柏拉圖的一句活，說的是靈魂歸到諸星。這些就是同樣存在你心中的問題，我先討論苦味最多的一個。
　　　
　　 “那些深入於上帝的大天使，以及摩西、撒母耳、約翰聽便你采取那一位，馬利亞用不着說，他們並不是和你剛纔所見的精靈住在不同的天上，他們住在的時間也沒有什麽長短之歲月。但他們一律美化第一天，他們享受幸福的生活衹在對永久精神的感受上有不同。在這裏出現的影像，並不是這個天體就是為他們特意保留的住所，不過在諸天之中顯示一個最低的給你看罷了。用這種形式表示，對於你的心靈是適宜的，因為衹有從那些感覺到的東西，你才學習到你以後有用的知識。因此《聖經》為符合你們的官能起見，不惜藉予上帝以手和腳，其實是別有用意；而聖教會也又把加百利、米凱勒和醫好托俾阿的諸大天使，用人類的形狀表示出來。
　　　
　　 “這裏所見的影像，决不是《蒂邁烏斯篇》裏面所說的靈魂。因為他所說的，好像就是他所想的。他說靈魂回到他的星，意思是說自然叫他做形式的時候他是從那裏分出來的。但他這句話也許有文字所表示以外的其他意義，或者不好輕視他。假如他的意思是說人的榮辱由於諸天的影響，這樣也許他的箭射中了一些真理，”這種見解，被世人誤解，幾乎全都走入左道，而去頂禮尤比特、墨丘刊和瑪爾斯。
　　　
　　 “另一個使你睏惑的疑點，他的毒計較少，他的惡性不致於使你離開我而走嚮他方。我們的正確，而在人類眼中認為不正確，這是一個威脅信仰的論題，並不是有罪的邪說。你的心力足以深入這個真理，我將滿足你的願望。
　　　
　　 “如果一個人雖然不承認那強力，但卻忍受了那強力，更不能以那強力為理由而獲得原諒；因為，如果他能堅持到底，他的意志便不可摧毀，要像火的天性一樣，一等到障礙除去，便要回覆原狀，試驗一千次也是如此。如果他屈服的不論多少，都是嚮那強力讓步；這裏的影像就是這樣的人，因為他們都是能夠回到聖地的。如果他們的意志完整無缺，像使洛倫佐置於鐵條上面，使穆西烏斯殘酷地對他自己的手掌的堅強意志，那末他們一遇自由，便要回到他們所離開的故道了；但是這樣堅強的意志真是少有的。我的這些話，如果你聽得明白，那末多次使你苦悶的問題可算解决了。
　　　
　　 “現在，在你的眼前還橫着一些障礙，你要花點力氣才能超越過去。我曾經告訴過你，幸福的靈魂是不會說謊的。因為他已經接近真理的發源地了。你曾經聽見畢卡爾達說康斯但斯對於她的面紗仍舊保持着虔誠；好像她的話和我的有些衝突呢。兄弟！為避免一種危險，一個人常常做了違反誓願的事情，譬如說：阿爾剋邁翁被他父親的懇求所動搖而殺死自己的母親；他為了要孝順而變成殘忍。在這一點，你要想想：意志嚮強力妥協以後，他們所做的壞事便不可原諒。超然的意志原是不嚮罪惡低頭的；但他害怕因為抗拒而受更大的痛苦，於是他低頭了。畢卡爾達所表示的是一種超然的意志，而我說的是另有所指；所以我們兩人的話都是對的。”
　　　
　　 聖河的微波就是這樣，他又是從一切真理之源流出來的；於是我心裏的兩個欲望之波彼此都獲得平息。
　　　
　　 於是我說：“第一情人的情婦呀！聖潔的女人呀！你的口若懸河淹沒了我，滋潤了我，使我的精神振奮，我的深情厚意也不足以報答你的恩賜、衹有那看着的他，有權力的他，可以代我償還。現在我很明白我們的知識沒有滿足的時候，除非被那唯一的真理此外便無真理所照耀；如同野獸得到他的窩，便安臥在裏面一樣，否則我們所有的欲望都是徒勞。因此，像萌芽一樣，在一個真理之足下又生出一個疑問；真理與疑問互為滋養，自然一步一步使我們躍進到絶頂。這種原由鼓勵我，敬佩的女人呀！嚮你再提出一個新的問題，這個真理對於我還是黑暗得很。我很想知道：如果一個人違背他的誓言，他後來做了另外的善事，這善事在你的天秤上並不算輕，他能使你滿意麽？”
　　　
　　 貝雅特麗齊那時用她充滿神聖之愛的目光望着我；我不能自持了，我低着頭，若有所失。

　　Between two kinds of food, both equally
　　Remote and tempting, first a man might die
　　Of hunger, ere he one could freely choose.
　　E'en so would stand a lamb between the maw
　　Of two fierce wolves, in dread of both alike:
　　E'en so between two deer a dog would stand,
　　Wherefore, if I was silent, fault nor praise
　　I to myself impute, by equal doubts
　　Held in suspense, since of necessity
　　It happen'd. Silent was I, yet desire
　　Was painted in my looks; and thus I spake
　　My wish more earnestly than language could.
　　
　　As Daniel, when the haughty king he freed
　　From ire, that spurr'd him on to deeds unjust
　　And violent; so look'd Beatrice then.
　　
　　"Well I discern," she thus her words address'd,
　　"How contrary desires each way constrain thee,
　　So that thy anxious thought is in itself
　　Bound up and stifled, nor breathes freely forth.
　　Thou arguest; if the good intent remain;
　　What reason that another's violence
　　Should stint the measure of my fair desert?
　　
　　"Cause too thou findst for doubt, in that it seems,
　　That spirits to the stars, as Plato deem'd,
　　Return. These are the questions which thy will
　　Urge equally; and therefore I the first
　　Of that will treat which hath the more of gall.
　　Of seraphim he who is most ensky'd,
　　Moses and Samuel, and either John,
　　Choose which thou wilt, nor even Mary's self,
　　Have not in any other heav'n their seats,
　　Than have those spirits which so late thou saw'st;
　　Nor more or fewer years exist; but all
　　Make the first circle beauteous, diversely
　　Partaking of sweet life, as more or less
　　Afflation of eternal bliss pervades them.
　　Here were they shown thee, not that fate assigns
　　This for their sphere, but for a sign to thee
　　Of that celestial furthest from the height.
　　Thus needs, that ye may apprehend, we speak:
　　Since from things sensible alone ye learn
　　That, which digested rightly after turns
　　To intellectual. For no other cause
　　The scripture, condescending graciously
　　To your perception, hands and feet to God
　　Attributes, nor so means: and holy church
　　Doth represent with human countenance
　　Gabriel, and Michael, and him who made
　　Tobias whole. Unlike what here thou seest,
　　The judgment of Timaeus, who affirms
　　Each soul restor'd to its particular star,
　　Believing it to have been taken thence,
　　When nature gave it to inform her mold:
　　Since to appearance his intention is
　　E'en what his words declare: or else to shun
　　Derision, haply thus he hath disguis'd
　　His true opinion. If his meaning be,
　　That to the influencing of these orbs revert
　　The honour and the blame in human acts,
　　Perchance he doth not wholly miss the truth.
　　This principle, not understood aright,
　　Erewhile perverted well nigh all the world;
　　So that it fell to fabled names of Jove,
　　And Mercury, and Mars. That other doubt,
　　Which moves thee, is less harmful; for it brings
　　No peril of removing thee from me.
　　
　　"That, to the eye of man, our justice seems
　　Unjust, is argument for faith, and not
　　For heretic declension. To the end
　　This truth may stand more clearly in your view,
　　I will content thee even to thy wish
　　
　　"If violence be, when that which suffers, nought
　　Consents to that which forceth, not for this
　　These spirits stood exculpate. For the will,
　　That will not, still survives unquench'd, and doth
　　As nature doth in fire, tho' violence
　　Wrest it a thousand times; for, if it yield
　　Or more or less, so far it follows force.
　　And thus did these, whom they had power to seek
　　The hallow'd place again. In them, had will
　　Been perfect, such as once upon the bars
　　Held Laurence firm, or wrought in Scaevola
　　To his own hand remorseless, to the path,
　　Whence they were drawn, their steps had hasten'd back,
　　When liberty return'd: but in too few
　　Resolve so steadfast dwells. And by these words
　　If duly weigh'd, that argument is void,
　　Which oft might have perplex'd thee still. But now
　　Another question thwarts thee, which to solve
　　Might try thy patience without better aid.
　　I have, no doubt, instill'd into thy mind,
　　That blessed spirit may not lie; since near
　　The source of primal truth it dwells for aye:
　　And thou might'st after of Piccarda learn
　　That Constance held affection to the veil;
　　So that she seems to contradict me here.
　　Not seldom, brother, it hath chanc'd for men
　　To do what they had gladly left undone,
　　Yet to shun peril they have done amiss:
　　E'en as Alcmaeon, at his father's suit
　　Slew his own mother, so made pitiless
　　Not to lose pity. On this point bethink thee,
　　That force and will are blended in such wise
　　As not to make the' offence excusable.
　　Absolute will agrees not to the wrong,
　　That inasmuch as there is fear of woe
　　From non-compliance, it agrees. Of will
　　Thus absolute Piccarda spake, and I
　　Of th' other; so that both have truly said."
　　
　　Such was the flow of that pure rill, that well'd
　　From forth the fountain of all truth; and such
　　The rest, that to my wond'ring thoughts I found.
　　
　　"O thou of primal love the prime delight!
　　Goddess!" I straight reply'd, "whose lively words
　　Still shed new heat and vigour through my soul!
　　Affection fails me to requite thy grace
　　With equal sum of gratitude: be his
　　To recompense, who sees and can reward thee.
　　Well I discern, that by that truth alone
　　Enlighten'd, beyond which no truth may roam,
　　Our mind can satisfy her thirst to know:
　　Therein she resteth, e'en as in his lair
　　The wild beast, soon as she hath reach'd that bound,
　　And she hath power to reach it; else desire
　　Were given to no end. And thence doth doubt
　　Spring, like a shoot, around the stock of truth;
　　And it is nature which from height to height
　　On to the summit prompts us. This invites,
　　This doth assure me, lady, rev'rently
　　To ask thee of other truth, that yet
　　Is dark to me. I fain would know, if man
　　By other works well done may so supply
　　The failure of his vows, that in your scale
　　They lack not weight." I spake; and on me straight
　　Beatrice look'd with eyes that shot forth sparks
　　Of love celestial in such copious stream,
　　That, virtue sinking in me overpower'd,
　　I turn'd, and downward bent confus'd my sight.

　　貝雅特麗齊解釋誓願的神聖。到第二重天水星天：力行善事的靈魂。
　　　
　　 “如果在愛火之中，我發的強光於地球上面。因此使你的眼睛的視力消散，那末你不要驚呀；因為我的目光是完善的，他理解一切，他的腳步踏在已經理解的善事上。我看見永久的光已經在你的智慧上發輝出來，衹有永久的光點燃永久的愛；如果還有別的東西誘惑你的愛、那末除非是他的一些被人誤解了的餘光，照耀在你的面前。你希望知道：是否違背了誓主，一個人可以用別的善事來彌補，以免除那靈魂的受刑罰。”
　　　
　　 貝雅特麗齊這樣開始此篇；像一位說滔滔不絶的人。她繼續那神聖的演說：“上帝在創造萬物時，最大的贈品，最偉大的傑作，他視為最珍貴的，就是那自由意志。衹有有情的造物享有這個，由此點推論，你立即明白誓願的偉大價值，如果那是你所允許的，又是上帝所同意的；因為神和人之間建立了契約，便要把我剛纔說的珍寶做犧牲品，這是他自己的主意。照此說來，還有什麽可以補償呢？如果你想把已經犧牲的收回去而善用之，那末你如同用不義之財去做慈善事業。
　　　
　　 “現在你已經明白要點；不過聖教會裏有一種特典，好像和我剛纔說的真理有些矛盾，所以請你在飯桌旁邊多坐一會，因為吃了硬的食品以後，需要吃一些幫助消化的東西。請你敞開你的胸懷，儲存我對你說的話；因為明白以後如不牢記，便不成為學問。
　　　
　　 “這種犧牲有兩件重要的事情：第一是犧牲的東西。第二是契約的本身。後者的衹有遵守，從來不準廢除；關於這一點，我在前面已經說得清清楚楚的了。在希伯來人，許願的祭祀品是必需的，雖然有時祭祀品可以替換，這是你不會不知道的。
　　　
　　 “關於犧牲的東西，雖然彼此替換，在事實上是沒有過失的。但肩頭上的擔子不能自由替換，除非獲得白鑰匙和黃鑰匙的轉動；而且替換的東西如不超過已經許諾的東西，如六超過四，便是狂妄的行為。因此，如果一個誓願的重量是沒有天秤可以稱得的，那末還有什麽別的東西可以代替他呢？
　　　
　　 “世間人切勿以許願為兒戲：要忠誠，不要心懷惡意。像耶弗他以他頭生兒子許願，他與其遵守誓言，寧可說一聲：我做錯了。”那位希臘的大元帥所做的事也是同樣的狂妄，由此使美麗年輕的伊菲革亞哭泣；無論智或愚，聽見這種風俗以後，也無不為她的命運悲傷。
　　　
　　 “你們耶教徒，你們的舉動要慎重些，勿要像羽毛一般隨風搖擺，不要以為什麽水都可以洗淨你們。你們有《舊約》與《新約》，和教會裏的牧師可以指導你們；這些已夠救護你們的了。如果以鄙陋的感情嚮你們介紹別的東西，那末要當心做人，不要做無理智的走獸，恐伯在你們中間的猶太人要嘲笑你們。不要像羔羊，放下母羊的乳奶，很輕浮地自己去遊戲。”
　　　
　　 貝雅特麗齊對我說了以上話；於是她充滿着希望轉嚮着那世界最活潑的部分。她停止說話，又變換了姿態，使我的好奇心也衹得暫時壓下，那時我已經有新的問題在嘴邊了。
　　　
　　 像箭一樣快，在弓弦的顫動尚未停止以前，已經射中了靶子，我們也如同這樣地跑進那第二國度。在那裏我看見我的貴婦人很高興，她到了這層天的光中，那行星本身比以前更明亮了。如果星球也因變化而微笑，那末像我這樣善變的性質，我應當變成什麽樣呢！
　　　
　　 像在清澈的養魚池裏，如果有什麽扔下去，那些魚便以為有食物可尋，一齊蜂擁而至；同樣，我看見有一千多個光輝擁嚮我們，每個都說：“這裏有一位即可增加我們的愛！”當光輝接近我們，我看見那影像充滿着愉悅，光輝就以他為中心而發散出來。
　　　
　　 諸位讀者！試想，假如我寫到此便不繼續下去，你們會感覺多麽的空乏，而希望多知道一些呢！同樣，當那些影像顯露在我的眼前，你們也可以想象我多麽希望知道他們的情況。
　　　
　　 “良辰而生的你呀！在你離開人世之前，已蒙天的恩澤賜觀永久勝利的諸帝座了；”我們被滿布諸天的光所籠罩，如果你要問我們什麽，一切都可以隨便問。”
　　　
　　 那些虔誠的精靈之一嚮我這樣說；於是貝雅特麗齊也說：“你說吧！信任他們，像信任神明一樣。”
　　　
　　 “我真的知道你包在你自己的光芒之中，而且知道你在微笑的時候，你的眼睛裏會發出火星；但是我不認識你是誰，可敬的精靈，也不懂你為什麽被安排在這個天體上面，他被別的天體的光所遮蓋，因此躲避了人類的眼睛。”我轉臉對那第一個和我說話的精靈這樣說；那時他的光輝比以前更強了。
　　　
　　 像太陽光的熱吸收了厚厚的水蒸氣以後，太陽便隱藏在他自己強烈的光綫之中一樣；同樣，那神聖的影像因為強烈的興奮，隱藏在他自己的光綫之中；就是這樣被光包着，他回答我的話下篇分解。

　　"If beyond earthly wont, the flame of love
　　Illume me, so that I o'ercome thy power
　　Of vision, marvel not: but learn the cause
　　In that perfection of the sight, which soon
　　As apprehending, hasteneth on to reach
　　The good it apprehends. I well discern,
　　How in thine intellect already shines
　　The light eternal, which to view alone
　　Ne'er fails to kindle love; and if aught else
　　Your love seduces, 't is but that it shows
　　Some ill-mark'd vestige of that primal beam.
　　
　　"This would'st thou know, if failure of the vow
　　By other service may be so supplied,
　　As from self-question to assure the soul."
　　
　　Thus she her words, not heedless of my wish,
　　Began; and thus, as one who breaks not off
　　Discourse, continued in her saintly strain.
　　"Supreme of gifts, which God creating gave
　　Of his free bounty, sign most evident
　　Of goodness, and in his account most priz'd,
　　Was liberty of will, the boon wherewith
　　All intellectual creatures, and them sole
　　He hath endow'd. Hence now thou mayst infer
　　Of what high worth the vow, which so is fram'd
　　That when man offers, God well-pleas'd accepts;
　　For in the compact between God and him,
　　This treasure, such as I describe it to thee,
　　He makes the victim, and of his own act.
　　What compensation therefore may he find?
　　If that, whereof thou hast oblation made,
　　By using well thou think'st to consecrate,
　　Thou would'st of theft do charitable deed.
　　Thus I resolve thee of the greater point.
　　
　　"But forasmuch as holy church, herein
　　Dispensing, seems to contradict the truth
　　I have discover'd to thee, yet behooves
　　Thou rest a little longer at the board,
　　Ere the crude aliment, which thou hast taken,
　　Digested fitly to nutrition turn.
　　Open thy mind to what I now unfold,
　　And give it inward keeping. Knowledge comes
　　Of learning well retain'd, unfruitful else.
　　
　　"This sacrifice in essence of two things
　　Consisteth; one is that, whereof 't is made,
　　The covenant the other. For the last,
　　It ne'er is cancell'd if not kept: and hence
　　I spake erewhile so strictly of its force.
　　For this it was enjoin'd the Israelites,
　　Though leave were giv'n them, as thou know'st, to change
　　The offering, still to offer. Th' other part,
　　The matter and the substance of the vow,
　　May well be such, to that without offence
　　It may for other substance be exchang'd.
　　But at his own discretion none may shift
　　The burden on his shoulders, unreleas'd
　　By either key, the yellow and the white.
　　Nor deem of any change, as less than vain,
　　If the last bond be not within the new
　　Included, as the quatre in the six.
　　No satisfaction therefore can be paid
　　For what so precious in the balance weighs,
　　That all in counterpoise must kick the beam.
　　Take then no vow at random: ta'en, with faith
　　Preserve it; yet not bent, as Jephthah once,
　　Blindly to execute a rash resolve,
　　Whom better it had suited to exclaim,
　　'I have done ill,' than to redeem his pledge
　　By doing worse or, not unlike to him
　　In folly, that great leader of the Greeks:
　　Whence, on the alter, Iphigenia mourn'd
　　Her virgin beauty, and hath since made mourn
　　Both wise and simple, even all, who hear
　　Of so fell sacrifice. Be ye more staid,
　　O Christians, not, like feather, by each wind
　　Removable: nor think to cleanse ourselves
　　In every water. Either testament,
　　The old and new, is yours: and for your guide
　　The shepherd of the church let this suffice
　　To save you. When by evil lust entic'd,
　　Remember ye be men, not senseless beasts;
　　Nor let the Jew, who dwelleth in your streets,
　　Hold you in mock'ry. Be not, as the lamb,
　　That, fickle wanton, leaves its mother's milk,
　　To dally with itself in idle play."
　　
　　Such were the words that Beatrice spake:
　　These ended, to that region, where the world
　　Is liveliest, full of fond desire she turn'd.
　　
　　Though mainly prompt new question to propose,
　　Her silence and chang'd look did keep me dumb.
　　And as the arrow, ere the cord is still,
　　Leapeth unto its mark; so on we sped
　　Into the second realm. There I beheld
　　The dame, so joyous enter, that the orb
　　Grew brighter at her smiles; and, if the star
　　Were mov'd to gladness, what then was my cheer,
　　Whom nature hath made apt for every change!
　　
　　As in a quiet and clear lake the fish,
　　If aught approach them from without, do draw
　　Towards it, deeming it their food; so drew
　　Full more than thousand splendours towards us,
　　And in each one was heard: "Lo! one arriv'd
　　To multiply our loves!" and as each came
　　The shadow, streaming forth effulgence new,
　　Witness'd augmented joy. Here, reader! think,
　　If thou didst miss the sequel of my tale,
　　To know the rest how sorely thou wouldst crave;
　　And thou shalt see what vehement desire
　　Possess'd me, as soon as these had met my view,
　　To know their state. "O born in happy hour!
　　Thou to whom grace vouchsafes, or ere thy close
　　Of fleshly warfare, to behold the thrones
　　Of that eternal triumph, know to us
　　The light communicated, which through heaven
　　Expatiates without bound. Therefore, if aught
　　Thou of our beams wouldst borrow for thine aid,
　　Spare not; and of our radiance take thy fill."
　　
　　Thus of those piteous spirits one bespake me;
　　And Beatrice next: "Say on; and trust
　　As unto gods!"—"How in the light supreme
　　Thou harbour'st, and from thence the virtue bring'st,
　　That, sparkling in thine eyes, denotes thy joy,
　　l mark; but, who thou art, am still to seek;
　　Or wherefore, worthy spirit! for thy lot
　　This sphere assign'd, that oft from mortal ken
　　Is veil'd by others' beams." I said, and turn'd
　　Toward the lustre, that with greeting, kind
　　Erewhile had hail'd me. Forthwith brighter far
　　Than erst, it wax'd: and, as himself the sun
　　Hides through excess of light, when his warm gaze
　　Hath on the mantle of thick vapours prey'd;
　　Within its proper ray the saintly shape
　　Was, through increase of gladness, thus conceal'd;
　　And, shrouded so in splendour answer'd me,
　　E'en as the tenour of my song declares.