升入第三层：惩怒。但丁出神见幻象。
　　　
　　 那时太阳在天空所要走的里程，等于从日出至第三时之终；天体旋转，如小儿之滚铁环，历万世而无穷；净界的黄昏，恰是我家乡的夜半。那时阳光射在我们的脸上，因为我们要绕山而行，此时已面向西方了；可是我那时另外感到有一种光芒重压在我的眉宇上，简直胜过阳光，我不懂是什么缘故造成的，只是惊奇；我举起手来，遮在眼上，以避开这种过分刺目的光芒。
　　　
　　 当一种光线由水面或镜面反射起来的时候，其反射到对面的和原来射下的正好相等，和石子下坠的现象完全不同，这是在学术上和经验上都可以被证明的。那迫在我眉上的我想也是一种反射光，所以我的眼睛须快快避开。
　　　
　　 我问：“我柔和的父亲！这般叫我难以忍受的光芒是从何而来呢？”他答道：“假使这种光叫你晕眩，你不必惊奇，他来自上帝的家臣，她是一位迎接我们上升的使者。不久后，你对于这种光芒便不会感到难受；成为习惯以后，你接受反而觉得愉快了。”
　　　
　　 我们接近仁爱的天使，他用喜悦的口气说：“请从这里上升，这里有一个阶梯，不像以前的那么陡峭了。”我们离开那儿，登上阶梯，他在我们身后唱着：“慈悲的人的人有福极了！”又听见说：“你获得成功了，你欢喜罢！”
　　　
　　 我的老师和我，孤单单两个人步步上升，我想乘此机会问他几句话，于是转向他说：”刚才那个罗马的灵魂，说什么‘无分的东西，究竟是什么意思呢？”
　　　
　　 他于是答道：“他已经明白他最大罪恶的恶果了；所以他指出这份罪恶，叫人不要恐惧他的刑罚而替他过份悲伤。因为世人的心太注意在财产上了，财产分之者愈众，则每个人享受的便愈少；可是，假使你们的欲望放在那至高的幸福上面，就不生这种烦恼了。因为在天上，只说“我们的’，占有人的数目愈多，个人的幸福愈大。”我说：“对于你的解释不能满意，比我没有开口以前还要莫名。怎么可能一种财产，占有人的数目愈多，个人的享受反而愈大呢？”他对我说：“因为你还是只注意在世俗的东西，所以你遮住真光获取黑暗。那无穷无尽的财产生在天上，向着慈爱奔流，如同光始自明亮的物体一般。他愈是寻到了多施者，愈是给得多；慈爱的范围愈推广，永久的善也由此倍增；天上聚集的灵魂愈多，慈爱的互施愈频，如同镜子相互反射他们所受的光一般。假使我的解说仍不能清晰你的认识，那末在你逢见贝雅特丽齐，她可以满足你的希望，并讲解其他的问题。现在只要当心把令你痛苦的五个创伤医好，此外有二个已经得到平复了。”
　　　
　　 我很想说：“你已令我明瞭了。”那时我看见我们已到了更高的一圈，因为我急乎寻求新的景色，这句话也就不说了。那里我忽然如随梦境，看见许多人同处一个殿里；在入口处，有一个奸人。用慈母一般的口气说：“我儿，为甚么对我们这样做呢？看哪！你父亲和我伤心来寻你。”她的话一停止，刚才我所见的也消失了。
　　　
　　 立刻又出现另一妇人，泪流满面，似经受了重大侮辱的模样，她面向一个贵族说：“你是这城的主人，为着这个城的名字，诸神间曾经发生过争执，而且这个城是一切学问的始作者，请你复仇，为那放肆的手臂竟敢公然拥抱我们的女儿，庇西特拉图呀！”那个贵族，在我看似乎是很和善的，慢慢地答道：“假使爱我们的要受责罚，那末害我们的要接受怎样的处罚呢？”
　　　
　　 后来我又看见一伙百姓，都是怒火冲霄，用石子投向一个少年，大家叫喊道：“杀呀！杀呀！”那少年呢，业已将死，快跌倒在地了，但他的眼望向天空，现出怜恤的面容，在受这样凶狠的欧击下，他请求上帝赦免他的虐杀者。
　　　
　　 当我醒觉后，想起刚才所见的一切，原来都是幻象，而并非虚事。我的向导见我像从睡眠中醒来说：“你怎样了，像不由自主的人？你已经走过半里多路，眼睛似乎被面幕遮住，一双腿摇摇摆摆地像一个醉汉或梦游人。”我回说：“我柔和的父亲呀！如果你愿意听，我将把我在双腿摇摆时所见的景象告诉你。”他说：“就算你戴上一百个面具，也瞒不过我轻微的思想。你所见的，是你不得不为和平的水这是从永久的爱泉里流出来的专心致志的缘故。我问：“你怎样了”，并非指你眼睛看见的，是叫你在脚上用些力量。一个懒惰的人应当受些刺激，因为他并不急于去利用他醒后的宝贵光阴呀！”
　　　
　　 我们向前行进，趁着夕阳，极目远望；不久一阵黑烟，向我们滚滚袭来，顿时如入暗夜，没有地方能为我们做避难所；那时眼睛失去了功用，而且也隔绝了清洁的空气。

　　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.

　　忿怒的灵魂。伦巴第人马可的谈话。
　　　
　　 地狱的暗夜，和没有星辰、乌云密布的昏夜，也不能把我的视线遮蔽得像此处的黑烟，无异厚厚的毛布一块，压在我的脸上，叫我睁不开眼。那时我忠实的向导走近我，把他的肩头让给我。如同瞎子搭着别人的肩走一般，免得踏错路，碰在障碍物上，甚至跌死了也说不定，我搭着我的向导人，走在难忍的空气里面，他只说：“当心不要脱离开我。”
　　　
　　 我听见喧嚣声，似乎每个人都在祈求替人脱罪的上帝的为羔羊给他和平与怜恤。“上帝的羔羊”，这就是开场的头一句；而他们似乎在一齐说，十分和谐。
　　　
　　 我说：”老师！我听见的是灵魂么？”他答道：“你猜想得不错，他们正在解开忿怒的结呢。”“你是谁？你穿过我们的黑幕，你谈论我们，似乎还是翻看历书过生活的人的口气。”这是一个灵魂的声音；那时我的老师对我说：“你答复他，并且问他是否可以由此上升。”于是我说：“在此涤恶的造物呀！你将清洁的同到造物主那里去；假使你跟从我的步阀，你可以知道一桩大奇事呢。”他答道：“我将尽我所能范围的伴着你，虽然这股黑烟令我们不能视觉，但依靠着听觉，可以使我们连系在一处的。”
　　　
　　 于是我开始说：“我带着这具皮囊，只有死神可以令他脱离灵魂奔赴天上的行程、经过悲惨的地狱而跋涉到这里。上帝赐我这般恩惠，允许我观光他的朝廷，这是近代所未有的例子；你在生前是谁，请不要勿瞒我。还有，告诉我，我走的路是否错，你的话将作为我们的指南针。”
　　　
　　 “我是伦巴第人，叫做马可；对于世故懂得很深；我爱德行，然而此德行不再为世人所信奉了。你上来的路不错。”那灵魂如此回答，又说：“当你到了天庭，我请你替我祈祷。”
　　　
　　 我对他说：“我决定替你做所要求的事情。但是，我心里有一个迷惑，急待解决了才安心。我的疑惑很简单，现在听到你的话，又回想起在别处听到的，疑惑愈加深刻了。世人放弃德行，你对我说的的确是真的，他们只是蒙了重重的罪恶。但是，请你明了地指出他的原因，我好再转告他人。有些人把这原因归罪天上其他人则把他归罪世间。”
　　　
　　 那个灵魂先长叹了一声，然后对我说：“老兄啊！世人原本是瞎子，你从那里来，你是知道得很清楚的。世间一班活人，都把一切事咎归之天上的星辰，似乎天在摆布一切。似不可动摇的必然一般。事情如果真是如此，则世人的自由意志将消失，而劝善惩恶也就不合理了。天给我们一种原始运动，我不说一切；即使我说一切，则他也赋予我们一种辨别善恶的智慧，还有自由的意志；这种意志起初也许和自然的影响相搏而感着痛苦，但我们内心苦善用之则必得最终的胜利。你们虽然自由，但你们仍在一种更伟大而更完备的势力之下，这种势力在你们身上赋与了智慧，这不是星辰可以管辖的。假使世人果然走了邪路，这个原因是在自己，应当在你们良知里面找出来。我且把这种症结指出给你看：一个灵魂，从上帝柔和的手里创造出来那时她像一个女孩子，会哭会笑。天真烂漫，除却寻求欢乐以外，别的一无所知。最初，她的趣味在平庸的欢乐；除非有家长或马勒去节制她的欲望，否则她便沉迷在里面而不得解脱。于是创要制法律以作马勒，要立统治者，他至少能辨别那真诚的钟楼。法律有了，但是谁去执行呢？没有人！因为领导群羊的牧人能够反刍，但是却没有奇蹄，因此所有的百姓看见他们的领袖也只是争取他们所渴望的财富，于是他们也只是衣于此，食于此，而不暇远求了。你可以看到世人的渐趋下流，是由于这些领导人，并非由于人类自己性质上的变坏。罗马，他从前散布地上以幸福，一向有两个太阳，照明两条路径：一尘世九一是上帝的。现在呢，一个太阳遮没另外的一个了；征战的宝剑和十字架都柄在一个人的手中。这二件东西在一起就弄得必然糟糕了：因为合在一起，这个便不怕那个。假使你愿不相信我的话，那末请看此麦穗，一种植物体现的价值在他所产生的种子。在那波河和阿迪杰河灌溉的土地上，腓特烈遭受反对之前，那里德行和礼貌都被世人所称许，在今日呢，如有晓得廉耻的人从那儿经过，我可以担保他不会遇见正人君子，也没有君子来接近他。那儿还剩存三位老人，这是旧时代用他们来讥讽新时代的，上帝把他们遣送到更舒适的生活似乎迟了一步。这三位是：库拉多，好人盖拉尔多和圭多，最好用法兰西语叫他们为“单纯的伦巴第人’。“我总说一句：今日罗马教堂，把两种权力紧篡不放，跌入泥塘里去，她自己和她所怀抱着的都被污秽了！”
　　　
　　 我说：”我的马可呀！你的道理说得很好，我现在懂得为什么利未的子孙不得治理生产了；但是你所说的盖拉尔多，他是旧时代的遗老，用以谴责野蛮的新时代的，他究竟是谁呢？”他回道：“或者是你哄我，或者是你来考问我，否则你说着托斯卡那语，似乎不该不知道好人盖拉尔多罢。我不知他是否尚有别的名字，不过他的女儿是盖娅。上帝保佑你，我不能再伴你向前了。看罢！光线已经射入黑烟来了；天使就在前面，而我还不好见他的面。”于是那灵魂转身去了，无法再听我的说话。

　　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.

　　出第三层，入第四层。净界中罪恶与忏悔者的分类。
　　　
　　 读者诸君，你们中间也许有到过阿尔卑斯山中的，在那里遭遇浓雾，人的视线被遮蔽了，就象鼹鼠透过他的眼翳而看东西一样。及至厚厚的湿气消散以后，阳光微微地射入了。假使你们还能起那时的景象，那末你们也就想象得出我那时初见夕阳的景象。我们就这样步出如云的黑烟中，随着我忠实的导师，则见山脚下已经无法照见阳光了。
　　　
　　 幻想呀！你有时把我们周围的外物遮去，虽然有一千个喇叭向我们吹也无法听见，谁赋给你这种“无中生有”的能力呢？或许是一种天上的光激励你的，这种光或是本有的，或是由于神意而遣送下的。那时我看见一位残忍的妇人变化为鸟儿，她以歌声来悦人；我的精神专注在这里面，所有外物都不能进入我的感觉。后来我的幻想进入了另一境界，看见一位怒气满面的汉子死在十字架上，在旁侧的是亚哈随鲁大王，他的妻子以斯帖，还有那位在语言上和行为上都是正直的未底改。这个幻象破裂后如同水泡因水干而必破裂一样，我又看到一个少女哭诉说：“王后呀！为什么你一怒而自尽呢？你的自尽是不愿失去拉维尼亚；但你还是失去我。哭你的就是我，我的母亲，就是你的死令我哭泣。”
　　　
　　 如同一个入睡的人，因为新的光射在他的眼皮上而惊醒，虽然醒了，但依旧睡眼朦胧；那时我的幻想才刚消逝，脸上便触到一种异于寻常的光。我四周环看，要找出那光源，忽听见有人说：“从这里上升！”听到这话以后，我又想找出那说话的人是谁，定要看见他的脸不息。但是，在此处我的视觉失去功用，因为说话的人躲在光里面，如对着太阳张不开眼一样，我如何见得到他的真形呢？
　　　
　　 那时我的引导人说：“这是一位神遣的天使，他不等我们请求，便把上升的路指示我们，却将自己藏在光里面。他对我们做事，像对他自己做事一般。一个人如果看到别人需要，还等着别人的请求、显见不是诚心的援助了。我们的步阀，应当顺从他的指引；在黑夜临头之前，我们应努力上升；否则，我就要等到明日才可以举步。”
　　　
　　 于是我跟着我老帅，把脚踏在那里的阶梯上；我踏到第一级的时候，我感觉有如鸟翼一般的东西扇在我的面上，同时听见有人说：“爱和平的人有福了，他们不会有不当的忿怒。”那时，仅在我们的顶上还留有一些晚光，夜马上要来了，四周的天宇已经出现了星。“我的气力呀！你为什么舍离我呢？”我心里对自己如此说，因为那时我的两腿已经疲乏，急需休息了。
　　　
　　 我们登阶梯的尽头，停在那儿，像船靠了岸一般。我耸着耳朵倾听，试试是否可以在这新圈子里听到些什么；我转向我的老师道：“我仁爱的父亲呀！请告诉我，我们所到的这层圈子，是惩戒哪一种罪恶呢，假使我们的脚停了，你的衷告却不必停息。他对我说：“爱善而懈怠其责任的，在此地补偿他的债；此地惩戒摇桨不力的懒惰者。但是，假使你要更明瞭我的话，请你专心一意听我说，也许从我们的滞留之中得着些好处。”
　　　
　　 他开始说：“不论造物主或造物都不能离爱而存在：此爱或属自然的，或属理性的。自然的爱常不涉于罪恶；其他则罪恶或由于趋向目标之不当，或由于用力之不及或大过。造物若趋向于主要的财富，或次要的财富较有节制，则不会成为罪恶的起源；但若趋向干主要的利益而并不热心趋向于次要的财富而过度，那末都会违背他的造物者。
　　　
　　 “由此你可以明白爱是美德的种子，也同样会是应得惩戒的行为。凡爱不能失却主体，所以人不能嫉妒他自己；凡人都不能超然独立而独存，所以不能对于造物上出生嫉妒。因此，假使我的分类不误，那末人类对所爱做的坏事，就是施于他邻近的人了。这种爱的产生有二个态度：一种人喜欢自高自大，将他的邻人视作卑小，只恐怕自己有一天要塌下来。另一种人要保持他自己的富贵尊荣，将恐别人超过他，于是他心中忧愁，希冀别人临祸。还有一种人，因为受了委屈，便大怒立刻要报复他的冤家。这三种乖戾的爱，在下面三层受惩戒。
　　　
　　 “现在我要对你说其他种爱，在趋向财富的分寸不确到好处。每个人都隐隐约约认识一种凭以安身立命的财富，而希冀得着他，如果对爱或趋向财富示以冷淡，那末在你正式忏悔后，便会在此受惩戒。另有一种财富并不使人快乐，并非真实的幸福所聚，也不是一切美德的果和根。但生爱并追求于此者，每易操之太过，则在我们上面的三层受惩戒。可是分为哪样三种罪恶呢，我暂不对你说破，因为将来你自己可以明白的。”

　　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."

　　第四层：惩惰。维吉尔谈爱之性质。但丁在山上的第二夜。圣译诺修道院院长。
　　　
　　 那了不起的学者总结他的议论后，注视我的面孔，看我是否对于他的解说满意。那时我又被一种新的希冀所苦，外表虽示沉默，内心则说：“只恐怕我的问题大多，要令你讨厌。”但我安详的父亲已经发现我不敢吐露的心计了，他鼓励我将他说出来。于是我说：“老师！我的见识在你的智慧中得以明朗，你所议论的我都明白了。然而，我请求你，亲爱的父亲，再把爱的意义确定一番。因为你曾将所有的善恶都归之于爱。”
　　　
　　 于是他对我说：“请你抬起敏锐理解的眼光看着我，那末自作导师的言人之过失，便要开显在你面前了。此心，原是为爱得很快而创造的，见到一切令他欢乐的东西，他便如惊醒了一般，马上追求上去。你的感觉从实物抽取一种印象，展现在你的心里，使你的心牵挂着他。转向以后，假使倾心于这个对象，这倾心就是爱：这是心物之间经过喜悦而发生的新联系。就像人的上升运动，因为他的性质是上升，直上升到那令他的物质最易恒久的所在；同样，着了迷的心也必牵入欲的地步，这是一精神的运动，非达到享乐的目的而不止息。世人说：“一切爱的行为。其本质是值得赞许的事情。”现在你可以明白他们是多么不能认知真理的深遂了，因为爱的本质也许是好的，可是封蜡虽好，印迹却不一定都好呀！”
　　　
　　 我答道：“你的话和我的专注，让我充分明了爱是什么；但我又为另一疑团所缠缚，就是：爱牵于外物，而内心立即受其影响而生冲动，所以内心所取的路为直为曲是没有责任的。”
　　　
　　 他又对我说：“凡在道理上可以解释的，我都能对你解说；至于超出此点，关于信仰问题，请你等待贝雅特丽齐罢。一切本体的外在，他和物质有别而相连，他含咏着一种特别的能力，这种能力除非在表现上看出来，除非在他的作用上显出来，正如植物的生命要从他的叶绿上显出来一般。所以人类不知道他的最高智慧根于何处，也不知道他对于最高物的欲望缘何而生，只是像蜜蜂一样，凭他们的本能酿蜜；这种智慧和欲望的本质不值得称许和指斥责的。可是在那欲望兴奋的时候，你的内心会出生一种思考的能力，许可或阻止；从最高理念推导理由，作为选择爱的善恶标准，这就是值得称许的。凡是依从根本上推导出理由的人，都懂得这种内心的选择自由，此所以世上还留存着道德学。总之：即使一切的贪爱是生于必然的需要，可是驾驭他的能力也驻你的内心呀！贝雅特丽齐称许这种能力为自由意志；将来她要对你述及的，请你谨记。”
　　　
　　 那时月亮升空已久，几近夜半；月亮如着火的吊桶，星辰也因之稀疏了。那时月亮在天空所划过的路线正是罗马的住民望见太阳下沉于撒丁和科西嘉之间的时候所辉耀的路痕。那高贵的灵魂，他在庇埃特拉较所有曼图亚其他各镇还要著名，他已经将我转给他的重担卸下了；我呢，则把他答复我的明瞭而满的道理收藏起来，我似要沉沉睡去一般。但睡魔忽然被人驱走，从我们后面有一群人蜂拥而来。
　　　
　　 如同古时在伊斯美努斯河和阿索浦河岸的长夜，由于祈祷已库斯，忒拜人成群地跑拢来一般，那时一群灵魂顺着圈子，快着步伐，靠着自愿和正爱奋力而前。不久他们便追及我们，由于他们都在拼命地跑。而最前的两个挥泪呼唤道：“马利亚曾急忙朝山地里去！”“凯撒舍下马赛，直趋西班牙，围攻伊莱尔达！”后面随着的轮流地喊道：“快些！快些！不要要因为冷淡的爱而失去时间！尽心为善，庶几可以再蒙天佑！”
　　　
　　 我的引导人向他们说：“灵魂们呀！你们诚挚地在此忏悔过去的疏忽，过去的懈怠于向善，你们已是蒙天之佑了。这一位是活人我并非诳说，他要上升，只等阳光的临照；所以，请你们告诉我们最近的上升路径。”
　　　
　　 一个灵魂答道：“随着我们来，你可以遇见一处裂缝。我们被速行的欲念所鼓动，不能停下来。如果你认为我们的礼貌有亏，那末请你原谅。我是维罗纳地方圣泽诺修道院的院长，处在好赭胡子的治下，由于他，米兰过着悲哀的岁月。我又知道一个人，他的一只脚已经踏进坟墓里了，他不久就会为那个修道院哀伤。悔恨自己对于那里的权力，因为他可耻的儿子，形既丑陋，心尤恶劣，他不应该派他在那里做牧师呀！”这个灵魂是否继续再说下去，或是已经闭口，我都不知道，因为他已经离得远了；可是我所听到的，我都把这些记住了。
　　　
　　 那位无时无刻不在协助我的导师说：“请你转身朝着这里，听取两个诅咒懒惰的结果罢。”最后的两个灵魂说：“那海水为他们分开的民众，在他们的子孙被约旦河看见以前就死了！”“那些不愿分担安齐塞斯赐予的辛苦的百姓，他们过着一种不体面的生活！”
　　　
　　 那些灵魂们远去，我们不再看得见他们了；我心里发生一种新的思想，继此而起的又产生其他种种，思想起伏，如海浪；最后，我的眼睛闭上了，我的思想又化为梦境。

　　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.

　　但丁的第二梦。入第五层：惩贪，惩奢。教皇安德利亚诺第五。
　　　
　　 在一个时候，白天的热气己被地球有时被土星所克服，不能再温暖月亮的冷气；那时尘土卜者，在天破晓之前，看见他们的“洪福”已东升在天际，知道黑暗是不会久滞了；就在那时我梦到一位妇人：说话是口吃的，眼睛是斜视的，脚是曲的，手是断的，面色是灰白的。
　　　
　　 我望着她；于是，如同阳光温暖被夜的寒气所冰冻了的四肢一般，我的目光使她的舌头柔软了；不久，她又可以完全直立了，而且面上显了光彩，正如神所赐给我的一样。
　　　
　　 当她的舌头自主了以后，她便开始歌唱，我想不去听她，似乎有点难以办到。她唱道：“我是柔顺的西王，常在海中迷惑航海儿听我歌者得若大欢乐。我的歌，迷惑了尤利西斯的航程；他和我同住，使他觉得：此间乐，不思蜀。”
　　　
　　 她的嘴唇还未闭合，忽然有一位圣女模样，现在我的旁边，令她心中昏乱。圣女含怒喝道：“呵！维吉尔，维吉尔，这人是谁呀？”那时维吉尔来了，注视着贞节的女人，突然拉住第一个女人、扯开她的衣服，把她的肚子露出来让我看：只觉有一股臭味，刺入我的鼻孔，马上我醒了。我张开眼睛一看，好人维吉尔对着我说：”我至少已喊过你三遍了，快起来罢！我们去找可以上升的裂缝罢！”
　　　
　　 我立了起来，只见遍山都是阳光了，我们背着新太阳向前进发，跟随维吉尔走，我的头脑盛满了思想，使我弯曲得像半座桥。那时我听到有人说：“来罢，这儿是入口！”这种声音亲切有味，和悦动人不是人间所闻的。
　　　
　　 那位说完后，扑开双翼，如同天鹅一般，引我们从山壁间飞升。他摇动他的双翼，扇着我们，说：“哀恸的人有福了，因为他们的灵魂必得以安慰。”
　　　
　　 “你怎样了？为什么只把眼睛钉在地上！”我的引导人对我这样说，那时天使已飞凌在我们二人之上了。我答道：“刚才新见的幻境使我放心不下，我还是在琢磨他。”他说：”你看见了古妖妇，由于她，他们在我们上面哭泣着。你已经看见人们怎样躲避她了。知道这一点就够了；努力踏着步阀，抬起你的眼睛，望着那永恒的圣王指点给你在大轨道上旋转的目标罢。”
　　　
　　 如同鹰猎一般，先注视看了一下自己的脚是否锁着，再听猎人的讯号，便一飞冲天而去，因为当前的饲料在引诱他；那时的我也是如此，一口气便登上裂缝的顶头，那里进入了净界山的第五层。在这层，我看到所有的灵魂都躺在地上，面孔朝下，深深地哭泣着。我听到他们说：“我的灵魂贴着尘土！”这句话和叹息的声音相混合，简直分不出来。
　　　
　　 “上帝的选民呀！正义和希望使你们的痛苦削弱了许多，请指示我们上升的阶梯。”“如果你们可以豁免躺在这里，希望找到一条最快的上升路径、那末你们的右手应当经常向着山外。”
　　　
　　 以上是诗人的请求和离我们不远的一个灵魂的回答。我们听了这句回答，便明白其中所含蓄的意思。我转眼望着我的向导，他用一个喜悦的表示，允许我未宣布的愿望。
　　　
　　 我离开我的老师走到刚才说话的灵魂面前，对他说：“灵魂呀！你的哭泣会使你的果实早成熟，否则难以再见上帝的面。请你为了我们暂时停止你的功课罢！并告诉我，你是谁？为什么你们背向青天？假使你要传达什么消息到哪里，我可以效力，因为我是活着从世间来的。”
　　　
　　 他对我说：“在你知道我们为什么背向着苍天前，先请了解“我是一个彼得的承继者’。在希埃斯特里和契亚维里二地之间，流着一条美丽的河流，这条河的名字，被我们的氏族采用为名姓。一个月零几天，我便觉得那件外套的份量，一个人要想披着他而不染污点很不容易，披过那件外套以后，其他的负担可说轻如鸿毛了。我信奉上帝，唉！已经迟了；但我做了罗马的牧师以后，便认识了人生是虚幻的。我看见那里的人心不能平静，也不能过一种超脱尘世的生活，因此我才有追求永久生活的激情。在此以前，我是脱离上帝的灵魂，嗜财如命，没有节制；现在。你看我受的这种惩戒罢。一个贪慳人所得的结果，从这里忏悔者的姿态上可以表示出来；这山上所有的惩戒，其痛苦再没有大过此地的了。在从前，我们的目力只是钉住地上的东西，不肯些许旋转眼珠向天空望望，由此正义设下了这种刑罚。又因为贪欲熄灭我们为善的热忱，我们的举措都无是处，所以在此地正义要我们受拘束，手和脚都缚着，直等到公平的上帝欢喜的一天，我们只好躺在这里，无法动弹。”
　　　
　　 我那时跪了下去，正欲开口说话，可是他已听觉到我有这种尊敬的举动了。他说：“你为什么要跪下？”我说：“凭我的良心，对于你的身分要示以尊敬。”他答道：“老弟！你快些站起来；不要误会。你我和别人，都是在神圣权力之下的服役者。假使你不知道《福音书》上‘他们不再是大妇’的话，那末我可以提醒你。现在你可以赶路了，我不愿你冉逗留在这里，因为你妨碍我的哭泣；如你刚才所说，这是为着要使我的果实成熟。在那里，我有一个侄女，名叫阿拉嘉，品性端正，只要她不把我家的恶榜样学了去；她是我留在那里的唯一家人。”

　　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."

　　续第五层。休·卡佩。地震。
　　　
　　 一方面，我不愿意和他的谈话中断，但在另一方面，我更不愿意妨碍他的忏悔；所以，我心里固然不愉快，但为使他愉快起见，我只好让海绵在未浸透以前退出水中。”
　　　
　　 我向前行进，我的引导人也拣着空地向前行进，沿着山壁，如贴近墙旁走路一般，因为那里忏悔的灵魂很多，都从眼睛里点滴地把那充满世界的罪恶洗涮出去；他们躺着，从山壁向外直到本圈的边际。
　　　
　　 古母狼呀！我诅咒你，你的掠获物比一切其他的禽兽都多些，然而你的贪婪是没有底的呀！天呀！人们总相信天上星移，人间物换，然而他什么时候来到，将她驱逐呢？
　　　
　　 我们慢步向前走，静听着灵魂们的哀哀哭泣，和他们的自怨自艾。偶然听见有人唤道：“温柔的马利亚呀！”这种呼声是从我们前面的灵魂呼唤出来的，象是一位正在分娩的女人的呼声；又听见接着说：“你这样的困穷，看你所住的客店就能知道了，你不得不在这里卸下你神圣的担子。”后来我又听见说：“好法布里求斯呀！你宁可贫困而有德，不愿意巨富而造罪。”
　　　
　　 这些话使我听了很欢喜，我走上去，接近那位象是发言的灵魂，希望能够知道他是谁。那时他又说到尼古拉对于三个少女的慷慨。令她们过着体面荣誉的生活。我说：“灵魂呀！你的话说得多么好！请告诉我：你是准？为什么只你一个人将这些好事重提呢，你回答我个会没有酬劳，假使我回去，步完那迈向终端的短促人生之路。
　　　
　　 他答道：“我会对你说。但不是为着世间的报酬，尸因为你在生前竞能得到这样大的恩惠。我是一株坏树的根，彼不祥的影子落在基督教国土上面，使那里不能再收获好的果实。假使杜埃、里尔、根特和布鲁日有能力，不久就会报复他的恶行。我正在祈求那审判一切的他呢。我在那里的名字是休·卡佩；从我生出了那些腓力和路易，在近来这些岁月，他们统治着法兰西。我是一个巴黎屠夫的儿子。当前朝王统绝嗣以后，就是惟存的一个也披了法衣，我看见国家政治的缰绳操控在我的手中，又得到新的领土，因而扩充我的权力，繁殖我的党羽，由此孀妇一样的王冠便置在我儿子的头上，从他开演一系神圣的国王。直至普洛旺斯的大嫁资没能夺去我族的廉耻前，我族虽是没有什么了不得，至少也未做什么缺德事。从此之后他们或用强力，或用欺诈，开始他们的夺掠；后来以赔偿的名义获取庞迪耶、诺曼底和加斯科尼。查理到了意大利，用赔尝的名义，让康拉丁做了刀下鬼；后来又将圣托马斯送回西天，也是用了故技赔偿的名义。“我又将见一个时代来到，离此已经不远了；那时会另有一个查理出自法兰西，他和他的亲族更被人了解得多。他出国并未带有兵器，只带了一支犹大玩的枪；他玩弄得很巧妙，居然把佛罗伦萨的大肚子刺破了。他在那里没有赢着土地，只赢得了罪业和羞辱。在别人看来是很严重，但他觉得自己的错误还很轻微。还有一个查理，他以前出身于船上的俘虏，我将看见他便卖他的女儿，斤斤较量，像海盗便卖他们的奴隶。贪欲呀！你还可以做得更过份些么？因为你已经引诱我的后裔到不再顾惜亲生血肉的地步了！然而竟还有一桩前无古人、后无来者的罪恶呢。我将看见百合花进了阿南尼，把在职的基督做成囚徒，我又看到他受人戏弄，我又看见他喝着酸醋和胆汁，他被辗转在活强盗的手里折磨杀害了，我看见新彼拉多的残忍尚不止此：他不尊正义的法令，竞将贪欲的手伸到教堂里来了。我的上帝呀！哪一天我可以看到复仇，使我欢喜呢？这种复仇虽能瞒过我的眼睛，然而你在暗中已有计划，这才令我的愤怒和缓些。我刚才说到那圣灵的唯一新妇，引出你的疑问，要求我的解释，须知在昼间我们的祈祷里经常说着；不过，在夜间我们便诉说着相反的例证了。在夜间，我们叙说匹格玛利翁，他由于无底的金钱欲，做了叛徒、盗贼和谋杀尊亲的人；弥达斯贪心的要求，成为人间永久的笑柄，我们每个人都记得亚干盗窃战利品，似乎约书亚余怒未尽，还会在这里惩戒他呢。我们谴责撤非喇和她的丈夫；我们对于赫利奥多洛斯的被马足踏而表示欢呼；波吕墨斯托尔的谋杀波吕多斯，使全山都蒙着羞辱。最后，我们在这里喊道：“克拉苏！告诉我们，因为你知道，黄金的滋味怎样？”有的讲得高些，有的讲得低些，要看各人的情绪是热烈，还是冷淡。所以，日里叙说善人的言行，不只我一人、只因为你靠近我，旁人没有比我讲得更高声。”
　　　
　　 我们离开这位灵魂，我们尽力向前行进，那时我突然感到山地震动，像一件向下坠的东西；我打了一个寒战，骤然惊吓得像将死的人一般。女神拉托娜在他上面生下“天的两只眼睛”以前，那德洛斯岛的震动也不这样利害，不久，四周起了一片呼声，我的老师对我说：“不要怕，我伴着你呢！”人家都叫着，我能分辨清楚的是：“光荣归于在天的上帝！”我们呆立不动，踌躇未决，像那些牧羊人初次听见赞美歌一般，直至地震停止，呼声完结。
　　　
　　 我们再赶着神圣的路，看到灵魂们躺在地上，都仍照旧哭泣着。假使我记得不错，我那时因为有一件事不知道他的原委，希望知道的念头很强烈。但我也不敢问那快着步伐的引导人，自己一人也想不透，我就是这样胆小而沉思着向前走去。

　　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。诗人斯塔援乌斯的遭遇。
　　　
　　 自然的干渴永无解除的时候，除非喝下可怜的撒玛利亚妇人听恳求的水，那时我的心里如火燎一般，跟着我的引导人，急速地行在那躺满着忏悔者的路上，对于这种正义的惩戒由衷地。忽然，如路加所写的耶酥，从坟墓里走出来，出现在两个行路人的后面一般，有一个灵魂出现，眼看地上，也跟在我们后面走着。起初我们并未觉得，直到后来他自己说：“我的兄弟们，上帝赐你们平安！”我们闻声，马上回转头去看，维吉尔回报他一个适当的敬礼，并且答道：“天国召你去赴幸福者的平安集会！那里我在永远放逐之列了。”
　　　
　　 “怎样的？”那个灵魂说着，伴着我们前行。“假使你不是上帝所召集的灵魂，谁又将你引到这里来的呢？”我的老师说：“假使你看见这一位额上天使所刻的记号，你将看出他是有特权前往幸福者那里去的。但日夜纺织的克罗托，仍没有把供给她的每人的棉纱纺完；他的灵魂，原也是你我的姊妹行，只是他不能独自上升，因为他还不能像我们这样便利；所以我被差遣从地狱的巨口那边引导他，直到这里；以后还要伴着他，直上升到我的智力尚能企及的范围。请你告诉我，如果你知道，为什么刚才山地震动，而且全山的灵魂，直到山脚下，为什么同声欢呼呢？”
　　　
　　 维吉尔问了这个问题，真是正合着我的心窍；我希望他的答复出使我求知的俗火可以熄灭了！
　　　
　　 那灵魂开始道：“此山为神的律令所管辖，不会有一件是随意的，也没有一件是偶然的。这里是超出一切世间变化的；除却神对于山有所施受的一种原因以外，没有其他可以变化的原因，因为没有雨，没有雹，没有雪，没有露，也没有霜，可以略高过那短小的三阶石的。云，不问厚薄，是不聚现的；也没有闪电，也没有陶玛斯的女儿幻化天际，她在地上是常常易换位置的。山下干空气的上升，也不能超过刚才说的三阶石，那里圣徒彼得的代理人放着脚呢。山下即使有多少的摇撼，但是风只在地上隐伏着，从未有什么影响及到这里。此山的震动，只会在一个灵魂自觉洗涤干净，可以上升或开始向上行走的时候，那时其他灵魂的欢呼也会随之而起。涤罪干净与否，只有灵魂自己的意志可以明证，他的意志能担保灵魂的上升，也会以得到这种恩惠而满足。固然起初灵魂是急于要上升，但这种欲望会被神的正义所约束，如此他反而自甘忏悔了。我自己呢，躺在这里受苦已经近五百多年了，直至现在我才自觉有迁入更高住所的欲望。因此你感觉到地震，并且听见全山的灵魂发出对上帝的颂扬，庶几他们也能够早升天国！”
　　　
　　 那灵魂这样说着。一个人愈是口渴，则所喝的愈加像甘露一般，所以我那时的快乐真非言语所能说明。
　　　
　　 那时我明睿的引导人说：“现在我看到你们怎样被这里的网缠缚，又怎样撕破了他走出来，因此有地震，因此有欢呼。但是，是否可以你告诉我：你是谁？为什么躺在此地这么许多？”
　　　
　　 那灵魂答道：“在那英明的狄托，获得天帝的援助，替犹大所出卖的血复仇的年代，我以最持久最光荣的称号在地上活着，虽然声名显著，但却没有信仰。我的话句是美丽的音乐，图卢兹是我的出生地，罗马吸引我扑向他的怀里，在那里我顶戴着月桂冠。那些百姓称我叫斯塔提乌斯；我歌吟忒拜的事绩，又歌吟伟大的阿基琉斯；可是我未能全负第二个重担而半途倒下了。我的诗兴是发生于神的火星，他点燃我的内心，还有成千的人也被他鼓舞激励；我所指的是《埃阿斯纪》；她是我的母亲，在诗国里她是我的乳娘；没有她，我做不出有一毫份量的东西。假使维吉尔那时还生在世，我宁可放逐在外，迟享幸福一年；与他同住呢。”
　　　
　　 维吉尔听了此语，即向我使了一个眼色，暗示：“莫开口！”但是我们的笑声和泪珠都是听从情感的命令，每每不是我们的意志所能操纵的，只为我们是诚实而不做作的人。那时我的嘴角不觉流露过一丝的微笑，也不过像有情人的秋波一转；然而那个灵魂业已停止叙说，一双眼睛钉住我的眼睛、这里是反射心境最真切的地方；于是他说：“我祝你完成你辛苦的事业！但请你告诉我，为什么你的脸上闪过微笑呢？”
　　　
　　 那时我已陷入两面夹攻的地位：一面要我保守静默，一面又请求我的说明；于是我无计可施，只好微叹一声，而我的老师也明白我的为难了，对我说：“说罢！不必怕；他所问的，你爽快地口答他就是了。”
　　　
　　 于是，我说道：“古灵魂呀！我的微笑使你觉得奇怪；可是还有更可惊异的事情在后面呢！他，引导我的智慧向上的人，也就是你从彼处抽取歌吟人和神之力量的维吉尔呀！假使你以为我的微笑有其它理由，那末你把我的话丢开，而相信你自己的话罢。”
　　　
　　 那时斯塔提乌斯已经趴在地上去拥抱我老师的脚了；我的老师说：“兄弟！不必如此，因为你不过是影子，而在你前面的我也不过是影子，”于是他立了起来说：“现在你可以明白我爱慕你的真诚，竟忘记了我们的状态是虚空的影子，我竟把影子当做固体的东西呢！”

　　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."

　　斯塔提乌斯之罪恶和其信仰耶教。升入第六层：惩贪食。
　　　
　　 那位天使抹去我额上的斑痕，指点我们上第六层的路，对我们说：“渴慕正义的人有福了。”却没有说别的；于是我们离开了那位天使。我觉得比经过以前的阶梯更轻快，跟着两位灵魂快步上升，毫无劳苦。
　　　
　　 那时维吉尔开始说：“一种真心的爱慕发出的时候，常常激发别人的爱慕。自从尤维纳利斯堕到地狱的候判所的时候，他说起对于你的感情，于是我对于你也就产生了感情。对于来见过的人我从未有过这样热烈的感情，所以这次我们的相遇，使我觉得这些上升的阶梯也缩短距离了。请你告诉我、像朋友一般原谅我的戆直；也请你坦白地回答我，像朋友一般：像你这样勤学而充满知识的人物，贪吝如何会侵蚀你的胸怀呢？”
　　　
　　 这些话引来斯塔提乌斯轻轻的笑声；于是他答道：“你的每句话，都是爱我的标志。天下事每每因为其真实内容不被人知，因而使人见疑，发生种种缪误的猜测。从你的问题，可见你因为我所在的圈子，意谓我在人世过着贪吝的生活。实则我离开贪吝很远，因为反而极端，使我受惩戒，达几千次的满月。直到我拜读了你的诗，才矫正了我的过失。你对人类的天性表示愤慨：“对于黄金的神圣的饥饿呀！你如何不节制人类的嗜欲呢？’同时我感觉到那滚着重物时撞击的痛苦。于是我心知我对于费用手面太阔绰了，我需要忏悔正和犯了别的罪恶一样。有许多灵魂，复活起来都要精光着脑袋，因为他们在生前并不了解犯了此罪，直到最后一刻还不知道忏悔呀！请你知道：互相向反的罪恶。在这里一并弄干他的绿色呢。”所以，我虽和贪吝者在一处哭泣，而我所犯的正是和他们相反的罪恶。”
　　　
　　 那时唱《牧歌》的说：“当你歌吟伊俄卡斯忒双重悲哀的斗争的时候，你恳求克利俄伴着你，那时你似乎还没有信仰；没有信仰，为善仍有不足，假使你有信仰，那末是什么阳光，或者什么烛光。替你排那黑暗，因此你扯起你的帆，去追随那个似打鱼的圣徒呢？”
　　　
　　 他答道：“你是第一位引导我向往帕尔纳斯山；饮了那里的甘泉；也是你第一个照明我归向上帝的路。你好比一位夜行人，掮着火把在身后，自己没有受益，但照明了跟着走的人。你的诗中写道：“世纪重光，正义再生，人返圣古，天降新民。’因为你，我成为诗人；因为你，我成为耶教徒。但为使你更明了我的描写起见，我的手不得不更加以渲染。那时全世界已渗入新的信仰，这是从永久王国的使者所布散出来的种子；我记得你的话非常和那些新的预言者相符合，他们是我所常常造访的。我那时逐渐觉得他们的确是很神圣的，然而他们竟遭受图密善的虐待，我常为他们洒下同情之泪。我逗留在那里的时候，常常帮助他们；我见到他们正义的生存，就令我轻蔑其他一切的宗派。我在诗中写到希腊人进兵到了忒拜的河流以前，我已经受了洗礼；但是因为我害怕，只是秘密地做一个耶教徒，在许多年之间，我仍旧扮做一个异教徒。这种畏缩的行为令我在第四圈里跑了四百多年。所以，你为我掀开帐幕在他的里面正蕴蓄着我刚才所说的大善呢。我们上升的路中途还有多余的时间，请你告诉我：我们的老泰伦提乌斯、凯齐留斯、普劳图斯、瓦留斯在那儿呢，假使你知道；他们是否有罪要忏悔。在哪一层？”
　　　
　　 我的引导人答道：“你所说的他们，还有佩尔西乌斯，还有其他许多位和我，边同那位希腊人，他吃文艺女神的奶比谁都多，都处在黑暗牢狱的第一层。我们不时谈及那座山。那儿是我们的乳母所居之处。欧里庇得斯同着我们，还有女提丰、西降尼得斯、阿伽同和其他希腊人。他们都曾顶戴过月桂冠。那里还可以看到你所歌吟的人物：安提戈、得伊贬勒、阿耳癸亚和伊斯墨，她还悲哀得像在人世一般。那里还可以看到指示兰癸亚泉水的她；还有泰瑞西阿斯的女儿，忒提斯和戴伊达密娅及其姊妹们。”
　　　
　　 现在两位诗人都静默了，四处一望，已经攀出了山缝，到了阶梯的尽头；那时四个日神的女仆已经落在后面，第五个走在辕前，引着热烈的车子腾向高空。我的引导人对我说：“我想我们应当把右肩朝向山的外边，照着我们以前的方向行进。”于是习惯引领我们的步阀，而且我们也觉得没有疑惑，因为此外还有那位高贵的灵魂伴着我们攀升。他们二人行在前面。我跟在后面，静听他们的讨论，使我解析诗歌的艺术。
　　　
　　 但不久他们高妙的讨论因为一株树而中阻了；那树生在路中，结满了果实，清香扑鼻。松柏之类的树愈向上则芽枝愈稀少，那树正相反，愈向下愈稀少；所以，我想没有人能爬上那树的。在山壁的那边，有亮晶晶的飞瀑从高高的岩石里落下来，散在树叶之间。
　　　
　　 两位诗人接近那树；树叶间有声音说道：“这些食品你们尝都不能尝！”接着又说：“马利亚只想使那婚筵可以圆满而不失礼，并非为着你们的口腹之欲，古罗马妇女的饮料只有白水；但以理轻视膳食而得智慧，在最初黄金时代，人民饥则食橡子如美肴，渴则饮清流如甘露，蜂蜜和蝗虫是施洗的约翰在旷野的食料，所以他是很光荣的人；他的伟大一如在《福音书》中所宣说给你们看的。”

　　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."

　　贪食者的忏悔。但丁遇见浮雷塞·窦那蒂。
　　　
　　 当我定睛看着绿叶，像一个终身追逐小鸟的人，那时尤胜亲父的人对我说：“我儿！现在你来罢；对于允许我们的时间，应当善加利用他。”我即转过脸，脚步也不迟慢，追上两位哲人；他们讨论着，使我在路上丝毫无失。不久，忽有含泪的歌叹声：“主阿！求你使我嘴唇翕开；我的口便传扬赞美您的歌，”这种歌声使人听了悲喜交集。
　　　
　　 我问道：“亲爱的父亲呀！这种歌声从何而来？”他答道：“定是灵魂们来还他们的债了。”
　　　
　　 如同沉思的过客，在途中遇见不相识的人，便转目注视，但并未停止脚步，步在我们后面的那群录魂也如此。他们寂静的，恭敬的，快着步伐赶超过来，用惊奇的眼光望着我们而走过。他们的眼睛暗黑而凹陷，面色灰白，浑身无肉，只是皮包骨头。我不相信从前厄律西克同由于饥饿会形容枯槁到这般地步。我心里这样说：“看罢！这应是耶路撒冷在灭亡的时候，马利亚食她自己儿子肉的时候了！”他们的眼窝似没有宝石的指环；若将人的面相读作“哦莫”，那末这里的灵魂很明显地表示出一个“爱姆”来，一个人，要是不明白其中的原委，怎么会相信那果子和清泉的气味能够引发欲望，因而造成这般的形状呢？
　　　
　　 我正怀疑他们究竟因为什么而饥饿到如此地步，不懂他们为什么如此消瘦，他们的皮肤也干瘪之极，那时忽有一个灵魂从眼窝深处转着眼珠望着我，于是他高声喊道；“这个对于“我是什么恩惠呀！”从他的面容看来，我并不认识他；但是从他的声音听来，我便知道他是谁了。一线微光，使我忆起他的本来面目，我知道他定是浮雷塞。
　　　
　　 他请求我道：“不要注意我疥癣般的皮肤，也不必关心我肌肉的有无，但你告诉我，你怎会到这里？这二位伴着你的灵魂是谁？快些对我说！”我答道：“你死的时候我曾经为你流过泪，但现在你的面容让我的悲哀也不小于那一次呀！所以，为上帝的缘故，请你先告诉我，谁令你如此的？我正在惊异的时候，勿要问我，因为我的思想在那一方面，决不会回答你恰到好处。”
　　　
　　 于是他先对我说：“由于神的谕令，在我们后面的那树和水，都有使我们消瘦的能力。这些灵魂，在生之日，口腹之欲都是太过，因此现在在这里忍饥受渴，和泪而歌，涤洗他们的罪恶。这里果实的氛芳和洒落青叶上的甘露，惹起我们饮食之欲，在我们心里炙如火烧一般。我们跑在圈子上，不止一次重受这样的痛苦；我说痛苦，其实要说安慰；因为我们趋前树，是被一种欲望所驱，这种欲望正和基督流血救人，在十字架上喊着‘以利’一样。”
　　　
　　 我对他说：“浮雷塞，从你离开我们的人世，转升更好的所在，到现在也不过五年罢。假使说你在与上帝和解以前，已经没有犯罪的能力。为什么你能够到这里呢？我想你还应当在下面，以时间赔偿时间呢。”
　　　
　　 于是他又对我说：“那早早使我尝到甜美的痛苦的人，是我亲爱的奈拉：用她泉水般的眼泪，用她虔诚的祈祷，和她连绵轻轻叹息，她令我免除在山脚下的等待和其他各圈的滞留。我温柔的寡妇，她既是我心中所亲爱的，也是上帝所宝贵而嘉奖的，因为她能独行美善。我想撒丁的巴巴嘉的妇女比我所离开的巴巴嘉的妇女还负贞节。亲爱的兄弟呀！你还要我说什么呢？照我的眼光来看，有一个时代将到，已经不远了；到那时，佛罗伦萨厚颜的妇女，将被讲经台向禁止露胸凸乳而逐出门了，一种需要纪律的强制而穿衣服的妇女，是怎样一种野蛮妇女或是阿拉伯妇女呢？但是，假使无耻的造物知道天正在预备干预她们，或许她们会号啕大哭罢。假使我的预言不错，那末在现在听着催眠曲的婴儿下巴长出细毛以前，她们就要伤悲了。兄弟！你不要再瞒住你的故事了；不仅是我一个，所有这里的灵魂都看到你的影子了。”
　　　
　　 于是我对他说：“假使你回忆起你对于我和我对于你的关系，那末这种回忆仍叫人不胜惆怅。行在我前面的这一位，他把我从那种生活里拉出来，这不过是几天前的事情，那时他的姊妹脸儿正圆着说到“他”时我指着太阳。他引导我经过那真死人的黑暗国度，我用结实的肉身跟随他。由于他的鼓舞，又随着他上升，绕着这些山路，在这里你们把世间的弯曲拉直了。他说要伴着我直至贝雅特丽齐所在之处，到那里他才和我分离我指着他说)：就是他，维吉尔， 对我这样说的。至于那一位呢，就是在不久前，此处山地震动的时候，他清偿了债务，超脱而去的灵魂。”

　　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."

　　续浮雷塞的谈话。卢卡人波拿君塔。出第六层。
　　　
　　 谈话不妨碍行路，行路也不妨碍谈话；我们边说边走，颇像顺风里行船。那些似乎已死过二次的灵魂，“从他们深凹的眼窝里用惊奇的目光注视我，因为他们已知道我是活人。
　　　
　　 我继续说：“我想他之所以迟迟而行，也许是因为伴着我们的缘故，但是，请告诉我，假使你知道，毕卡尔达在哪里？还要请你告诉我，在这些关注我的灵魂之中是否有值得我关注的人？”浮雷塞开始说：“我的姊妹，也不知是因为她的美，或是出于她的善，她已经升至奥林普斯神山之，戴上胜利的花冠了。”他又说：“这里并不禁止告知每个灵魂的姓名，因为我们节制饮食而不成人形了。这一位是言时点以手指波拿君塔，卢卡的波拿君塔；在他后面的一个，脸上的孔穴最深，他曾经将圣教堂抱在臂弯里，他是从图尔来的，他断食在维尔纳洽酒里浸过的博尔塞纳湖里的鳗鱼。”
　　　
　　 他又喊了好几个灵魂的名字；被喊的都现出满意，并没有不高兴的表示。我看见乌巴尔迪诺，他由于很饿，用他的牙齿空嚼；还有卜尼法齐奥，用他像城堡的旗杆来牧民。我看到马尔凯塞，他曾有闲暇在福尔里饮酒，虽然不渴。但他从未言醉。一个人看见许多人，在其中常有一个特别引人注意的，因此我被那卢卡人所吸引，他也似乎比别人更愿意认识我。他喃喃地自语些什么，我只听见了“简图卡”，这是从他嘴里吐出来的，这是他感到正义的创伤之处，因此使他消瘦。那时我说：“灵魂呀！你似乎很想和我说话，你说罢！庶几我可以明白你的意思，你我的欲望都能满足。”
　　　
　　 他开始说：“一个女子生了，她尚未戴着头巾，她将使我的城叫你欢喜，虽然许多人都咒骂他。你带着这个预言到那里去；假使我的喃喃之声有误，那末有事实可以使你明白。现在请你告诉我，你是否是新诗创作的一位？那新诗是以‘贵夫人们，你们对于爱情是有智慧的’一行开头的。”我对他说：“我是一个人，当爱情鼓舞我的时候，我依从他发自我内心的使命写下来。”他说：“兄弟呀！我终于明白那录事和圭托内和我不能追及所谓清新之体的症结所在了。我很明白你的笔忠实地跟从他的使命。这是我们所难及的。研究到底，这个诗体与那个诗体的差别莫外乎此。”波拿君塔似乎满足了，缄口不言了。
　　　
　　 如同一群鸟飞往尼罗河畔过冬一般，先在天空盘了一个圈子，后来便一直线地飞走了；那里的灵魂也是如此，先向四周看了一下，因为身体轻捷和意志坚强的缘故，快着步伐向前去了。又如同那赛跑落伍的，听其同伴前进，自己却在后面徐徐行动，直待喘息的暂止；那时的浮雷塞就是这样，他听一群灵魂跑远去，却跟在我后面说话，他说：“什么时候我能再看见你？”我答道：“我不知道我还活多少时候，但我再到此地，决不会早过我的意志；因为我生活的地方是一天比一天沦丧道德，似乎已经走上毁灭的路了。”
　　　
　　 他又说：“现在你去罢！我看见那最坏的他拖在一只走兽的尾巴上，朝着那不能洗清罪恶的山谷里去了！走兽跑得一步快一步，最后把他的身体弄得七零八落，不成人形。那些天体不必数次转动言时他抬头望着天，你便可以明白我表白不十分清楚的话。现在，我要快走了，这里的时间很宝贵的，我伴随你走已经很久了。”
　　　
　　 如同骑马的人，脱离队伍，加鞭赶上，希望夺取锦标一般；那时浮雷塞放开步阀，离我们去了；我还是伴着两位世界级的大学者在路上。当他跑远时，我的目光追随他的形状，我的思想追随他的话语。那时我又看到一株青枝绿叶的树，缀满着果子；这株树并不离开甚远，可是因为绕山的路是弯曲的，所以直到现在才望见。”
　　　
　　 我看见树下有许多灵魂举起手，同时呼唤着，像小儿乞求食物一般，可是得不到问答；但是那食物并不隐藏起来，只是高高在上，激惹他们的欲念，那些灵魂失望之余，只有离去；于是我们走到那拒绝了许多请求和泪水的大树下。
　　　
　　 “向前走过去，但不要接近！再上面有一株树，他的果子曾经被夏娃吃过，这里的一株是从他那儿生出来的。”在那枝叶之间有人这般如是说着；于是维吉尔、斯塔提乌斯和我都从靠近山的一边走过去。那时又听见说：“记住那些由云生的坏东西，在他们酒醉以后，挺着他们的复胸和特修斯相斗；那些在饮水时显示懦弱的希伯来人，基甸从高原冲向米甸人的时候，不愿意把他们看做部
　　　
　　 我们从两边中的一边走过去，听到叙述各种饕餮的罪恶，大都因为非分的所得而引生的。后来我们走在沉寂的路上，约行了一千多步，各人默默地想着，不发一言。忽然有一种声音说：“你们孤单的三位，默默地想着，往那儿去呢？”我听了很是吃惊，像胆小的野兽。我抬头想找到说话的人，只见胜过像炉子里的结晶体和金属品的一团红光，就是他在发言；他又说：“假使你们欢喜上升，在这里可以转弯，由此能求精神的安宁。”
　　　
　　 他的光芒竟使我暂时失去视觉，所以我转身到老师的背后，只凭听觉作行进的引导。如同五月微风，在黎明前，浸染花中的气息，柔和地拂在我的额心，这就是那天使的翼拂着我，使我出生的愉快感觉。于是我听见说：“这些人有福了，他们蒙着神的照耀，知道减少口腹之欲，只有对于正义永远感到饥饿。”

　　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."

　　斯塔提乌斯解释肉体和灵魂的发生，死后灵魂的存在。
　　　
　　 升入第七层：惩贪色。
　　　
　　 已经到了不可再迟迟上升的时间，因为那时太阳已把子午圈的位置留给金牛，而夜将之让给天蝎了，因此我们像赶路的人，不问眼前有什么宜人风景，也决不滞留脚步；我们行在狭缝的阶梯上，一个从前一个在后地走着，因为那里不容两人并行。
　　　
　　 像小鹳鸟扑开他的两翼想飞起，然后又放下，不敢冒险离开他的窝一般；那时我已鼓动我的嘴唇，很想发问，可是又不敢启。我温和的父亲已经了解我的心意，虽怏怏地走着，仍然对我说：“射出你的话箭罢，因为你的弓已经拉满。”于是我才开口说：“灵魂并不需要食品，为什么他们会饿瘦如此呢？”他说：“假使你记得如何墨勒阿格洛斯因为一段着火木的烧完而消灭，那末这个也并不叫你过于难懂。而且，假使你想到你的一举一动由镜子里影出影像来，那末对于你似乎难解的也许会显得容易罢。不过，为使你的求知欲满足起见，这里是斯塔提乌斯，我现在请求他替你把伤痕医治好。”
　　　
　　 斯塔提乌斯答道：“假使我在你面前，把他所见的永久的内容，解说给他听，那末我只好说不敢违背你的指示罢。”于是他就对我说：“孩子呀！假使你专心一意听我的解说，那末对于你的疑问，或可得到一线光明。最纯净的血，不被干渴的脉管所吸取，像桌子上多余下来的食品一般；他在心脏里获取一种潜在的能力，足以形成全身的肢体。亦如普通的血周流脉管而供给材料一般；更经过洗炼的工夫，他便降至身体的一部分，这部分不必指出他的名称；由此，在一个天然的瓶里滴入另一种血。他们混合在一处，这后一个是被动的，那前一个是主动的，如此他是从完美的地方生出的。联合了以后，便开始工作，最初是把材料凝固，其次给凝固的材料赋以生命。这种主动的能力变为一种灵魂，关于植物的灵魂，所不同者，只是前一种尚在中途，而后一种已达到目的地罢了。而后再继续工作，他便能运动，能感觉，就像海中的珊瑚虫；由此再发展其他器官的力量，因为他已经含那些种子了。孩子呀！这种由父体的心脏来的能力，受自然爱护，一再地发展不息；但是怎样从一个动物变化成一个人类，这个你仍未知道。在这一点上，使一位比你更聪明的人也搞错了；根据他的学说，他把智慧和灵魂分离，因为他未曾寻得主宰智慧的器官。请你敞开胸怀来听真理的言论罢！你要知道，头脑的组织在胚胎里完成以后，马上第一动力转向他，对于自然的伟大艺术的喜悦，向他吹入一种新精神，与其他已有的相合，合成为一个单纯的灵魂，于是他能生长，他能感觉，他能反省自己。你要是疑惑我的话，那末请看太阳的热情罢，他使周流于葡萄藤中的液汁转为甜酒。当那拉刻西斯度完她棉纱的时候，那灵魂脱离肉体，把人的和神的部分都带了走，其他的能力都消逝，而记忆，智慧和意志反比先前的还要敏锐。说也奇怪，那灵魂并未停止生命，他自己飘落到两条河岸之一，立即明白他自己应采取的路径。及至一定的地点以后，那成形的能力向四周散发出来，形状大小与活的肢体一样。如同空气中充满雨点的时候，因为日光的反照而成为各样的颜色一般；同样，灵魂所在之处，他有能力使周邻的空气成为各种的形状；又如同焰跟随火移动一般，同样，灵魂的移动，他的新形状也如此跟了走。此后便把这个与生前相似的形态叫做影子；此后更把感觉的器官也罗织成功，譬如视觉。如此我们能说，我们能笑，我们能流泪和叹息，这都是你在山上所见到听到的。影子形状的变化，也是随着我们的欲望和各种其他苦乐后感而发生的。这便是你觉得奇怪的原因。”
　　　
　　 现在我们临到了最后一个圈子，向右边转弯。立即发现到另一个担心的事情，那里的山壁冒出火焰，被风推着，火焰顶都向着上面。我们只好一个一个鱼贯而行，走在圈子的边缘，一方面怕被火所炙，一方面又怕跌落深渊。
　　　
　　 我的引导人说：“在这种地方，最要把眼睛睁大，走错一步便要出乱子。”那时我听见大火之中唱道：“至高仁爱的上帝呀，”因此我很想转过头去看看。我看见在火焰中穿梭的灵魂；我盯看他们的步伐，一时又盯看我自己的。他们唱完赞美歌以后，同声呼叫道；“我一个男人都不认识。”以后又低声吟着赞美诗。唱诗完毕，马上又喊道：“狄阿娜守在树林里，赶走了艾丽绮，因为她中了爱神的毒箭。”于是他们又唱，他们又称扬女人和男子的贞洁者，因为这些是尽了道德上和结婚上义务的人。
　　　
　　 我想，这里的灵魂就在火焰之中受到这样的痛楚：仅用这种医疗方法，上天使他们最后一个创口愈合了。

　　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.

　　第七层：惩贪色。圭多·圭尼采里。阿尔诺·丹尼埃尔。
　　　
　　 我们一前一后，沿着边际行进，善良的老师时常对我说：“当心。谨听我的警告。”
　　　
　　 那时阳光射在我的右肩上，西方的天空已由碧色染做白色；我的影子使那里的火焰显得红色，就是这一点差异，过往那里的灵魂便非常惊奇。因此他们开始七嘴八舌议论，其中一个对其他灵魂说：“他不像气一般的身体。”于是有几个尽量地来接近我，只当心不脱离火焰罢了。
　　　
　　 “你呀！走在别人后面，不是行得慢的缘故，也许是尊敬顶戴别人的原因罢，请你回答我，在渴中在火中的我。也不仅是我一个人希望回答，在这里的一群，都比印度人，或埃塞俄比亚人更需要清凉的水，请告诉我们，为什么你会像墙壁一堵把太阳遮住，或许你尚没有落入死神的网？”
　　　
　　 一个灵魂这般恳切地问我，我本想立即将我的情形告诉他，要不是那时恰另有一种奇异的事情出现；那时在火道之中另有一群灵魂对面而来，这些灵魂引起我的注目。那里，双方的灵魂抢步迎上前相互接吻拥抱。他们满足于瞬时的致敬，很像黑蚁的队伍。在路上互相擦嘴。以探问前途或食品所在的模样。在他们友谊的彼此致敬以后，尚未放步走以前，他们用力叫喊，来的道：“所多玛和蛾摩拉！”去的道：“帕西菲躲匿进母牛的肚子，刺激公牛的性欲！”于是他们像鹤群一般飞去，有的惧怕太阳，投向黎菲山去，有的畏霜雪，投向沙漠地去；那些灵魂也是如此地分道扬镳，一群向前进，一群往后去，仍旧回复挥泪而歌诗的情形，并叫喊着最适合于他们的句子。
　　　
　　 那些先前要和我接谈的灵魂，现在又贴到我的旁边，现出等我答复的神气。第二次现出他们的欲望，我说：“灵魂呀！无论如何你们可以获得安乐的境界；我的四肢，既不少，也不老，却都没有留在世间且还随着我，我的确带着我的血肉之躯。我由此向上，因为不愿意长久做盲人；一位圣女，她替我讨到了恩惠，因此我可以奉恩带着我的肉身经过你们的世界。但是，假使要你们的大欲望早日满足，要那充满爱的广大的天来接引你们，那末务请你告诉我，你是谁，向你们背后去的一群是为了什么，庶几我好将其记录在纸上。”
　　　
　　 那些灵魂听了我的话，好像山野田夫初入城市，目瞪口呆，不发一言；每个灵魂都现着这般神气；但是，经过了一些时候，惊奇过去了，他们高贵的心也就平复了。
　　　
　　 那先前问我话的那位灵魂开始道：“你是有福了！因为要有较高的生命层次，才能到我们这国度里来访问。那些不同我们一路走的人，他们所犯的就是古昔凯撒在胜利的时候被人家呼作“皇后’的那一回事。所以他们在离开我们的当儿叫着所多玛，这是你刚听到的；他们自己诅咒自己，复加在火中的耻辱。我们的罪恶是阴阳同体；但是因为我们不遵守人类的律例我们的荒淫像禽兽一般，所以我们叫着那藏在木牛里面的帕西菲的名字，用以表示我们的羞耻，现在你已经知道我们的行为我们的罪恶了。假使你还要知道我们的名字那末非但时间不够，而且我也不知道这那么多。我想满足你的要求，只有把我的名字告诉你：我是圭多·圭尼采里，我已经到这里来洗涤，这是因为我在末日临头前已经忏悔了。”
　　　
　　 如同在吕枯耳戈斯懊丧之际，两个儿子忽然投进他们母亲怀里一般，我也同样生出那感觉，只是没有那般的勇气，当我听见我的父亲，而且也是比我更胜者的诗父，他们都是制作温柔高雅的爱情诗的诗人，亲自说出自己的名字的时候。那时我听不见别人说话，自己也不说话，只是沉思着，长久地注视着他；因为火的隔膜，使我不能更接近他。当我看了他一个饱以后，对他说愿意替他效劳，并发誓请他相信我的话。于是他对我说：“我听了你的话，在我心上留下了深刻明晰的印象，就是勒特河的水也不能将他洗却，或令他暗淡。但是，假使你的誓言出于真诚、那末请你对我说，为什么你在言语上和态度上对我表示这样真诚的感情呢？”我对他说：”你的甜美的诗歌，只要我们的语言还流行着，我始终宝贵你所写下的每一字句呢。”
　　　
　　 他又说：“兄弟呀！这一位，我用手指点给你看言时指点在他前面的一个灵魂，他是应用他方言的里手；无论是爱情诗歌或散文传奇，他都远胜他人，只有愚人才把里摩日的诗人摆在他的上面。人们的耳朵只信闻谣传，而不论其事实；在看过作品或明了理由以前，便存了成见。我们的前辈，多数就是这种人。对于圭托内以口耳相传地称述他的好处；但是，最后被大众的真理战胜了。现在，如果你有这样大的特权，允许你进基督所主持的修道院，那末请你在那里为我唱一支‘我们在天上的父’；对于此世界是需要的，在此地我们已经没有再犯罪的能力了。”
　　　
　　 后来，也许是把位置让给他邻近的一位，他没入火焰中而不见了，好像游鱼沉到水底一般。于是我略微赶上几步，贴近方才他所指点的一位，说在我的心中对于他的大名有一个光荣的位置呢。
　　　
　　 那灵魂很大方地说：“你谦和的请求，令我很高兴，我不愿意再隐匿我的名字，我是阿尔诺，挥着眼泪，歌着诗而行进；我想念从前的猖狂，我见到未来的日子而欢乐。现在，我请求你，美德引导你到阶梯的顶端，请你常常想起我的痛苦。”说完，他便匿入涤罪的烈火中去了。

　　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.

　　但丁走过第七层的火焰。但丁的第三梦。上升到山顶平地。维吉尔最后的话。
　　　
　　 当太阳的第一光线射在基督流血之地，伊贝罗河已在高高的天秤之下，恒河之波已被中午的热力所蒸发的时候，那时在净界山的一天已步入终了，上帝之欢乐的天使现在我们的面前。他站在圈子的边缘上，火焰的外面，歌道：“清心的人有福了！”一种声调比我们的响亮得多。
　　　
　　 接着他又说：“不能再向前走了，神圣的灵魂，假使你们不先往火里灼烧一下。进去罢！对于那面的歌声不要始终聋着耳朵。”那时我们已走近他，因为他所说的话，我听了吓得像躺在坟墓里的死人一祥。
　　　
　　 我把两手交叉在我胸前，注视着熊熊的火焰，观想出一个被烧肉体的惨状。两位和善的引导人，都关切地回头来看我，维吉尔对我说：“我的儿呀！这里或许有些痛苦，但决不至于死。请你记起罢！请你记起罢！你登在格吕翁的背上不也是平平安安吗。现在更接近上帝，反而有危险么？你要相信，你就是身处这火焰的怀里一千年，也难得烧去你的一根头发。假使你认为我在骗你，那末把你的衣角伸进火焰中去试一下如何？你尽可放心，一点也不必怕，坚定你的意志走进去！”但是，我的脚，违返着我的良心，像生了根一般，绝不肯移动。
　　　
　　 维吉尔看见我固执不动，有些恼怒；他对我说：“看罢，我的儿，在贝雅特丽齐和你之间，只隔阂着这一堵火墙！”如同皮刺摩斯在垂死的时候，听见提斯柏的名字而张开眼睛望着他的情人一般，当我一听见那个永远珍藏在我心中的名字，我不再坚持了，我回转身向着我聪明的引导人。那时他摇着头说：“怎样？你还愿意站在这一边么？”于是他微笑了，像一个大人用一枚果子便征服了一个孩子一般。
　　　
　　 于是维吉尔在前，首先进入火焰之中，让斯塔提乌斯跟在我的后面做殿军，此刻以前斯塔提乌斯一直处在我们二人之间的。当我进入火焰中，我觉得我宁愿投入沸汤以取得清凉，因其热度之高真是无可比拟。我温和的父亲，为鼓励我的勇气起见，不时提及贝雅特丽齐；他对我说：“我似乎已经看到她的那双眼睛了！”并且还有一种歌声引导着我们的脚步，因为留意那歌声，不知不觉已前进到攀登阶梯的地方。“快过来，蒙我父赐福的！”这话是从那里一种光芒里面发出来的，光芒甚强，我的眼睛也不能看他。他又说：“太阳下降，夜色已临，不要停止，加快步伐，趁西方尚留着那一线余辉。”
　　　
　　 我们奋而向上两岩之间的阶梯；太阳很低了，我的影子正射在我的前面。仅仅攀升了几步，我和我的老师们都见到太阳瞬间没入地下，因为那时我的影子消灭了。在夜色笼罩大地前，我们每人把一层阶梯当做床铺，固然我们还想上升，可是依照山上的规则，我们的力量被剥夺了。
　　　
　　 如同山羊尚未吃草以前，先在山头跳跃一回，而后天气热了，再在树荫下细嚼他们的食料，而牧人则倚着牧杖在那里保护他们；到了夜间，牧人露宿在外面，守护羊群的四周，以防御野兽的袭扰；那时我们三人也如此，我充山羊，而他们两位则是牧人，高高的山壁耸立在我们左右。从那里所见到的天空其小，但是我看见一簇星，比平常的更大更亮。我沉思着，注视着，就这样睡去了，在梦中往往可以知道将要发生的事实。
　　　
　　 我想，在那基西拉她似乎永被情火所烧从东方开始放射光明在山顶之际，我在梦中看见一位贵妇人，既年轻又漂亮，在一块草原上采摘花朵，歌唱道：“谁要问我的名字，请你知晓，我叫利亚，我挥动我美丽的手，左采花右采花，用以围做一个花圈。我要装饰自己，使我在镜中看得可爱；而我的妹妹拉结从未离开过她的镜子，从早到晚坐在那里。她欣赏她漂亮的眼睛而喜悦，至于我则爱用我的手装扮自己。她满足于默想，我则满足于行动。”
　　　
　　 现在，晨光已经渐渐透发出来，引起旅客们的欣喜，他们已经步步接近自己的家园了；夜的黑影，向四围逃散，我的睡眠也被他们撩走；于是我爬了起来，看见两位大师已经站在那里了。“那甜美的果实，人类不知花费了多少代价去寻他，今天要为你解渴了。”这些话是维吉尔对我说的，无论什么馈赠品也没有这般甜美。我一再地希求上升，我每走上一步，愈觉得需要生出翅膀，叫我可以飞翔。
　　　
　　 当阶梯都臣临我们的下方，我们来到他的头巅，维吉尔眼望着我，他说：“我的儿呀！永久的火和暂时的火你都阅历过了；现在。到了这个地点，我自己也不能识别。我用我的智慧和谨慎，将你带临这里；现在，你能善用自己的意志做引导了。你已经离开了山道，走出了狭路。看那太阳罢，已经照明你的眉宇；再看地上的浅草，丛花，矮树罢，这都是此土自我孕育的。那一双美丽的眼睛，他们曾经蕴泪慰我来救助你，现在你可以期待他们的光临。你坐在这里也好，你行走花草之间也好，不必再盼望我的指引，我的手势了。自由，正直而健全，是你的意志，不听从他的指引是一种错误；所以我为你戴上皇冕和法冠。”

　　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."

　　地上乐园：神林中的仙女。
　　　
　　 我因为急切想知道那神林的内部和他的四周，所以并未等待，立即动身慢步向前，行进于香气扑鼻的平原上，那里树木茂密而青翠，加以朝阳的光辉，真是爽心悦目。
　　　
　　 那里又些许柔和的风拂在我脸上，那风没有变化，力量是轻微无比；因为这一丝风，那些树叶抖动，都向着神圣的山的初影这方面倾斜；但倾斜的程度很小，并不怎么离开他们天然的位置，如此打断枝头小鸟们的歌声；他们充满欢乐而尽情地歌唱，用以迎接晨风，同时树叶之间有呜呜的低音协奏着；这个无异于基雅席的海岸上埃俄洛斯送出东南风来的时候，从那松林里奏出来的松涛之声。
　　　
　　 我慢步走入古树林已经很深了，因为我不再能见进来的路口。在我的面前发现一条小溪，溪水向左流淌，把生长在他两岸的草推倒在水面上。地上最纯净的水和那里的水相比，似乎还显混浊一点；虽然他流在永久的树荫之下从不泻下一些日光或月光，但在河底的东西却一无隐匿。我的脚步为溪水所阻，但我的眼光却望着在水的那边，尽情地赏鉴广大而多变的丰草佳木。当时我忽然发现一幅奇景，使我改变了思想的路线：原来是一个孤单的女子，她一方面唱着，方面采着花，在那锦绣万般的路上。
　　　
　　 我对她说：“美丽的贵妇人呀！你在爱情的光线中温暖自己，假使我能够从你的外表，看清你的内心。是否可以请你近前几步，走近这条河岸，好令我听懂你的歌声。你使我忆及普洛塞皮娜，那时她的妈妈失掉了她，她失掉了方采的春花。”
　　　
　　 如同一个舞蹈的女子，不是两足一前一后地走着。简直是并合着在地上滑动一般，那少妇转向我，在黄花和红花的地毯上面，无异于一位含羞的处女，低着她的眉眸。她依了我的请求，靠近了我，于是她那柔和的歌声生起了意义。
　　　
　　 她一到了河边，那里仙溪的水浸透了河边的草，她才赐恩把头抬起来朝向我。我不相信爱神被她儿子无意中射伤了的时候，她的睫毛间会射出这般的光彩。那少妇在对岸向我微笑，手中不断地理着花朵，那都是此地无种而生的植物。她和我之间的距离也不过三步光景，然而薛西斯渡过，至今犹为人类骄傲的约束的赫勒斯滂而见恨于莱安德，因为赛斯托斯和阿比多斯之间的汹涌波涛，也并不超越此小溪之见恨于我，因为彼时尚未可以交通。
　　　
　　 于是她开始说：“你们是新到此地，这是选择出来赠给人类的窠；也许因为我在此间微笑，引起你们的疑惑；但《诗篇》中的“你令我欢喜”可以放出些光明，除却你们心中的昏暗呢。你，走在前面的，张口请求我的一位，你是否想听见更多的话？我专为解答你的问题而来，直至令你满意为止。”
　　　
　　 我说：“这水和这树林的音乐，和我不久以前所听到的话相冲突。”
　　　
　　 因此她说：“我将解说你觉得奇怪的原因。除掉你眼前的翳障。至高之善，他本身完备，创造了善人，且使之向善，又赋与这块地方，作为永久安宁的保证品。由于他的过失，他不过短时间住于此地；因为他的过失，他把正大的欢乐和愉快的游戏变做了眼泪和劳苦。由于水气和地气的缘故，随热力的蒸发，造就地上的暴风怒雨，但此处高高在上，已和天相接壤，从锁门之处起，可以免除风雨的伤害。现在，此地纯洁的空气，全体由于原动力而旋转，兜着大圈子而未间断，这转动损击此地的高处，因此使此地茂密的树林生起声音。被撞击的植物又转而鼓动空气，向外散播他的功德；在其他地点，依照他的能力和水土，孕育各种德性的不同树木。你要懂得这道理，那末在没有种子的地方，忽然长出了植物，也不必惊奇了。你要知道，你所在的圣地是蕴含有一切的种子，而且其中有一种果实不是地上可以采到的。至于此水的源头呢，他不是从水汽遇冷而凝结来的，像那地上的河水体积上有增有减；他有永久不变的源头，他是由上帝的意志，所获得的分量正和流入流出于两边的分量相等。在这边流淌着的一条，有能将人们罪恶的记忆洗却的功用；在那边的则回复每桩善行的记忆。这边的叫做勒特，那边的叫做欧诺埃，先尝了这边的，再去尝了那边的，就会生效力。他们的味道是超出一切的；虽然我开示你的就是这一点，但是你的求知欲可以全解了。我还要送给你一条余论，虽然超出我允许的范围以外，但我想对于你不是无足珍贵的。那些古诗人，他们歌吟黄金时代及其幸福状态，梦想这块土地也许在帕尔纳斯山上。然而，这里是真璞的人类的根基；这里的春天是永恒的，这里有一切的果实；这里的水正是人所称颂的琼浆玉露。”
　　　
　　 那时我回头望了一下我的两位诗人，他们听到最后那段的解释而面带微笑；于是我又转向那美丽的贵妇人。

　　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.

　　神秘的游行队。
　　　
　　 她之言毕，像一个迷恋的少妇歌唱，继之以：“得赦免其过，遮盖其罪的，这人是有福的！”而且，像山林女神一般，欢喜孤单地在树荫下游散，有的希望见到阳光，有的则要躲避他；她那时沿着河边。逆流而行，我也跟着她的样儿，在河的这边小步而行。我们尚未步完百步光景，两岸同时弯曲，令我面向着东方。
　　　
　　 我们行了不久，那少妇转身向我说：“我的兄弟，请认真看着听着罢！”忽然有光线透过大树林的全部，我怀疑这是闪电；但是闪电马上就消逝，这个却持续着，而且更加明亮起来，我心里想：“这是什么光啊？”在光明的空气里，又升起柔和的音调传播着；那时令我升出真正的虔诚，使我抱怨夏娃的大胆，因为上天下地都服从了，她以一个刚刚造就的女流，便不肯忍耐在面幕之下；假使她能安心些，那末我也早已尝着这种难以言语形容的美妙了，而且要受享得更长久。
　　　
　　 当我行进于永久幸福的最早果子之间，真是目乱心迷，希望尝到更多的幸福喜悦，那时我们前面明亮的空气在青枝绿叶之下，渐变得像烧着的炭火，柔和的声音听得出是一首歌。神圣的少女呀！假使为着你们我挨饿，受冷，失眠，那将有正大的理由向你们要求报酬呢。现在，赫立康应当给我以泉水，而乌拉尼姬应当带领她的歌队协助我，把难于下笔的东西织成诗句。
　　　
　　 行稍远，我似乎看见有七株金树，因为我们和他们之间尚有相当长距离；走近以后，那些东西的外形虽大致不变，但我的识别力才认出他们是灯台；所听到的歌声是“和散那”。灯台的上面，放着火光，照耀仪仗的行进，比晴夜中天的满月还显明亮。我感到奇怪，回头问善人维吉尔，而他所回复我的也是一付觉得奇怪的面相。我只好再转过去，看那堂堂的景象，他们迟迟向我们而来，恐怕姗姗来迟的新娘也显比他们快些。
　　　
　　 那少妇向我喊道：“为什么你只望着那些光，不注意他们后面前来的事物呢？”于是在灯台引照之下我看见后面有一群穿白衣裳的，那洁白之色，在地上从未见过。白光从我左边的水面反射回来；假使我向水面看，他又将我的左像反射出来，如镜子一般。
　　　
　　 当我行到和那些仪仗只距一河之隔的时候，为看得清楚起见，我在这边岸上驻定了脚。我看至灯台向前移进时，后面留着彩色的尾巴，像长旒一般；因此在上面的空气出现七条不同颜色的带子，如太阳所做的弓，月亮所成的腰围。这些带子向后延伸，竟出于我视线之外；据我的判断，最在外边的带子彼此也相距有十步。
　　　
　　 在这光耀的天空之下，如我在前所写，行来二十四位长老，两个一排走着，头戴着百含花冠。他们歌唱道：“你在亚当的女儿中有福了，你的美丽永久有福了！”
　　　
　　 在我对岸之花草地上，这些天之选民走过以后，像天上的星跟随着星一般，来了四只活物，每个头上戴看绿叶冠。每只有六扇翅膀。翅膀上满布着眼睛；假使阿尔古斯的眼睛还睁着，他们就是这般亮晶晶的，要描写他们各个的形状，读者诸君，恕我没有这种闲笔，因为还有别的迫切的工作，使我难以再迟慢了。但是请一读《以西结书》罢，以西结描绘怎样看见他们从冷的地方到来，在乌云和电光之中，其捷如旋风一般；我所见的，就写在他所做的书上；只是关于翅膀记叙方面，则约翰同于我而异于他。
　　　
　　 在四个活物之间。有一辆凯旋的车子，在两支轮盘上，由一只半鹰半狮的怪物拉着行走。他把两个翅膀高举在中间一条光带和其他三条光带之间，而并不触及任何一条；他们高举到望不见边的程度；他飞鸟的部分是金黄色，其余部分是白色混和着朱砂色。不仅在罗马之阿非利加努斯或奥古斯都胜利的时候，没有人见过这样漂亮的车子；就是太阳神的车子与之并驾，也不免逊色；太阳神的车子，驶出正道，由于地球的请求，尤比特大神依照神秘的正义将之烧毁了。
　　　
　　 三个贵妇人在右轮盘这边环绕舞蹈：一个是红色，红到和火不能分辨清楚；第二个的肌肉和骨胳，看上去似碧玉做就；第三个像新降的润雪；一时似乎白色的做前导，一时又似乎红色的做前导，依她的歌声，其余两个调节她们舞步的快慢。在左轮盘的一边，是四个穿着紫色的贵妇人，示以她们的欢乐，其中一位有三只眼睛的做着前导。
　　　
　　 在我已描写的一群人后面，我看见两位老者，衣服式样不同，但是在仪态上是同样庄重而可敬。一个现出他是著名的希波革拉底的家族；希波革拉底是自然为了他最宝贵的造物人类而造就的。其他一个显出他之与众不同，带了一把锐利而发亮的宝剑，我虽是在流水的这边，也颇觉得恐惧。后来又看见四个，都示以谦逊的态度；最后是一个孤单的老者，他出神地行着，但视觉却很敏锐。这六个老人的服色都和第一群的一致，只是他们不戴百合花冠，却是玫瑰花和别的红花；从稍远处望去，一个人会发誓说他们睫毛以上都冒着火呢。
　　　
　　 当那车子正对着我的时候，听见一声霹雳，那些高贵的人物都随着灯台而一律停止了前行。

　　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.

　　贝雅特丽齐的出现：对于但丁的谴责。
　　　
　　 那第一天的七星，他既不晓下降。也不懂上升，除罪恶而外不受其他的遮蔽，他在那里教示各人注意他自己的职责，也犹如较下的七星指引水手们到达港口一般；当他应声止步的时候，那些真人原在他和半鹰半狮的怪物之间，都转扭身来，向着车子，像面着他们永久的和平一般；其中有一位，似乎是从天上特派下来的，唱道：“我的新妇，你从黎巴嫩来罢！”他高唱了三次，于是其余的都随着他唱。
　　　
　　 好比在末日审判的一天，幸福者听到着号筒的召集，每个都从他每人的坟墓里站起来，再唱起愉快的赞美歌一般；那时神车的上方，应着那位崇高的长老呼声，翔至百来位天官和天使，他们的生命都是永久的。他们都说：“为来者祝福。”他们又从上方把花朵散向四方，都说：“满手分送百合花！”
　　　
　　 我常常发见，在黎明的时分，东方染作玫瑰色，其余的天空是碧海一般；不久太阳的面庞显露出来，因为晨起的雾气，使他的光芒变得温和，像披着面纱一般，由此我的眼睛可以凝视他，而不感着晕眩；同样，当天使们抛散花朵，如雨点般散落在车子内外的时候，我在花雨缤纷之中赫见一位贵妇人，她蒙着白面纱，其上顶戴着一个橄榄树叶编的花冠，披着一件绿披肩，其下衬一件鲜红似火的长袍。在我的精神上，见到她而感着震荡和恐惧，这件事虽早已成为久远的过去，但是在我的眼睛认识她以前，我已经因为她发出的神秘的庄严而感着旧情的伟大了。
　　　
　　 当我的目光接触到她崇高的德性，受着她的打击，这在我未脱童年的时期已经受过的打击，那时我将脸转向左边，好比一个孩子受了惊吓和痛苦后，找寻他的母亲一般，我想对维吉尔说：“我周身的血，没有点滴不在震荡了！我认识了我旧时情火的信号！”
　　　
　　 但维吉尔那时已经悄然离开我们；维吉尔是我最亲爱的父亲，维吉尔是受她的委托来救护我的。虽然有我们古母亲所过失的一切，也不足以阻止我在不久前雨露水洗净了的脸上再被泪水所。
　　　
　　 “但丁！维吉尔已经去了，不要再哭泣了，不要再哭泣了；你要为着别的伤痛而哭泣。”
　　　
　　 像一位海军元帅，时在船头，时在船尾，指挥船上的水手，鼓励他们的勇气；同样，在那车子的左面，当我听见我不得不写在这里的我的名字的时候，我看清了那位贵妇人，起初她身处众天使的花雨之中，现在从小溪的对岸，把一双明眸望向我。虽然从她的额头下垂着面纱，顶戴着敏尔代的枝叶，难见她的全貌，但是她皇后一般的气度是凛然不可侵犯的。她用一种声音，像一个人把最厉害的话置在后面一般，她继续对我说：“看好我；我的的确确是贝雅特丽齐！你怎样敢攀上这山？你不知道这里的人都是快乐的吗？”
　　　
　　 我闻听此言，俯下头，眼看着清流，其中是我的影像，重重耻辱压在我的额上，我只好将我的目光移向草地上来。一个母亲有时对于她的孩子会恼怒；我看贝雅特丽齐那时对于我也是如此。因为她的话在怜爱之中含有辛酸的味道，她静默以后，那些天使立即唱道：“上帝呀！我有望于你。”但是他们并不唱过“我的脚”这一句。
　　　
　　 好比意大利背脊的活柱子上面积存的雪，遇着斯拉沃尼亚风而冻结凝固，假使遇上无影子的地方吹来的风，他便要溶解流下，如烛之遇火；同样，在我未听到那与永久的天体相和谐的歌声之前，我没有泪水，也没有叹息；但是当我听了那甜美的歌声后，我知道这歌声里对我表示的同情，胜于他们如此说：“贵妇人！为什么你这般羞辱他？”那时现存我心的冰块，融化为水和气伴着痛楚从胸中向口中眼中袭来。
　　　
　　 彼时贝雅特丽齐仍旧立在车子的近边，转向怀着怜悯心的天使们说：”你们在无穷的日子里面，无时无刻不在监视，也非昏夜，也非睡眠，足以使你们对于世界的前行疏忽一步；所以我的回话当十分留意，务必使在对岸哭泣的那位知晓，由此他的过失和责罚相称。不仅伟大的天体，依照所伴的星座，去判定每个造物的命运，而且有神之赐与，从高高的难见的云间像雨一般滋润世间；这个人在年轻的时代，就富于才能，很具产生善果的根基。可是田地愈加肥沃，如若耕种不良，就愈加生产恶莠和野草。有若干时日，我的姿容支持着他：我的一双年轻的眼睛诱他看，我引导他走在正道。但一到我在人生第二时期之户限，我的生命变换了，他便离开我而委身于其他。当我解脱于肉体而进入于灵魂界的时候，我的美丽和德性都增长了，在他的心目中，不再视我为可爱，于是他的脚便踏向邪路上，追逐世间欢乐的虚影，须知这些都是有名无实的。我曾经在他梦中和醒时去感化他，但是他竟无动于衷。他沉迷得愈深了，没有方法可以救拔他，除非把堕落的罪人给他示现。由此我去叩了死人的国门，含泪求助那一位引导他到此地的人。上帝至高的律令要被破坏了，假使他能泅过勒特河，品尝着美妙味，而不支付相当的代价，就是说怎不令他多洒些忏悔的眼泪。”

　　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；他饮勒特河的水。对贝雅特丽齐的瞻望。
　　　
　　 “你呀！立在神圣的溪水那边。”现在她把谈锋直接转向着我，方才的旁敲侧击已经令我受不住了；她紧接着说，不稍停顿：“你说，你说，我所讲的是否实在；我对于你这样指摘，你应有所辩白罢！”
　　　
　　 我的精神昏乱了，虽然要开口说，但是声音竟被闭在嘴唇以内，发不出来。
　　　
　　 她等了片刻，于是说：“你想什么？回答我！因为你对于过失的记忆，尚没有被这条水抹去呀！”惭愧和恐惧联合起来，使我的口中隐隐约约透出一个“是”字，如要了解，尚须得眼睛的帮助呢。好比射箭一般，因为用力过大，弓也折了，弦也断了，那箭便不再有力量达到目的地；我在重负的压力之下折断了。除却眼泪和叹息向外迸出，那声音却滞留在半路上了。于是她对我说：“在我鼓舞起你的欲望之际，那欲望本诱导你去渴慕那至善，除此以外是别无可希求的，究竟是什么壕沟，什么山脉，横在你的前面，使你失去越进的希望呢？究竟是什么一种诱惑，一种什么利益，使你迷恋于他，而驰逐不息呢？”
　　　
　　 我长叹了一声以后，简直失去回答的力量，我的双唇实在难于动作。我哭泣着说：“现世的财富，携着他们虚妄的欢乐，在你的目光离弃我的一刻，便将我的脚步引向别处去了！”于是她又说：“即使你保持沉默，或否认你方才的自白，也是徒劳，因为在这样最大的审判官之前，你的过失会不被人家知晓么？不过。罪人的过犯须是从他自己的嘴里说出来，则在天上的法庭里那磨石将逆着刀口而转动。可是这次你对于你的过犯感到惭愧，下次要是你再听见西王的歌声，也许你会更坚定些。离开你洒泪的种子罢，听我说：你要知道，在我的肉体被葬之后，你应当采取一个正和你的行径相反的方向。无论在自然界或艺术界，能够令你迷恋的，莫过于我的体态和美色，然而现在已和尘土同腐了！这样珍贵的宝物，因为我的死而归于消散，世上是否还有别的东西可以鼓舞起你的欲望呢？你已经被虚妄的欢乐中的第一箭，你应当提高你的思想追随我，因为我已经不在尘世上了。你不应当向着地面飞，再去经受到别的创伤，就是说，你不应当再去追逐娇小的女郎或其它别的转眼成空的虚荣。黄口小鸟也许会被射中了第二箭或第三箭；但是对于毛羽已丰满的，便无从张网和矢箭了。”
　　　
　　 我像一个孩子，含羞不语，望眼着她，自怨自艾地立着，听受贝雅特丽齐的责难。她又说：“我的话，不过刺激你的耳朵，现在，抬高你的胡须罢！通过视觉，也许给你更大的痛苦呢。”一株高大的橡树。由于我们自己的风，或是从雅尔巴斯之地袭来的风，我想他在连根拔起时所用的抵抗力，也不及我听受了她的命令，把下巴抬起时所用的如此这般；尤其是她用”胡须”来代替“眼睛”，使我觉得她的话语中间所蓄含的苦汁。
　　　
　　 当我抬起头来的时候，我看到那些最初的造物已经终止散花；我的眼睛还有些晕眩，看见贝雅特丽齐转身面向着那个两种自然联合成一体的怪物。虽然她笼在面纱之下，虽然她在河的对岸，但是在我看来，她的美丽超过旧日的贝雅特丽齐，也犹如她在人间的时候；超过所有别的女子一样。那时后悔刺激我到如此这般剧烈。竟使我对于一切令我离开贝雅特丽齐的东西发生痛恨。我的内疚实在太深，竟使我昏倒而不省人事，后来的事情，只有责备我的她知道。
　　　
　　 不久，我的神志清醒了，我看见那最初遇着的那一位少妇临在我的上面，她说：“拉着我！拉着我！”她把我浸在河水里，直没到我的咽喉；她将我拖在她后面，她在水上行走着，轻飘得如一只小舟。当我靠到了幸福的对岸，我听见有人歌唱：“求你洁净我。”歌声非常柔和，回忆已难，何况笔述。那漂亮的少妇张开她的臂弯，搂住我的头，将他浸在水里，我少不得又吞下几口水。于是她把我拉上岸来，就在湿淋淋的状态下将我带到四位美女的中间，她们举着手臂环绕我舞蹈。
　　　
　　 那时她们开始唱歌道：”在此地，我们是山林水泽的女神；在天上，我们是明星。在贝雅特丽齐降世之前，我们早已被指派为她的侍女了。我们将引导你到她的面前；但为你耐得住他们的光明起见，可先看在车子那边的三位，因为她们锐利的凝视，足以加强你的目力呢。”
　　　
　　 唱完以后，她们把我引至半鹰半狮的胸前，那里贝雅特丽齐立着，转身向着我们，她们对我说：“专心一意地注视她罢！我们已经将你放摆碧玉之前，从前爱神曾由此处投出他的标枪。”
　　　
　　 比火还热烈的千种欲望，使我的目睛专注在那闪耀着的秋波，那时她正凝注在半鹰半狮的身上，像太阳射于镜子里一般；同样那两重性格的怪兽同样从贝雅特丽齐的眼睛里反射出来，一时化这种形状，一时又为别种形状。请想想看，读者诸君！那时怪兽一动未动，而他的形象却是千变万化，这个岂不是很可惊奇的么？
　　　
　　 当时我的心中充满着惊奇和喜悦，好比尝到一种食品，愈吃便愈加感到饥饿；那时另外三位女神表示要做一件更高级的事情，跳舞向前，唱着她们的曲子：“转动罢！贝雅特丽齐：瞬动神圣的眸子，为着你忠实的朋友吧！他因为要见到你，已经历经了长路。允许我们的请求，赐给他些许恩惠，将你的面纱垂下，露出你的樱唇，让他领略你所隐藏的第二美吧！”
　　　
　　 永久的光多么灿目呀！那些生在帕尔纳斯山影里，或喝着那里泉水的苍白者，谁有这般胆量，愿意尝试将你在和谐的天幕之下，自由的空气呼吸中，显示在我面前卸下面纱的一刹那，描写下来呢？

　　"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.

　　《启示录》的景象：以神车的变迁表示教会的忧患。
　　　
　　 我的眼目这般地专一，以满足我十年来的饥渴，竟使我别的所有感觉都停止了作用。在我的两旁像堵起墙壁一般，遮蔽所有其它的东西，使我不起注意，只有那神圣的微笑吸引我的目光，重入她旧时的罗网。当时那些女神努力使我的面庞转向我的左方，因为我听见她们大声疾呼道：“太定神了！”那种强光对于我的眼睛的影响，无异于经受了日光的打击，使我一时竟不能看见东西；但是我看见了弱光以后，眼力恢复了；所谓弱光，是比较我刚才努力回避的东西而言。我看见那光荣的队伍已经展开。向右边转弯，太阳和七种火焰照在前面。
　　　
　　 好比藏在盾后的军队先向后撤退，跟着军旗逐渐转向，然后把全线的秩序变更了；同样，这天国的军队在车子前面先行展开。第二步才轮到车子的转动。那些贵妇人返回到靠车轮的位置，半鹰半狮的怪物车动有福的车，他似乎用不着使他的羽毛起皱纹。牵我过河的少妇，斯塔提乌斯和我，都身处车轮画小弧线的一边。
　　　
　　 我们经过远古的树林，信任了蛇的居民已一无所有，那时天使们的歌声调整我们的步伐。我们步行了三箭之地，于是贝雅特丽齐从车上降下来。我听见大家窃窃私语着：“亚当！”于是他们环绕着一株每根枝上都无花叶的树。此树只顶上生叶，高高在上．就是移植到印度人的树林中，对于他的高度彼等也是会惊奇的。他们环绕着那坚强的树唤道；“你有福了，格利丰！你的嘴没有啄食这株甜美的树。因为尝他美味的人都得痛断了肚肠呢！”两重性质的走兽道：“因此保存下了一切正义的种子。”于是他掉转来向着他所牵的辕木，把车子推近那无花无叶的树，并使和他的一枝相接触。
　　　
　　 像在我们地上的植物，当那大光混和着天鲤的光照射下来的时候，发芽含苞，不待太阳车赶至别的星座之下，立即万花齐放，颜色鲜美一般；同样，刚才裸露着的树，忽然气象焕然一新，开满了比玫瑰稍弱，而比紫罗兰稍强的花。
　　　
　　 那时大众环绕着树唱赞美的歌；这种歌声我在地上从未听到过，而且我也未能听完他的音调。
　　　
　　 假使我能够描写那些无情的眼睛，他们的长醒所受的损害甚大，因为听到绪任克斯的故事而入睡，那末，我将像画家依据范本，描写我的怎样入睡。但是谁能描述自己的睡眠呢？我将记录我醒时的一切所见。我说那时有一种强烈的光线，射过那睡眠的面幕；我听见人喊我道：“快起来吧！你做什么？”
　　　
　　 在昔彼得、约翰和雅各被带去看苹果树的花，那花使天使们对于他的果实生出渴望，因而成为天上永久的喜筵；他们突然昏迷过去，因为一句话而醒来，这句话可以打破更深的睡眠，但醒来时不见了摩西，也未见以利亚，只看到他们夫子的长袍已换了颜色；同样，在我醒转时，我只看到那位以前引我在河边行走的少妇，立在我的身旁，我很觉奇怪，我问：“贝雅特丽齐在那里呢？”
　　　
　　 她答道：“你看吧？她坐在新生花叶的树根上呢。你看吧！她的伴侣环绕着她，其他的仪仗，已经在更和谐更高雅的歌声中，随格利丰上了天。”我不知道她的话是否还在讲下去，因为我已望见了那一位，她令我停止注意一切别的东西。
　　　
　　 她独坐朴素之地，她留在那里，似乎是看护那圣车，就是那具有两种形状的怪兽所拉的车子。七个女神环绕她，像围墙一般，每个女神手里都点着火，这些火不是北风或是南风可以吹熄了的。
　　　
　　 贝雅特丽齐对我说：“你在此地承做山林住民会是一个短时期，你将永久伴我做那罗马之市民，在那里基督也是罗马人。所以，为有益于尘世过胡涂人生的人们起见，请你的眼睛注视在这车子上面，把你所看到的写出来，告诉他们。”我呢，我听命她最细微的指示，把我的精神和眼睛都用在她所指定的地方。
　　　
　　 当乌云密布的时候，就算闪电也没有这般快，那时从遥远的天际，我看到一只尤比特大神的鸟直向那树降下，扑坏了他的花，他的新叶，甚至于他的树皮；他又使尽全力打击那车子，令他成为暴风颠波中的一条船，恶浪有时打击在他的船头，有时在他的船尾。
　　　
　　 于是我看到一只母狐，似乎已久不进食，窜进那凯旋的圣车内部；但贝雅特丽齐叱责她的罪过，将她赶出，她尽她瘦骨所能承负的力量逃去了。于是我又看见那鹰从第一次来的方向再次下降，直入车座，在那里抖落他的羽毛。那时我听见天上划过一种声音，似乎是从悲伤的心里发出来的，说：“我的小船呀！你承载了太多的过失呀！”
　　　
　　 次又看见在车轮间的地面似乎裂开一缝，爬出一条龙来，利用他的尾巴钻入车中；后来又像黄蜂缩回他的针刺一般，缩回了他的毒尾，夺取了一部分车底，扬长而去了。那剩余的部分，铺着羽毛，像肥土上生长的杂草一般，这羽毛的赠与，或许是真诚的美意，然而后来再度的赠与，不问轮盘上和辕木上，在打一个呵欠的短时内，都被羽毛盖没了。
　　　
　　 那部圣洁的机械，就是这样的变化：忽然从那里生长出许多头来，辕木上有三个，车座的四隅各生有一个。前三个带角像牛头，其他四个则每个有一角在额间；我们在尘世从未见过这样的怪物。
　　　
　　 于是我看到一个无耻的娼妓坐在车上，稳固得像山上的堡垒一般。她向四周观望。我又看见一个巨人站在她的身旁，似乎像是保护她的样子；他们时时刻刻吻着嘴。但是，因为她把一双游移淫荡的眼睛望向我，那位凶暴的情夫就将她从头到脚用鞭子抽打着。他满怀着嫉妒和愤怒，松懈了怪物，牵引他走过树林，这样，他便能使我和那娼妓以及怪物之间生出了屏障。

　　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.

　　贝雅特丽齐的预言；但丁的使命。优乐埃河水。
　　　
　　 “上帝呀！外邦人侵入了你的所有地。”那些女神开始歌唱着，二位先唱，四位继起，在和谐的诗篇中含着泣涕。那时贝雅特丽齐长吐一口同情的叹息，听着她们歌；她的面容沮丧，无异于马利亚身在十字架的脚下。但是那些少女们停止歌唱以后，便让她说话。她立了起来如火一般红着面颊，答道：“亲爱的姊妹们！等不多时，你们就不得见我；再等不多时，你们必还要见我。”
　　　
　　 于是她做手势叫她们七人走在前面，跟随在她后面的是我和那少妇及尚未离开我们的哲人。我们就如此向前行进，我想她尚未走到第十步，她回头望我一下，很安静地对我说：“你赶上几步，假使我对你说话，你能听得清楚些。”当我依着她的命令走近时，她又说：”兄弟！现在你已经靠拢我，为什么你不敢向我问话呢？”
　　　
　　 譬如在尊长之前说话，由于低声下气，那字句便难于完全透出齿外；我那时也是如此，半吞半吐地说：“我的圣女！你知道我的需要，那就足够。”
　　　
　　 于是她对我说：“我希望你脱离畏俱和害羞的束缚，不要再似梦中说话一样。我告诉你：被蛇所破损的船，先前是有的，如今已不会有了；造成腐败景象的主角，应当相信上帝的复仇并不怕肉汤。并非那鹰，他留他的羽毛在车上，由此车子变成怪物。又作了巨人的掠获物，他没有贤明的继承人；因为我能看得清楚，所以我告诉你，那些福星已经预备降临，没什么可阻止他们；在那时候，上帝将派遣一位五百十五，会杀死那女贼及随她作恶的巨人。或许我的预言暧昧得像忒弥斯和斯芬克斯，不足以说服你，因为依于她们的样子，就会遮蔽了你的聪明；但不久就有事实来证明那些纳伊阿得斯，她们会解释这个难解的谜，不致于丢失她们的羊群和五谷。你记住，我对你说的，你可以转达给那些活人，他们的生活只是向着死亡赛跑。你留心，当你写给他们看的时候，切勿将你所见到的那株树的迂化丢失掉，他已经在此地被脱皮两次了。不论是谁使他脱皮或损害他，终是侮辱上帝的行为，因为上帝创造他是有神圣的目的呢。第一个吃他的果子的灵魂，在痛苦煎熬之中，等待了五千多年，才得以搭救他的人。他为了咬一口而责罚他自己。假使你从树的高度和他顶上的发展，不能推测他有特别的原因，那未你的智慧可说是睡觉了。假使你闲散的思想不像在厄尔萨，河水硬化你的精神，你的嬉戏不像皮刺摩斯染污了嗓子一般而染污了你的精神，那末只从这些情景看来，你将认识上帝对于禁食此树在道德上的公正了。但是，由于我看到你的精神已化为顽石，已被罪恶所染污，所以我话语的光使你眩晕；我愿意你都记取在心里，即使不能全写下来。你就像是一个朝山进香的客人也须在手杖上缠绕些棕榈的枝叶罢。”
　　　
　　 我说：“我的脑中印上你的思想，好比火漆上受了钤记一般，他的印象不会变化的了。但是，为什么这些可宝贵的话要举得这般高，出于我的眼界以外；我的精神愈加追寻他，愈加叫我望不到他呢？”
　　　
　　 她说：“这个要令你知道，你所追随的学派，脱离我的训示是多么远，由此你可以看到，你所取的路径和神的路径，相差不啻于天壤。”
　　　
　　 那时我答道：“我不记得在什么时候曾经远离了你，在这一点上，我的良心也未觉得什么不安。”
　　　
　　 她微笑着说：“假使你未记得，那末你记得今天尝了勒特河的水么？我们看到烟，就可以证明有火；如此你的遗忘恰是证明你的欲望向指别处。但以后我将明明白白地讲话了，为的是要叫你平凡的眼力看得清楚。”
　　　
　　 那时太阳最光明，他的移动也显最迟慢；他正在子午圈上，这圈是各地不同样的。那七位少女，像带兵的人发现前面的新奇东西而停步一般，止步在灰色树影的边际，那影子无异阿尔卑斯山脚下的绿叶繁枝射于寒流之上。在她们前面，我好比看到了发自同源的幼发拉底河和底格里斯河，像两个依依惜别的朋友。
　　　
　　 “光明呀！人类的光荣呀！这条从同一的源头，分道而去的水叫什么名字呢？”我这样请求的时候，我所得到的回复是：“你请玛苔尔达告诉你吧。”那美丽的少妇，于是好像辩护她的过失一般，说：“我已经告知过这个，还有其它的事情；我想勒特河的水不至于把这些也替他洗却吧。”
　　　
　　 于是贝雅特丽齐说：“或许是一种更大的忧虑，妨碍他的记忆，使他内心的眼睛有了遮蔽。但是，看那向前欢流的优乐埃；把他带领到那儿去吧，你是做惯这件事情的，让他暗淡了的美德重复生机吧！”
　　　
　　 像一位好善者，不说半句推诿的话，立即圆满别人心愿；同样，那美丽的少妇拉了我的手，向前走着，一方面又庄重地对斯塔提乌斯说：“跟他来。”
　　　
　　 读者诸君！假使我有更多的篇幅可抒写，我将歌咏那美妙的泉人至少歌颂一部分；我对于他永不会觉得满足的；但这第二部的歌曲已经充分了，艺术上的约束不允许再写下去。
　　　
　　 我从那最神圣的水波回来，我已再生，像新树再生了新叶，我已清净而准备上升到群星。

　　"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.

　　祈愿。但丁与贝雅特丽齐由山顶向诸天飞扬。
　　　
　　 原动者的一切光辉渗透全宇宙，于是有的地方照耀多一些，有的地方少一些。
　　　
　　 我曾经在受他的光最多的天上；我所看见过的那些事物，不是从那里降下来的人所能复述的；因为我们愈接近欲望的目的，我们的智慧愈深沉。远非记忆所能追忆。但一切神圣国度里的事物，凡我的思想所能储蓄的，现在将成为我讴歌的材料。
　　　
　　 慈善的阿波罗呀！为这最后一步的工作，请你使我有充足的能力，因此我有资格接受你所爱恋的月桂。直到此处，帕尔纳斯山的一个山峰对于我就够了；但现在进入这最后的竞技场，我需要两个。请你进入我的胸中，吹响你胜利的歌，像你把玛耳绪阿斯从他的皮囊里拉出来的时候一样。神力呀！如果你助我一臂之力，允许我把幸福国度里的影像，从我的脑子里再现出来，那末你将见到我走向你爱恋的树，戴上他的叶子，这是由于我的材料和你的参予使我获得的。父呀！人间一位皇帝或一位诗人为其胜利而得到他的太少啦这是人类意志上的错误与耻辱，应该知道珀纽斯的灌木的叶子，引动一个人的欲望把他做冠冕的时候，应当散发喜悦在得尔福神灵的周围呢。
　　　
　　 一颗小小的火星，往往点着一根大火把；因为我的榜样，也许有更美好的祷词，足以获得西拉的报答呢。
　　　
　　 世界的灯，从各地的隘口升起以照耀众生；但他从那四个圈子相交于三个十字之点升起的时候，他所走的路程是更为吉祥，他所同着的星是更为慈善，因此他更适宜使地蜡软化而印着他的形像。
　　　
　　 在一个隘口，差不多使那边形成早晨，而这边形成黄昏；那半球白昼，而其他地区是黑夜；那时我看见贝雅特丽齐转身向左，凝视太阳；就是老鹰也没有这样专注望着他上面，好像第二光线是从第一光线发射出来而反射上去一样；好像旅客的心愿是回归故乡一样；同样，从她的动作，她的眼神而影响了我的思想，我不自觉模仿她而目不转睛在太阳上面，超越了我们平常的能力。有许多事情。在那里是可能的，而在这里却是不可能了，因为这是地方的关系，那里原是最适宜于人类的住所。
　　　
　　 但是我不能长久地注视着他，我看着他像从火炉里拿出来的红铁。火光四射；不久，在我看去，似乎白昼又增加了一个新的白昼，好像全能的上帝在天上又增装了第二个太阳一样。贝雅特丽齐还是站立着，眼盯在永久的轮上；当我把目光离开太阳，便转移在她身上。在我注视她的时候，我的精神起了变化，好像格劳科斯吃了某种草而变成海中诸神的侣伴一样。这种人性上的变换，是不能用语言表达出来的，庆幸蒙神恩有此经验的，只需举一个例子来说，就足够了。当时我在那儿是否是唯一后造的呢？慈爱之神呀！你统管诸天，你用你的光把我高举起来，只有你是知道的。
　　　
　　 你使他因为欲望的原因而永久旋转的轮，由于你所调节的谐音，吸引了我的心灵的时候，我好像看见太阳的火弥漫在太空，其范围之大远非大水所成的海面可以比拟。
　　　
　　 那新奇的音调和灿烂的光芒，激起我探索他的原因的欲望，以前从没有过这样强烈。那时贝雅特丽齐窥见我的心底，如我知道我自己一样；为镇定我的思绪起见，她在我开口之前启齿了，她开始说：“你自己被错误的假象所遮蔽了；如果你摆脱了他，你的所见所知便不同了。现在你已经不在凡间，就如你的所信；就是霹雳从他的老家落下来，也没有你回到他那儿的这样快。”
　　　
　　 假如说我因为几句简短的，为轻松愉快的谈话解除了迷惑，那末我立即又投入另一新的烦闷；于是我说：“我从惊奇之中已经得着平静，但我所不解的是：为什么我会超升于轻物之上呢？”
　　　
　　 那时她发出了一声怜悯的叹息，她将双眼转向我，她的神气像慈爱的母亲望着她那不懂人事的孩子一样。她于是说：“一切事物，彼此之间都有一个互相的秩序；这种秩序就是那使宇宙和上帝相似的形式。于此，那些高级造物追踪着永久的权力，这就是一切规律的终极目的，依照这种规律，一切事物通过各种途径倾心而往，或多些或少些而接近他们的本源；由此他们划过事物的海而到达各种的口岸，依照着他们各个所赋予的天性。有的把火送到月球；有的在那儿拨生物的心；有的使地球凝集为一团；有的使弓射箭，其所及不仅为无知觉的东西，而且是有情之辈呢。天帝，他统辖一切，用他的光保持天的持久和平。那里有旋转着最快的天；现在我们就是向着那里飞行，像弓弦之力推着离弦的箭到达一个预定的目标一样，他把我们送往欢乐的目的地。诚然，就如同形式常常不能和艺术的意志相契合，因为物质是不足以从命的；同样，那造物常常有能力离开指定的目标。而去追逐着别的方面例如火可以从云头落下来，如果他最初的突进是向往地上似是而非的欢乐。那末你的上升，我想，也用不着再有怀疑，比山顶的水向山下流去更不用怀疑。如果无一阻碍，而你仍然住在下界，就好比活泼的火仍然留在地上一样，那才是怪事呢。”
　　　
　　 于是贝雅特丽齐把她的目光朝向天上了。

　　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。关于月球的暗斑。
　　　
　　 你们呀！坐着一条小船儿，跟着我歌唱着前进。一路听到此地，请回到你们自己熟悉的岸上去吧！不要在辽阔的海面上冒险！万一离开了我，也许你们要迷路呢！
　　　
　　 我所走的水路是从未有人航行过的；弥耳瓦鼓励我，阿波罗引导我，九位女神指示我以大熊星。
　　　
　　 至于你们啊！少数的读者，早已抬头望着天使们的面包了，那是地上永不充足的食品；你们当然可以划动你们的船在玄奥的海上，跟随着我那尚未平复的波浪。
　　　
　　 那些经过科尔喀斯的荣耀的英雄，在他们看见伊阿宋做了农夫的时候，他们的惊奇也不会强于你们的吧！
　　　
　　 那对于和上帝同样的天国之向往，一生而永不减退，携带我们上升很快，简直和你们抬头见天一样快。
　　　
　　 贝雅特丽齐看着高处，我又看着她；只是箭置于弦，拉弦发箭的一忽儿，我已经到了一处，那里就有一件神奇的事情使我专注；她，我的心思从未能瞒过她，面向着我，既喜悦又美丽，她对我说：“高举你射恩的思想向着上帝，因为他已经使我们进入了第一星。”
　　　
　　 我感觉被浓云包裹着，那浓云是凝固而光亮，像太阳光照耀下的金刚石一样。那永恒的珍珠接纳我们进去，像水点容纳光线而不破裂一样。
　　　
　　 有人也许要问，那时我是否有物与物相触的感觉，一物怎样会与另一物相容合；但是由于我们的性质会和上帝相容合，这件事不更引起我们的惊奇么？那里我们只依赖直觉，没有证明，只依据自悟而明晓了原始的真理。
　　　
　　 我答道：“贵妇人，我是非常地感恩呢，他把我从有生死的世界带到这里，我真心感激他！但是请你告诉我，这物体上的暗斑，在凡世的民众曾为他创造出该隐的故事，究竟是怎么回事？”
　　　
　　 她稍稍微笑一下，于是说：“如果民众的意见是错误了，那末是他们知识的锁尚未开启，惊奇的箭不应再射中了你；须知虽然有了知识做向导，理智的翼总还失之过短呢。但是，把你的思想对我说出吧！”
　　　
　　 我说：“在这里出现明暗的不同，我想是由于物质的稀疏和稠密吧。”
　　　
　　 于是她说：“不然，如果你听了我的议论，你就知道你的思想坠入错误的深渊了。那第八重天显现给你许多光，无论在本质上和亮度上都是各不相同的。如果仅是稀薄和稠密这一种原因，那末也应仅显现出一种德性，就是或多或少或相等罢了。现在显示的德性就有种种不同，应当是创造的原则并非一个。但依你所说，原则要归纳成一个呢。
　　　
　　 又，如果稀薄是你所问的暗斑的来源，那末这行星的某部分也许缺乏物质，成了窟窿直穿过去；也许像动物的躯体，肥肉后面连着瘦肉一样，稀薄和稠密重叠着。如果前一种的设想是对的，那末在日蚀的时候，就该有光从窟窿里透过来，然而这种现象是没有的，后一种的设想呢，我也要说明他的虚妄，以上情况使你的意见不能成立。
　　　
　　 “如果光线透入稀薄层以后，并不穿过月球，便遇着稠密层的阻挡，从那里反射出来，如同彩色光透过玻璃，遇着他后面镀的锡而反射过来一样。你如果说从较后部分反射出来的，比从表面反射出来的光线暗淡些；那末有一个试验，可以引导你走出这个误区，这就是你们艺术的渊源。取三面镜子，两面放你前面为等距离，第三面在其他二面之间，但是离你远些。你同时望着三面镜子，在你背后点着火，照耀三面镜子，于是他们的反射光都射入你的眼睛里来。那时你将看见较远镜子里的光面是小些，但他的亮度却和较近二面镜子里的没有强弱之别。
　　　
　　 “现在，如同雪地被热光所照耀，因而消灭了他的白色和严寒一样你的认识已摆脱了错误的思想，接受灿烂的光吧！
　　　
　　 “在那神的和平的空间，旋转看一个天体，一切事物都包含在他的势力之内。在其次的天体，他显示着许多东西，分配这事物在种种和他异体而包含于其内的原质上面。其他的天体再分配他们特异的德性，像不同的种子各自奔赴他们的目标一样。
　　　
　　 “这些宇宙的器官，你现在知道了吧，他们层层传递，受之于上，而施之于下。你要留心，我就从这条路，直往你所企盼的真理，这些真理使你以后不至于失去你唯一的渡口。就如铁匠掌握他的铁锤，同样，诸圣轮的运动和德性必须来源于诸幸福的原动者；那放着许多美丽的光的天，他源于最高智慧而旋转，而获得印象。像在你的尘世内，各种器官发展各种的功用，而你的心灵却是主宰；同样，那最高智慧散布他的善意给群星，而自守于静一。不同的德性联合于不同的精巧的个体，就如生命联合在你的躯体上。因为那德性的来源是由于喜悦的造化，他散发光明在各个体，就如喜悦从眼珠里透出。由此德性生出光与光的差异，并不是由于稀薄和稠密；依照所散发善意的程度，出现昏暗和明亮，这是形式的原则。”

　　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：灵魂之未能坚守信誓者。毕卡尔达·窦那蒂；皇后康斯坦斯。
　　　
　　 那太阳从前用爱情温润我的心怀，现在却用证明和辩驳把美丽的真理的面目显示给我；我那时想抬起头来向他承认我的错误，信服他的讲解；但有一种影像出现，使我凝神注意他们，因此我忘记了想做的事情。
　　　
　　 如果我们观看一块透明的玻璃，或清澈而容易见底的水面，将有我们的影像反射出来，那影像淡薄得和白额上安放着的珠子一样；那时我所见的影像也好像如此，他们假装想跟我说话的样子；因此我所犯的错误，正和那恋着水中影的少年人相反。
　　　
　　 我看到这些影像以后，认为是回光返照，便转过脸来向后面望去，想寻找影像的来源；但不见一物，于是只好再转过脸望着我的引导人的温和的光；在她微笑的时候，她神圣的眼睛里便发光。
　　　
　　 她说：“你不要怪我对于你幼稚的思想而微笑，因为你还没有站在真理的立场上，只是依循着你的旧习惯，东寻西找扑个空。这些你所见的影像都是真的物体，他们所以贬谪在此。是因为他们没有坚守他们的誓言、信仰。那末你对他们说话，听他们，信任他们，不允许他们的脚离开使他们满意的真光。”
　　　
　　 我于是转身面向着一位似乎最想说话的影像，就急急忙忙地对她说：“幸福的精灵呀！你在永久生命的光辉之中，感受一种不体验不可知的温柔；如果你看得起我，请你告诉我你的名字和你们的经历。”那时她的眼睛微笑着，立即答道：“我们的仁爱决不把正当的要求拒之门外，也像他把仁爱施于各处一样。我在尘世间，是未婚的修女；如果你仔细地回忆一下，我的美丽的增多，不致于使你不认识我是谁；你将再认识我是毕卡尔达，我和其他的幸福者同在这里，我们在运动最慢的天体上。我们的热情，是被圣灵所燃着，得以符合他的秩序为欢乐；此种际遇，似乎并不算得意，因为我们忽视了我们的信仰、誓言，有一部分没有履行的缘故。”
　　　
　　 于是我对她说：“在你的体貌上，发散着一种神光，因此使我初看不认识，我的记忆力顾及不到；现在你既然告诉我你的名字，可以帮助我认识你。请你告诉我，你们在这里享受幸福，是否还希望更高的上升，以便更接近上帝，更加受到他的爱呢？”
　　　
　　 她和其他的精灵一同微笑了一会，后来像被上帝的爱燃烧着一样，很高兴地回答我道：“兄弟！我们的希望是被仁爱的德性所稳定了，他只允许我们要求我们应该有的东西，我们没有别的愿望。如果我们希求过高的，这种愿望便不是与上帝的意志相一致，上帝指定我们就在这里；如果我们在生活之中仁爱是必需的，而你再考虑所谓仁爱的内容，你将见到的这种愿望在天上是不可能的。幸福者的意志与神的意志相一致，这是尤其重要之事，所以我们只有唯一意志。因此我们一层一层被安排在这天国里，凡是足以取悦于统治我们的君主，便是我们大家的快乐。他的意志给我们安悦；他好像海洋一样，创造的一切和自然所形成的一切都归于他。”
　　　
　　 那时我很明白，在天上到处都是天堂，而且至善听赐的恩惠并不一样。然而像一个人获取于这种食品，而仍希望于那种，于是对这种表示满足，对那种表示希求；同样，我在行动上和语言上请求她告诉我：她未能遵守的信约是什么？
　　　
　　 她说：“天上有一位处境比我们高的女人，因为她的生活圆满，功德高超的缘故，在世间有很多人采取她的衣式和面纱，她们不论在醒时在睡时都愿意伴随着那丈夫直到死，他接受她们合乎仁爱的一切信约。我以她为法，从少女的时候即逃避尘世；我穿上她的袍，我发愿遵守她的信条。后来有几个男人，惯于做恶多而行善少，把我从甜美的修道院里拉出来；上帝知道我后来如何生活呢！
　　　
　　 “还有，在我右边的一位，她在这一重天里发最亮的光辉，凡是说到我的事都与她的事相同。她是女修士，也是有人把她脸上的神圣面纱拉下来的。但在她违背誓愿返到尘世以后，那面纱从未离开过她的心。这就是那大康斯但斯的光，他从士瓦本的第二暴风生出第三暴风与最后权力。”
　　　
　　 她这样说，于是开始唱：“福哉！马利亚。”一边唱着，一边消灭，像重物沉入深渊一样。我的视线跟着她，直到看不见为止，才转过脸来向着一个更可敬爱的目标，就是注视着贝雅特丽齐；但她的光芒射向我的眼睛太强了，起初是受不了的，因此推迟了我的发问。

　　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.

　　贝雅特丽齐解释但丁的两个疑问：幸福灵魂的住所；为强力所胁迫而未能完成信誓的灵魂。
　　　
　　 有两种同样引起食欲的食品，有自由选择权的人要在食品未进口中以前饥饿而死了；一只绵羊站在两条恶狼之间，都是同样的可怕；还有一条狗走在两只鹿的中间；同样，我处于相等的两个疑问之间，如果我仍然保持沉默，是不应受到受责备和赞扬的，因为这是必然的结果。我虽然保持沉默，但我的愿望已经呈现在我的脸上，用他来表示发问实在比我的发言还要强烈些。
　　　
　　 于是贝雅特丽齐的所为，就像但以理使尼布甲尼撒由愤怒变为平和而纠正了他的残暴之一样；她说：“我看见你心中的两个疑团使你急促不安，压得你喘不过气来。你的问题是：如果那好的意志常在，而别人的强迫竟减少他的功德，这是什么道理？另一个疑点，是来自柏拉图的一句活，说的是灵魂归到诸星。这些就是同样存在你心中的问题，我先讨论苦味最多的一个。
　　　
　　 “那些深入于上帝的大天使，以及摩西、撒母耳、约翰听便你采取那一位，马利亚用不着说，他们并不是和你刚才所见的精灵住在不同的天上，他们住在的时间也没有什么长短之岁月。但他们一律美化第一天，他们享受幸福的生活只在对永久精神的感受上有不同。在这里出现的影像，并不是这个天体就是为他们特意保留的住所，不过在诸天之中显示一个最低的给你看罢了。用这种形式表示，对于你的心灵是适宜的，因为只有从那些感觉到的东西，你才学习到你以后有用的知识。因此《圣经》为符合你们的官能起见，不惜借予上帝以手和脚，其实是别有用意；而圣教会也又把加百利、米凯勒和医好托俾阿的诸大天使，用人类的形状表示出来。
　　　
　　 “这里所见的影像，决不是《蒂迈乌斯篇》里面所说的灵魂。因为他所说的，好像就是他所想的。他说灵魂回到他的星，意思是说自然叫他做形式的时候他是从那里分出来的。但他这句话也许有文字所表示以外的其他意义，或者不好轻视他。假如他的意思是说人的荣辱由于诸天的影响，这样也许他的箭射中了一些真理，”这种见解，被世人误解，几乎全都走入左道，而去顶礼尤比特、墨丘刊和玛尔斯。
　　　
　　 “另一个使你困惑的疑点，他的毒计较少，他的恶性不致于使你离开我而走向他方。我们的正确，而在人类眼中认为不正确，这是一个威胁信仰的论题，并不是有罪的邪说。你的心力足以深入这个真理，我将满足你的愿望。
　　　
　　 “如果一个人虽然不承认那强力，但却忍受了那强力，更不能以那强力为理由而获得原谅；因为，如果他能坚持到底，他的意志便不可摧毁，要像火的天性一样，一等到障碍除去，便要回复原状，试验一千次也是如此。如果他屈服的不论多少，都是向那强力让步；这里的影像就是这样的人，因为他们都是能够回到圣地的。如果他们的意志完整无缺，像使洛伦佐置于铁条上面，使穆西乌斯残酷地对他自己的手掌的坚强意志，那末他们一遇自由，便要回到他们所离开的故道了；但是这样坚强的意志真是少有的。我的这些话，如果你听得明白，那末多次使你苦闷的问题可算解决了。
　　　
　　 “现在，在你的眼前还横着一些障碍，你要花点力气才能超越过去。我曾经告诉过你，幸福的灵魂是不会说谎的。因为他已经接近真理的发源地了。你曾经听见毕卡尔达说康斯但斯对于她的面纱仍旧保持着虔诚；好像她的话和我的有些冲突呢。兄弟！为避免一种危险，一个人常常做了违反誓愿的事情，譬如说：阿尔克迈翁被他父亲的恳求所动摇而杀死自己的母亲；他为了要孝顺而变成残忍。在这一点，你要想想：意志向强力妥协以后，他们所做的坏事便不可原谅。超然的意志原是不向罪恶低头的；但他害怕因为抗拒而受更大的痛苦，于是他低头了。毕卡尔达所表示的是一种超然的意志，而我说的是另有所指；所以我们两人的话都是对的。”
　　　
　　 圣河的微波就是这样，他又是从一切真理之源流出来的；于是我心里的两个欲望之波彼此都获得平息。
　　　
　　 于是我说：“第一情人的情妇呀！圣洁的女人呀！你的口若悬河淹没了我，滋润了我，使我的精神振奋，我的深情厚意也不足以报答你的恩赐、只有那看着的他，有权力的他，可以代我偿还。现在我很明白我们的知识没有满足的时候，除非被那唯一的真理此外便无真理所照耀；如同野兽得到他的窝，便安卧在里面一样，否则我们所有的欲望都是徒劳。因此，像萌芽一样，在一个真理之足下又生出一个疑问；真理与疑问互为滋养，自然一步一步使我们跃进到绝顶。这种原由鼓励我，敬佩的女人呀！向你再提出一个新的问题，这个真理对于我还是黑暗得很。我很想知道：如果一个人违背他的誓言，他后来做了另外的善事，这善事在你的天秤上并不算轻，他能使你满意么？”
　　　
　　 贝雅特丽齐那时用她充满神圣之爱的目光望着我；我不能自持了，我低着头，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.

　　贝雅特丽齐解释誓愿的神圣。到第二重天水星天：力行善事的灵魂。
　　　
　　 “如果在爱火之中，我发的强光于地球上面。因此使你的眼睛的视力消散，那末你不要惊呀；因为我的目光是完善的，他理解一切，他的脚步踏在已经理解的善事上。我看见永久的光已经在你的智慧上发辉出来，只有永久的光点燃永久的爱；如果还有别的东西诱惑你的爱、那末除非是他的一些被人误解了的余光，照耀在你的面前。你希望知道：是否违背了誓主，一个人可以用别的善事来弥补，以免除那灵魂的受刑罚。”
　　　
　　 贝雅特丽齐这样开始此篇；像一位说滔滔不绝的人。她继续那神圣的演说：“上帝在创造万物时，最大的赠品，最伟大的杰作，他视为最珍贵的，就是那自由意志。只有有情的造物享有这个，由此点推论，你立即明白誓愿的伟大价值，如果那是你所允许的，又是上帝所同意的；因为神和人之间建立了契约，便要把我刚才说的珍宝做牺牲品，这是他自己的主意。照此说来，还有什么可以补偿呢？如果你想把已经牺牲的收回去而善用之，那末你如同用不义之财去做慈善事业。
　　　
　　 “现在你已经明白要点；不过圣教会里有一种特典，好像和我刚才说的真理有些矛盾，所以请你在饭桌旁边多坐一会，因为吃了硬的食品以后，需要吃一些帮助消化的东西。请你敞开你的胸怀，储存我对你说的话；因为明白以后如不牢记，便不成为学问。
　　　
　　 “这种牺牲有两件重要的事情：第一是牺牲的东西。第二是契约的本身。后者的只有遵守，从来不准废除；关于这一点，我在前面已经说得清清楚楚的了。在希伯来人，许愿的祭祀品是必需的，虽然有时祭祀品可以替换，这是你不会不知道的。
　　　
　　 “关于牺牲的东西，虽然彼此替换，在事实上是没有过失的。但肩头上的担子不能自由替换，除非获得白钥匙和黄钥匙的转动；而且替换的东西如不超过已经许诺的东西，如六超过四，便是狂妄的行为。因此，如果一个誓愿的重量是没有天秤可以称得的，那末还有什么别的东西可以代替他呢？
　　　
　　 “世间人切勿以许愿为儿戏：要忠诚，不要心怀恶意。像耶弗他以他头生儿子许愿，他与其遵守誓言，宁可说一声：我做错了。”那位希腊的大元帅所做的事也是同样的狂妄，由此使美丽年轻的伊菲革亚哭泣；无论智或愚，听见这种风俗以后，也无不为她的命运悲伤。
　　　
　　 “你们耶教徒，你们的举动要慎重些，勿要像羽毛一般随风摇摆，不要以为什么水都可以洗净你们。你们有《旧约》与《新约》，和教会里的牧师可以指导你们；这些已够救护你们的了。如果以鄙陋的感情向你们介绍别的东西，那末要当心做人，不要做无理智的走兽，恐伯在你们中间的犹太人要嘲笑你们。不要像羔羊，放下母羊的乳奶，很轻浮地自己去游戏。”
　　　
　　 贝雅特丽齐对我说了以上话；于是她充满着希望转向着那世界最活泼的部分。她停止说话，又变换了姿态，使我的好奇心也只得暂时压下，那时我已经有新的问题在嘴边了。
　　　
　　 像箭一样快，在弓弦的颤动尚未停止以前，已经射中了靶子，我们也如同这样地跑进那第二国度。在那里我看见我的贵妇人很高兴，她到了这层天的光中，那行星本身比以前更明亮了。如果星球也因变化而微笑，那末像我这样善变的性质，我应当变成什么样呢！
　　　
　　 像在清澈的养鱼池里，如果有什么扔下去，那些鱼便以为有食物可寻，一齐蜂拥而至；同样，我看见有一千多个光辉拥向我们，每个都说：“这里有一位即可增加我们的爱！”当光辉接近我们，我看见那影像充满着愉悦，光辉就以他为中心而发散出来。
　　　
　　 诸位读者！试想，假如我写到此便不继续下去，你们会感觉多么的空乏，而希望多知道一些呢！同样，当那些影像显露在我的眼前，你们也可以想象我多么希望知道他们的情况。
　　　
　　 “良辰而生的你呀！在你离开人世之前，已蒙天的恩泽赐观永久胜利的诸帝座了；”我们被满布诸天的光所笼罩，如果你要问我们什么，一切都可以随便问。”
　　　
　　 那些虔诚的精灵之一向我这样说；于是贝雅特丽齐也说：“你说吧！信任他们，像信任神明一样。”
　　　
　　 “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时候，你的眼睛里会发出火星；但是我不认识你是谁，可敬的精灵，也不懂你为什么被安排在这个天体上面，他被别的天体的光所遮盖，因此躲避了人类的眼睛。”我转脸对那第一个和我说话的精灵这样说；那时他的光辉比以前更强了。
　　　
　　 像太阳光的热吸收了厚厚的水蒸气以后，太阳便隐藏在他自己强烈的光线之中一样；同样，那神圣的影像因为强烈的兴奋，隐藏在他自己的光线之中；就是这样被光包着，他回答我的话下篇分解。

　　"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.