the other, and from the head to the foot of the cross."

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Venturi. (115.) " As thick as motes i' th' sunbeam."-Chaucer.
And Milton, Penseroso, “As thick and numberless as the gay
motes that people the sunbeams." Also Lucretius, ii. 113,
“Contemplator enim, cum solis lumina cunque
Inserti fundunt radii per opaca domorum;

Multa minuta modis multis per inane videbis
Corpora misceri radiorum lumine in ipso ;
Et velut æterno certamine prælia pugnasque
Edere turmatim certantia."

(125.) "These words are taken from a hymn sung by the Church in praise of Christ."-Venturi.

Page 138. (Line 133.) By the "living seals of beauty" are meant all the created things that bear the divine stamp. They are here used in the first place, for the "higher heavens," into which Dante had ascended; and, in the second place, for the eyes of Beatrice." As the one had increased in brilliancy, so had the other. (138.) i.e. The smile of Beattrice." Piacer santo" is rendered "holy smile" from the expression used in the following canto, line 34, where Dante again turns his look on Beatrice, "Che dentro agli occhi suoi ardeva un riso tal."

CANTO XV.

ARGUMENT.

In the planet Mars the poet meets with his ancestor Cacciaguida, who describes the simple manners of the Florentines in olden time.

THAT will benevolent, which ever flows

From heart wherein true charity abounds

As selfish love a will malignant shows

Now still'd the lyre of that melodious band,

1

And made the chords to cease their holy soundsThose chords relax'd or braced by Heav'n's right hand.

How shall such spirits to a righteous prayer

Ever be deaf-who that they might to me
Audience afford, together silent were?

Well may he ever grieve, that for the love
Of things which cannot last eternally,
Loses this fervent charity above!

7

As oft along the pure and tranquil sky

A sudden fire by night is seen to dart,

Attracting forcibly the heedless eye ;—
And seems to be a star that changes place,
Save that no star is lost from out the part
It quits, and that it lasts a moment's space ;—
So from the horn extending to the right,

E'en to the foot of that high cross, there shone
A star from out the constellation bright;
Nor left that gem the line whereon it beam'd,
But through the radiant track swift passing on,
Like fire behind pure alabaster seem'd.
Such fond delight Anchises' soul display'd

(If our most honour'd Muse may be believed)
His son beholding in the Elysian shade.
"O my descendant! O Grace, richly given !

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Who, like to thee, hath e'er such share received,

For whom is open'd twice the gate of heaven?"

So spake the light;-then as mine ear I bent,

My looks I turn'd unto my Lady's face,
And drew on either hand astonishment:

For such a smile was glowing in her eyes,
That I appear'd to reach the depth of grace,
And utmost rapture of my Paradise.

31

Anon-all joyous both in look and speech-
The spirit from his bosom's depth outpour'd
Things that my understanding fail'd to reach.
Yet not by choice my reasoning powers he outran,
But of necessity;-so highly soar'd

His thoughts above the aim of mortal man.
And when the bow of his impassion'd thought
Had spent its force, so that his speech at last
Down to the level of our minds was brought,
The first thing that my senses understood

Was,
"Blessed art Thou, Trinal God, who hast
Display'd such courtesy unto my blood :"
And this he added:-" Know that in the flame,
In which I now, my Son, with thee confer,—
That long delicious thirst, which o'er me came
While reading in the mighty book, which time

Affects not, thou has sated ;-thanks to her
Who imp'd thy pinions for the flight sublime.
Thou deemest that thy thoughts pass on to me

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43

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From Him whence thought proceeds-the Primal One;

As five, or six diverge from unity;

And therefore thou my name dost not demand,
Or why more transport in my look is shown

Than any other of this joyful band:

And what thou deem'st is true; for each one here
Looks on that mirror, upon which thy thought,
Ere yet conceived, is drawn distinct and clear.
But that the sacred love, which constantly
Urges to watchfulness, and a sweet drought
Brings o'er my sense, may more contented be,-
With joyful voice, and with undaunted brow

Declare what wish, and what desire is thine,
Whereto an answer is prepared e'en now."

I turn'd to Beatrice, who heard before

I spake to her, and smiled to me a sign,

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Which made the wings of hope increase the more. Love, and the power to express it," I commenced, 73 "When ye beheld the First Equality,

To each of you were equally dispensed;
Since they exist so equal in the Sun

Whence ye derive your heat and brilliancy,
Likeness beside may be imagined none.
But among mortals, will and sense are things,
Which, for the cause to you made manifest,
Are far from being trimm'd with equal wings:
Wherefore by me, a mortal, may be shown
For the paternal love thou hast express'd,
My gratitude but in the heart alone.

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