CANTO III.

ARGUMENT.

DANTE describes the shadowy forms of several Nuns seen in the Moon, who having not fully adhered to their vows, are placed in this lowest sphere. Piccarda- Constance.

THAT Sun which erst inflamed my breast with love, 1 Truth's beauteous aspect had to me display'd,

Strong in the power to prove and to disprove: And I, to avow my error, and confess

The certainty on which I now was stay'd,

With head upraised was fain my guide to address.

But lo! a vision my intention cross'd,

Which on itself mine eyes so riveted,

The avowal I contemplated was lost.

And as through bright or polish'd glass, or clear
Transparent stream, so shallow that its bed
Not darken'd to the observer doth appear,

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The features of our countenance are view'd

So dimly, that not pearl on forehead white Comes to the eye with radiance more subdued; Thus, faces prompt to speak I now beheld;

Whence fell I into error opposite

To that which erst Narcissus' soul impell'd.
Soon as their semblance my attention drew,

Supposing they were merely forms reflected,
I turn'd mine eyes the originals to view;
But nought beholding, call'd them back anon,
Full on the orbs of my lov'd guide directed,
Which, as she smiled, with holy lustre shone.
"Be not astonish'd that I smile forsooth

At this thy childish judgment," she return'd;
Thy foot not yet is based upon the truth,
But turns thee back on emptiness again.
True substances are now by thee discern'd,

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Who here through failure of their vows remain.

Speak, therefore, and rely on what they say;

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For the True Light wherein they ever rest

Doth not permit them from Itself to stray."

Then to the soul who in her looks display'd

Most wish for converse, I these words address d,
Like one by over-eagerness betray'd.

"O well-born spirit, who in the glowing flood
Of life eternal dost that sweetness feel,
Which, if not tasted, is not understood;
To me it were a boon I well should prize,
Would'st thou thy name and destiny reveal :"
Whereat she promptly, and with smiling eyes:-
"Our charity, like Her's to which we aspire,

(Who longs her court should all resemble her)
Ne'er bars the door against a just desire.
A virgin sister upon earth was I;

Nor will increase of beauty make thee err,
If thou my features scan attentively;
But thou wilt know Piccarda-blessed here
Amid these others who are also blest,-
Inhabitants of this the lowest sphere.
Enamour'd of the Holy Spirit alone,

We joy to share the mansions of his rest,
And in his pleasure recognise our own.

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And this our state, which humble may appear,

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Compared with their's on high, doth Heav'n assign,

Because our vows in part neglected were."

"In your most wondrous features," I return'd,

"Is manifested somewhat so divine,

No trace of former likeness is discern'd;

And this the cause of my slow memory:

Yet what you tell me now assists me so,
I call you to my mind more readily.
But say, ye blessed ones, to greater height
Aspire ye, that your Maker ye may know,
Or of his face obtain a nearer sight?"

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She smiled;-her smile the other spirits caught,

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And answering me, a look so joyous wore,

As though the Primal love the flame had wrought. "O brother, Charity so calms our will,

We know not what it is to thirst for more;

And full contentment every heart doth fill.

To loftier region did we wish to rise,

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Our wishes would with His discordant be,

Who for our portion gives these lower skies :Which may not be, if thou consider well

The real nature of the charity

Wherein 'tis here our destiny to dwell. Thus 'tis essential to this state of bliss

To keep our wills within the will divine,

That our's may be identified with His:
And hence, though divers are the seats we fill,
Each is as pleased as is the King benign,

Who moulds our hearts according to his will.

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Our peace is in His will-that ocean vast,

Whither all creatures tend-both those that He
Creates, and those by plastic nature cast."
Then was it clear to me that every place

In heaven is Paradise ;-though different be
The appointed measure of the heavenly grace.
But as when sated with one sort of meat,

And craving still another-for the one
We offer thanks, for the other we entreat;
E'en so did I ;-and show'd by act and word
My wish to know the thread she had not spun
To its full end;-then this reply I heard :-
"Transcendent purity and stainless worth

Have to a loftier heaven exalted Her,

Whose rules are still obey'd upon your earth; So that her followers may both day and night

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Dwell with that Bridegroom who receives each prayer That Charity makes pleasing in His sight.

To follow her, I in my youthful days

Fled from the world; and in her garb array'd,
Promised observance of her holy ways.

Men, prone to evil rather than to good,

Tore me away from the sweet cloister's shade;

God knows the life I afterwards pursued.

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