Page 277. (Line 133.) "Thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.”—Daniel vii. 10. (142.) God is represented as a Mirror, which, by an act of love, He voluntarily breaks into ten thousand pieces, each reflecting an image of Himself, and yet not in the least injuring His own Unity. "It was the goodness of God, being self-sufficient, and from eternal ages happy in Himself, that moved Him in that point of duration which his infinite wisdom saw most fitting, as it were to go forth and down from himself, and to give being to very many things, and to communicate his goodness to each of them in such degrees as the same his infinite wisdom was pleased to assign; and from the same goodness whereby he created all things, he still preserves them, provides for them, and takes care of them." Bishop Bull. Serm. xix. CANTO XXX. ARGUMENT, IN the empyrean, or heaven of pure light, Dante is vouchsafed a sight of the celestial Host. Angels and Saints, clad in white robes, and seated on thrones, are beholding themselves in the river of God-i.e. enjoying the fulness of Grace, in the immediate presence of the Deity. SIX thousand miles, perchance, from us are glowing 1 The noontide rays, while in this hemisphere Already are the shadows downward bowing; Some star, beheld in this our nether world; 7 By slow degrees was from my sight removed; Wherefore, deprived of such bright imagery, 13 'T were slight, compared with that I now would raise. Beauty I saw transcending human sense 19 So far, that He who fashion'd it alone Reaps the full measure of enjoyment thence. Wishing to paint it, feel I such despair, That into greater trouble am I thrown Than tragic bards or comic ever were; For as the sun o'erpowers the enfeebled eye, 25 My raptured song hath ne'er suspended been. 31 But now 'tis time I set the attempt aside To trace her beauty in my feeble lays, As Artist, who his utmost skill hath plied; With gesture and with look commanding, she Love of true bliss, where every joy is known; Be seen by thee-one clad in the same dress Upon the visual power. doth so oppress The sense, that plainest things we may not see; Thus was a living light around me brought; 37 Whose dazzling veil made all things disappear; So that mine eyesight could distinguish nought. "The Love, that calms this tranquil heaven, the same Sweet influence sheds on all within its sphere; Making the candle suited to its flame." 43 49 When these brief words were in my mind received, 55 My Virtue was transported to such height, I could not in such fervour have believed. And with fresh power my vision was renew'd, So that no ray, however purely bright, The vigour of mine eyes could have subdued. Light I beheld, that like a stream was flowing, All bright with silver rays, two banks between, E'en as enchased in gold the ruby shows : Again they plunged within the mystic flood; And as one enter'd, rose another thence. "The strong desire by which thou art possess'd To understand the wonders thou hast view'd, Behoves thee of this limpid stream to drink!" To usher in the truth :-and though these things To seek its mother's milk, if late the hour To which its sleep hath been prolong'd-than I 61 67 73 79 |