amphitheatre-from which the Saints, arrayed like the leaves of a full blown white rose, and seated on thrones, are beholding themselves in the mirror of God's countenance, and enjoying the fulness of light and grace. (129.) Angels are passing to and fro among the Saints, who are clad in white robes according to the vision of St. John, vii. 13. (130.) The heavenly Jerusalem.-See Purg. xxxii. 100, and note.

Page 287. (Line 135.) "You shall enter into the great marriage supper of the Lamb, when faith shall end in sight, and hope in possession, and love continue in perpetual and full enjoyment."-Archbishop Leighton. Serm. viii. "The perfect righteousness of Christ is imputed to the believer, put upon him as a glorious dress,—as a wedding garment,-in which he may appear without shame among Angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect; and sit down without fear of being thrust out at the marriage supper of the Lamb."-Memoirs of Cornelius Neale. Serm. i.-A most excellent and interesting work. (136.) Of the Emperor Henry VII., Count of Luxemburg, Dante formed high expectations, which were cut off by his early death. See note, Purg. xxxiii. 43. (141.) Dante condemns the factious Guelfs for driving Henry away, when he wished to restore them to liberty. "At this time," he adds, "such a one shall be a Pontiff, who will oppose the Emperor both openly and secretly, since he will endeavour to corrupt Italy and hold it in discord. This is Clement.... He shall be thrust down into hell, where the Simoniacs are placed in circular holes with their heads down and feet up."-Landino. See Inf. xix. 84, where Boniface, "quel d' Alagna," it is prophesied, shall be thrust down still lower on the arrival of Clement.

CANTO XXXI.

ARGUMENT.

DESCRIPTION of the heavenly Rose continued. St. Bernard is sent by Beatrice, who is still visible at a distance through the transparent empyrean. Dante contemplates the Virgin Mary.

IN semblance like unto the whitest Rose

1

That sacred band I saw enthroned above,

Which for his Spouse, in death our Saviour chose.

But they, who as they fly behold and sing

His glory, who enkindles them with love,

And chaunt the goodness of their heavenly King, (E'en as a troop of bees now seek the flowers,

And now return with all the store they obtain,
To lay it up amid their waxen bowers)—
Were on the Rose descending from above,

Whence from its numerous leaves they soar again
Back to the realm where ever dwells their Love.

7

The looks of all were bright with living flame,

With gold their pinions—and their forms so white,
No snow such perfect purity could claim.
Fanning their plumage, as with wing untired

13

From seat to seat they on the flower alight,
They impart the peace and love they have acquired.
Nor by their rapid passage, as they fly

Betwixt the Flower and Fountain of their bliss,
Was aught of splendour lost unto mine eye.
For through the world the Ray divine is sent
Where-e'er most worthy of that light it is ;-
Nought having power to cause impediment.
In this blest realm where spirits of ancient days
And modern meet, in endless bliss to dwell,
All to one point their sight and ardours raise.
O Trinal Light—Thyself one single star,

Who with thy sparks contentest them so well,
Look down, and see the storm in which we are!

If the Barbarians, (coming from that land

O'er which, as round she wheels with her dear son,

Doth Helicë take up her daily stand)

Beholding Rome and all her buildings vast,

When like the Lateran mortal works were none,

Into extreme astonishment were cast;

19

25

31

I who from earth to an immortal fane
Had pass'd, from time into eternity-
From Florence to a people just and sane-
What great astonishment belike was mine!
Surely betwixt amaze and joy did I

To shut my ears, and close my lips incline.
And like a pilgrim who with fond delight
Surveys the temple he has vow'd to see,

And hopes one day its wonders to recite ;
So through that living light with searching ken
The varied ranks I view'd repeatedly,

Now up, now down, now round and round again.
Looks I beheld, to charity inclining,

Fringed with Another's light, and their own smile, And gestures, every seemly grace combining.

E'en now the general form of Paradise

My sight had taken in; although the while
On no one part were firmly fix'd mine eyes.

And with new ardour kindled, I anon

Turn'd round unto my Lady to inquire

Of things which doubtfully I reason'd on. An answer came; but what I sought was lost; For lo, instead of her-my soul's desire,

An old man, clothed like that resplendent host.

37

43

49

55

Beam'd on his cheek and brow, as 't were, a stream 61

Of joy benign-his look compassionate,

Such as a tender father might beseem.

"And where is she?" I sudden cried ;-when he :

"To end the longings of thy anxious state, By Beatrice impell'd, I come to thee.

In the third seat, and in the highest round,

If thou look up, she will appear once more,

Throned in the seat that her deserts have found."

I look'd above, and not a word replied;

And saw that she a beauteous chaplet wore,

The eternal rays reflecting on each side.

So great a distance is not mortal eye,

When in the lowest depths of ocean cast,

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73

From that high realm whence thunder rends the sky,

As was my sight from Beatrice removed;

And yet the intervening distance vast

No obstacle to clearest vision proved.

"O Lady, upon whom my hopes are placed,

And who, to work out my security,

79

Hast left Hell's precincts with thy footsteps traced,-

For all the wondrous things that I have seen,

My gratitude and praise are due to thee

By whom have grace and power accorded been.