After the doubt is solved, Charles speaks to fair Clemenza of the treachery that must befall his seed. Tell it not, he says, and let the destined years come round. Dante may tell no more, save that the meed of sorrow well-deserved shall quit their wrongs. The saintly light turns its visage again to the sun that fills it, as to the good whose plenitude of bliss sufficeth all. O ye misguided souls, infatuate, who from such a good estrange your hearts and bend your gaze on vanity. Another of those splendent forms approaches, and by its outward brightening testifies the will it has to pleasure him. Beatrice's eyes, resting firmly as before, manifest approval of the wish. Blest spirit, he cries, quickly be my will performed, and prove that my inmost thoughts I can reflect on thee. The light that was yet new, from the recess where it had been singing, begins as one who joys in kindness. In that part of the depraved Italian land which lies between Rialto and the fountain-springs of Brenta and of Piava, there rises, to no lofty eminence, a hill from whence erewhile a firebrand did descend that sorely sheet the region. From one root I and it sprang. My name on earth Cunizza. And here I glitter, for that by its light this star overcame me. Yet I naught repine, nor grudge myself the cause of this my lot, which haply vulgar hearts can scarce conceive.
This jewel that is next me, lustrous and costly, hath left great renown, and not to perish ere these hundred years five times absolve their round. Consider if to excel be worthy man's endeavour, when such life may attend the first. Yet they care not for this, the crowd that now are girt by Adice and Tagliamento, still impenitent though scourged. The hour is near when for their stubbornness at Padua's marsh the water shall be changed that laves Vicenza. And where Cagnano meets with Sile, one lords it and bears his head aloft, for whom the web is now a-warping. Feltro too shall sorrow for its godless shepherd's fault, of so deep stain that never for the like was Malta's bar unclosed. Too large should be the skillet that would hold Ferrara's blood, and wearied he who ounce by ounce would weigh it, the which this priest, in show of party-zeal, courteous will give. We descry above mirrors, ye call them thrones, from which to us reflected shine the judgments of our God: whence these our sayings we avouch for good. She ends, and appears on other thoughts intent, re-entering on the wheel she late had left. That other joyance meanwhile waxes a thing to marvel at, glowing like choicest ruby stricken by the sun. For in that upper clime, effulgence comes of gladness, as here laughter: and below, as the mind saddens, murkier grows the shade.
God seeth all, and in him is thy sight, Dante says. Why then delays thy voice to satisfy my wish untold, that voice which joins the inexpressive song those ardours sing who cowl them with six shadowing wings? I would not wait thy asking, wert thou known to me as thoroughly I to thee am known. The valley of waters, widest next to that which doth the earth engarland, shapes its course between discordant shores. Of that vale he dwelt upon the shore, 'twixt Ebro's stream and Macra's. Who knew his name were wont to call him Folco. And I did bear impression of this heaven, that now bears mine: for not with fiercer flame glowed Belus' daughter, injuring alike Sichaeus and Creusa, than did I, long as it suited the unripened down that fledged my cheek; nor she of Rhodope, nor Jove's son when Iole was shrined within his heart. And yet there hides no sorrowful repentance here, but mirth, not for the fault that doth not come to mind, but for the virtue whose overruling sway and providence have wrought thus quaintly. Here the skill is looked into, and the good discerned accruing to this upper world from that below. Beside him sparkles, as the sun-beam on the clear wave, the soul of Rahab, united to their tribe and assigned the foremost rank. He to that heaven at which the shadow ends of your sublunar world was taken up, first, in Christ's triumph, of all souls redeemed. Well behooved that in some part of heaven she should remain a trophy of the contest won with either palm, for that she favoured first the high exploit of Joshua on the holy land, whereof the Pope recks little now. Thy city, plant of him that on his Maker turned the back, engenders and expands the cursed flower that hath made wander both the sheep and lambs, turning the shepherd to a wolf. For this the gospel and great teachers laid aside, the decretals, as their stuffed margins show, are the sole study. Pope and Cardinals, intent on these, ne'er journey but in thought to Nazareth, where Gabriel opened his wings. Yet it may chance, erelong, the Vatican, and other most selected parts of Rome that were the grave of Peter's soldiery, shall be delivered from the adulterous bond.
