Looking into his first-born with the love which breathes from both eternal, the first Might ineffable hath in such order all disposed as none may see and fail to enjoy. Raise, then, O reader, to the lofty wheels, with me, thy ken directed to the point whereat one motion strikes on the other. There begin thy wonder of the mighty Architect, who loves his work so inwardly, his eye doth ever watch it. See how thence oblique brancheth the circle where the planets roll to pour their wished influence on the world. Whose path not bending thus, in heaven above much virtue would be lost, and here on earth all power well nigh extinct. Or, from direct were its departure distant more or less, in the universal order great defect must, both in heaven and here beneath, ensue. Now rest thee, reader, on thy bench, and muse anticipative of the feast to come; so shall delight make thee not feel thy toil. Lo, I have set before thee, for thyself feed now: the matter I indite, henceforth demands entire my thought.
Joined with the part which late we told of, the great minister of nature, that upon the world imprints the virtue of the heaven and doles out time for us with his beam, went circling on along the spires where each hour sooner comes. And I was with him, weetless of ascent, as one who till arrived weets not his coming. For Beatrice, she who passeth on so suddenly from good to better, time counts not the act: oh then how great must needs have been her brightness. What she was in the sun, where I had entered, not through change of hue but light transparent, did I summon up genius, art, practice, I might not so speak it should be ever imagined: yet believed it may be, and the sight be justly craved. And if our fantasy fail of such height, what marvel, since no eye above the sun hath ever travelled? Such are they dwell here, fourth family of the Omnipotent Sire, who of his spirit and of his offspring shows, and holds them still enraptured with the view. And thus to me Beatrice: Thank, oh thank, the Sun of angels, him who by his grace to this perceptible hath lifted thee. Never was heart in such devotion bound, and with complacency so absolute disposed to render up itself to God, as mine was at those words. And so entire the love for Him that held me, it eclipsed Beatrice in oblivion. Naught displeased was she, but smiled thereat so joyously that of her laughing eyes the radiance brake and scattered my collected mind abroad.
Then saw I a bright band, in liveliness surpassing, who themselves did make the crown, and us their centre: yet more sweet in voice than in their visage beaming. Cinctured thus, sometime Latona's daughter we behold, when the impregnate air retains the thread that weaves her zone. In the celestial court, whence I return, are many jewels found so dear and beautiful they cannot brook transporting from that realm: and of these lights such was the song. Who doth not prune his wing to soar up thither, let him look from thence for tidings from the dumb. When, singing thus, those burning suns that circled round us thrice, as nearest stars around the fixed pole, then seemed they like to ladies from the dance not ceasing, but suspense, in silent pause, listening till they have caught the strain anew. Suspended so they stood, and from within thus heard I one who spake. Since with its beam the grace whence true love lighteth first his flame, that after doth increase by loving, shines so multiplied in thee, it leads thee up along this ladder, down whose hallowed steps none e'er descend and mount them not again, who from his phial should refuse thee wine to slake thy thirst no less constrained were than water flowing not unto the sea. Thou fain wouldst hear what plants are these that bloom in the bright garland which, admiring, girds this fair dame round. I then was of the lambs that Dominic leads, for his saintly flock, along the way where well they thrive, not sworn with vanity. He nearest on my right hand, brother was and master to me: Albert of Cologne is this, and of Aquinum, Thomas I. If thou of all the rest wouldst be assured, let thine eye, waiting on the words I speak, in circuit journey round the blessed wreath. That next resplendence issues from the smile of Gratian. The other, nearest, was Peter, he that with the widow gave to holy church his treasure. The fifth light, goodliest of all, is by such love inspired that all your world craves tidings of its doom: within there is the lofty light endowed with sapience so profound, if truth be truth, that with a ken of such wide amplitude no second hath arisen. Next that taper to whose view was shown, clearliest, the nature and the ministry angelical. In the other little light serenely smiles that pleader who did provide Augustin of his lore. The eighth is the saintly soul that shows the world's deceitfulness: the limbs whence it was driven lie down in Cieldauro, and from martyrdom and exile came it here. Further on flame Isidore, Bede, and Richard. Lastly the eternal light of Sigebert, who escaped not envy when of truth he argued, reading in the straw-littered street. Forthwith, as clock that calleth up the spouse of God to win her bridegroom's love at matin's hour, each part of other fitly drawn and urged, sends out a tinkling sound of note so sweet affection springs in well-disposed breast. Thus saw I move the glorious wheel, thus heard voice answering voice, so musical and soft it can be known but where day endless shines.
