O fond anxiety of mortal men! How vain and inconclusive arguments are those which make thee beat thy wings below. For statues one, and one for aphorisms was hunting; this the priesthood followed, that by force or sophistry aspired to rule; to rob another, and another sought by civil business wealth; one moiling lay tangled in net of sensual delight, and one to witless indolence resigned. What time from all these empty things escaped, with Beatrice, I thus gloriously was raised aloft, and made the guest of heaven. They of the circle to that point, each one, where erst it was, had turned, and steady glowed as candle in his socket. Then within the lustre that erewhile bespake me, smiling with merer gladness, heard I thus begin. Even as his beam illumes me, so I look into the eternal light, and clearly mark thy thoughts, from whence they rise. Thou art in doubt, and wouldst that I should bolt my words afresh in such plain open phrase as may be smooth to thy perception, where I told thee late that well they thrive, and that no second such hath risen, which no small distinction needs.
The providence that governeth the world, in depth of counsel by created ken unfathomable, to the end that she who with loud cries was espoused in precious blood might keep her footing towards her well-beloved, safe in herself and constant unto him, hath two ordained who should on either hand in chief escort her: one seraphic all in fervency; for wisdom upon earth, the other splendour of cherubic light. I but of one will tell: he tells of both, who one commendeth, which of them soe'er be taken, for their deeds were to one end. Between Tupino and the wave that falls from blest Ubaldo's chosen hill there hangs a rich slope of mountain high. Upon that side where it doth break its steepness most, arose a sun upon the world as duly this from Ganges doth: therefore let none who speak of that place say Ascesi, for its name were lamely so delivered, but the East, to call things rightly, be it henceforth styled. He was not yet much distant from his rising when his good influence 'gan to bless the earth. A dame to whom none openeth pleasure's gate more than to death was, against his father's will, his stripling choice: and he did make her his, before the Spiritual court, by nuptial bonds, and in his father's sight: from day to day then loved her more devoutly. She, bereaved of her first husband, slighted and obscure, thousand and hundred years and more remained without a single suitor, till he came. Nor aught availed that with Amyclas she was found unmoved, nor aught her constant boldness whereby with Christ she mounted on the cross when Mary stayed beneath. But not to deal thus closely with thee longer, take at large the rovers' titles, Poverty and Francis. Their concord and glad looks, wonder and love, and sweet regard gave birth to holy thoughts, so much that venerable Bernard first did bare his feet, and in pursuit of peace so heavenly ran, yet deemed his footing slow. O hidden riches! O prolific good! Egidius bares him next, and next Sylvester, and follow both the bridegroom, so the bride can please them.
Thenceforth goes he on his way, the father and the master, with his spouse and with that family whom now the cord girt humbly: nor did abjectness of heart weigh down his eyelids, for that he was son of Pietro Bernardone, and by men in wondrous sort despised. But royally his hard intention he to Innocent set forth, and from him first received the seal on his religion. Then, when numerous flocked the tribe of lowly ones that traced his steps, through Honourius' hand a second crown, to deck their Guardian's virtues, was by the eternal Spirit inwreathed. And when he had, through thirst of martyrdom, stood up in the proud Soldan's presence and there preached Christ and his followers, but found the race unripened for conversion, back once more he hasted, not to intermit his toil, and reaped Ausonian lands. On the hard rock, 'twixt Arno and the Tyber, he from Christ took the last Signet, which his limbs two years did carry. Then the season come that he who to such good had destined him was pleased to advance him to the meed which he had earned by his self-humbling, to his brotherhood, as their just heritage, he gave in charge his dearest lady, and enjoined their love and faith to her: and from her bosom willed his goodly spirit should move forth, returning to its appointed kingdom, nor would have his body laid upon another bier. Think now of one who were a fit colleague to keep the bark of Peter in deep sea helmed to right point; and such our Patriarch was. Therefore who follow him as he enjoins, thou mayst be certain, take good lading in. But hunger of new viands tempts his flock, so that they needs into strange pastures wide must spread them: and the more remote from him the stragglers wander, so much more they come home to the sheep-fold, destitute of milk. There are of them, in truth, who fear their harm and to the shepherd cleave; but these so few, a little stuff may furnish out their cloaks. Now, if my words be clear, if thou have ta'en good heed, if that which I have told recall to mind, thy wish may be in part fulfilled: for thou wilt see the point from whence they split, nor miss of the reproof which that implies, that well they thrive not sworn with vanity.
