From centre to the circle, and so back from circle to the centre, water moves in the round chalice, even as the blow impels it, inwardly or from without. Such is the image glanced into Dante's mind as the great spirit of Aquinum ceases. Beatrice resumes, alternate with him. Need there is, though he tells it not in words, nor even in thought, that he should fathom another mystery to its depth. Tell him, she says, if the light wherewith your substance blooms shall stay with you eternally as now; and if it doth, how, when ye shall regain your visible forms, the sight may without harm endure the change. As those who in a ring tread the light measure raise loud the voice and spring with gladder bound, so, at that pious suit, the saintly circles in their tourneying and wondrous note attest new delight. Whoso laments that we must doff this garb of frail mortality, thenceforth to live immortally above, hath not seen the sweet refreshing of that heavenly shower. Him who lives ever, and forever reigns in mystic union of the Three in One, unbounded, bounding all, each spirit thrice sings, with such melody as but to hear for highest merit were an ample meed. And from the lesser orb the goodliest light, with gentle voice and mild, such as perhaps the angel's once to Mary, replies.
Long as the joy of Paradise shall last, our love shall shine around that raiment, bright as fervent, fervent as in vision blest, and that as far in blessedness exceeding as it hath grave beyond its virtue great. Our shape, regarmented with glorious weeds of saintly flesh, must, being thus entire, show yet more gracious. Therefore shall increase whatever of light, gratuitous, the Supreme Good imparts: light ministering aid, the better to disclose his glory. Whence the vision needs increasing, much increase the fervour which it kindles, and that too the ray that comes from it. But as the greed which gives out flame yet in its whiteness shines more lively than that, and so preserves its proper semblance, thus this circling sphere of splendour shall to view less radiant seem than shall our fleshly robe, which yonder earth now covers. Nor will such excess of light overpower us, in corporeal organs made firm and susceptible of all delight. So ready and so cordial an Amen follows from either choir as plainly speaks desire of their dead bodies; yet perchance not for themselves, but for their kindred dear, mothers and sires, and those whom best they loved, ere they were made imperishable flame. And lo, forthwith there rises round about a lustre over that already there, of equal clearness, like the brightening up of the horizon. As at an evening hour of twilight new appearances through heaven peer with faint glimmer, doubtfully descried, so there new substances, methought, begin to rise in view, and round the other twain, enwheeling, sweep their ampler circuit wide.
O gentle glitter of eternal beam. With what a such whiteness did it flow, overpowering vision in him. But so fair, so passing lovely, Beatrice showed, mind cannot follow it, nor words express her infinite sweetness. Thence his eyes regain power to look up, and he beholds himself, sole with his lady, to more lofty bliss translated: for the star, with warmer smile impurpled, well denotes their ascent. With all the heart, and with that tongue which speaks the same in all, an holocaust he makes to God, befitting the new grace vouchsafed. And from his bosom has not yet upsteamed the fuming of that incense when he knows the rite accepted. With such mighty sheen and mantling crimson, in two listed rays the splendours shoot before him, that he cries, God of Sabaoth, that does prank them thus. As leads the galaxy from pole to pole, distinguished into greater lights and less, its pathway which the wisest fail to spell, so thickly studded, in the depth of Mars, those rays describe the venerable sign that quadrants in the round conjoining frame. Here memory mocks the toil of genius. Christ beamed on that cross; and pattern fails him now. But whoso takes his cross and follows Christ will pardon him for that he leaves untold, when in the fleckered dawning he shall spy the glitterance of Christ. From horn to horn, and between the summit and the base, lights move, scintillating as they met and passed, as atomies of bodies move along the sunbeam whose slant line checkers the shadow interposed against the noontide heat. And as the chime of minstrel music, dulcimer, and harp with many strings, a pleasant dinning makes to him who heareth not distinct the note, so from the lights gathered along the cross a melody, indistinctly heard, with ravishment possesses him. Yet he marks it was a hymn of lofty praises, for there came to him Arise and conquer, as to one who hears and comprehends not. Him such ecstasy overcomes that never till that hour was thing that held him in so sweet imprisonment. Perhaps the saying appears over bold, accounting less the pleasure of those eyes whereon to look fulfils all desire. But he who is aware those living seals of every beauty work with quicker force the higher they are risen, and that there he had not turned him to them, may well excuse him that whereof in his excuse he does accuse himself: that holy pleasure here not yet revealed, which grows in transport as they mount aloof.
