If ever the sacred poem that hath made both heaven and earth copartners in its toil, and with lean abstinence, through many a year, faded Dante's brow, be destined to prevail over the cruelty which bars him forth of the fair sheep-fold, where a sleeping lamb the wolves set on and fain had worried him, with other voice and fleece of other grain he shall forthwith return, and, standing up at his baptismal font, shall claim the wreath due to the poet's temples. For he there first entered on the faith which maketh souls acceptable to God, and, for its sake, Peter had then circled his forehead thus. Next from the squadron, whence had issued forth the first fruit of Christ's vicars on the earth, toward them moved a light, at view whereof his Lady, full of gladness, spoke to him: Lo, lo, behold the peer of mickle might, that makes Falicia thronged with visitants. As when the ring-dove by his mate alights, in circles each about the other wheels, and murmuring cooes his fondness, thus Dante saw one of the other great and glorious prince, with kindly greeting hailed, extolling both their heavenly banqueting. But when an end was to their gratulation, silent, each, before him sat they down, so burning bright he could not look upon them. Smiling then, Beatrice spoke: O life in glory shrined, who didst the largess of our kingly court set down with faithful pen, let now thy voice of hope the praises in this height resound. For thou, who figurest them in shapes, as clear as Jesus stood before thee, well canst speak them.
Lift up thy head, and be thou strong in trust, for that which hither from the mortal world arriveth must be ripened in our beam. Such cheering accents from the second flame assured him, and his eyes he lifted up unto the mountains that had bowed them late with over-heavy burden. Sith our Liege wills of his grace that thou, or ere thy death, in the most secret council, with his lords shouldst be confronted, so that having viewed the glories of our court, thou mayst therewith thyself, and all who hear, invigorate with hope that leads to blissful end, declare what is that hope, how it doth flourish in thee, and whence thou hadst it. Thus proceeding still, the second light, and she whose gentle love Dante's soaring pennons in that lofty flight escorted, thus preventing him, rejoined: among her sons, not one more full of hope hath the church militant. So it is of him recorded in the sun, whose liberal orb enlighteneth all our tribe, and ere his term of warfare, hence permitted he is come, from Egypt to Jerusalem, to see. The other points, both which thou hast inquired, not for more knowledge, but that he may tell how dear thou holdst the virtue, these to him leave I, for he may answer thee with ease, and without boasting, so God give him grace. Like to the scholar, practised in his task, who, willing to give proof of diligence, seconds his teacher gladly, Hope, said Dante, is of the joy to come a sure expectance, the effect of grace divine and merit preceding. This light from many a star visits my heart, but flowed to me the first from him who sang the songs of the Supreme, himself supreme among his tuneful brethren. Let all hope in thee, so speak his anthem, who have known thy name, and with my faith who know not that? From thee, the next, distilling from his spring, in thine epistle, fell on me the drops so plenteously, that I on others shower the influence of their dew. Whileas he spoke, a lamping, as of quick and vollied lightning, within the bosom of that mighty sheen, played tremulous, then forth these accents breathed: love for the virtue which attended me even to the palm, and issuing from the field, glows vigorous yet within me, and inspires to ask of thee, whom also it delights, what promise thou from hope in chief dost win. Both scriptures, new and ancient, Dante replied, propose the mark which even now I view for souls beloved of God. Isaias saith that, in their own land, each one must be clad in twofold vesture, and their proper land is this delicious life. In terms more full, and clearer far, thy brother hath set forth this revelation to us, where he tells of the white raiment destined to the saints.
And, as the words were ending, from above, They hope in thee, first heard they cried, whereto answered the carols all. Amidst them next, a light of so clear amplitude emerged, that winter's month were but a single day, were such a crystal in the Cancer's sign. Like as a virgin riseth up, and goes, and enters on the mazes of the dance, though gay, yet innocent of worse intent, than to do fitting honour to the bride, so Dante beheld the new effulgence come unto the other two, who in a ring wheeled, as became their rapture. In the dance and in the song it mingled. And the dame held on them fixed her looks, even as the spouse silent and moveless. This is he, who lay upon the bosom of our pelican. This he, into whose keeping from the cross the mighty charge was given. Thus she spoke, yet therefore naught the more removed her sight from marking them, or ere her words began, or when they closed. As he who looks intent, and strives with searching ken, how he may see the sun in his eclipse, and, through desire of seeing, loseth power of sight, so Dante peered on that last resplendence, while he heard: why dazzlest thou thine eyes in seeking that which here abides not? Earth my body is, in earth, and shall be, with the rest, so long as till our number equal the decree of the Most High. The two that have ascended, in this our blessed cloister, shine alone with the two garments. So report below. As when, for ease of labour, or to shun suspected peril at a whistle's breath, the oars, erewhile dashed frequent in the wave, all rest, the flamy circle at that voice so rested, and the mingling sound was still, which from the trinal band soft-breathing rose. Dante turned, but ah, how trembled in his thought, when, looking at his side again to see Beatrice, he descried her not, although not distant, on the happy coast she stood.
