In fashion as a snow-white rose lay then before Dante's view the saintly multitude which in his own blood Christ espoused. Meanwhile that other host, that soar aloft to gaze and celebrate his glory whom they love, hovered around, and, like a troop of bees, amid the vernal sweets alighting now, now clustering where their fragrant labour glows, flew downward to the mighty flower, or rose from the redundant petals, streaming back unto the steadfast dwelling of their joy. Faces had they of flame, and wings of gold. The rest was whiter than the driven snow. And as they flitted down into the flower, from range to range, fanning their plumy loins, whispered the peace and ardour which they won from that soft winnowing. Shadow none, the vast interposition of such numerous flight cast from above upon the flower, or view obstructed aught. For, through the universe, wherever merited, celestial light glides freely, and no obstacle prevents. All there, who reign in safety and in bliss, ages long past or new, on one sole mark their love and vision fixed. O trinal beam of individual star, that charmest them thus, vouchsafe one glance to gild our storm below. If the grim brood, from Arctic shores that roamed, where Helice forever as she wheels sparkles a mother's fondness on her son, stood in mute wonder mid the works of Rome, when to their view the Lateran arose in greatness more than earthly, Dante, who then from human to divine had passed, from time unto eternity, and out of Florence to justice and to truth, how might he choose but marvel too? Twixt gladness and amaze, in sooth no will had he to utter aught, or hear. And, as a pilgrim, when he rests within the temple of his vow, looks round in breathless awe, and hopes some time to tell of all its goodly state, even so his eyes coursed up and down along the living light, now low, and now aloft, and now around, visiting every step. Looks he beheld, where charity in soft persuasion sat, smiles from within and radiance from above, and in each gesture grace and honour high.
So roved his ken, and its general form all Paradise surveyed, when round he turned with purpose of his lady to inquire once more of things that held his thought suspense, but answer found from other than he weened. For, Beatrice, when he thought to see, he saw instead a senior, at his side, robed, as the rest, in glory. Joy benign glowed in his eye, and over his cheek diffused, with gestures such as spoke a father's love. And, whither is she vanished? straight he asked. By Beatrice summoned, he replied, I come to aid thy wish. Looking aloft to the third circle from the highest, there behold her on the throne wherein her merit has placed her. Answering not, Dante's eyes he raised, and saw her, where aloof she sat, her brow a wreath reflecting of eternal beams. Not from the centre of the sea so far unto the region of the highest thunder, as was his ken from hers, and yet the form came through that medium down, unmixed and pure. O Lady, thou in whom my hopes have rest, who, for my safety, hast not scorned, in hell to leave the traces of thy footsteps marked. For all mine eyes have seen, I, to thy power and goodness, virtue owe and grace. Of slave, thou hast to freedom brought me, and no means, for my deliverance apt, hast left untried. Thy liberal bounty still toward me keep, that, when my spirit, which thou madest whole, is loosened from this body, it may find favour with thee. So he his suit preferred. And she, so distant as appeared, looked down, and smiled, then towards the eternal fountain turned.
And thus the senior, holy and revered: that thou at length mayst happily conclude thy voyage, to which end I was dispatched, by supplication moved and holy love, let thy upsoaring vision range, at large, this garden through, for so, by ray divine kindled, thy ken a higher flight shall mount, and from heaven's queen, whom fervent I adore, all gracious aid befriend us, for that I am her own faithful Bernard. Like a wight, who haply from Croatia wends to see our Veronica, and the while it is shown, hangs over it with never-sated gaze, and, all that he has heard revolving, saith unto himself in thought: and didst thou look even thus, O Jesus, my true Lord and God, and was this semblance thine? So gazed Dante then, adoring, for the charity of him who musing, in the world that peace enjoyed, stood lively before him. Child of grace, thus he began, thou shalt not knowledge gain of this glad being, if thine eyes are held still in this depth below. But search around the circles, to the furthest, till thou spy, seated in state, the queen, that of this realm is sovran. Straight Dante's eyes he raised, and bright, as, at the birth of morn, the eastern clime above the horizon, where the sun declines, to his eyes, that upward, as from vale to mountain sped, at the extreme bound, a part excelled in lustre all the front opposed. And as the glow burns ruddiest over the wave that waits the sloping beam which Phaeton ill knew to guide, and on each part the light diminished fades, intensest in the midst, so burned the peaceful oriflamb, and slacked on every side the living flame decayed. And in that midst their sportive pennons waved thousands of angels, in resplendence each distinct, and quaint adornment. At their glee and carol, smiled the Lovely One of heaven, that joy was in the eyes of all the blest. Had he a tongue in eloquence as rich as is the colouring in fancy's loom, it were all too poor to utter the least part of that enchantment. When he saw Dante's eyes intent on her that charmed him, Bernard gazed with so exceeding fondness as infused ardour into his breast, unfelt before.
