按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
still remained below； She mounted up with Christ upon the cross。
But that too darkly I may not proceed； Francis and Poverty for these
two lovers Take thou henceforward in my speech diffuse。
Their concord and their joyous semblances； The love； the wonder； and
the sweet regard； They made to be the cause of holy thoughts；
So much so that the venerable Bernard First bared his feet； and after so
great peace Ran； and； in running； thought himself too slow。
O wealth unknown！ O veritable good！ Giles bares his feet； and bares
his feet Sylvester Behind the bridegroom； so doth please the bride！
Then goes his way that father and that master； He and his Lady and
that family Which now was girding on the humble cord；
Nor cowardice of heart weighed down his brow At being son of Peter
Bernardone； Nor for appearing marvellously scorned；
But regally his hard determination To Innocent he opened； and from
him Received the primal seal upon his Order。
After the people mendicant increased Behind this man； whose
admirable life Better in glory of the heavens were sung；
Incoronated with a second crown Was through Honorius by the Eternal
Spirit The holy purpose of this Archimandrite。
36
… Page 37…
THE DIVINE COMEDY
And when he had； through thirst of martyrdom； In the proud presence
of the Sultan preached Christ and the others who came after him；
And； finding for conversion too unripe The folk； and not to tarry there
in vain； Returned to fruit of the Italic grass；
On the rude rock 'twixt Tiber and the Arno From Christ did he receive
the final seal； Which during two whole years his members bore。
When He； who chose him unto so much good； Was pleased to draw
him up to the reward That he had merited by being lowly；
Unto his friars； as to the rightful heirs； His most dear Lady did he
recommend； And bade that they should love her faithfully；
And from her bosom the illustrious soul Wished to depart； returning to
its realm； And for its body wished no other bier。
Think now what man was he； who was a fit Companion over the high
seas to keep The bark of Peter to its proper bearings。
And this man was our Patriarch； hence whoever Doth follow him as he
commands can see That he is laden with good merchandise。
But for new pasturage his flock has grown So greedy； that it is
impossible They be not scattered over fields diverse；
And in proportion as his sheep remote And vagabond go farther off
from him； More void of milk return they to the fold。
Verily some there are that fear a hurt； And keep close to the shepherd；
but so few； That little cloth doth furnish forth their hoods。
Now if my utterance be not indistinct； If thine own hearing hath
attentive been； If thou recall to mind what I have said；
In part contented shall thy wishes be； For thou shalt see the plant that's
chipped away； And the rebuke that lieth in the words；
'Where well one fattens； if he strayeth not。'〃
37
… Page 38…
THE DIVINE COMEDY
Paradiso： Canto XII
Soon as the blessed flame had taken up The final word to give it
utterance； Began the holy millstone to revolve；
And in its gyre had not turned wholly round； Before another in a ring
enclosed it； And motion joined to motion； song to song；
Song that as greatly doth transcend our Muses； Our Sirens； in those
dulcet clarions； As primal splendour that which is reflected。
And as are spanned athwart a tender cloud Two rainbows parallel and
like in colour； When Juno to her handmaid gives command；
（The one without born of the one within； Like to the speaking of that
vagrant one Whom love consumed as doth the sun the vapours；）
And make the people here； through covenant God set with Noah；
presageful of the world That shall no more be covered with a flood；
In such wise of those sempiternal roses The garlands twain
encompassed us about； And thus the outer to the inner answered。
After the dance； and other grand rejoicings； Both of the singing； and
the flaming forth Effulgence with effulgence blithe and tender；
Together； at once； with one accord had stopped； （Even as the eyes； that；
as volition moves them； Must needs together shut and lift themselves；）
Out of the heart of one of the new lights There came a voice； that
needle to the star Made me appear in turning thitherward。
And it began： 〃The love that makes me fair Draws me to speak about
the other leader； By whom so well is spoken here of mine。
'Tis right； where one is； to bring in the other； That； as they were united
in their warfare； Together likewise may their glory shine。
The soldiery of Christ； which it had cost So dear to arm again； behind
the standard Moved slow and doubtful and in numbers few；
When the Emperor who reigneth evermore Provided for the host that
was in peril； Through grace alone and not that it was worthy；
And； as was said； he to his Bride brought succour With champions
twain； at whose deed； at whose word The straggling people were together
drawn。
Within that region where the sweet west wind Rises to open the new
38
… Page 39…
THE DIVINE COMEDY
leaves； wherewith Europe is seen to clothe herself afresh；
Not far off from the beating of the waves； Behind which in his long
career the sun Sometimes conceals himself from every man；
Is situate the fortunate Calahorra； Under protection of the mighty
shield In which the Lion subject is and sovereign。
Therein was born the amorous paramour Of Christian Faith； the athlete
consecrate； Kind to his own and cruel to his foes；
And when it was created was his mind Replete with such a living
energy； That in his mother her it made prophetic。
As soon as the espousals were complete Between him and the Faith at
holy font； Where they with mutual safety dowered each other；
The woman； who for him had given assent； Saw in a dream the
admirable fruit That issue would from him and from his heirs；
And that he might be construed as he was； A spirit from this place
went forth to name him With His possessive whose he wholly was。
Dominic was he called； and him I speak of Even as of the husbandman
whom