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look to more than truth； and so confirm Opinion； ere by art or reason
taught。 Thus many of the elder time cried up Guittone； giving him the
prize； till truth By strength of numbers vanquish'd。 If thou own So ample
privilege； as to have gain'd Free entrance to the cloister； whereof Christ Is
Abbot of the college； say to him One paternoster for me； far as needs For
dwellers in this world； where power to sin No longer tempts us。〃 Haply
to make way For one； that follow'd next； when that was said； He vanish'd
through the fire； as through the wave A fish； that glances diving to the
deep。 I； to the spirit he had shown me； drew A little onward； and
besought his name； For which my heart； I said； kept gracious room。 He
frankly thus began： 〃Thy courtesy So wins on me； I have nor power nor
will To hide me。 I am Arnault； and with songs； Sorely lamenting for my
folly past； Thorough this ford of fire I wade； and see The day； I hope for；
smiling in my view。 I pray ye by the worth that guides ye up Unto the
summit of the scale； in time Remember ye my suff'rings。〃 With such
words He disappear'd in the refining flame。
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THE VISION
CANTO XXVII
Now was the sun so station'd； as when first His early radiance quivers
on the heights； Where stream'd his Maker's blood； while Libra hangs
Above Hesperian Ebro； and new fires Meridian flash on Ganges' yellow
tide。 So day was sinking； when the' angel of God Appear'd before us。
Joy was in his mien。 Forth of the flame he stood upon the brink； And with
a voice； whose lively clearness far Surpass'd our human； 〃Blessed are the
pure In heart；〃 he Sang： then near him as we came； 〃Go ye not further；
holy spirits！〃 he cried； 〃Ere the fire pierce you： enter in； and list
Attentive to the song ye hear from thence。〃 I； when I heard his saying；
was as one Laid in the grave。 My hands together clasp'd； And upward
stretching； on the fire I look'd； And busy fancy conjur'd up the forms
Erewhile beheld alive consum'd in flames。 Th' escorting spirits turn'd
with gentle looks Toward me； and the Mantuan spake： 〃My son； Here
torment thou mayst feel； but canst not death。 Remember thee； remember
thee； if I Safe e'en on Geryon brought thee： now I come More near to God；
wilt thou not trust me now？ Of this be sure： though in its womb that flame
A thousand years contain'd thee； from thy head No hair should perish。 If
thou doubt my truth； Approach； and with thy hands thy vesture's hem
Stretch forth； and for thyself confirm belief。 Lay now all fear； O lay all
fear aside。 Turn hither； and come onward undismay'd。〃 I still； though
conscience urg'd' no step advanc'd。 When still he saw me fix'd and
obstinate； Somewhat disturb'd he cried： 〃Mark now； my son； From
Beatrice thou art by this wall Divided。〃 As at Thisbe's name the eye Of
Pyramus was open'd （when life ebb'd Fast from his veins）； and took one
parting glance； While vermeil dyed the mulberry； thus I turn'd To my sage
guide； relenting； when I heard The name； that springs forever in my breast。
He shook his forehead； and； 〃How long；〃 he said； 〃Linger we now？〃
then smil'd； as one would smile Upon a child； that eyes the fruit and yields。
Into the fire before me then he walk'd； And Statius； who erewhile no little
space Had parted us； he pray'd to come behind。 I would have cast me
into molten glass To cool me； when I enter'd； so intense Rag'd the
conflagrant mass。 The sire belov'd； To comfort me； as he proceeded； still
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THE VISION
Of Beatrice talk'd。 〃Her eyes；〃 saith he； 〃E'en now I seem to view。〃
From the other side A voice； that sang； did guide us； and the voice
Following； with heedful ear； we issued forth； There where the path led
upward。 〃Come；〃 we heard； 〃Come； blessed of my Father。〃 Such the
sounds； That hail'd us from within a light； which shone So radiant； I could
not endure the view。 〃The sun；〃 it added； 〃hastes： and evening comes。
Delay not： ere the western sky is hung With blackness； strive ye for the
pass。〃 Our way Upright within the rock arose； and fac'd Such part of
heav'n； that from before my steps The beams were shrouded of the sinking
sun。 Nor many stairs were overpass； when now By fading of the
shadow we perceiv'd The sun behind us couch'd： and ere one face Of
darkness o'er its measureless expanse Involv'd th' horizon； and the night
her lot Held individual； each of us had made A stair his pallet： not that will；
but power； Had fail'd us； by the nature of that mount Forbidden further
travel。 As the goats； That late have skipp'd and wanton'd rapidly Upon
the craggy cliffs； ere they had ta'en Their supper on the herb； now silent lie
And ruminate beneath the umbrage brown； While noonday rages； and the
goatherd leans Upon his staff； and leaning watches them： And as the swain；
that lodges out all night In quiet by his flock； lest beast of prey Disperse
them； even so all three abode； I as a goat and as the shepherds they； Close
pent on either side by shelving rock。 A little glimpse of sky was seen
above； Yet by that little I beheld the stars In magnitude and rustle shining
forth With more than wonted glory。 As I lay； Gazing on them； and in that
fit of musing； Sleep overcame me； sleep； that bringeth oft Tidings of future
hap。 About the hour； As I believe； when Venus from the east First
lighten'd on the mountain； she whose orb Seems always glowing with the
fire of love； A lady young and beautiful； I dream'd； Was passing o'er a lea；
and； as she came； Methought I saw her ever and anon Bending to cull the
flowers； and thus she sang： 〃Know ye； whoever of my name would ask；
That I am Leah： for my brow to weave A garland； these fair hands
unwearied ply。 To please me at the crystal mirror； here I deck me。 But
my sister Rachel； she Before her glass abides the livel