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I late have heard Of opposite report。〃 She answering thus： 〃I will unfold
the cause； whence that proceeds； Which makes thee wonder； and so purge
the cloud That hath enwraps thee。 The First Good； whose joy Is only in
himself； created man For happiness； and gave this goodly place； His
pledge and earnest of eternal peace。 Favour'd thus highly； through his own
defect He fell； and here made short sojourn； he fell； And； for the bitterness
of sorrow； chang'd Laughter unblam'd and ever…new delight。 That vapours
none； exhal'd from earth beneath； Or from the waters （which； wherever
heat Attracts them； follow）； might ascend thus far To vex man's peaceful
state； this mountain rose So high toward the heav'n； nor fears the rage 0f
elements contending； from that part Exempted； where the gate his limit
bars。 Because the circumambient air throughout With its first impulse
circles still； unless Aught interpose to cheek or thwart its course； Upon the
summit； which on every side To visitation of th' impassive air Is open；
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doth that motion strike； and makes Beneath its sway th' umbrageous wood
resound： And in the shaken plant such power resides； That it impregnates
with its efficacy The voyaging breeze； upon whose subtle plume That
wafted flies abroad； and th' other land Receiving （as 't is worthy in itself；
Or in the clime； that warms it）； doth conceive； And from its womb
produces many a tree Of various virtue。 This when thou hast heard； The
marvel ceases； if in yonder earth Some plant without apparent seed be
found To fix its fibrous stem。 And further learn； That with prolific foison
of all seeds； This holy plain is fill'd； and in itself Bears fruit that ne'er was
pluck'd on other soil。 〃The water； thou behold'st； springs not from vein；
As stream； that intermittently repairs And spends his pulse of life； but
issues forth From fountain； solid； undecaying； sure； And by the will
omnific； full supply Feeds whatsoe'er On either side it pours； On this
devolv'd with power to take away Remembrance of offence； on that to
bring Remembrance back of every good deed done。 From whence its name
of Lethe on this part； On th' other Eunoe： both of which must first Be
tasted ere it work； the last exceeding All flavours else。 Albeit thy thirst
may now Be well contented； if I here break off； No more revealing： yet a
corollary I freely give beside： nor deem my words Less grateful to thee； if
they somewhat pass The stretch of promise。 They； whose verse of yore
The golden age recorded and its bliss； On the Parnassian mountain； of this
place Perhaps had dream'd。 Here was man guiltless； here Perpetual
spring and every fruit； and this The far…fam'd nectar。〃 Turning to the
bards； When she had ceas'd； I noted in their looks A smile at her
conclusion； then my face Again directed to the lovely dame。
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CANTO XXIX
Singing； as if enamour'd； she resum'd And clos'd the song； with
〃Blessed they whose sins Are cover'd。〃 Like the wood…nymphs then； that
tripp'd Singly across the sylvan shadows； one Eager to view and one to
'scape the sun； So mov'd she on； against the current； up The verdant rivage。
I； her mincing step Observing； with as tardy step pursued。 Between us
not an hundred paces trod； The bank； on each side bending equally； Gave
me to face the orient。 Nor our way Far onward brought us； when to me at
once She turn'd； and cried： 〃My brother！ look and hearken。〃 And lo！
a sudden lustre ran across Through the great forest on all parts； so bright I
doubted whether lightning were abroad； But that expiring ever in the
spleen； That doth unfold it； and this during still And waxing still in
splendor； made me question What it might be： and a sweet melody Ran
through the luminous air。 Then did I chide With warrantable zeal the
hardihood Of our first parent； for that there were earth Stood in obedience
to the heav'ns； she only； Woman； the creature of an hour； endur'd not
Restraint of any veil： which had she borne Devoutly； joys； ineffable as
these； Had from the first； and long time since； been mine。 While
through that wilderness of primy sweets That never fade； suspense I
walk'd； and yet Expectant of beatitude more high； Before us； like a blazing
fire； the air Under the green boughs glow'd； and； for a song； Distinct the
sound of melody was heard。 O ye thrice holy virgins！ for your sakes
If e'er I suffer'd hunger； cold and watching； Occasion calls on me to crave
your bounty。 Now through my breast let Helicon his stream Pour copious；
and Urania with her choir Arise to aid me： while the verse unfolds Things
that do almost mock the grasp of thought。 Onward a space； what seem'd
seven trees of gold； The intervening distance to mine eye Falsely
presented； but when I was come So near them； that no lineament was lost
Of those； with which a doubtful object； seen Remotely； plays on the
misdeeming sense； Then did the faculty； that ministers Discourse to reason；
these for tapers of gold Distinguish； and it th' singing trace the sound
〃Hosanna。〃 Above； their beauteous garniture Flam'd with more ample
lustre； than the moon Through cloudless sky at midnight in her full。 I
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turn'd me full of wonder to my guide； And he did answer with a
countenance Charg'd with no less amazement： whence my view Reverted
to those lofty things； which came So slowly moving towards us； that the
bride Would have outstript them on her bridal day。 The lady called
aloud： 〃Why thus yet burns Affection in thee for these living； lights； And
dost not look on that which follows them？〃 I straightway mark'd a tribe
behind them wa