O blind obsession of mortal minds!
How flawed the reasoning that sends you
spiraling downward on desperate wings!
4
One chased after law, another after clever sayings,
one pursued the priesthood, another sought to rule
through force or cunning arguments.
One lost himself in theft, another in politics,
one exhausted himself in pleasures of the flesh,
while another surrendered to lazy comfort.
10
But I—freed from all these things—
was received with Beatrice here in the heavens
with such overwhelming glory!
13
When each soul had returned to its place
within the circle where it was before,
it stood like a candle in its holder.
And from within that radiance
which had first spoken to me,
I heard a voice begin, smiling
as it grew more luminous:
20
"Just as I am kindled by this ray,
so I, gazing into the Eternal Light,
can understand the source of your thoughts.
You have doubts, and you want me to clarify
in language so clear and open
that your mind can grasp it—
what I meant when I said 'where one grows fat'
and where I said 'none other ever rose.'
Here we must make careful distinctions.
29
The Providence that governs the world
with wisdom so profound that all created understanding
is defeated before reaching its depths—
so that the bride of Him who cried aloud
and married her with his sacred blood
might go toward her beloved
with confidence and greater faithfulness—
appointed two princes for her benefit,
to guide her on both sides.
38
One blazed with seraphic fire;
the other was a splendor of cherubic light,
wise upon the earth.
I'll speak of one, though praising either
speaks for both, since their labors
served the same end.
44
Between the Tupino and the stream that falls
from the hill blessed by Saint Ubald,
a fertile slope hangs from a high mountain.
Through Porta Sole, Perugia feels
its cold and heat, while behind it
Gualdo and Nocera grieve their heavy burden.
From this slope, where it breaks
its steepest descent,
a sun rose upon the world
as this one sometimes rises from the Ganges.
54
So let whoever speaks of that place
not say Assisi—that would say too little—
but Orient, if he would speak truly.
57
He was not yet far from his rising
when he began to make the earth
feel comfort from his great power.
In youth he defied his father's anger
for a certain Lady, whom no one unlocks
the gate of pleasure for, as if she were death itself.
Before his bishop's court
and in his father's presence,
he was united to her in marriage.
Then day by day he loved her more fervently.
67
She, stripped of her first husband,
scorned and forgotten for eleven hundred years
and more, waited without a suitor until he came.
It meant nothing that she was found
unshaken when Amyclas heard the voice
of him who terrified the whole world.
It meant nothing that she stayed constant and fearless,
so much so that when Mary remained below,
she climbed the cross with Christ.
76
But so I don't speak too obscurely:
understand that Francis and Poverty
are these two lovers in my story.
79
Their harmony and joyful expressions,
their love, wonder, and tender looks
inspired holy thoughts in others.
So much so that the venerable Bernard
first went barefoot, and ran after such peace,
thinking himself too slow even while running.
85
O unknown wealth! O true good!
Giles goes barefoot, Sylvester goes barefoot,
following the bridegroom—so much does the bride delight them!
88
Then that father and master departed
with his Lady and that family
which now wore the humble cord.
No cowardice weighed down his heart
at being Peter Bernardone's son,
or at appearing wonderfully despised.
Instead, with royal resolve,
he revealed his firm intention to Innocent
and received the first seal on his order.
97
After the poor followers increased
behind this man whose wonderful life
deserves to be sung in heaven's glory,
the holy purpose of this leader
was crowned with a second crown
by Honorius through the Eternal Spirit.
103
When, thirsting for martyrdom,
he preached Christ in the Sultan's proud presence,
along with others who followed him,
and finding the people too unripe for conversion
and not wanting to remain there uselessly,
he returned to harvest Italian souls.
On the harsh rock between Tiber and Arno,
from Christ he received the final seal,
which his body bore for two full years.
112
When He who had chosen him for such goodness
was pleased to draw him up to the reward
he had earned through humility,
to his brothers, as to rightful heirs,
he entrusted his most dear Lady,
commanding them to love her faithfully.
From her embrace his illustrious soul
chose to depart, returning to its kingdom,
wanting no other bier for his body.
121
Now consider what kind of man
was fit to be a companion on the high seas,
keeping Peter's ship on its true course.
This man was our patriarch.
So whoever follows him as he commands
can see that his cargo is good merchandise.
127
But his flock has grown so greedy
for new pastures that they cannot help
but scatter across different fields.
The farther his sheep wander
from him, remote and vagabond,
the emptier of milk they return to the fold.
Truly, some still fear harm
and stay close to the shepherd,
but they are so few that little cloth
could furnish all their hoods.
137
Now if my words are not unclear,
if you have listened carefully,
if you remember what I've said,
your questions will be partly answered.
You'll see the plant that's being pruned away
and understand the rebuke contained in the words:
'Where one grows fat, if he doesn't stray.'"
144