Paradiso
The Third Circle. Discourse on the Resurrection of the Flesh. The Fifth Heaven, Mars: Martyrs and Crusaders who died fighting for the true Faith. The Celestial Cross.
Like water in a round bowl moving from center to rim,
from rim to center, whether struck from outside or within—
this image suddenly dropped into my mind
when Thomas fell silent, his glorious voice stilled.
The resemblance struck me between his words
and those of Beatrice, who after him was pleased to begin:
"This man has need—though he does not tell you so,
not with his voice, nor even in his thought—
to reach the root of one more truth.
Tell him whether the light that makes
your substance bloom will remain with you
eternally as it is now.
And if it does remain, explain how,
when you are made visible again,
it will not injure your sight."
Like dancers in a ring who, urged by greater joy,
lift their voices and quicken their steps,
so at this devout and eager prayer
the holy circles showed new happiness
in their turning and their wondrous song.
Anyone who mourns that we die here
so we might live above has never seen there
the refreshment of eternal rain.
The One and Two and Three who lives forever,
who reigns always in Three and Two and One,
uncircumscribed yet circumscribing all things—
this was sung three times by each spirit
with such melody that it would be
just reward for any merit.
And from the most divine light
in the smaller ring, I heard a gentle voice—
perhaps like the angel's voice to Mary—answer:
"As long as Paradise's celebration lasts,
just so long will our love radiate
around us like this garment of light.
Its brightness matches our ardor,
our ardor matches our vision,
and our vision equals whatever grace
we have beyond our worth.
When our flesh, glorious and sanctified,
is taken up again, our persons
will be more pleasing by being complete.
What the Supreme Good grants us
of gratuitous light will increase—
light that lets us look upon Him.
Therefore our vision must increase,
the ardor kindled from that vision must increase,
the radiance flowing from that ardor must increase.
But like a glowing coal that sends forth flame
yet overpowers it with vivid whiteness
so its own appearance is preserved,
so the effulgence surrounding us now
will be overpowered by our flesh,
which earth still covers today.
Such great splendor cannot weary us—
our bodily organs will be strong enough
for everything that has power to please us."
So sudden and eager both choirs appeared
to say "Amen" that they clearly showed
their longing for their dead bodies—
not only for themselves, perhaps,
but for mothers, fathers, and all others
who were dear before they became eternal flames.
And look! All around, of equal brightness,
a light arose over what was there,
like a horizon clearing at dawn.
As at early evening new appearances
begin along the sky, seeming real yet unreal,
so it seemed new beings began
to be visible there, forming a circle
outside the other two rings.
O brilliant sparkling of the Holy Spirit!
How sudden and blazing it became
to my eyes, which could not bear it!
But Beatrice appeared so beautiful and smiling
that I must leave her with those other sights
my memory cannot follow.
Then my eyes resumed their power to rise,
and I saw myself carried higher
to greater salvation with my Lady alone.
I knew well I was more uplifted
by the kindled smile of the star
that seemed more red than usual.
With my whole heart, in that language
common to all, I made such sacrifice
to God as the new grace deserved.
The ardor of sacrifice had not yet
faded from my breast before I knew
this offering was accepted and blessed—
for splendors appeared to me
in double rays of such great light and redness
that I cried: "O sun who adorns them so!"
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MARS
“common to all, I made such sacrifice / to God as the new grace deserved. / The ardor of sacrifice had not yet”
As the Galaxy glimmers between the world's poles
with greater and lesser lights,
making wise men wonder,
so those rays, constellated in Mars's depths,
formed that venerable sign
where circle-quadrants join to make a cross.
Here memory defeats my skill—
Christ flashed like lightning on that cross
so I cannot find a worthy comparison.
But whoever takes up his cross and follows Christ
will forgive what I leave out,
seeing Christ blazing in that dawn.
From arm to arm, between top and base,
lights moved in brilliant scintillation,
sparkling as they met and passed each other.
Just so we see here, level and slanted,
swift and slow, constantly changing sight,
particles of matter long and short
moving through a sunbeam that sometimes
lists the shadow people contrive
with skill and art for their defense.
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THE CROSS
“will forgive what I leave out, / seeing Christ blazing in that dawn. / From arm to arm, between top and base,”
Like harp and lute strung in harmony
with many strings, making sweet music
for one who cannot distinguish the notes,
so from the lights appearing there
a melody gathered through the cross,
enrapturing me though I could not tell the hymn.
I knew well it was lofty praise
because "Arise and conquer!" came to me
like words to one who hears but cannot understand.
I became so enamored with this
that until then nothing had ever
bound me with such sweet chains.
Perhaps my words seem too bold,
postponing the delight of those beautiful eyes
where my desire finds rest when gazing.
But anyone who remembers that the living seals
of all beauty grow stronger as they ascend,
and that I had not yet turned to look at them,
can excuse me—if I accuse myself
to excuse myself, seeing I speak truly:
the holy joy here is not revealed
because ascending makes it more pure.