APPENDIX II.
PARADISE—CANTO XI.
LINES 28-123
Dean Plumptre’s Translation
It is probable that Dante knew the “Sacrum Commercium”; it is certain that he knew the Prayer to obtain Poverty. Therefore it may be convenient to give in extenso that part of the Divine Canto which sings of the Mystic loves of Francis and the Lady Poverty.
The Providence,—which all things doth dispose 28
With such deep counsels that all mortal gaze
Is baffled ere to that great depth it goes—
That unto Him she loves might bend her ways, 31
The Bride of Him Who, with a bitter cry,
Espoused her with the blood we bless and praise,
In fuller peace, more steadfast loyalty, 34
Her, for her good, with two high chiefs endowed,
That they on either side her guides might be.
The soul of one with love seraphic glowed; 37
The other by his wisdom on our earth
A splendour of cherubic glory showed.
Of one I’ll speak; for, if we tell the worth 40
Of one, ’tis true of both, whiche’er we take,
For to one end each laboured from his birth.
Between Tupino and the streams that break 43
From the hill chosen by Ubaldo blest,
A lofty mount a fertile slope doth make;
Perugia’s Sun-gate from that lofty crest 46
Feels heat and cold; Nocer’ and Gualdo pine
Behind it, by their heavy yoke opprest.
On this slope, where less steeply doth incline 49
The hill, was born into this world a sun,
Bright as this orb doth oft o’er Ganges shine.
Whence, naming this spot, let not any one 52
Call it Ascesi—that were tame in sense—
As Orient doth its proper title run.
Such was his rise, nor was he far from thence, 55
When he began to make the wide earth share
Some comfort from his glorious excellence;
For he, a youth, his father’s wrath did dare 58
For maid, for whom not one of all the crowd,
As she were death, would pleasure’s gates unbar.
And then before court spiritual he vowed 61
Et coram patre—marriage-pledge to her,
And day by day more fervent love he showed.
Of her first spouse bereaved, a thousand were, 64
And more, the years she lived, despised, obscure,
And, till he came, none did his suit prefer.
Nought it availed that she was found secure 67
With that Amyclas when the voice was heard
Which made the world great terror-pangs endure;
Nought it availed that she nor shrank nor feared, 70
So that, when Mary tarried yet below,
She on the Cross above with Christ appeared.
But lest I tell it too obscurely so, 73
By these two lovers, in my speech diffuse,
Thou Poverty and Francis now mayst know.
Their concord and their looks of joy profuse, 76
The love, the wonder, and the aspect sweet,
Made men in holy meditation muse,
So that the holy Bernard bared his feet, 79
The first to start, and for such peace so tried,
That slow he thought his pace, though it was fleet.
O wealth unknown, true good that doth abide! 82
Ægidius bared his feet, Sylvester too,
Following the Bridegroom, so they loved the Bride.
Then went that Father and that Master true 85
With that his Bride and that his family,
Who round their loins the lowly girdle drew;
Nor was faint heart betrayed in downcast eye, 88
As being Pietro Bernardone’s son,
Nor yet as one despised wondrously;
But like a king his stern intention 91
To Innocent he opened, who did give
The first seal to that new religion.
Then, when the race content as poor to live 94
Grew behind him, whose life, so high renowned,
Would, in Heaven’s glory, higher songs receive,
With a new diadem once more was crowned 97
By Pope Honorius, from on high inspired,
This Archimandrite’s purpose, holy found.
And after that, with martyr zeal untired, 100
He, in the presence of the Soldan proud
Preached Christ, and those whom His example fired;
And finding that that race no ripeness showed 103
For their conversion, not to toil in vain,
He to Italia’s fields his labours vowed.
On the rough rock ’twixt Tiber’s, Arno’s, plain, 106
From Christ received he the last seal’s impress,
Which he two years did in his limbs sustain.
When it pleased Him, Who chose him thus to bless, 109
To lead him up the high reward to share
Which he had merited by lowliness,
Then to his brothers, each as rightful heir, 112
He gave in charge his lady-love most dear,
And bade them love her with a steadfast care;
And from her breast that soul so high and clear 115
Would fain depart and to its kingdom turn,
Nor for his body sought another bier.
Think now what he was who the fame did earn 118
To be his comrade, and for Peter’s barque
On the high seas the true path to discern.
And such was he, our honoured Patriarch; 121
Wherefore, who follows him as he commands,
Him laden with rich treasures thou mayest mark.
By M. CARMICHAEL.
IN TUSCANY.
Tuscan Towns—Tuscan Types—The Tuscan Tongue, etc.
With numerous Illustrations.
SECOND EDITION.
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