Then he began: “Speak ye from where ye stand!
What seek ye here? who leads you to this place?
Take heed lest climbing upward from the strand
You come to harm!” My Master answered thus:
“A heavenly lady, of such things aware,
Spake in these words not long ago to us:
‘Go ye up yonder, for the gate is there.’
And may she speed you on your way to good!”
Rejoined that gracious guard. “Up to our flight
Advance you then!” We therefore came and stood
At the first stair, which was of marble white,
So clear and burnished, that therein I could
Behold myself, how I appear to sight.
The second was a rough stone, burnt and black
Beyond the darkest purple; through its length
And crosswise it was traversed by a crack.
The third whose mass is rested on their strength
Appeared to me of porphyry, flaming red,
Or like blood spouting from a vein; thereon
God’s Angel kept with planted feet his tread