CANTO XV.

ARGUMENT.

DISCOURSE upon Envy. Virgil explains to Dante the difference between earthly and heavenly goods; the former admitting not participation-the latter increasing by it. Hence Charity in heaven unbounded. The third circle, in which anger is punished. Instances of forbearance. St. Stephen, &c. A dense fog comes on,

As much as, tracing from the third hour's close
Till earliest dawn, appeareth of that sphere
Which like a playful child no quiet knows—

So long a course the sun's declining light

Had still to traverse :- it was evening here,
But upon earth the very noon of night.
His beams assail'd us full upon the brow;

For by such rounds the mount was travell'd o'er,
That tow'rds the sunset we were moving now;
When I my forehead felt opprest with glare
Of dazzling light, far brighter than before;
And stupor seized me from effect so rare.

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My hands I raised to guard my aching sight,
And o'er my forehead held them up, to hide
The overpowering effluence of light.

As when from water or a glass, the ray

Bounds from below unto the opposing side,

Ascending upward in the self-same way That it descended,-equi-distant too

From the right line a stone would take, impell'd

Through the same space, as science shows is true; So, as it seem'd, by a refracted light

Shining in front of me was I assail'd;

Wherefore I quickly turn'd away my sight. "Loved sire," I ask'd, "what is it I discern

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Approaching tow'rds us, and from which mine eyes, Unable to endure the splendour, turn?" "Marvel not, if thou still art dazzled by

The ministering attendants of the skies;

One comes," he said, "to summon man on high.
These glorious sights not long shall give thee pain,
But will inspire thee with as much delight
As nature makes thee able to sustain."

When near we came unto the Angel blest,

'Enter," with joyful voice he said; "this height

Presents a stair far easier than the rest.

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Ascending thence-behind us sang a voice :
"Bless'd are the merciful," in sweetest lay,
"And thou victorious one, do thou rejoice."
Slow up the ascent were labouring on we two—
My guide and I ;—I, thinking on my way
That from his speech some profit might accrue :
Then, turning, made I this enquiry: "What

Could mean the spirit of Romagna, when

He spoke of good, with others shared or not?" Then he "Full well he knows the cost severe

Of his besetting sin;-no marvel then

If man he warn'd, to abate his suffering here. Because your wishes to such objects tend

As are diminish'd if another share,

In envy's full blown sighs they ever end.

But if the love of the celestial sphere

To higher objects had allured your care,
Your breasts would not be troubled by that fear.
For there the more the expression 'our' we use,

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So much more good to each one's lot will fall,

And greater warmth will charity diffuse."

Now," I replied," am I far more perplex'd
Than if thou had'st not answer'd me at all;

And with more troublous doubts my mind is vex'd.

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How can it be, that a possession, shared

By many persons, can enrich them more
Than if the same is but on few conferr'd?"
Then he: "Because thine intellectual sight
Is wholly bent earth's objects to explore,
Darkness thou gath'rest from the all perfect Light.
That Good ineffable which dwells above,

As ray to lucid body swift descends,
So, in unbounded fulness speeds to love.
The warmth it finds, the same it still bestows;

And wide soe'er as charity extends,

Beyond it still the eternal Virtue glows.

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The more aspirants are there of the sky,

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More good there is to love, and more is loved,

As mirrors by reflection multiply.

And if for further food thou still dost crave,

By Beatrice shall fully be removed

This and each other longing thou mayst have.

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Exert thee now without delay to efface,

E'en as the two, each still remaining wound,
Which due contrition soonest may erase."
I was about to say, "I am content ;”

But paused,-when coming to another round,
On novel sights my curious eyes were bent.

There seem'd I as though suddenly

Rapt in a vision; and a multitude

Assembled in a temple met mine eye.
And with a mother's tender look, methought,

A lady cried, who on the threshold stood :

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"Why, O my son, hast thou thus with us wrought? Behold thy sire and I full many a day

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Have sought thee sorrowing."-Ceased her gentle, And this first vision floated soon away.

Then came in view a matron, from whose eyes

[strain :

Were streaming down her cheeks such tears amain, As from indignant wrath are wont to rise.

"If of that city thou art lord,” she said,

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"Whose name caused discord 'mid the heav'nly race,

And where each science doth its lustre shed,

Punish those arms that so audaciously

Presumed our virgin daughter to embrace."

Pisistratus all mildly made reply,

With look benevolent and temperate :

"How shall we treat the man who wills our woe,

If he who loves us meets so harsh a fate ?"—

With fury then inflamed, I saw a crowd

Stoning a youth; and as they struck each blow,

"Away with him, away," they cried aloud.

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