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on the solitary shore arriv'd； That never sailing on its waters saw Man； that
could after measure back his course； He girt me in such manner as had
pleas'd Him who instructed； and O； strange to tell！ As he selected every
humble plant； Wherever one was pluck'd； another there Resembling；
straightway in its place arose。
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THE VISION
CANTO II
Now had the sun to that horizon reach'd； That covers； with the most
exalted point Of its meridian circle； Salem's walls； And night； that
opposite to him her orb Sounds； from the stream of Ganges issued forth；
Holding the scales； that from her hands are dropp'd When she reigns
highest： so that where I was； Aurora's white and vermeil…tinctur'd cheek To
orange turn'd as she in age increas'd。 Meanwhile we linger'd by the
water's brink； Like men； who； musing on their road； in thought Journey；
while motionless the body rests。 When lo！ as near upon the hour of dawn；
Through the thick vapours Mars with fiery beam Glares down in west；
over the ocean floor； So seem'd； what once again I hope to view； A light so
swiftly coming through the sea； No winged course might equal its career。
From which when for a space I had withdrawn Thine eyes； to make
inquiry of my guide； Again I look'd and saw it grown in size And
brightness： thou on either side appear'd Something； but what I knew not of
bright hue； And by degrees from underneath it came Another。 My
preceptor silent yet Stood； while the brightness； that we first discern'd；
Open'd the form of wings： then when he knew The pilot； cried aloud；
〃Down； down； bend low Thy knees； behold God's angel： fold thy hands：
Now shalt thou see true Ministers indeed。 Lo how all human means he sets
at naught！ So that nor oar he needs； nor other sail Except his wings；
between such distant shores。 Lo how straight up to heaven he holds them
rear'd； Winnowing the air with those eternal plumes； That not like mortal
hairs fall off or change！〃 As more and more toward us came； more
bright Appear'd the bird of God； nor could the eye Endure his splendor
near： I mine bent down。 He drove ashore in a small bark so swift And
light； that in its course no wave it drank。 The heav'nly steersman at the
prow was seen； Visibly written blessed in his looks。 Within a hundred
spirits and more there sat。 〃In Exitu Israel de Aegypto；〃 All with one voice
together sang； with what In the remainder of that hymn is writ。 Then soon
as with the sign of holy cross He bless'd them； they at once leap'd out on
land； The swiftly as he came return'd。 The crew； There left； appear'd
astounded with the place； Gazing around as one who sees new sights。
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THE VISION
From every side the sun darted his beams； And with his arrowy radiance
from mid heav'n Had chas'd the Capricorn； when that strange tribe Lifting
their eyes towards us： If ye know； Declare what path will Lead us to the
mount。〃 Them Virgil answer'd。 〃Ye suppose perchance Us well
acquainted with this place： but here； We； as yourselves； are strangers。
Not long erst We came； before you but a little space； By other road so
rough and hard； that now The' ascent will seem to us as play。〃 The spirits；
Who from my breathing had perceiv'd I liv'd； Grew pale with wonder。 As
the multitude Flock round a herald； sent with olive branch； To hear what
news he brings； and in their haste Tread one another down； e'en so at sight
Of me those happy spirits were fix'd； each one Forgetful of its errand； to
depart； Where cleans'd from sin； it might be made all fair。 Then one I
saw darting before the rest With such fond ardour to embrace me； I To do
the like was mov'd。 O shadows vain Except in outward semblance！
thrice my hands I clasp'd behind it； they as oft return'd Empty into my
breast again。 Surprise I needs must think was painted in my looks； For
that the shadow smil'd and backward drew。 To follow it I hasten'd； but
with voice Of sweetness it enjoin'd me to desist。 Then who it was I knew；
and pray'd of it； To talk with me； it would a little pause。 It answered： 〃Thee
as in my mortal frame I lov'd； so loos'd forth it I love thee still； And
therefore pause； but why walkest thou here？〃 〃Not without purpose
once more to return； Thou find'st me； my Casella； where I am Journeying
this way；〃 I said； 〃but how of thee Hath so much time been lost？〃 He
answer'd straight： 〃No outrage hath been done to me； if he Who when and
whom he chooses takes； me oft This passage hath denied； since of just will
His will he makes。 These three months past indeed； He； whose chose to
enter； with free leave Hath taken； whence I wand'ring by the shore Where
Tyber's wave grows salt； of him gain'd kind Admittance； at that river's
mouth； tow'rd which His wings are pointed； for there always throng All
such as not to Archeron descend。〃 Then I： 〃If new laws have not quite
destroy'd Memory and use of that sweet song of love； That while all my
cares had power to 'swage； Please thee with it a little to console My spirit；
that incumber'd with its frame； Travelling so far； of pain is overcome。〃
〃Love that discourses in my thoughts。〃 He then Began in such soft
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THE VISION
accents； that within The sweetness thrills me yet。 My gentle guide And
all who came with him； so well were pleas'd； That seem'd naught else
might in their thoughts have room。 Fast fix'd in mute attention to his
notes We stood； when lo！ that old man venerable Exclaiming； 〃How is
this； ye tardy spirits？ What negligence detains you loit'ring here？ Run to
the mountain to cast off those scales； That from your eyes the sight of God
conceal。〃 As a wild flock of pigeons； to their food Collected； blade or
tares； withou