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〃There is no dram of blood； That doth not quiver in me。 The old flame
Throws out clear tokens of reviving fire：〃 But Virgil had bereav'd us of
himself； Virgil； my best…lov'd father； Virgil； he To whom I gave me up for
safety： nor； All； our prime mother lost； avail'd to save My undew'd cheeks
from blur of soiling tears。 〃Dante； weep not； that Virgil leaves thee： nay；
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Weep thou not yet： behooves thee feel the edge Of other sword； and thou
shalt weep for that。〃 As to the prow or stern； some admiral Paces the
deck； inspiriting his crew； When 'mid the sail…yards all hands ply aloof；
Thus on the left side of the car I saw； （Turning me at the sound of mine
own name； Which here I am compell'd to register） The virgin station'd；
who before appeared Veil'd in that festive shower angelical。 Towards
me； across the stream； she bent her eyes； Though from her brow the veil
descending； bound With foliage of Minerva； suffer'd not That I beheld her
clearly； then with act Full royal； still insulting o'er her thrall； Added； as
one； who speaking keepeth back The bitterest saying； to conclude the
speech： 〃Observe me well。 I am； in sooth； I am Beatrice。 What！ and
hast thou deign'd at last Approach the mountain？ knewest not； O man！
Thy happiness is whole？〃 Down fell mine eyes On the clear fount； but
there； myself espying； Recoil'd； and sought the greensward： such a weight
Of shame was on my forehead。 With a mien Of that stern majesty； which
doth surround mother's presence to her awe…struck child； She look'd； a
flavour of such bitterness Was mingled in her pity。 There her words
Brake off； and suddenly the angels sang： 〃In thee； O gracious Lord； my
hope hath been：〃 But went no farther than； 〃Thou Lord； hast set My feet in
ample room。〃 As snow； that lies Amidst the living rafters on the back Of
Italy congeal'd when drifted high And closely pil'd by rough Sclavonian
blasts； Breathe but the land whereon no shadow falls； And straightway
melting it distils away； Like a fire…wasted taper： thus was I； Without a sigh
or tear； or ever these Did sing； that with the chiming of heav'n's sphere；
Still in their warbling chime： but when the strain Of dulcet symphony；
express'd for me Their soft compassion； more than could the words
〃Virgin； why so consum'st him？〃 then the ice； Congeal'd about my
bosom； turn'd itself To spirit and water； and with anguish forth Gush'd
through the lips and eyelids from the heart。 Upon the chariot's right
edge still she stood； Immovable； and thus address'd her words To those
bright semblances with pity touch'd： 〃Ye in th' eternal day your vigils keep；
So that nor night nor slumber； with close stealth； Conveys from you a
single step in all The goings on of life： thence with more heed I shape
mine answer； for his ear intended； Who there stands weeping； that the
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sorrow now May equal the transgression。 Not alone Through operation
of the mighty orbs； That mark each seed to some predestin'd aim； As with
aspect or fortunate or ill The constellations meet； but through benign
Largess of heav'nly graces； which rain down From such a height； as mocks
our vision； this man Was in the freshness of his being； such； So gifted
virtually； that in him All better habits wond'rously had thriv'd。 The more of
kindly strength is in the soil； So much doth evil seed and lack of culture
Mar it the more； and make it run to wildness。 These looks sometime
upheld him； for I show'd My youthful eyes； and led him by their light In
upright walking。 Soon as I had reach'd The threshold of my second age；
and chang'd My mortal for immortal； then he left me； And gave himself to
others。 When from flesh To spirit I had risen； and increase Of beauty and
of virtue circled me； I was less dear to him； and valued less。 His steps were
turn'd into deceitful ways； Following false images of good； that make No
promise perfect。 Nor avail'd me aught To sue for inspirations； with the
which； I； both in dreams of night； and otherwise； Did call him back； of
them so little reck'd him； Such depth he fell； that all device was short Of
his preserving； save that he should view The children of perdition。 To
this end I visited the purlieus of the dead： And one； who hath conducted
him thus high； Receiv'd my supplications urg'd with weeping。 It were a
breaking of God's high decree； If Lethe should be past； and such food
tasted Without the cost of some repentant tear。〃
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CANTO XXXI
〃O Thou！〃 her words she thus without delay Resuming； turn'd their
point on me； to whom They but with lateral edge seem'd harsh before； 'Say
thou； who stand'st beyond the holy stream； If this be true。 A charge so
grievous needs Thine own avowal。〃 On my faculty Such strange
amazement hung； the voice expir'd Imperfect； ere its organs gave it birth。
A little space refraining； then she spake： 〃What dost thou muse on？
Answer me。 The wave On thy remembrances of evil yet Hath done no
injury。〃 A mingled sense Of fear and of confusion； from my lips Did
such a 〃Yea 〃 produce； as needed help Of vision to interpret。 As when
breaks In act to be discharg'd； a cross…bow bent Beyond its pitch； both
nerve and bow o'erstretch'd； The flagging weapon feebly hits the mark；
Thus； tears and sighs forth gushing； did I burst Beneath the heavy load；
and thus my voice Was slacken'd on its way。 She straight began： 〃When
my desire invited thee to love The good； which sets a bound to our
aspirings； What bar of thwarting foss or linked chain Did meet thee； that
thou so should'st quit the hope Of further progress； or what bait of ease Or
promise of allurement led th