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Protected； but the rain now drenches them； And the wind drives； out of the
kingdom's bounds； Far as the stream of Verde； where； with lights
Extinguish'd； he remov'd them from their bed。 Yet by their curse we are
not so destroy'd； But that the eternal love may turn； while hope Retains her
verdant blossoms。 True it is； That such one as in contumacy dies Against
the holy church； though he repent； Must wander thirty…fold for all the time
In his presumption past； if such decree Be not by prayers of good men
shorter made Look therefore if thou canst advance my bliss； Revealing to
my good Costanza； how Thou hast beheld me； and beside the terms Laid
on me of that interdict； for here By means of those below much profit
comes。〃
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THE VISION
CANTO IV
When by sensations of delight or pain； That any of our faculties hath
seiz'd； Entire the soul collects herself； it seems She is intent upon that
power alone； And thus the error is disprov'd which holds The soul not
singly lighted in the breast。 And therefore when as aught is heard or seen；
That firmly keeps the soul toward it turn'd； Time passes； and a man
perceives it not。 For that； whereby he hearken； is one power； Another that；
which the whole spirit hash； This is as it were bound； while that is free。
This found I true by proof； hearing that spirit And wond'ring； for full fifty
steps aloft The sun had measur'd unobserv'd of me； When we arriv'd where
all with one accord The spirits shouted； 〃Here is what ye ask。〃 A larger
aperture ofttimes is stopp'd With forked stake of thorn by villager； When
the ripe grape imbrowns； than was the path； By which my guide； and I
behind him close； Ascended solitary； when that troop Departing left us。
On Sanleo's road Who journeys； or to Noli low descends； Or mounts
Bismantua's height； must use his feet； But here a man had need to fly； I
mean With the swift wing and plumes of high desire； Conducted by his aid；
who gave me hope； And with light furnish'd to direct my way。 We
through the broken rock ascended； close Pent on each side； while
underneath the ground Ask'd help of hands and feet。 When we arriv'd
Near on the highest ridge of the steep bank； Where the plain level open'd I
exclaim'd； 〃O master！ say which way can we proceed？〃 He answer'd；
〃Let no step of thine recede。 Behind me gain the mountain； till to us Some
practis'd guide appear。〃 That eminence Was lofty that no eye might reach
its point； And the side proudly rising； more than line From the mid
quadrant to the centre drawn。 I wearied thus began： 〃Parent belov'd！
Turn； and behold how I remain alone； If thou stay not。〃 〃 My son！〃 He
straight reply'd； 〃Thus far put forth thy strength； 〃and to a track Pointed；
that； on this side projecting； round Circles the hill。 His words so spurr'd
me on； That I behind him clamb'ring； forc'd myself； Till my feet press'd
the circuit plain beneath。 There both together seated； turn'd we round To
eastward； whence was our ascent： and oft Many beside have with delight
look'd back。 First on the nether shores I turn'd my eyes； Then rais'd
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THE VISION
them to the sun； and wond'ring mark'd That from the left it smote us。
Soon perceiv'd That Poet sage how at the car of light Amaz'd I stood；
where 'twixt us and the north Its course it enter'd。 Whence he thus to me：
〃Were Leda's offspring now in company Of that broad mirror； that high up
and low Imparts his light beneath； thou might'st behold The ruddy zodiac
nearer to the bears Wheel； if its ancient course it not forsook。 How that
may be if thou would'st think； within Pond'ring； imagine Sion with this
mount Plac'd on the earth； so that to both be one Horizon； and two
hemispheres apart； Where lies the path that Phaeton ill knew To guide his
erring chariot： thou wilt see How of necessity by this on one He passes；
while by that on the' other side； If with clear view shine intellect attend。〃
〃Of truth； kind teacher！〃 I exclaim'd； 〃so clear Aught saw I never； as I
now discern Where seem'd my ken to fail； that the mid orb Of the supernal
motion （which in terms Of art is called the Equator； and remains Ever
between the sun and winter） for the cause Thou hast assign'd； from hence
toward the north Departs； when those who in the Hebrew land Inhabit； see
it tow'rds the warmer part。 But if it please thee； I would gladly know； How
far we have to journey： for the hill Mounts higher； than this sight of mine
can mount。〃 He thus to me： 〃Such is this steep ascent； That it is ever
difficult at first； But； more a man proceeds； less evil grows。 When pleasant
it shall seem to thee； so much That upward going shall be easy to thee。 As
in a vessel to go down the tide； Then of this path thou wilt have reach'd the
end。 There hope to rest thee from thy toil。 No more I answer； and thus
far for certain know。〃 As he his words had spoken； near to us A voice there
sounded： 〃Yet ye first perchance May to repose you by constraint be
led。〃 At sound thereof each turn'd； and on the left A huge stone we beheld；
of which nor I Nor he before was ware。 Thither we drew； find there were
some； who in the shady place Behind the rock were standing； as a man
Thru' idleness might stand。 Among them one； Who seem'd to me much
wearied； sat him down； And with his arms did fold his knees about；
Holding his face between them downward bent。 〃Sweet Sir！〃 I cry'd；
〃behold that man； who shows Himself more idle； than if laziness Were
sister to him。〃 Straight he turn'd to us； And； o'er the thigh lifting his face；
observ'd； Then in these accents spake： 〃Up then； proceed Thou valiant
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THE VISION
one。〃 Straight who it was I knew； Nor could the pain I felt （for want of
breath Still somewhat urg'd me） hinder my approach。 And when I came to
him； he scarce his head Uplifted； sayi