La Divina Commedia Paradiso Canto XXII The song of san Benedetto Time: Thursday, March 30, 1301 (Wednesday, April 13, 1300): not specified (after Easter) Place: Seventh Sky: Saturn Eighth Sky: Fixed Stars People: Dante, Beatrice, san Benedetto, san Macario, san Romualdo degli Onesti © 2021 Dr. M. Junker: Fonetics, metrics, accents colored, protected by Namirial SpA © 1994 Le Lettere: Critical Edition of the Divine Comedy (by Giorgio Petrocchi) English Translation by Charles Eliot Norton: 1902/1952 (Encyclopædia Britannica)
1 Oppr sso di stup re, a la mia guida 2 6 mi v lsi, c me p rvol che ric rre 2 6 3 s mpre colà d ve più si confida; 1 4 7 e qu lla, c me madre che socc rre 2 6 sùbito al figlio palido e an lo 1 4 6 6 con la sua v ce, che ’l su l b n disp rre, 4 7 8 mi disse: «Non sai tu che tu s ’ in ci lo? 2 4 (5) 6 (8.9) e non sai tu che ’l ci lo è tutto santo, 2 (3) 4 6 8 9 e ciò che ci si fa vi n da bu n lo? 2 6 7 9 C me t’avr bbe tra mutato!il canto, 1 4 8 e"io rid#ndo, m$ pensar lo pu%i, 2 4 6 8 12 p&scia che ’l grido t’ha m'sso cotanto; 1 4 7 nel qual, s( ’nt)*o+av,ssi-i pri.ghi su/i, 2 (4) 6 8 già ti sar0bbe n1ta la vend2tta 1 4 6 15 che tu vedrai3innanzi che tu mu4i. (2) 4 6 (9) La spada di qua sù non taglia5in fr6tta 2 6 8 né tardo, ma’ ch’al par7r di colui 2 4 7 18 che di8ïando9o tem:ndo l’asp;tta. 4 7 Ma riv<lgiti=omai>inv?rso@altrui; 3 6 8 ch’assaiAillustri spiriti vedrai, 2 4 6 21 se cBm’ io dico l’aspCtto redui». 1 (3) 4 7 CDmeEa lFi piacque, liGHcchi ritornai, (1 3) 4 6 e vidi cInto spJrule che ’nsiKme (2) 4 6 24 più s’abbellLvan con mutüi rai. 1 4 7 Io stava cMme quei che ’n sé reprNme (1) 2 6 8 la punta del diOio,Pe non s’attenta 2 6 8 27 di domandar, sì del trQppo si tRme; 4 5 7
2 Oppressed with amazement, to my Guide I turned me, like a little child who runs back 3 always thither where he most confides; and she, like a mother who succors quickly her pale and breathless son 6 with her voice, which to reassure him is wont, said to me: “Knowst thou not that thou art in Heaven? and knowst thou not that Heaven is all holy, 9 and whatever here is done comes from righteous zeal? How thee would have transformed the song, and I by smiling, now conceive thou canst, 12 since the cry has moved thee so greatly; in which, if understood thou hadst its prayers, already to thee would be known the vengeance 15 which thou shalt see before thou diest. The sword of here on high cuts not in haste, nor tardily, save to the seeming of him 18 who, desiring or fearing, awaits it. But turn thee round now toward the others; for many illustrious spirits thou shalt see, 21 if, as I bid, thy look thou carry back.” As was her pleasure my eyes I directed, and saw a hundred little spheres, which together more 24 beautiful were making themselves with their mutual rays. I was standing as one who within himself represses the point of his desire, and attempts not 27 to ask, so the toomuch he fears.
3 e la maggiSreTe la più luculUnta 4 7 di quVlle margheriteWinnanzi fXssi, 2 6 8 30 per far di sé la mia vYglia contZnta. 2 4 7 P[i d\ntro]a l^i_udi’: «Se tu ved`ssi 1 2 4 6 (8) cam’ io la carità che tra nbicarde, 2 6 9 33 li tudi concetti sarfbberogesprhssi. (2) 4 7 Ma perché tu,iaspettando, non tarde (3) 4 7 a l’alto fine,jio ti farò rispksta 2 4 5 (8) 36 pur al pensilr, da che sì ti riguarde. 1 4 7 Quml mnnteoa cui Cassinopè ne la cqsta (1) 2 (4) 6 fu frequentato giàrin su la cima (1) 4 6 39 da la gsntetingannataue mal dispvsta; 3 6 8 e quwl sxn io che sù vi portai prima 2 4 6 9 lo nyme di colui che ’n tzrra{addusse 2 6 8 42 la verità che tanto ci soblima; 4 6 e tanta grazia s|pra me rilusse, 2 4 8 ch’io ritrassi le ville circunstanti (1) 3 6 45 da l’}mpio cólto che ’l m~ndo sedusse. 2 4 7 Qustialtri fuchi tutti contemplanti 2 4 6 umini furo,acc i di qul caldo 1 4 6 48 che fa nascerei firi ’ frutti santi. 3 6 8 Quiè Maccario, quiè Romoaldo, 1 (2) 4 6 (7) qui sn li frati mii che dntroai chistri 1.2 4 6 8 51 fermar li pidie tnneroil cr saldo». 2 4 6 9 Eioa lui: «L’afftto che dimstri 2 4 6 mco parlando,e la buna sembianza 1 4 7 54 ch’io v ggio¡e n¢to£in tutti li¤ard¥r v¦stri, 2 4 6 9
4 And the largest and most lustrous of those pearls came forward 30 to make concerning itself my wish content. Then within it I heard: “If thou couldst see, as I do, the charity which among us burns, 33 thy thoughts would be expressed; but that thou, by waiting, mayst not retard thy high end, I to thee will make answer, 36 even to the thought about which so thou restrainest thyself. That mountain on whose slope Cassino is, was frequented of old on its summit 39 by the deluded and ill-disposed people, and I am he who up there bore first the name of Him Who to earth brought 42 the truth which so high exalts us: and such grace shone upon me that I drew away the surrounding villages 45 from the impious worship which seduced the world. These other fires were all contemplative men, kindled by that heat 48 which brings to birth holy flowers and fruits. Here is Macarius, here is Romualdus, here are my brothers, who within the cloisters 51 fixed their feet, and held their heart steadfast.” And I to him: “The affection which thou displayest with me in speaking, and the good semblance 54 which I see and note in all your ardors,
5 co§ì m’ha dilatata mia fidanza, 2 6 c¨me ’l s©l fa la rª«a quando¬ap rta 3 6 8 57 tanto divi®n quant’ ¯ll’ ha di possanza. 1 4 (6) 7 Però ti pri°go,±e tu, padre, m’acc²rta 2 4 6 7 s’io p³sso pr´nder tanta grazia, ch’io 2 4 6 8 60 ti vµggia con imagine scov¶rta». 2 6 ·nd’ ¸lli: «Frate,¹il tuoºalto di»io 2 4 7 s’adempierà¼in su l’ultima sp½ra, 4 7 63 ¾ve s’ad¿mpion tutti liÀaltriÁe ’l mio. (1) 4 6 8 IviÂè perfÃtta, maturaÄeÅintÆra 1 4 7 ciascuna diÇïanza;Èin quÉlla sÊla 2 6 8 66 èËÌgne parte làÍÎve sÏmpr’ Ðra, (2) 4 6 (7) 9 perché non èÑin lÒcoÓe non s’impÔla; (2) 4 6 8 e nÕstra scalaÖinfino×ad Øssa varca, 2 4 6 8 69 Ùnde coÚì dal viÛo ti s’invÜla. 1 4 6 Infin là sù la videÝil patrÞarca 2 4 6 Iacßbbe pàrger la supárna parte, 2 4 8 72 quando liâapparve d’ãngeli sì carca. 1 4 6 (9) Ma, per salirla, mä nessun diparte 1 4 6 8 da tårraæi piçdi,èe la régola mia 2 4 7 75 rimaêaëè per danno de le carte. 2 4 6 Le mura che solìenoíîsser badia 2 6 7 fatte sïno spelðnche,ñe le cocòlle 1 3 6 78 sacca són piône di farina ria. 1 3 4 8 Ma graveõuöura tanto non si t÷lle 2 4 6 (8) cøntra ’l piacùr di Dio, quanto quel frutto 1 4 6 7 81 che faúil cûr dü’ mýnaci sì fþlle; 4 6 (9)
6 have expanded my confidence as the sun does the rose, when open 57 as wide she becomes as she has power to be. Therefore I pray thee, and thou, Father, do assure me if I am capable of receiving so great grace, that I 60 thee may see with uncovered shape.” Whereon he: “Brother, thy high desire shall be fulfilled up in the last sphere, 63 where are fulfilled all others and my own. There is perfect, mature, and whole every desire; in that alone 66 is every part there where it always was: for it is not in space, and it has not poles; and our ladder up to it reaches, 69 so that thus from thy sight it steals itself. Far up as there saw it the patriarch Jacob stretch its upper part, 72 when to him it appeared with Angels so laden. But to ascend it now no one lifts from earth his feet; and my Rule 75 remains for waste of paper. The walls, which used to be an abbey, have become dens, and the cowls 78 are sacks full of bad meal. But heavy usury is not levied so counter to God’s pleasure, as that fruit 81 which makes the heart of the monks so mad;
7 ché quantunque la Chi a guarda, tutto 3 6 8 è de la g nte che per Dio dimanda; (1) 4 8 84 non di par nti né d’altro più brutto. 1 4 7 La carne d’i mortali è tanto blanda, 2 6 8 che giù non basta bu n cominciam nto 2 4 6 87 dal nascer de la qu rcia al far la ghianda. 2 6 8 Pi r cominciò sanz’ ro e sanz’ arg nto, 1 4 6 e io con orazi ne e con digiuno, 2 6 90 e Franc sco umilm nte il suo conv nto; 3 6 e se guardi ’l principio di ciascuno, 3 6 p scia riguardi là d v’ è trasc rso, 1 4 6 (8) 93 tu vederai del bianco fatto bruno. 1 4 6 8 Veram nte Iord n vòlto retr rso 3 6 7 più fu, e ’l mar fuggir, quando Dio v lse, (1) 2 4 6 7 9 96 mirabile a ved r che qui ’l socc!rso». 2 6 8 Co"ì mi disse,#e$indi si racc%lse 2 4 6 al suo coll&gio,'e ’l coll(gio si strinse; 4 7 99 p)i, c*me turbo,+in sù tutto s’avv,lse. 1 4 6 7 La d-lce d.nna di/tro0a l1r mi pinse 2 4 (6) 8 con un s2l cenno su per qu3lla scala, 3 4 6 8 102 sì sua virtù la mia natura vinse; 1 4 8 né mai qua giù d4ve si m5nta6e cala 2 4 8 naturalm7nte, fu sì ratto m8to 4 (6.7) 8 105 ch’agguagliar si pot9sse:a la mia;ala. 3 6 S’io t<rni mai, lett=re,>a quel div?to (1) 2 4 6 8 trï@nfo per lo qualeAio piango spBsso 2 6 8 108 le mie peccataCe ’l pDtto mi percuEto, 4 6
8 for whatsoever the Church has in keeping all is for the folk that in God’s name ask it, 84 not for kindred, or for others more vile. The flesh of mortals is so soft that on earth does not suffice a good beginning 87 from the springing of the oak to the forming of the acorn. Peter began without gold and without silver, and I with prayers and with fasting, 90 and Francis with humility his convent; and if thou lookest at the beginning of each, and then lookest again to where it has run astray, 93 thou wilt see the white changed to dark. Truly, Jordan turned back, were more, and the sea fleeing when God willed, 96 marvellous to behold than to see here succor.” Thus he said to me, and then drew back to his company, and the company closed together; 99 then like a whirlwind upward all gathered itself. The sweet Lady behind them urged me, with only a sign, up over that ladder; 102 so did her virtue overcome my nature. But never here below, where one mounts and descends naturally, was there so rapid motion 105 that compared it could be unto my wing. So may I return, Reader, to that devout triumph, for the sake of which I often bewail 108 my sins and beat my breast,
9 tu non avrFstiGin tanto trattoHe mIsso (1) 4 6 8 nel fJcoKil dito,Lin quant’ io vidi ’l sMgno 2 4 6 8 111 che sNgueOil TPuroQe fui dRntro daSTsso. 2 4 (6) 7 U glorïVWe stXlle,Yo lume prZgno (1) 4 6 (7) 8 di gran virtù, dal quale[io ricon\sco 2 4 6 (7) 114 tutto, qual che si sia,]il mio^ing_gno, 1 3 6 (8) con v`i nascavabe s’ascondcva vdsco 2 4 8 quelli ch’è padre d’fgne mortal vita, 1 4 6 9 117 quand’ io senti’ di prima l’gere thsco; 2 4 6 8 e pii, quando mi fu grazia largita 2 3 (6) 7 d’entrar ne l’alta rjta che vi gira, 2 4 6 120 la vkstra regïln mi fu sortita. 2 6 (8) A vmi divotamnnteopra sospira 2 6 7 l’anima mia, per acquistar virtute 1 4 8 123 al passo fqrte chera sé la tira. 2 4 8 «Tu ss’ sì prtssoua l’ultima salute», (1) 2 4 6 cominciò Bëatrice, «che tu dvi 3 6 (9) 126 avwr le luci tue chiarexeyacute; 2 4 6 7 e però, prima che tu più t’inlzi, 3 4 7 8 rimira{in giù,|e v}di quanto m~ndo 2 4 6 8 129 stto li pidi giàsser ti fi; 1 4 6 7 sì che ’l tuo cr, quantunque può, gioc ndo 1 4 6 8 s’apprentia la turba trïunfante 3 6 132 che lita vin per qustotera tndo». 2 4 6 7 Col vio ritornai per tutte quante 2 6 8 le stte spre,e vidi qusto glbo 2 4 6 8 135 tal, ch’io sorrii del suo vil sembiante; 1 2 4 8
10 thou hadst not so quickly drawn out and put in the fire thy finger as I saw the sign 111 which follows the Bull, and was within it. O glorious stars, O light impregnate with great virtue, from which I acknowledge 114 all, whatever it may be, my genius; with you was born and himself was hiding with you he who is father of every mortal life, 117 when I felt first the Tuscan air; and then, when on me was grace bestowed to enter within the lofty wheel which turns you, 120 your region was allotted to me. To you devoutly now sighs my soul that it may acquire virtue 123 for the hard pass which to itself draws her. “Thou art so near the ultimate salvation,” began Beatrice, “that thou oughtest 126 to have thine eyes clear and keen. And therefore ere thou farther enter into it, look back downward, and see how great a world 129 beneath thy feet already I have set, in order that thy heart to its utmost joyous may present itself unto the triumphant throng 132 which glad comes through this round ether.’’ With my sight I returned through all and each of the seven spheres, and saw this globe 135 such that I smiled at its mean semblance;
11 e qul consiglio per miglireapprbo 2 4 8 che l’ha per mno;e chiad altro pnsa 2 4 6 8 138 chiamar si pute veramnte pr bo. 2 4 8 Vidi la figlia di Lat¡na¢inc£nsa 1 4 8 sanza qu¤ll’ ¥mbra che mi fu cagi¦ne 1 4 (8) 141 per che già la cred§tti rara¨e d©nsa. 3 6 8 L’aspªtto del tuo nato,«Iperï¬ne, 2 6 quivi sost nni,®e vidi c¯m’ si m°ve 1 4 6 (8) 144 circa±e vicino²a lui Ma³ia´e Dïµne. 1 (4) 6 7 Quindi m’apparve¶il temperar di Gi·ve 1 4 8 tra ’l padre¸e ’l figlio;¹e quindi mi fu chiaro 2 4 6 147 il varïar che fanno di lºr d»ve; 4 6 (9) e tutti¼e s½tte mi si dimostraro 2 4 quanto s¾n grandi¿e quanto sÀn velÁci 1 4 6 150 e cÂme sÃnoÄin distante riparo. 4 7 L’aÅiuÆla che ci fa tanto ferÇci, 2 (6) 7 volgÈndom’ io con liÉettÊrni GemËlli, 2 4 7 153 tutta m’apparve da’ cÌlliÍa le fÎci; 1 4 7 pÏscia rivÐlsi liÑÒcchiÓa liÔÕcchi bÖlli. 1 4 6 8
12 and that counsel as best I approve which holds it of least account; and he who of other things 138 thinks called may be truly righteous. I saw the daughter of Latona enkindled without that shadow which had been the cause 141 why I once believed her rare and dense. The aspect of thy son, Hyperion, here I endured, and I saw how move 144 around and near him Maia and Dione. Then appeared to me the temperateness of Jove, between his father and his son, and then was clear to me 147 the varying which they make in their position. And all the seven were displayed to me – how great they are and how swift they are, 150 and how far apart they are in their abodes. The little threshing-floor which makes us so fierce, while I was revolving with the eternal Twins, 153 all appeared to me, from its hills to its river-mouths. Then I turned back my eyes to the beautiful eyes.
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