La Divina Commedia Paradiso Canto XXIII The song of the triumph of Christ and of the Madonna Time: Thursday, March 30, 1301 (Wednesday, April 13, 1300): not specified (after Easter) Place: Eighth Sky: Fixed Stars People: Dante, Beatrice, la vergine Maria, l’arcangelo Gabriele, san Pietro © 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 C me l’aug llo, intra l’amate fr nde, 1 4 5 8 po ato al nido d ’ su i d lce nati 2 4 8 3 la n tte che le c e ci nasc nde, 2 6 che, per ved r li asp tti di ïati 1 4 6 e per trovar lo cibo nde li pasca, 4 6 7 6 in che gravi lab r li s no aggrati, 3 6 8 previ ne il t mpo in su ap rta frasca, 2 4 8 e con ard nte aff tto il s!le"asp#tta, 4 6 8 9 fi$o guardando pur che l’alba nasca; 1 4 6 8 co%ì la d&nna mïa stava'er(tta 2 4 6 8 e)att*nta, riv+lta,inv-r’ la plaga 3 6 8 12 s.tto la quale/il s0l m1stra m2n fr3tta: 1 4 6 7 9 sì che, vegg4ndola5io sosp67a8e vaga, 1 2 4 6 8 f9cimi qual è qu:i che di;ïando 1 4 6 15 altro vorr<a,=e sperando s’appaga. 1 4 7 Ma p>co fu tra?uno@eAaltro quando, 2 4 6 8 del mioBattCnder, dico,De del vedEre 4 6 18 lo ciFl venir piùGe più rischiarando; 2 4 5 7 e Bëatrice disse:H«Icco le schiJre 4 6 7 del trïunfo di CristoKe tutto ’l frutto 3 6 8 21 ricLlto del girar di quMste spNre!». 2 6 8 ParOemi che ’l suo viPoQardRsse tutto, 2 6 8 e liSTcchiUavVa di letizia sì piWni, 2 4 7 (9) 24 che passXrmen conviYn sanza costrutto. 3 6 7 Quale nZ’ plenilunïi ser[ni 1 6 Trivïa ride tra le ninfe\ett]rne 1 4 8 27 che dipingon lo ci^l per tutti_i s`ni, 3 6 8
2 As the bird, among the beloved leaves, having reposed on the nest of her sweet brood 3 through the night which things from us, hides who, in order to see this longed-for looks and to find the food wherewith she may feed them, 6 in which her heavy toils to her are pleasing, anticipates the time, upon the open twig, and with ardent affection awaits the sun 9 fixedly looking till the dawn may break; so was my Lady, standing erect and expectant, turned toward the region 12 beneath which the sun shows least haste; so that, seeing her I rapt and eager, became such as he who in desire 15 have something else would fain and in hope is satisfied. But short while was there between one and the other when; of my awaiting, I mean, and of my seeing 18 the heavens become more and more resplendent. And Beatrice said: “Behold the hosts of the Triumph of Christ, and all the fruit 21 harvested by the revolution of these spheres.” It seemed to me her face was all aflame, and her eyes were of joy so full 24 that pass on I must needs without description. As at the full moon in the clear skies Trivia smiles among the eternal nymphs 27 who paint the heaven through all its depths,
3 vid’ i’ sapra migliabia di luccrne 2 3 6 un sdl che tutte quante l’accendea, 2 (4) 6 30 cfme fa ’l ngstro le viste suphrne; (1) 4 7 e per la viva luce trasparia 4 6 la lucjnte sustanza tanto chiara 3 6 8 33 nel viko mio, che non la sostenla. 2 4 (6) mh Bëatrice, dnlce guidaoe cara! 1 4 6 8 plla mi disse: «Quql che ti sobranza 1 4 6 36 è virtù da cui nulla si ripara. 3 (5) 6 Quivirè la sapïsnzate la possanza 1 (2) 6 ch’aprì le strade tra ’l ciulove la twrra, 2 4 7 39 xnde fu già sì lunga diyïanza». 1 4 6 Czme f{co di nube si dis|rra (1) 3 6 per dilatarsi sì che non vi cape, 4 6 (8) 42 e fu}r di sua natura~in giù s’attrra, 2 (4) 6 8 la mnte mia coì, tra qulle dape 2 4 6 8 fatta più grande, di sé stssauscìo, 1 4 8 45 e che si f sse rimembrar non sape. 4 8 «Apri licchie riguarda qual sn io; 1 3 6 8 tuhai vedute ce, che possnte ((1) 2) 4 6 48 s’ fattoa sostenr lo rio mio». 2 6 8 Iora cme qui che si risnte (1) 2 6 di viïneoblitae che s’inggna 4 6 51 indarno di ridurlasia la mnte, 2 6 quand’ ioudi’ qusta prof rta, d¡gna 2 4 5 8 di tanto grato, che mai non si stingue 2 4 7 54 del libro che ’l pret¢rito rass£gna. 2 6
4 I saw, above thousands of lamps, a Sun that each and all of them was enkindling, 30 as kindles ours the supernal shows; and through its living light gleamed the lucent Substance so bright 33 upon my face that I sustained it not. Oh Beatrice, sweet guide and dear! She said to me: “That which overcomes thee 36 is a virtue against which naught defends itself. Here is the Wisdom and the Power that opened the roads between heaven and earth, 39 for which had been there erst such long desire.” As fire from a cloud is unlocked, by dilating so that it has not room there, 42 and contrary to its own nature falls down to earth, so my mind, amid those feasts becoming greater, issued from itself, 45 and what it became remember it cannot. “Open thine eyes and look on what I am; thou hast seen things such as able 48 thou art become to sustain my smile.” I was as one who comes to himself from a forgotten vision and endeavors 51 in vain to bring it back to mind, when I heard this invitation, worthy of such gratitude that it is never to be effaced 54 from the book which the past records.
5 Se m¤ sonasser tutte qu¥lle lingue 2 4 6 8 che Polimn¦a con le su§re f¨ro 4 8 57 del latte l©r dolcissimo più pingue, 2 4 6 (9) per aªiutarmi,«al mill¬mo del v®ro 4 7 non si verr¯a, cantando°il santo ri±o (1) 4 6 8 60 e quanto²il santo³asp´tto facµa m¶ro; 2 4 6 9 e co·ì, figurando¸il paradi¹o, 3 6 conviºn saltar lo sacrato po»¼ma, 2 4 7 63 c½me chi tr¾va suo cammin rici¿o. 1 4 8 Ma chi pensasseÀil ponderÁÂo tÃma (2) 4 8 e l’Ämero mortal che se ne carca, 2 6 66 nol biaÅmerÆbbe se sÇtt’ Èsso trÉma: 1 4 8 non è parÊggio da pËcciola barca 2 4 7 quel che fendÌndo va l’ardita prÍra, 1 4 6 8 69 né da nocchiÎr ch’a sé medÏÐmo parca. 1 4 (6) 8 «Perché la faccia mia sì t’innamÑra, 2 (4) 6 7 che tu non ti rivÒlgiÓal bÔl giardino (2) 6 8 72 che sÕttoÖi raggi di Cristo s’infi×ra? (2) 4 7 QuiviØè la rÙÚaÛin che ’l vÜrbo divino 1 (2) 4 7 carne si fÝce; quivi sÞn li gigli 1 4 6 (8) 75 al cuißodàr si práâeãil buän cammino». (2) 4 6 8 Coåì Beatrice;æeçio, cheèa’ suéi consigli 2 4 6 8 tuttoêëra prìnto,íancîra mi rendïi 1 4 6 78 a la battaglia dð’ dñbili cigli. 4 7 Còmeóa raggio di sôl, che puro mõi (1) 3 6 8 per fratta nube, già prato di fiöri 2 4 6 7 81 v÷der, covørti d’ùmbra, liúûcchi miüi; 1 4 6 8
6 If now should sound all those tongues which Polyhymnia and her sisters made 57 with their sweetest milk most rich to aid me, to a thousandth of the truth it would not come in singing the holy smile 60 and how it lighted up the holy face. And thus, depicting Paradise, needs must make a leap the consecrated poem, 63 even as one who finds his way cut off. But whoso should consider the ponderous theme and the mortal shoulder which therewith is laden 66 would not blame it if under this it tremble. It is no voyage for a little barque, this which cleaving goes my venturous prow, 69 nor for a pilot who himself would spare. “Why does my face so enamour thee that thou turnest not to the fair garden 72 which beneath the rays of Christ blossoms? Here is the Rose, in which the Divine Word became flesh: here are the lilies 75 by whose odor the was taken good way.” Thus Beatrice: and I, who to her counsels was wholly ready, again gave myself up 78 to the battle of the feeble brows. As under a sunbeam which streams bright through a rifted cloud, ere now a meadow of flowers 81 have seen, covered with a shadow, my eyes,
7 vid’ io coýì più turbe di splendþri, 2 4 (5) 6 folgorate di sù da raggi ard nti, 3 6 8 84 sanza ved r principio di folgóri. 1 4 6 benigna vertù che sì li ’mpr nti, 1 3 6 8 sù t’essaltasti per largirmi l co 1 4 8 87 a li cchi lì che non t’ ran poss nti. 2 4 7 Il n me del b l fi r ch’io s mpre inv co 2 5 6 8 e mane e s ra, tutto mi ristrinse 2 4 6 90 l’animo ad avvi ar lo maggi r f co; 1 6 9 e c me mbo le luci mi dipinse (2) 3 6 il quale e il quanto de la viva st lla 2 4 8 93 che là sù vince c me qua giù vinse, 3 4 (6) 9 per ntro il ci lo sc!"e#una fac$lla, 2 4 6 formata%in c&rchio'a gu()a di cor*na, (2) 4 6 96 e cinsela+e gir,ssi-int.rno/ad 0lla. 2 6 8 Qualunque melod1a più d2lce su3na 2 6 8 qua giù4e più5a sé l’anima tira, 2 (4) 6 7 99 parr6bbe nube che squarciata t7na, 2 4 8 comparata8al sonar di qu9lla lira 3 6 8 :nde si coronava;il b<l =affiro 1 6 8 102 del quale>il ci?l più chiaro s’in@affira. 2 4 6 «Io sAnoBamCreDangElico, che giro 1.2 4 6 l’alta letizia che spira del vFntre 1 4 7 105 che fuGalbHrgo del nIstro diJiro; 4 7 e girerKmmi, dLnna del ciMl, mNntre 4 6 9 che seguirai tuo figlio,Oe farai dia 4 (5) 6 9 108 più la spPra supprQma perché lìRSntre». 1 3 6 (9)
8 so saw I many throngs of splendors flashed upon from above by burning rays, 84 though I saw not the source of the gleams. O benignant Power which dost so imprint them, thou didst raise thyself on high to bestow scope 87 for my eyes there, which were powerless. The name of the fair flower which I ever invoke, both morning and evening, wholly constrained 90 my mind to gaze upon the greater fire. And when in both my eyes were depicted the brightness and the magnitude of the living star, 93 which up there conquers as it conquered here below, from within the mid heavens descended a torch, formed in a circle in fashion of a crown, 96 and engirt her, and revolved around her. Whatever melody sounds sweetest here below, and most to itself draws the soul, 99 would seem a cloud which, being rent, thunders, compared with the sound of that lyre wherewith was crowned the beauteous sapphire 102 by which the brightest Heaven is ensapphired. “I am Angelic Love, and I circle round the lofty joy which breathes from out the womb 105 which was the hostelry of our Desire; and I shall circle, Lady of Heaven, until thou shalt follow thy Son and make more 108 divine the supreme sphere because it thou enterest.”
9 CoTì la circulata melodia 2 6 si sigillava,Ue tutti liValtri lumi 4 6 8 111 facWan sonareXil nYme di Maria. 2 4 6 Lo reZ[l manto di tutti\i volumi 3 4 7 del m]ndo, che più f^rve_e più s’avviva 2 5 6 8 114 ne l’`lito di Dioae nbi costumi, 2 6 avca sdpra di nei l’intfrna riva 2 (3) 6 8 tanto distante, che la sua parvenza, 1 4 8 117 là dgv’ iohira,janckr non appariva: 1 3 4 6 però non lbber limncchi mioi potpnza 2 4 6 8 di seguitar la coronata fiamma 4 8 120 che si levòqapprrsso sua semsnza. 4 6 8 E ctme fantolun che ’nvvr’ la mamma 2 6 8 twnde le braccia, pxi che ’l latte pryze, 1 4 (6) 8 123 per l’animo che ’nfin di fu{r s’infiamma; 2 6 8 ciascun di qu|i cand}ri~in sù si ste 2 4 6 8 con la sua cima, sì che l’altoafftto 4 (6) 8 126 ch’lliav enoa Maria mi fu pale. 1 3 6 8 Indi rimaer lì nel mio cosptto, 1 4 6 8 ‘R g n c[a]el ’ cantando sì dlce, 2 4 7 (9) 129 che mai da me non si partì ’l diltto. 2 4 8 h quantaè l’ubertà che si sofflce 1 2 (3) 6 in qullearche richissime che furo (2) 3 6 132 a seminar qua giù bune boblce! 4 6 7 Quivi si vivee gde del tero 1 4 6 che s’acquistò piangndo ne loessilio 4 6 135 di Babillòn, ve si lasciò l’ro. 4 5 9
10 Thus the circling melody sealed itself, and all the other lights 111 made resound the name of Mary. The royal mantle of all the revolutions of the world, which is most fervid and most quickened 114 in the breath of God and in His ways, had above us its inner shore so distant that sight of it, 117 there where I was, did not yet appear to me. Therefore had not my eyes power to follow the crowned flame, 120 which mounted upward after her offspring. And as an infant which, toward its mother stretches its arms, when the milk it has taken, 123 because of its affection which outwardly flames up, each of these splendors with its flame stretched upward, so that the exalted love 126 which they had for Mary to me was manifest. Then they remained there in my sight, singing Regina coeli so sweetly 129 that never from me has departed the delight. Oh how great is the abundance which is heaped up in those most rich coffers which were 132 for sowing here below good fields! Here they live and enjoy the treasure which was acquired while they wept in the exile 135 of Babylon, where was left aside the gold.
11 Quivi trïunfa, stto l’alto Filio 1 4 (6) 8 di Dioe di Maria, di sua vittria, 2 6 8 138 e con l’antico e col n¡vo concilio, 4 7 colui che ti¢n le chiavi di tal gl£ria. 2 4 6 9
12 Here he triumphs under the exalted Son of God and of Mary, in his victory 138 together with the ancient and with the new council, who holds the keys of such glory.
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