La Divina Commedia Paradiso Canto XXVI The song of san Giovanni: the examination of charity Time: Thursday, March 30, 1301 (Wednesday, April 13, 1300): not specified (after Easter) Place: Eighth Sky: Fixed Stars People: Dante, Beatrice, san Giovanni, Adamo, san Pietro, san Giacomo © 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 M ntr’ io dubbiava per lo vi o sp nto, 2 4 8 de la fulgida fiamma che lo sp nse 3 6 3 uscì un spiro che mi f ce att nto, 2 4 8 dic ndo: «Intanto che tu ti ris nse 2 4 (7) de la vista che hai in me consunta, 3 6 8 6 b n è che ragionando la comp nse. (1) 2 6 Comincia dunque; e dì ve s’appunta 2 4 6 7 l’anima tua, e fa ragi n che sia 1 4 (6) 8 9 la vista in te marrita e non defunta: 2 4 6 (8) perché la d nna che per qu sta dia 2 4 8 regï n ti conduce, ha ne lo guardo 3 6 7 12 la virtù ch’ bbe la man d’Anania». 3 4 7 Io dissi: «Al suo piac re e t!sto"e tardo (1) 2 (4) 6 8 v#gna rem$dio%a li&'cchi, che fu(r p)rte 1 4 6 9 15 quand’ *lla+entrò col f,co-.nd’ io s/mpr’ ardo. 2 4 6 8 (9) Lo b0n che fa cont1nta qu2sta c3rte, 2 6 8 Alfa4e567è di quanta scrittura 1 4 7 18 mi l8gge9Am:re;o lievem<nte=o f>rte». 2 4 8 Qu?lla med@Ama vBce che paCura (1) 4 6 tDlta m’avEa del sùbitoFabbarbaglio, 1 4 6 21 di ragionareGancHr mi miIeJin cura; 4 6 8 e disse: «CKrtoLa piùMangusto vaglio 2 4 6 8 ti conviNne schiarar: dOcer conviPnti 3 6 7 24 chi drizzò l’arco tuoQa tal berzRglio». (1) 3 4 6 8 ESio: «Per filoTUficiVargomWnti 2 6 e per autorità che quinci scXnde 6 8 27 cotaleYamZr convi[n che\in me si ’mpr]nti: 2 4 6 8
2 While I was apprehensive because of my quenched sight, from the effulgent flame that had quenched it, 3 issued a breath which made me attentive, saying: “While thou art regaining the sense of sight which thou hast on me consumed, 6 it is well that by discourse thou make up for it. Begin then, and tell at what is aimed thy soul, and make thy reckoning that is 9 thy sight in thee confounded and not dead: because the Lady who through this divine region conducts thee has in her look 12 the virtue which had the hand of Ananias.” I said: “At her pleasure, or soon or late, let the cure come to the eyes which were the gates 15 when she entered with the fire wherewith I ever burn. The Good which makes content this court is Alpha and Omega of every scripture 18 that reads to me Love, either low or loud.” That same voice which fear had taken from me in regard to the sudden dazzling, 21 to speak further laid on me the charge, and said: “Surely with a finer sieve it behoves thee to sift; to tell it behoves thee 24 who directed thy bow to such a target.” And I: “By philosophic arguments and by authority that descends from here, 27 such love must needs on me be impressed;
3 ché ’l b^ne,_in quanto b`n, came s’intbnde, 2 4 6 (7) cocìdaccendefamgre,he tanto miggio 2 4 6 8 30 quanto più di bontatejin sé comprknde. 1 3 6 8 Dunquela l’essmnzanov’ è tantopavvantaggio, 1 4 (6) 7 che ciascun bqn che furr di lsi si trtva (3) 4 6 8 33 altro non è ch’un lume di suo raggio, 1 4 6 più cheuin altra convivn che si mwva 1 4 7 la mxnte,yamando, di ciascun che czrne 2 4 8 36 il v{ro|in che si f}nda qu~sta prva. 2 6 (8) Tal vroa l’intelltto mïo strne (1) 2 6 8 colui che mi dimstra il primoamre 2 6 8 39 di tutte le sustanze sempitrne. 2 6 Strnel la vce del veraceautre, 1 4 8 che dicea Moïsè, di sé parlando: 2 6 8 42 ‘Io ti farò vedregne valre’. 1 (4) 6 7 Strnilmi tuancra,incominciando 1 4 6 l’alto precnio che grida l’arcano 1 4 7 45 di qui là giù svragnealtro bando». 2 4 (5) 6 8 Eioudi’: «Per intellttoumano (2) 4 8 e per autoritadia lui conc rde 6 8 48 d’i tu¡i¢am£ri¤a Dio guarda¥il sovrano. (2) 4 6 7 Ma dì¦anc§r se tu s¨nti©altre cªrde 2 4 (6) 7 8 tirarti v«rso lui, sì che tu su¬ne 2 4 6 (7) (9) 51 con quanti d nti qu®sto¯am°r ti m±rde». 2 4 6 8 Non fu lat²nte la santa³intenzi´ne 2 4 7 de l’aguglia di Cristo,µanzi m’acc¶rsi 3 6 7 54 d·ve vol¸a menar mia professi¹ne. 1.4 6 (7)
4 for the good, inasmuch as it is good, as it is understood, so soon kindles love; and so much the greater 30 as the more of goodness in itself it comprises. Therefore, to the Essence (wherein is such supremacy that every good which outside of It is found 33 is naught else than a beam of Its own radiance), more than to any other, must needs be moved the mind, in love, of everyone who discerns 36 the truth on which this argument is founded. This truth to my intelligence does make plain he, who to me demonstrates the first love 39 of all the sempiternal substances. Plain makes it the voice of the true Author who says to Moses, speaking of Himself: 42 ‘I will make thee see all goodness.’ Thou makest it plain to me, too, beginning the lofty announcement which proclaims the secret 45 of this place on high below on earth, above all other trump.” And I heard: “By human understanding, and by authorities with it concordant, 48 thy sovran love unto God looks; but say, further, if thou feelest other cords draw thee towards Him, so that thou mayst declare 51 with how many teeth this love doth bite thee.” Not was latent to me the holy intention of the Eagle of Christ; nay, rather I perceived 54 whither he wished to lead my profession;
5 Però ricominciai: «Tutti quºi m»rsi 2 6 7 9 che p¼sson far lo c½r v¾lgere¿a Dio, 2 4 6 7 57 a la mia caritate sÀn concÁrsi: 3 6 8 ché l’Âssere del mÃndoÄe l’Åsser mio, 2 6 8 la mÆrte ch’Çl sostÈnne perch’ io viva, 2 4 6 9 60 e quÉl che spÊraËÌgne fedÍl cÎm’ io, 2 4 5 8 con la predÏtta conoscÐnza viva, 4 8 tratto m’hanno del mar de l’amÑr tÒrto, 1 3 6 9 63 e del diritto m’han pÓstoÔa la riva. 4 7 Le frÕndeÖ×nde s’infrØnda tutto l’Ùrto 2 3 6 8 de l’ortolanoÚettÛrno,Üam’ io cotanto 4 6 8 66 quanto da luiÝa lÞr di bßneàè párto». 1 4 6 8 Sì câm’ io tacqui,ãun dolcissimo canto 1 3 4 7 risonò per lo ciälo,åe la mia dænna 3 6 69 dicça con lièaltri: «Santo, santo, santo!». 2 4 6 8 E cémeêa lumeëacuto si disìnna 2 4 6 per lo spirto viíivo che ricîrre 3 6 72 a lo splendïr che va di gðnnañin gònna, 4 6 8 e lo óvegliato ciò che vôdeõabörre, 4 6 8 sì n÷scïaøè la sùbita vigilia (1) 2 6 75 fin che la stimativa non soccùrre; 1 6 coúì de liûücchi miýiþ gne quisquilia 2 4 6 7 fugò Beatrice col raggio d’i su i, 2 4 7 78 che rifulg a da più di mille milia: 4 6 8 nde m i che dinanzi vidi p i; 1 3 6 (8) e qua i stupefatto domandai 2 6 81 d’un quarto lume ch’io vidi tra n i. 2 4 7
6 therefore, I began again: “All those bitings which can make the heart turn to God 57 unto my love have been concurrent; for the existence of the world, and my own existence, the death which He endured that, I may live, 60 and that which hope all the faithful even as I do, together with the aforesaid living consciousness, have drawn me from the sea of perverted love, 63 and of the right have set me on the shore. The leaves, wherewith is enleaved all the garden of the Eternal Gardener, I love in measure 66 from Him unto them of the good borne.’’ Soon as I was silent a most sweet song resounded through the heavens, and my Lady 69 said with the others: “Holy, Holy, Holy.’’ And as at a keen light sleep is broken by the spirit of sight, which runs 72 to the splendor that goes from coat to coat, and he who awakes from what he sees shrinks, so ignorant is his sudden wakening, 75 until his judgment comes to his aid; thus from my eyes every mote chased away Beatrice with the radiance of her own, 78 which were refulgent more than a thousand miles; so that better than before I saw then; and, as one amazed, I asked 81 concerning a fourth light which I saw with us.
7 E la mia d nna: «D ntro da qu i rai 4 6 9 vagh ggia il suo fatt r l’anima prima 2 (4) 6 7 84 che la prima virtù cre asse mai». 3 6 8 C me la fr nda che fl tte la cima (1) 4 7 nel tr nsito del v nto, e p i si l va 2 6 8 87 per la pr pria virtù che la soblima, 3 6 f c’ io in tanto in quant’ lla dic va, 2 4 (6) 7 stup ndo, e p i mi rif!ce sicuro 2 4 7 90 un di"io di parlare#$nd’ io%ard&va. 3 6 8 E cominciai:'«( p)mo che maturo 4 6 s*lo prod+tto f,sti,-. padre/antico 1 4 6 8 93 a cui ciascuna sp01a2è figlia3e nuro, 2 4 6 8 div4to quanto p5sso6a te supplìco 2 4 6 8 perché mi parli: tu v7di mia v8glia, 2 4 (6) 7 96 e per udirti t9sto non la dico». 4 6 (8) Talv:lta;un animal cov<rto br=glia, 2 6 8 sì che l’aff>tto convi?n che si pa@ia (1) 4 7 99 per lo seguAr che faceBa lui la ’nvCglia; 4 6 8 e similmDnte l’anima primaEia 4 6 mi facFa trasparGr per la covHrta 3 6 102 quant’ IllaJa compiacKrmi venìa gaLia. 2 6 9 Indi spirò: «Sanz’ Mssermi profNrta 1 4 (5) 6 da te, la vOglia tua discPrno mQglio 2 4 6 8 105 che tu qualunque cRSa t’è più cTrta; 2 4 6 (8) perch’ io la vUggio nel verace spVglio (2) 4 8 che fa di sé parWglioXa l’altre cYZe, 2 4 6 8 108 e nulla face lui di sé par[glio. 2 (4) 6 8
8 And my Lady: “Within those rays gazes with joy upon its Maker the first soul 84 which the First Power ever created.’’ As the bough which bends its top at passing of the wind, and then uplifts itself 87 by its own virtue which raises it, so did I, while she was speaking, in amazement; and then gave me again assurance 90 a desire to speak, wherewith I was burning, and I began: “O fruit, that mature alone wast produced, O ancient Father, 93 to whom every bride is daughter and daughter-in-law, devoutly as I can, thee I supplicate that thou speak to me; thou seest my wish, 96 and that I may hear thee speedily, I do not tell it.” Sometimes an animal, when covered up, so stirs, that its impulse must needs be apparent because of 99 the corresponding movement which makes its wrapping; and in like manner the first soul made evident to me, through its covering, 102 how to do me pleasure it came gladly. Then it breathed forth: “Without its being to me uttered by thee, thy wish I better discern, 105 than thou whatever thing to thee is most certain; because I see it in the truthful Mirror which makes of Itself a reflection of other things, 108 while nothing makes of It of itself a reflection.
9 Tu vu\gli]udir quant’ è che Dio mi pu^_e (1) 2 4 6 8 ne l’ecc`lso giardino,abve costci 3 6 (7) 111 a codì lunga scala ti dispuefe, 4 6 e quanto fu dilgttoha liijcchi miki, 2 (4) 6 8 e la prlpria cagimn del gran dindogno, 3 6 8 114 e l’idïpma ch’uqaire che fsi. 4 7 tr, figliuul mio, non il gustar del lvgno 1 (3) 4 5 8 fu per sé la cagiwn di tantoxessilio, 3 6 8 117 ma solamyntezil trapassar del s{gno. 4 8 Quindi|}nde m~sse tua dnna Virgilio, 1 2 4 7 quattromilia trecntoe due volumi 3 6 8 120 di sl desiderai qusto concilio; 2 6 7 e vidi lui tornarea tutt’ i lumi (2) 4 6 8 de la sua strada novec nto trnta (3) 4 8 123 fïate, mntre ch’ioin trra fu’mi. 2 4 6 8 La lingua ch’io parlai fu tutta spnta 2 6 8 innanzi chea l’vrainconsummabile 2 6 126 fsse la gnte di Nembròt attnta: 1 4 8 ché nulloefftto mai razïonabile, 2 4 6 per lo piacreuman che rinovlla 4 6 129 segundoil cilo, smpre fu durabile. 2 4 6 (8) pera naturaleè ch’um favlla; 1 6 8 ma coìo co ì, natura lascia 3 6 8 132 p¡i fare¢a v£i sec¤ndo che v’abb¥lla. 1 (2) 4 6 Pria ch’i’ scend¦ssi§a l’infernale¨ambascia, 1 2 4 8 I s’appellava©in tªrra«il s¬mmo b ne 1 4 6 8 135 ®nde vi¯n la letizia che mi fascia; 1 3 6
10 Thou wouldst hear how long it is since God placed me in the lofty garden where this Lady 111 for so long a stairway thee made ready; and how long it was a delight to my eyes and the proper cause of the great wrath; 114 and of the idiom which I used and which I made. Now, my son, not the tasting of the tree was by itself the cause of so great an exile , 117 but only the overpassing of the bound. In that place whence moved thy Lady Virgil, during four thousand three hundred and two revolutions 120 of the sun I longed for this assembly: and I saw him return to all the lights of his path nine hundred and thirty 123 times, while I was on earth. The tongue which I spoke was all extinct long before their unaccomplishable work 126 the people of Nimrod attempted; for any product never of the reason because of human liking, which alters, 129 following the heavens, for ever was durable. Work of nature is that man speaks; but, thus or thus, nature leaves 132 then to do to you according as it pleases you. Before I descended to the infernal anguish, I was called on earth the Supreme Good, 135 whence comes the gladness that swathes me;
11 e° l si chiamò p±i:²e ciò conv³ne, 1 5 6 8 ché l’u´o d’i mortaliµè c¶me fr·nda 2 6 7/8 138 in ramo, che s¸n va¹eºaltra v»ne. 2 6 8 Nel m¼nte che si l½va più da l’¾nda, 2 6 8 fu’¿io, con vita puraÀe diÁonÂsta, 2 4 6 141 da la prim’ ÃraÄa quÅlla che secÆnda, 4 6 cÇme ’l sÈl muta quadra, l’Éra sÊsta». 1 3 4 6 8
12 El it was called afterwards; and that must needs me, for the custom of mortals is as a leaf 138 on a branch, which goes away and another comes. On the mountain which rises highest from the wave was I, with pure life and sinful, 141 from the first hour to that which follows, when the sun changes quadrant, the sixth.’’
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