La Divina Commedia Paradiso Canto XXVIII The first song of the angels Time: Thursday, March 30, 1301 (Wednesday, April 13, 1300): not specified (after Easter) Place: Ninth Sky: Primo Mobile or Cristallino People: Dante, Beatrice © 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 P scia che ’nc ntro a la vita pre nte 1 4 (7) d’i mi eri mortali ap rse ’l v ro 2 6 8 3 qu lla che ’mparadi a la mia m nte, 1 6 c me in lo sp cchio fiamma di doppi ro (1) 4 6 v de colui che se n’alluma r tro, 1 4 8 6 prima che l’abbia in vista o in pensi ro, 1 4 6 e sé riv lge per ved r se ’l v tro 2 4 8 li dice il v ro, e v de ch’ l s’acc rda (2) 4 6 (8) 9 con sso c!me n"ta con suo m#tro; 2 6 co$ì la mia mem%ria si ric&rda 2 6 ch’io f'ci riguardando n(’ b)lli*+cchi 2 6 8 12 ,nde-a pigliarmi f.ce/Am0r la c1rda. (1) 4 6 8 E c2m’ io mi riv3lsi4e furon t5cchi 3 6 8 li mi6i da ciò che pare7in quel volume, 2 (4) 6 (8) 15 quandunque nel suo giro b8n s’ad9cchi, 2 6 8 un punto vidi che raggiava lume 1 2 4 8 acuto sì, che ’l vi:o ch’;lli<aff=ca 2 4 6 8 18 chiuder convi>nsi per lo f?rte@acume; 1 4 8 e quale stAlla par quinci più pBca, (2) 4 (6) 7 (9) parrCbbe luna, locata con Dsso 2 4 7 21 cEme stFlla con stGlla si collòca. (1) 3 6 FHrse cotanto quanto pareIapprJsso 1 4 (6) 8 Klo cigner la luce che ’l dipigne 1 3 6 24 quando ’l vapLr che ’l pMrta piùNè spOsso, 1 4 6 (8) distantePintQrnoRal puntoSun cTrchio d’igne 2 (4) 6 8 si girava sì ratto, ch’avrUa vinto 3 (5) 6 (9) 27 quel mVto che più tWstoXil mYndo cigne; 2 6 8
2 After counter to the present life of wretched mortals had disclosed the truth 3 she who imparadises my mind; as in a mirror the flame of a torch one who sees which is lighted behind him, 6 ere he has it in sight or in thought, and turns round to see if the glass tell him the truth, and sees that it accords 9 with it as the note with its measure; so my memory recollects that I did, looking into the beautiful eyes, 12 wherewith to capture me made Love the cord. And when I turned, and were touched mine by what is apparent in that sphere 15 whenever on its circling fixedly one gazes, a Point I saw which was raying out light so keen that the sight on which it blazes 18 close must needs because of its intense keenness. And whatever star seems from here smallest would seem a moon if placed beside it, 21 as star with star is placed. Perhaps as near seems to girdle as a halo the light which paints it, 24 when the vapor that bears it is most dense, at such distance around the Point a circle of fire was whirling so rapidly that it would have surpassed 27 that motion which most swiftly girds the world:
3 e quZsto[\ra d’un altro circumcinto, 2 3 6 e qu]l dal t^rzo,_e ’l t`rzo pai dal quarto, 2 4 6 8 30 dal quintobil quarto,ce pdi dal sestofil quinto. 2 4 6 8 Sgpra seguhvaiil sjttimo sì sparto 1 4 6 (9) già di larghkzza, che ’l mlsso dimIuno 1 4 7 33 intnrooa contenprlo sarqbberarto. 2 6 9 Così l’ottavote ’l nuno;ve ciascheduno 2 4 6 più tardo si movwa, secxndo ch’yra 2 6 8 36 in numero distante più da l’uno; 2 6 8 e quzllo{av|a la fiamma più sinc}ra 2 (4) 6 (8) cui m~n distava la favilla pura, 2 4 8 39 crdo, però che più di li s’invra. 1 4 6 8 La dnna mia, che mi vedéain cura 2 4 8 frte sosp o, disse: «Da quel punto 1 4 6 (9) 42 depndeil ciloe tutta la natura. 2 4 6 Mira quel crchio che più liè congiunto; 1 4 7 (8) e sappi che ’l suo muvereè sì tsto 2 6 (9) 45 per l’affocatoamrend’ lliè punto». 4 6 8 Eioa li: «Se ’l mndo fsse psto 2 4 6 8 con l’rdine ch’io vggioin qulle r te, 2 6 8 48 sazio m’avr¡bbe ciò che m’è prop¢sto; 1 4 6 ma nel m£ndo sensibile si pu¤te 3 6 ved¥r le v¦lte tanto più divine, 2 4 6 8 51 quant’ §lle s¨n dal c©ntro più remªte. 2 4 6 8 «nde, se ’l mio di¬ir d e®av¯r fine 1 (4) 6 7 (9) in qu°sto miro±e²ang³lico t´mplo 2 4 7 54 che sµlo¶am·re¸e luce¹ha per confine, 2 4 6 (7)
4 and this was girt around by another, and that by the third, and the third then by the fourth, 30 by the fifth the fourth, and then by the sixth the fifth. Thereon the seventh followed, so widespread now in compass that the messenger of Juno 33 entire to contain it would be narrow. So the eighth and the ninth; and each more slowly was moving, according as it was 36 in number distant more from the unit. And that one had the clearest flame from which was least distant the Pure Spark; 39 I believe because more of Its truth it partakes. My Lady, who saw me in heed deeply suspense, said: “On that Point 42 are dependent Heaven and all nature. Look on that circle which most to It is conjoined, and know that its motion is so swift 45 because of the burning love whereby it is spurred.” And I to her: “If the world were disposed in the order which I see in those wheels, 48 satisfied would have me that which is set before me; but in the world of sense may be seen the revolutions so much the more divine 51 as they are from the centre more remote. Wherefore if my desire is to have end in this marvellous and angelic temple, 54 which only love and light has for confine,
5 udir conviºnmi»anc¼r c½me l’ess¾mplo 2 4 6 7 e l’essemplare non vanno d’un m¿do, 4 7 57 chéÀio per meÁindarnoÂa ciò contÃmplo». 2 4 6 8 «Se li tuÄi diti non sÅnoÆa tal nÇdo (3) 4 7 (9) sufficïÈnti, non è maraviglia: 4 7 60 tanto, per non tentare,Éè fatto sÊdo!». 1 4 6 8 CoËì la dÌnna mia; pÍi disse: «Piglia 1 4 6 (7) 8 quÎl ch’io ti dicerò, se vuÏ’ saziarti; 2 6 8 63 eÐintÑrno daÒÓsso t’assottiglia. 3 6 Li cÔrchi corporai sÕnoÖampi×eØarti 2 6 8 secondoÙil piùÚe ’l mÛn de la virtute 2 4 6 66 che si distÜnde per tutte lÝr parti. 4 7 MaggiÞr bontà vußl far maggiàr salute; 2 4 6 8 maggiár salute maggiâr cãrpo cape, 2 4 7 8 69 s’älliåha le partiæigualmçnte compiute. 1 4 7 Dunque costui che tutto quanto rape 1 4 6 8 l’altroèunivérso sêco, corrispënde 1 4 6 72 al cìrchio che piùíamaîe che più sape: 2 5 6 9 per che, se tuïa la virtù circðnde 2 4 8 la tua miñura, non a la parvònza 4 6 75 dólle sustanze che t’appaôion tõnde, 4 8 tu vederai mirabil consequönza (1) 4 6 di m÷ggioøa piùùe di minúreûa müno, 2 4 8 78 in ciascun ciýlo,þa sua intellig nza». 3 4 6 C me rimane spl ndido e ser no (1) 4 6 l’emisp rio de l’ ere, quando s ffia 3 6 8 81 B rea da qu lla guancia nd’ è più l no, 1 (4) 6 8
6 to hear I need yet why the example and the exemplar go not in one fashion, 57 because by myself in vain this I contemplate.” “If thy fingers are for such a knot insufficient, it is no wonder, 60 so through not being tried has it become hard.” Thus my Lady; then she said: “Take that which thee I shall tell, if thou wouldest be satisfied 63 and about it sharpen thy wit. The corporeal circles are wide or narrow according to the more or less of virtue 66 which is diffused through all their parts. Greater goodness must work greater weal; the greater weal the greater body contains, 69 if it has its parts equally complete. Hence this one, which all sweeps along the rest of the universe with itself, corresponds 72 to the circle which most loves, and most knows. Therefore, if thou round the virtue draw thy measure, not round the appearance 75 of the beings which seem circular to thee, thou wilt see a marvellous agreement, of greater to more and of smaller to less, 78 in each heaven, with its Intelligence.” As remains splendid and serene the hemisphere of the air when blows 81 Boreas from that cheek wherewith he is mildest,
7 per che si purga e ri lve la r ffia 4 7 che pria turbava, sì che ’l ci l ne ride 2 4 6 8 84 con le bell zze d’ gne sua par ffia; 4 6 8 co ì f c’ïo, p i che mi provide 2 4 6 la d nna mia del suo risp nder chiaro, 2 4 6 8 87 e c me st lla in ci lo il v!r si vide. (2) 4 6 8 E p"i che le par#le sue restaro, 2 6 8 non altrim$nti f%rro disfavilla (1) 4 6 90 che b&lle, c'me(i c)rchi sfavillaro. 2 (4) 6 L’inc*ndio suo seguiva+,gne scintilla; 2 4 6 7 ed -ran tante, che ’l numero l.ro 2 4 7 93 più che ’l doppiar de li scacchi s’inmilla. 1 4 7 Io sentiva/o0annar di c1ro2in c3ro (1) 3 6 8 al punto fisso che li ti4ne5a li6 b , 2 4 8 96 e terrà s7mpre, n8’ quai s9mpre fu:ro. 3 4 7 8 E qu;lla che vedéa<i pensi=r dubi 2 6 9 ne la mia m>nte, disse:?«I c@rchi primi 4 6 8 99 t’hanno mostrato SArafiBe Cherubi. 1 4 6 CoCì velDci sEguonoFi suGi vimi, 2 4 6 (9) per somigliarsiHal punto quanto pInno; 4 6 8 102 e pJsson quantoKa vedLr sMn soblimi. 2 4 7 8 QuNlliOaltriPamQri che ’ntRrno li vSnno, 2 4 7 si chiaman TrTni del divinoUaspVtto, 2 4 8 105 per che ’l primo ternaro terminWnno; 3 6 e dXi sapYr che tuttiZhanno dil[tto 2 4 6 7 quanto la sua veduta si prof\nda 1 (4) 6 108 nel v]ro^in che si qu_ta`agnebintellctto. 2 6 7
8 whereby is cleared and dissolved the mist which before troubled it, so that the heaven to us smiles 84 with the beauties of its every region, so I became after had provided me my Lady with her clear answer, 87 and, like a star in heaven, the truth was seen. And after her words had stopped, not otherwise does iron throw out sparks, 90 molten, than the circles sparkled. Its blaze followed every scintillation, and they were so many that their number 93 more than the doubling of the chess was of thousands. I heard Hosannah sung from choir to choir to the fixed Point that holds them at the Ubi, 96 and will hold them forever, in which they have ever been. And she, who saw the questioning thoughts within my mind, said: “The first circles 99 to thee have shown the Seraphim and the Cherubim. Thus swiftly they follow their own bonds, in order to liken themselves to the Point as most they can, 102 and they can in proportion as to see they are exalted. Those other loves, which go around them, are called Thrones of the divine aspect, 105 because the first triad they terminated. And thou shouldst know that all have delight in proportion as their vision penetrates 108 into the Truth in which is at rest every understanding.
9 Quinci si può veddr ceme si ffnda 1 6 (7) l’gsser behato ne l’atto che vide, 1 4 7 111 non in quel ch’ama, che pjscia secknda; 1 4 7 e del vedlremè minura mercode, 4 7 che grazia partoriscepe buqna vrglia: 2 6 8 114 così di gradotin grado si procude. 2 4 6 L’altro ternvro, che cowì germxglia 1 4 8 in quysta primavzra sempit{rna 2 6 117 che notturno|Arï}te non disp~glia, 3 6 perpetüalemnte‘ nn ’ brna 6 8 con tr melde, che su nanoin tre 2 4 7 120 rdini di letiziande s’intrna. 1 6 7 In ssa gerarca sn l’altre de: 2 6 8 prima Dominazini,e pi Virtudi; 1 6 8 123 l’rdine trzo di Podestdièe. 1 4 9 Pscia n’ due penultimi tripudi 1 (4) 6 PrincipatieArcngeli si girano; 3 6 126 l’ultimoè tutto d’Anglici ludi. 1 4 7 Qusti rdini di sù tutti s’ammirano, (1) 2 6 7 e di giù vincon sì, che v¡rso Dio 3 4 6 8 129 tutti tirati s¢no£e tutti tirano. 1 4 6 8 E Dïon¤¥io con tanto di¦io 4 7 a contemplar qu§sti¨©rdini si miªe, 4 (5) 6 132 che li nomò«e distinse c¬m’ io. 4 7 Ma Greg rio da lui p®i si divi¯e; 3 6 7 °nde, sì t±sto c²me li³´cchiµap¶rse 1 (3) 4 8 135 in qu·sto ci¸l, di sé med¹ºmo ri»e. 2 4 6 8
10 Hence may be seen how is founded beatitude on the act which sees, 111 not on that which loves, which after follows. And of this seeing is the measure the merit, to which grace give birth and good-will; 114 thus from grade to grade is the progress. The next triad, that in like manner bourgeons in this sempiternal spring 117 which the nightly Aries despoils not, perpetually sing Hosannah with three melodies, which sound in the three 120 orders of joy wherewith it is threefold. In this hierarchy are the three divinities, first Dominations, and then Virtues; 123 the third order of Powers is. Then, in the two penultimate dances, the Principalities and Archangels circle; 126 the last is wholly of Angelic sports. These orders upward all gaze, and downward so prevail, that toward God 129 all are drawn and all draw. And Dionysius with such great desire to contemplate these orders set himself, 132 that them he named and divided as I. But Gregory from him afterward separated; wherefore, so soon as his eyes he opened 135 in this Heaven, at himself he smiled.
11 E se tanto secr¼to v½r prof¾rse 3 6 8 mortale¿in tÀrra, non vÁglio ch’ammiri: 2 4 7 138 ché chi ’l vide qua sù gliÂl discopÃrse (2) 3 6 (7) con altroÄassai del vÅr di questi giri». 2 4 6 8
12 And if so much of secret truth declared a mortal on earth, I would not have thee wonder, 138 for he who saw it here on high to him disclosed it, with else much of the truth of these circles.”
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