The trilogy Author:Dante Alighieri Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CANTO V. THE ARGUMENT. Beatrice by her graceful answer, solves the doubt of Dante before- mentioned. They ascend to the second heaven—the Sphere of Mercury... more », appropriated to those who, having been diligent in the pursuit of honour, have obtained the meed of high renown. " If I upon thee shine with Love's warm light,1 In measure such as that of earth exceeds, So that I overcome thy power of sight, Think it not wonderful; for this proceeds From perfect vision which, whene'er we prove, Thus nearer to the goal our footstep speeds.3 I clearly see already from above The light eternal shining in thy mind, Which once beheld for ever kindles love. And if aught else to lure thy love thou find, 10 'Tis but some vestige of the light which thou Here seest, ill understood, which hence hath shin'ed.3 1 Beatrice informs Dante that the surpassing brightness of her appearance, which had overpowered his vision, was occasioned by their nearer approach to the Divine Presence. 1 " Which, as it more vividly apprehends the Supreme Good, is borne towards it with greater strength of affection and desire." 3 " It should be known that the Primal Agent, that is, God, paints his excellence on some things with a direct ray, and on others by a reflected splendour. Hence divine light shines in the intelligences immediately, and from thence it is reflected upon other things."—Convito. Thou ask'st if quittance of a broken vow By other service may be made, which can Safety from wrath divine the soul allow." 'Twas thus this Canto Beatrice began, And then, like one whose talk no respite knows, Continuing, thus her holy sayings ran. " The gift which from our Maker's bounty flows, Most precious, most resembling his own good, 20 And that for which the most regard. h...« less