"those that are (52.) "St. John is represented under the figure of an Eagle, as surpassing all others in describing the Divinity. Page 247. (Line 64.) The plants are men, of the household of faith.-Galatians vi. 10. (77.) Dante's sight is restored, as St. John said it would be, line 10, by a look from Beatrice. Page 248. (Line 93.) Daughter of Adam, as the common father; and daughter in law, as married to one of his sons. Page 249. (Line 115.) "The sin of Adam consisted not in his eating a particular fruit, but in disobeying God."-Dr. E. Burton. Works, vol. i. 346. (118.) In Limbo. See Inf. ii. 52. From 5232 (the years from the creation to the death of our Saviour) deduct 930, the number Adam lived, line 123, and -there remains 4302, the period Adam says he was in Limbo before our Saviour rescued him. (127.) See similar passages in note to xvi.79. Page 250. (Line 133.) i.e. To Limbo. See Inf. iv. 55, and note. (138.) Thus Horace. De Arte Poet. "Ut sylvæ foliis pronos mutantur in annos, Prima cadunt: ita verborum vetus interit ætas." (139.) The mountain is that of Purgatory, upon which was situated the terrestial Paradise-and where an obscure tradition supposes our first Parents to have remained only a few hours. CANTO XXVII. ARGUMENT. ST. PETER severely animadverts upon the avarice of his successors; and the Angels sympathise in his indignation. Dante is borne up to the ninth heaven. "GLORY to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!" Now throughout Paradise was heard to sound; So that my soul in ecstacy was lost. All that I saw appear'd to me one smile Caught from the universal world around, 1 My eyes and ears inebriate the while. O bliss ineffable! O rapture pure! 7 O life of love and peace! O wealth, that knows No wish beyond, unsullied and secure! Stood the four torches burning in my sight; And manifested shortly such aspect As Jupiter would bear, were Mars and he Birds, and an interchange of plumes to effect. Assigns their proper lot and ministry, Of blood and filth, which to the inverate foe For her own self, yet wears a timid mien, The story of another's shame but hearing; 13 19 25 31 Words then proceeded from his lips, in tone So greatly changed from what they were before, Calixtus, Pius, Sextus, holy band, With Urban suffer'd, after long distress. Or that the keys entrusted to my care Should be a sign for warriors to unfold, And, as a standard, against Christians bear: Or, that my figure on a seal should show, Attached to lying privileges sold; Whence oft suffused with ruddy shame I glow. 37 43 49 55 But that high Providence which won for Rome 61 67 Since unto earth thou must return from hence: What I conceal not, do not thou conceal." As vapours through our atmosphere descending Come charged with flakes of snow, what time the horn Of Capricorn unto the sun is bending; So I beheld that bright and smiling air, Deck'd with triumphant Meteors, upward borne, Which had with us been making sojourn there. Their countenances did mine eye essay To follow, till the intermediate space Became so great, the foremost pass'd away. Whereat my Lady, who anon discern'd 73 That lost to sight was now their every trace, [turn'd.' Exclaim'd; "Look down, and see how thou hast On bending down, I saw that from the time I look'd before, my progress I had made Through a fourth portion of that sphere sublime; So that I kenn'd Ulysses' track, beyond Whence Jove erst bore Europa, burden fond: 79 |