Dante's Divine Comedy: Paradiso
Canto XI
Dante weighs up the secondary aims of earthly life with the absolute values of eternal life. He listens to the Dominican scholar and theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas reveal that Providence has chosen two princes to guide the Roman Catholic Church—Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Dominic. He embarks on a song of praise for the remarkable founder of the Franciscan order and his followers, all of whom renounced their material possessions to embrace a life of poverty. For Dante, Saint Francis embodies the new spirit of Christ on Earth.[1]
O Thou insensate care of mortal men,
How inconclusive are the syllogisms
That make thee beat thy wings in downward flight!
One after laws and one to aphorisms
Was going, and one following the priesthood,
And one to reign by force or sophistry,[2]
And one in theft, and one in state affairs,
One in the pleasures of the flesh involved
Wearied himself, one gave himself to ease;
When I, from all these things emancipate,
With Beatrice above there in the Heavens
With such exceeding glory was received!
When each one had returned unto that point
Within the circle where it was before,
It stood as in a candlestick a candle;
And from within the effulgence which at first
Had spoken unto me, I heard begin
Smiling while it more luminous became:
"Even as I am kindled in its ray,
So, looking into the Eternal Light,
The occasion of thy thoughts I apprehend.
Thou doubtest, and wouldst have me to resift
In language so extended and so open
My speech, that to thy sense it may be plain,
Where just before I said, 'where well one fattens,'
And where I said, 'there never rose a second;'
And here 'tis needful we distinguish well.
The Providence, which governeth the world
With counsel, wherein all created vision
Is vanquished ere it reach unto the bottom,
(So that towards her own Beloved might go
The bride of Him who, uttering a loud cry,
Espoused her with his consecrated blood,
Self-confident and unto Him more faithful,)
Two Princes did ordain in her behoof,
Which on this side and that might be her guide.
The one was all seraphical in ardor;
The other by his wisdom upon Earth
A splendor was of light cherubical.
One will I speak of, for of both is spoken
In praising one, whichever may be taken,
Because unto one end their labors were.
Between Tupino and the stream that falls
Down from the hill elect of blessed Ubald,
A fertile slope of lofty mountain hangs,[3]
From which Perugia feels the cold and heat
Through Porta Sole, and behind it weep
Gualdo and Nocera their grievous yoke.[4]
From out that slope, there where it breaketh most
Its steepness, rose upon the world a sun
As this one does sometimes from out the Ganges;
Therefore let him who speaketh of that place,
Say not Ascesi, for he would say little,
But Orient, if he properly would speak.
He was not yet far distant from his rising
Before he had begun to make the earth
Some comfort from his mighty virtue feel.
For he in youth his father's wrath incurred
For certain Dame, to whom, as unto death,
The gate of pleasure no one doth unlock;[5]
And was before his spiritual court
'Et coram patre' unto her united;
Then day by day more fervently he loved her.[6]
She, reft of her first husband, scorned, obscure,
One thousand and one hundred years and more,
Waited without a suitor till he came.
Naught it availed to hear, that with Amyclas
Found her unmoved at sounding of his voice
He who struck terror into all the world;[7]
Naught it availed being constant and undaunted,
So that, when Mary still remained below,
She mounted up with Christ upon the cross.
But that too darkly I may not proceed,
Francis and Poverty for these two lovers
Take thou henceforward in my speech diffuse.
Their concord and their joyous semblances,
The love, the wonder, and the sweet regard,
They made to be the cause of holy thoughts;
So much so that the venerable Bernard
First bared his feet, and after so great peace
Ran, and, in running, thought himself too slow.[8]
O wealth unknown! O veritable good!
Giles bares his feet, and bares his feet Sylvester
Behind the bridegroom, so doth please the bride![9]
Then goes his way that father and that master,
He and his Lady and that family
Which now was girding on the humble cord;
Nor cowardice of heart weighed down his brow
At being son of Peter Bernardone,
Nor for appearing marvelously scorned;[10]
But regally his hard determination
To Innocent he opened, and from him
Received the primal seal upon his Order.
After the people mendicant increased
Behind this man, whose admirable life
Better in glory of the heavens were sung,
Incoronated with a second crown
Was through Honorius by the Eternal Spirit
The holy purpose of this Archimandrite.
And when he had, through thirst of martyrdom,
In the proud presence of the Sultan preached
Christ and the others who came after him,
And, finding for conversion too unripe
The folk, and not to tarry there in vain,
Returned to fruit of the Italic grass,
On the rude rock 'twixt Tiber and the Arno
From Christ did he receive the final seal,
Which during two whole years his members bore.[11]
When He, who chose him unto so much good,
Was pleased to draw him up to the reward
That he had merited by being lowly,
Unto his friars, as to the rightful heirs,
His most dear Lady did he recommend,
And bade that they should love her faithfully;
And from her bosom the illustrious soul
Wished to depart, returning to its realm,
And for its body wished no other bier.
Think now what man was he, who was a fit
Companion over the high seas to keep
The bark of Peter to its proper bearings.
And this man was our Patriarch; hence whoever
Doth follow him as he commands can see
That he is laden with good merchandise.
But for new pasturage his flock has grown
So greedy, that it is impossible
They be not scattered over fields diverse;
And in proportion as his sheep remote
And vagabond go farther off from him,
More void of milk return they to the fold.
Verily some there are that fear a hurt,
And keep close to the shepherd; but so few,
That little cloth doth furnish forth their hoods.
Now if my utterance be not indistinct,
If thine own hearing hath attentive been,
If thou recall to mind what I have said,
In part contented shall thy wishes be;
For thou shalt see the plant that's chipped away,
And the rebuke that lieth in the words,
'Where well one fattens, if he strayeth not.' "
Footnotes
1. Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone (1181–1226 AD), known as Francis of Assisi, was an Italian mystic, poet and Catholic friar who founded the religious order of the Franciscans. Inspired to lead a Christian life of poverty, he became a beggar and an itinerant preacher.
Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican friar, lavishes praise on Saint Francis of Assisi, but leaves Saint Dominic's (1170–1221) story mostly for others to tell. Moreover, he stresses the illustrious line of saints who have come from the Franciscan order and then criticizes his own Dominican order for its latter-day lack of discipline. This exchange of compliments helps to establish the collegial ambiance of the sphere of the philosophers whose presences complement each other.
Thomas's description of the life of Francis is also notable for its emphasis on poverty as something to be willingly sought out. He tells of Francis's followers racing after him because they are inspired by the beauty of Francis's "bride" Lady Poverty. Fran cis and his friars are not gloomy, withdrawn monks—they are wooers and athletes. These energetic images help to capture the sense of liberation (they throw off their sandals with pleasure) that, for Dante's friars, results from casting off earthly concerns and embracing a strict life. Translator Robin Kirkpatrick aptly describes this as "the joy that comes, paradoxically, in the acceptance of limit and self-abandonment."
2. sophista, Latin, "wise man".
3. Tupino is a river that flows near Gubbio, Italy, where Saint Ubaldo (Ubaldus) was a bishop. Dante mentions the area between the Tupino river and the hill to highlight the geographical connection between the two.
Ubald of Gubbio (1084–1160 AD) , also known as Ubaldo; Ubaldus, Ubalde, was a medieval bishop of Gubbio, in Umbria, today venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church. Saint Ubaldo Day is still celebrated at the Basilica of Sant' Ubaldo in Gubbio in his hon or, as well as at Jessup, Pennsylvania.
4. Perugia is the capital city of Umbria in central Italy, crossed by the River Tiber. The city is located about 164 km north of Rome and 148 km southeast of Florence. It covers a high hilltop and part of the valleys around the area.
Porta Sole is a historic gate in Perugia, Italy, known for its panoramic views and rich Etruscan history. It serves as a popular observation deck, offering stunning vistas of the city and surrounding valleys.
Gualdo Tadino is an ancient town of Italy, in the province of Perugia in northeastern Umbria, on the lower flanks of Monte Penna, a mountain of the Apennines. It is 47 kilometers northeast of Perugia.
Nocera Superiore is a town in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western Italy.
5. Lady Poverty is a personification associated with St. Francis of Assisi, symbolizing his commitment to a life of poverty and humility. Francis viewed her as a companion in his spiritual journey, emphasizing the value of living simply and relying on God rath er than material wealth.
Francis's relationship with Lady Poverty is famously depicted as a "betrothal." This metaphor illustrates his commitment to a life of poverty, which he believed was essential for following Christ. He sought to embrace poverty not just as a lack of material possessions but as a spiritual state that brings one closer to God.
In his quest, Francis and his followers stripped themselves of worldly attachments to seek Lady Poverty. This journey is marked by humility and a desire to serve others, reflecting his belief that true wealth lies in spiritual richness rather than material abundance.
Francis taught that embracing poverty leads to a deeper connection with God. He encouraged his followers to give generously and to see the value in living simply. His famous saying, "Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words," emphasizes the importance of living out these values through actions.
6. Et coram patre, Latin, "And before the father".
7. Amyclas of Sparta was a king of Sparta and the founder of Amyclae in central Laconia. Amyclas was the son of King Lacedemon and Queen Sparta, and brother of Queen Eurydice of Argos. He was the father of Argalus, Cynortas, Hyacinth, Laodamia (Leaneira), Harpalus, Hegesandre and possibly of Polyboea. In other versions of the myth, Amyclas was also called the father of Daphne.
Eurydice was a Spartan princess who later on became the queen of Argos. Eurydice was the daughter of King Lacedaemon and Queen Sparta, the legendary founders of Sparta and thus sister to Amyclas. Later on, Eurydice married King Acrisius of Argos and became the mother of Danaë who begot the celebrated hero Perseus. Her other daughter was possibly Evarete, wife of Oenomaus, king of Pisa in Elis. In some accounts, the wife of Acrisius was called Aganippe.
8. Berard of Carbio was a thirteenth-century Franciscan friar who was executed in Morocco for attempting to promote Christianity. He and his companions, Peter, Otho, Accursius, and Adjutus, are venerated as Catholic saints and considered the Franciscan Protomartyrs. Expelled from the kingdom twice, they returned each time and continued to preach against Islam. In anger and frustration, the king finally beheaded them.
9. Giles of Assisi (1190–1262 AD), was one of the original companions of Francis of Assisi and holds a leading place among them. St. Francis called him "The Knight of our Round Table".
Sylvester of Assisi (1175–1240) was another follower of Assisi. He was a member of one of the noble families of the city, the son of Rosone di Monaldo, the brother of Favarone di Monaldo, who was the father of St. Clare of Assisi. He became one of the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi.
10. Peter Bernardone is the father of Saint Francis of Assisi, who represents the worldly concerns that Francis rejected in favor of a life of poverty and devotion to God. Peter Bernardone's character serves to illustrate the conflict between worldly wealth and spiritual fulfillment. His disapproval of Francis's lifestyle reflects the societal values of the time, emphasizing the struggle between materialism and spiritual devotion. Peter Bernardone's presence in Paradiso underscores the importance of familial relationships in the context of spiritual journeys and the choices individuals make in pursuit of divine truth.
11. The Tiber is the third-longest river in Italy and the longest in Central Italy, rising in the Apennine Mountains in Emilia-Romagna and flowing 406 km through Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio, where it is joined by the River Aniene, to the Tyrrhenian Sea, between Ostia and Fiumicino. It drains a basin estimated at 17,375 km^2. The river has achieved lasting fame as the main watercourse of the city of Rome, which was founded on its eastern banks.
The Arno is a river in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is the most important river of central Italy after the Tiber. The river originates on Monte Falterona in the Casentino area of the Apennines, and initially takes a southward curve. The river turns t o the west near Arezzo passing through Florence, Empoli and Pisa, flowing into the Ligurian Sea at Marina di Pisa.
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