Asthesemadeuse; andneverwerethereguerdons
Thatcouldinpleasantnesscomparewiththese.
Suchlonginguponlongingcameuponme
Tobeabove, thatateachstepthereafter
ForflightIfeltinmethepinionsgrowing.
Whenunderneathuswasthestairwayall
Runo'er, andwewereonthehigheststep,
Virgiliusfasteneduponmehiseyes,
Andsaid: "Thetemporalfireandtheeternal,
Son, thouhastseen, andtoaplaceartcome
WhereofmyselfnofartherIdiscern.
ByintellectandartIherehavebroughtthee;
Takethineownpleasureforthyguidehenceforth;
Beyondthesteepwaysandthenarrowartthou.
Beholdthesun, thatshinesuponthyforehead;
Beholdthegrass, theflowerets, andtheshrubs
Whichofitselfalonethislandproduces.
Untilrejoicingcomethebeauteouseyes
Whichweepingcausedmetocomeuntothee,
Thoucanstsitdown, andthoucanstwalkamongthem.
Expectnomoreorwordorsignfromme;
Freeanduprightandsoundisthyfree-will,
Anderrorwereitnottodoitsbidding;
Theeo'erthyselfIthereforecrownandmitre!"
