Translated by Henry Francis Cary Selections from “The Divine Comedy” Purgatory: Canto VI. WHEN I was freed From all those spirits, who prayed for others’ prayers To hasten on their state of blessedness; Straight I began: “O thou, my luminary! It seems expressly in thy text denied, That Heaven’s supreme decree can ever bend To supplication; yet with this design Do these entreat. Can then their hope be vain? Or is thy saying not to be revealed?” He thus to me: “Both what I write is plain, And these deceived not in their hope; if well Thy mind consider, that the sacred height Of judgment doth not stoop, because love’s flame In a short moment all fulfils, which he, Who sojourns here, in right should satisfy. Besides, when I this point concluded thus, By praying no defect could be supplied: Because the prayer had none access to God. Yet in this deep suspicion rest thou not Contented, unless she assure thee so, Who betwixt truth and mind infuses light: I know not if thou take me right; I mean Beatrice. Her thou shalt behold above, Upon this mountain’s crown, fair seat of joy.”
Prayer
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