PURGATORIO, Episode 251. Walking With Beatrice In Eden: PURGATORIO, Canto XXXIII, Lines 1 - 24

From tragedy to comedy, the apocalyptic vision in Canto XXXII has come to an end and Beatrice accepts Dante as her walking companion in Eden.

A relatively easy passage begins the final canto of PURGATORIO, perhaps a breather before the much more difficult material that will make up the bulk of the last canto of PURGATORIO.

Beatrice, Dante, the seven ladies, the lady who tends Eden, and Statius make up the final parade to wrap up this second canticle of COMEDY.

 The segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:

[01:26] My English translation of PURGATORIO, Canto XXXIII, Lines 1 - 24. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation with me, scroll down this page.

[03:31] Possibly, a simple interlude between much more difficult passages.

[04:58] The Latin quotation from Psalm 78/79 that opens the final canto of PURGATORIO.

[09:19] Beatrice's Latin quotation from the Gospel of John as Dante fuses Mary and Jesus into her character.

[16:46] Beatrice's parade and the question of her nine steps.

[21:53] Beatrice, Dante's new guide across the known universe.

[26:51] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XXXIII, lines 1- 24.

My English translation of PURGATORIO, Canto XXXIII, Lines 1 – 24:

“Deus, venerunt gentes,” the ladies began,

Alternating their sweet psalms,

Now by three, now by four, and weeping [all the while].

Sighing and grieving, Beatrice

Listened to them, little more [changed]

Than Mary at the cross was changed.

But when the other virgins

Made room for her to speak, she colored like a flame,

Rose to her feet, and replied,

“Modicum, et non videbitis me,

Et iterum,” my beloved sisters,

“Modicum, et vos videbitis me.”

Then she positioned all seven in front of her.

And behind her, without saying anything, she positioned

Me, the lady, and the sage who remained.

So she walked along and I don’t believe

She’d taken her tenth step on the ground

When my eyes were struck with her eyes.

With a calm expression, she said,

“Come along more quickly so that if I speak to you

You will be in a good place to listen.”

As soon I was where I was supposed to be,

She said, “Brother, why do you wait

To ask me questions now that you’re walking with me?”