Prayer

Dante Alighieri (1265–1321)

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.”