The Heroic Enthusiasts (1 of 2) Giordano Bruno.rtf

8/13/2019 The Heroic Enthusiasts (1 of 2) Giordano Bruno.rtf

1/153

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Heroic Enthusiasts,(1

of 2) (Gli Eroici Furori), by Giordano Bruno

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost

and with

almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, giveit away or

re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License

included

with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org

Title: The Heroic Enthusiasts,(1 of 2) (Gli Eroici Furori)

An Ethical Poem

Author: Giordano Bruno

Translator: L. Williams

Release Date: November 15, 2006 [EBook #19817]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HEROIC

ENTHUSIASTS ***

Produced by Sjaani, Ted Garvin and the Online Distributed

Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

THE

HEROIC ENTHUSIASTS

(GLI EROICI FURORI)


2/153

An Ethical poem

BY GIORDANO BRUNO

PART THE FIRST

TRANSLATED BY

L. WILLIAMS

WITH AN INTRODUCTION, COMPILED CHIEFLY FROMDAVID LEVI'S GIORDANO BRUNO O LA

RELIGIONE DEL PENSIERO

LONDONGEORGE REDWAYYORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN1887

INTRODUCTION.First Dialo!".S"#o$% Dialo!".T&ir% Dialo!".Fo!rt& Dialo!".Fi't& Dialo!".

PREFACE.

When this Translation was e!"n, #ore than two $earsa!o, %or #$ own &leas"re, in leis"re ho"rs, ' ha( no)nowle(!e o% the (i%%i*"lt$ ' sho"l( %in( in the wor), noran$ tho"!ht o% e+er ha+in! it &rinte( "t as -Gli Eroi*i

."rori- o% Gior(ano /r"no has ne+er a&&eare( inEn!lish, ' (e*i(e( to &"lish that &ortion o% it whi*h 'ha+e %inishe(0

' wish to than) those %rien(s who ha+e so )in(l$ loo)e(o+er #$ wor) %ro# ti#e to ti#e, an( !i+en #e theirhel& in the *hoi*e o% wor(s an( &hrases0 ' #"st,#oreo+er, *on%ess that ' a# )eenl$ ali+e to theshort*o#in!s an( (e%e*ts o% this Translation0


3/153

' ha+e "se( the wor( -Enth"siasts- in the title, ratherthan -Enth"sias#s,- e*a"se it see#e( to #e #orea&&ro&riate0

L0 W0.ol)estone, September 1!0ERRATAa!e 2, line13, "#r-also #otherre$%-also #$ #other0-a!e 47,line 5, "#r-&oisons- re$%-&oison0-

INTRODUCTION.

Nola, a *it$ %o"n(e( $ the Chal*i(ian Gree)s, at ashort (istan*e %ro# Na&les an( %ro# Ves"+i"s, was theirth6&la*e o% Gior(ano /r"no0 't is (es*rie( $ Da+i(Le+i as a *it$ whi*h %ro# an*ient ti#es ha( alwa$seen *onse*rate( to s*ien*e an( letters0 .ro# the ti#eo% the Ro#ans to that o% the /ararians an( o% thei((le A!es, Nola was *ons&i*"o"s %or *"lt"re an(

re%ine#ent, an( its inhaitants were in all ti#esre#ar)ale %or their *o"rteo"s #anners, %or +alo"r, an(%or )eenness o% &er*e&tion0 The$ were, #oreo+er,(istin!"ishe( $ their lo+e %or an( st"($ o% &hiloso&h$so that this *it$ was e+er a %a+o"rite (wellin!6&la*e %orthe *hoi*e s&irits o% the Renaissan*e0 't #a$ also easserte( that Nola was the onl$ *it$ o% a!na Gr*iawhi*h, in s&ite o% the &erse*"tions o% a!an e#&erors

an( Christian &rin*es an( *ler!$, alwa$s &reser+e( the&hiloso&hi*al tra(itions o% the $tha

9! :;

!oreans, an( ne+er was the sa*re( %ire on the altar o%Vesta s"%%ere( to e*o#e entirel$ e


4/153

ni!ht o"t on the #o"ntain, now wat*hin! the stars, now*onte#&latin! the ari(, (esolate si(es o% Ves"+i"s0 =etells how, in re*allin! those (a$s>the onl$ &ea*e%"lones o% his li%e>he "se( to thin), as he loo)e( "& at thein%inite e


5/153

#is%ort"ne, an( not &ro&itio"s to st"($0 The Nea&olitan&ro+in*es were (ist"re( $ *onstant earth"a)es, an((e+astate( $ &estilen*e an( %a#ine0 The T"r)s %o"!ht,an( ra+a!e( the *o"ntr$, an( #a(e sla+es o% theinhaitants the nei!ho"rin! &ro+in*es were still #oreharasse( $ hor(es o% an(its an( o"tlaws, whoin+este( Calaria, le( $ a terrile *hie% *alle(ar*one0 The 'n"isition stoo( &re&are( to li!ht

9! 4;

its %ires an( sla"!hter the hereti*0 The Wal(ensians,

who ha( latel$ een (ri+en o"t o% ie(#ont, an( ha(so"!ht a shelter in the Calarian territor$, were h"nte((own an( !i+en o+er to the e


6/153

the *on+ent the &"re %la#e o% an ele+ate( reli!io"s%eelin! ein! )in(le( in his so"l, he trie( to e+a(e the+ain e


7/153

little a$ s"rro"n(e( $ hi!h hills *rowne( $ %e"(al*astles an( towers, was onl$ a**essile on the shoresi(e, an( o%%ere( a !rate%"l retreat to o"r &hiloso&her0At Noli, /r"no otaine( &er#ission o% the #a!istra*$ totea*h !ra##ar to *hil(ren, an( th"s se*"re( the#eans o% s"sisten*e $ the s#all re#"neration here*ei+e( "t this #o(est e#&lo$#ent (i( not o**"&$hi# s"%%i*ientl$, an( he !athere( ro"n( hi# a %ew!entle#en o% the (istri*t, to who# he ta"!ht thes*ien*e o% the S&here0 /r"no also wrote a oo) "&onthe S&here, whi*h was lost0 =e e


8/153

on the %iel( o% attle, he wo"l( retire %ro# (ee(s o%ar#s to the silen*e o% his st"($, an( *a"se the wor)s o%Aristotle to e rea( to hi# he s&o)e all the E"ro&eanlan!"a!es he wor)e( at artiller$, at #o(els o%%ortresses, an( at the s#ithBs *ra%t he ro"!ht to!etheraro"n( hi#, %ro# all si(es o% 'tal$,

9! 8;

artisans an( s*ientists to &ro#ote in("str$, *o##er*e,an( s*ien*e he !athere( to!ether in ie(#ont the#ost e


9/153

o$s the one @oine( the Do#ini*ans, the other thees"its an( in the so"ls o% oth #i!ht e (is*erne( thei#&ress o% the Or(er to whi*h the$ elon!e(0 /oth went%orth %ro# their nati+e &la*e lon!in! to %in( a roa(er%iel( o% a*tion an( !reater s*o&e %or their intelle*t"al&owers0 The one le%t Na&les *arr$in! in his heart thea!an an( Christian tra(itions o% the nole enter&risesan( the saintl$ herois# o% Ol$#&"s an( o% Cal+ar$, o%=o#er an( the .athers, o% lato an( St0 '!nati"s theother was %ille( with the &hiloso&hi*al tho"!ht o% the&ri#iti+e 'talian an( $tha!orean e&o*hs, %e*"n(ate($ his own *on*e&tions an( $ the new a!e&hiloso&her an( a&ostle o% an i(ea, /r"no *onse*rate(his li%e to the (e+eloent o% it in his writin!s an( tothe &ro&a!ation o% his &rin*i&les in E"ro&e $ the %ire o%enth"sias#0 The one s"r&rise( the worl( with the#elo($ o% his son!s ein!, as Dante sa$s, the -(ol*esirena *he i #arinari in #e??o al #are s#a!a,- hel"lle( the an!"ish that la*erate( 'tal$, an( !il(e( the*hains whi*h o"n( her the other trie( to sha)e her tore*all her to li%e with the +i!o"r o% tho"!ht, with the%or*e o% reason, with the sa*ri%i*e o% hi#sel%0 The son!so% Tasso were hear( an( s"n! %ro# one en( o% 'tal$ tothe other, an( the &oet (welt in &ala*es an( re*ei+e(the *aress an(

9! 13;

s#ile o% &rin*es while /r"no, (is*o"rsin! in the na#eo% reason an( o% s*ien*e, was re@e*te(, &erse*"te(, an(s*o"r!e(, an( onl$ a%ter three *ent"ries o% in!ratit"(e,o% *al"#n$, an( o% %or!et%"lness, (oes his *o"ntr$ showsi!ns o% a&&re*iatin! hi# an( o% (oin! @"sti*e to his#e#or$0 'n Tasso the &oet &re(o#inates o+er the&hiloso&her, in /r"no the &hiloso&her &re(o#inateso+er an( e*li&ses the &oet0 The %irst sa*ri%i*es tho"!ht

to %or# the se*on( is *are%"l onl$ o% the i(ea0 A!ain,oth are %"ll o% a *on*e&tion o% the Di+ine, "t the Go(


10/153

that the ($in! Tasso *on%esse( is a !o( that is e


11/153

wa$%arin! to e th"s attire( an( so ' !ot a white *lothroe, an( ' &"t on the hoo( whi*h ' ha( &reser+e( when' le%t Ro#e0- Th"s haite( he wan(ere( %or se+eral#onths ao"t the *ities o% Venetia an( Lo#ar($ an(altho"!h he *ontri+e( %or a ti#e to e+a(e his&erse*"tors, he

9! 1:;

%inall$ (e*i(e( to lea+e 'tal$, as it was re&"!nant to his(is&osition to li+e in %or*e( (issi#"lation, an( he %eltthat he *o"l( (o no !oo( either %or hi#sel% or %or his

*o"ntr$, whi*h was then o+err"n with S&aniar(s an(s*o"r!e( $ &ett$ t$rants an( with the lower or(erss"n) in i!noran*e, an( the "&&er *lasses illiterate,"n*"lti+ate(, an( *orr"&t, the #ission o% Gior(ano/r"no was i#&ossile0 -Altiora eto- was /r"noBs#otto, an( to reali?e it he ha( !one %orth with the&il!ri#Bs sta%% in his han(, so#eti#es *o+ere( with the*owl o% the #on), at others wearin! the si#&le hait o%

a s*hool#aster, or, a!ain, *lothe( with the (o"let o%the #e*hani* he ha( %o"n( no restin!6&la*e>nowhereto la$ his hea(, no one who *o"l( "n(erstan( hi#, "talwa$s #an$ rea($ to (eno"n*e hi#0 =e t"rne( hisa*) at last on his *o"ntr$, *rosse( the Al&s on %oot,an( (ire*te( his ste&s towar(s Swit?erlan(0 =e +isite(the "ni+ersities in (i%%erent towns o% Swit?erlan(,.ran*e, an( Ger#an$, an( where+er he went he le%t

ehin( hi# tra*es o% his +isit in so#e h"rrie( writin!s0The onl$ wor) o% the Nolan, written in 'tal$, whi*h hass"r+i+e( is -'l Can(ela@o,- whi*h was &"lishe( in aris0Le+i, in his Li%e o% /r"no, &asses in re+iew his +ario"swor)s "t it will s"%%i*e here to re&ro("*e what he sa$so% the

9! 12;

-Eroi*i ."rori,- the %irst &art o% whi*h ' ha+e translate(,an( to note his re#ar)s "&on the st$le o% /r"no, whi*h


12/153

&resents #an$ (i%%i*"lties to the translator on a**o"nto% its %or#lessness0 Goethe sa$s o% /r"noBs writin!s-H" all!e#einer /etra*ht"n! "n( Erhe"n! (er Geistesei!neten si*h (ie S*hri%ten (es or(an"s /r"no"s +onNola aer %reili*h (as !e(ie!ene Gol( an( Siler a"s(er asse @ener ?o "n!lei*h e!aten Er?!In!ea"s?"s*hei(en "n( "nter (en =a##er ?" rin!ener%or(ert %ast #ehr als #ens*hli*he KrI%te +er#J!en0-

' elie+e that no translation o% Gior(ano /r"noBs wor)shas e+er een ro"!ht o"t in En!lish, or, at an$ rate, notranslation o% the -Eroi*i ."rori,- an( there%ore ' ha+e

ha( no hel& %ro# &re+io"s ren(erin!s0 ' ha+e, %or the#ost &art, %ollowe( the te


13/153

this stron!hol( o% reli!io"s re%or#0 =e went to lo(!e atan inn, an( soon re*ei+e( +isits %ro# the ar*hese (iVi*o Na&oletano, ietro artire Ver#i!li, an( otherre%"!ees, who wel*o#e( hi# with a%%e*tion, in"irin!whether he inten(e( to e#ra*e the reli!ion o% Cal+in,to whi*h /r"no re&lie( that he (i( not inten( to #a)e&ro%ession o% that reli!ion, as he (i( not )now o% what)in( it was, an( he onl$ (esire( to li+e in Gene+a in%ree(o#0 =e was then a(+ise( to (o%% the Do#ini*anhait, whi*h he still wore this he was "ite willin! to(o, onl$ he ha( no #one$ to "$ other *lothin!, an(was %or*e( to ha+e so#e #a(e o% the *loth o% his#on)ish roes, an( his new %rien(s &resente( hi# witha swor( an( a hat the$ also

9! 1;

&ro*"re( so#e wor) %or hi# in *orre*tin! &ress errors0

The ter# o% /r"noBs so@o"rn in Gene+a see#s (o"t%"l,an( the &re*ise nat"re o% his e#&lo$#ent when there is

also "n*ertain "t his in(e&en(ent s&irit ro"!ht hi#into (is&"te with the ri!i( Cal+inists o% that *it$, who&rea*he( an( e


14/153


15/153

The title o% Do*tor, or as he sai( hi#sel%, -aestro (elleArti,- whi*h /r"no ha( otaine( at To"lo"se, !a+e hi#the %a*"lt$ o% tea*hin! &"li*l$ in aris, an( he sa$s -'went to aris, where ' set #$sel% to rea( a #ost "n"s"alle*t"re, in or(er to #a)e #$sel% )nown an( to attra*tattention0- =e !a+e thirt$ le*t"res on the thirt$ Di+ineattri"tes, (i+i(in! an( (istri"tin! the# a**or(in! tothe #etho( o% St0 Tho#as A"inas these le*t"rese


16/153

the$ insti!ate(>ha( (is!"ste( #en o% nole #o"l(,an( ha( t"rne( the# a!ainst these so6*alle( reli!ionsso that in Na&les, in T"s*an$, in Veni*e, in Swit?erlan(,.ran*e, an( En!lan(, there were to e %o"n( so*ietieso% &hiloso&hers, o% %ree6thin)ers, an( &oliti*ians, whore&"(iate( e+er$ &ositi+e reli!ion an( &ro%esse( a &"re

Theis#0

'n the -S&a**io (ella /estia Trion%ante- he (e*lares thathe *annot all$ hi#sel% either to the Catholi* or theL"theran Ch"r*h, e*a"se he &ro%esses a #ore &"rean( *o#&lete %aith than these>to wit, the lo+e o%

h"#anit$ an( the lo+e o% wis(o# an( o*eni!o, the(is*i&le who "lti#atel$ etra$e( an( sol( hi# to the=ol$ O%%i*e, (e*lares in his (e&osition that /r"noso"!ht to #a)e hi#sel% the

9! 15;

a"thor o% a new reli!ion "n(er the na#e o%-hiloso&h$0- =e was not a #an to *on*eal his i(eas,

an( in the %er+o"r o% his i#&ro+isation he no (o"tre+eale( what he was so#e t"#"lt res"lte( %ro# this%ree s&ea)in! o% /r"noBs, an( he was %or*e( to(is*ontin"e his le*t"res at the Soronne0

Towar(s the en( o% the $ear 182 the Kin! e*a#eenthralle( $ reli!io"s enth"sias#, an( nothin! wastal)e( o% in aris "t the *on+ersion o% Kin! =enr$0 This

%a*t *han!e( the as&e*t o% a%%airs as %ar as /r"no was*on*erne( he @"(!e( it &r"(ent to lea+e aris, an( hetra+elle( to En!lan(0

The &rin*i&al wor)s &"lishe( $ /r"no ("rin! his sta$in aris are -'l Can(ela@o- an( -#rae '(ear"#0- The%or#er, sa$s Le+i, is a wor) o% *riti*is# an( o%(e#olition in this *o#e($ he sets in !ro"&s the

&rin*i&al t$&es o% h$&o*ris$, st"&i(it$, an( ras*alit$,an( e


17/153

the# with ri(i*"le0 'n the -#rae '(ear"#- he initiatesthe wor) o% re*onstr"*tion, !i+in! *olo"r to his tho"!htan( s)et*hin! his i(ea0 The &hiloso&h$ o% /r"no isase( "&on that o% $tha!oras, whose s$ste#&enetrates the so*ial an( intelle*t"al histor$ o% 'tal$,oth an*ient an( #o(ern0 The #etho( o% $tha!oras isnot *on%ine(, as #ost &hiloso&hies are, to &"re#eta&h$si*al

9! :3;

s&e*"lations, "t *onne*ts these with s*ienti%i*

oser+ations an( so*ial &ra*ti*e0 /r"no ha+in!res"s*itate( these (o*trines, sta#&s the# with a wi(ers*o&e, !i+in! the# a #ore &ositi+e (ire*tion an( he#a$ with &ro&riet$ e *alle( the se*on( $tha!oras0

The &ri#al i(ea o% $tha!oras, whi*h /r"no wor)e( o"tto a #ore (istin*t (e+eloent is this n"#ers are thee!innin! o% thin!s in other wor(s n"#ers are the*a"se o% the e


18/153

*reat"res an( %ro#

9! :1;

the "nion o% one with the (i+erse is !enerate( theni+erse0 =en*e the &ro!ression %ro# as*ent to(es*ent, %ro# s&irit to that whi*h we *all #atter %ro#the *a"se to the ori!in, an( the &ro*ess o%#eta&h$si*s, whi*h, %ro# the %inite worl( o% sense risesto the intelli!ent, &assin! thro"!h the inter#e(iaten"#ers o% in%inite s"stan*e to a*ti+e ein! an(*os#i* reason0

.ro# the asol"te One, the s"n o% the sensile an(intelle*t"al worl(, #illions o% stars an( s"ns are&ro("*e( or (e+elo&e(0 Ea*h s"n is the *entre o% as#an$ worl(s whi*h are (istri"te( in as #an$ (istin*tseries in an in%inite n"#er o% *on*entri* *entres an(s$ste#s0 Ea*h s$ste# is attra*te(, re&elle(, an( #o+e($ an in%inite, internal &assion, or attra*tion ea*h t"rnsro"n( its own *entre, an( #o+es in a s&iral towar(s the

*entre o% the whole, towar(s whi*h *entre the$ all ten(with in%inite &assional ar(o"r0 .or in this *entre resi(esthe s"n o% s"ns, the "nit$ o% "nities, the te#&le, thealtar o% the "ni+erse, the sa*re( %ire o% Vesta, the +ital&rin*i&le o% the "ni+erse0

That whi*h o**"rs in the worl( o% stars is re%le*te( inthe tell"ri* worl( e+er$thin! has its *entre, towar(s

whi*h it is attra*te( with %er+o"r0 All is tho"!ht,&assion, an( as&iration0

9! ::;

.ro# this "nit$, whi*h !o+erns +ariet$, %ro# this#o+e#ent o% e+er$ worl( aro"n( its s"n, o% e+er$ s"naro"n( its *entre s"n>the s"n o% s"ns>whi*h in%or#sall with the ra$s o% the s&irit, with the li!ht o% tho"!ht>

is !enerate( that &er%e*t har#on$ o% *olo"rs, so"n(s,


19/153

%or#s, whi*h stri)e the si!ht an( *a&ti+ate an( enthrallthe intelle*t0 That whi*h in the hea+ens is har#on$e*o#es, in the in(i+i("al, #oralit$, an( in *o#&anieso% h"#an ein!s, law0 That whi*h is li!ht in the s&herese*o#es intelli!en*e an( s*ien*e in the worl( o% thes&irit an( in h"#anit$0 We #"st st"($ this har#on$that r"les the *elestial worl(s in or(er to (e("*e thelaws whi*h sho"l( !o+ern *i+il o(ies0

'n the s*ien*e o% n"#ers (wells har#on$, an(there%ore it eho+es "s to i(enti%$ o"rsel+es with thishar#on$, e*a"se %ro# it is (eri+e( the har#oni* law

whi*h (raws #en to!ether into *o#&anies0 Thro"!h there+ol"tion o% the worl(s thro"!h s&a*e aro"n( theirs"ns, %ro# their or(er, their *onstan*$ an( their#eas"re, the #in( *o#&rehen(s the &ro!ress an(*on(itions o% #en, an( their ("ties towar(s ea*h other0

The /ile, the sa*re( oo) o% #an, is in the hea+ensthere (oes #an %in( written the wor( o% Go(0

="#an so"ls are li!hts, (istin*t %ro# the9! :2;

"ni+ersal so"l, whi*h is (i%%"se( o+er all an( &enetratese+er$thin!0 A &"ri%$in! &ro*ess !"i(es the# %ro# onee


20/153

e("*ate(, %orti%ie(, an( raise(0

'n the #i(st o% so*ial *ata*l$s#s an( re+ol"tionsh"#anit$ has one !"i(in! star, a ea*on whi*h shows

its li!ht ao+e the stor#s an( te#&ests, a #$sti*althrea( r"nnin! thro"!h the la$rinth o% histor$>na#el$, the reli!ion o% &hiloso&h$ an( o% tho"!ht0 The+"l!ar *ree(s wo"l( not, an( ha+e not (are( to re+ealthe Tr"th in its &"rit$ an( essen*e0 The$ *o+ere( it with+eils with alle!ories, with #$ths an( #$steries, whi*hthe$ *alle( sa*re( the$ enshro"(e( tho"!ht with a(o"le

9! :4;

+eil, an( *alle( it Re+elation0 ="#anit$, (e*ei+e( $ ase("*ti+e %or#, a(ore( the +eil, "t (i( not li%t itsel% "&to the i(ea ehin( it it saw the sha(ow, not the li!ht0

/"t we #"st ret"rn to o"r wan(erin! hero0

/r"no was ao"t thirt$6si< $ears ol( when he le%t arisan( went to En!lan(0 =e was in+ite( to +isit theni+ersit$ o% Ona#el$, on the"a(r"&le S&here an( on the '##ortalit$ o% the So"l0S&ea)in! o% the i##ortalit$ o% the so"l, he #aintaine(that nothin! in the "ni+erse is lost, e+er$thin! *han!es

an( is trans%or#e( there%ore, so"l an( o($, s&irit an(#atter, are e"all$ i##ortal0 The o($ (issol+es, an(is trans%or#e( the so"l trans#i!rates, an(, (rawin!ro"n( itsel% ato# to ato#, it re*onstr"*ts %or itsel% anew o($0 The s&irit that ani#ates an( #o+es all thin!sis one e+er$thin! (i%%erentiates a**or(in! to the(i%%erent %or#s an( o(ies in whi*h it o&erates0 =en*e,o% ani#ate thin!s so#e are in%erior $ reason o% the

#eanness o% the or!an in whi*h the$ o&erate othersare s"&erior thro"!h the ri*hness o% the sa#e0 Th"s we


21/153

see that /r"no anti*i&ates the (o*trine, &ro*lai#e(later

9! :;

$ Goethe an( $ Darwin, o% the trans%or#ation o%s&e*ies an( o% the or!ani* "nit$ o% the ani#al worl(an( this alternation %ro# se!re!ation to a!!re!ation,whi*h we *all (eath an( li%e, is no other than #"tationo% %or#0

A%ter ha+in! *riti*ise( an( s*o"r!e( the reli!ions o%*hi#era, o% i!noran*e, an( h$&o*ris$, in -Lo S&a**io

(ella /estia Trion%ante- an( in -LBAsino Cilleni*o,- thea"thor, in -Gli Eroi*i ."rori,- la$s (own the asis %or thereli!ion o% tho"!ht an( o% s*ien*e0 'n &la*e o% the so6*alle( Christian &er%e*tions Mresi!nation, (e+otion, an(i!noran*e, /r"no wo"l( &"t intelli!en*e an( the&ro!ress o% the intelle*t in the worl( o% &h$si*s,#eta&h$si*s, an( #orals the tr"e ai# ein!ill"#ination, the tr"e #oralit$ the &ra*ti*e o% @"sti*e,

the tr"e re(e#&tion the lieration o% the so"l %ro#error, its ele+ation an( "nion with Go( "&on the win!so% tho"!ht0 This i(ea is (e+elo&e( in the wor) in"estion, whi*h is (e(i*ate( to Sir hili& Si(ne$0 A%tertreatin! o% the in%inite "ni+erse, an( *onte#&latin! theinn"#erale worl(s in other wor)s, he *o#es, in -GliEroi*i ."rori,- to the *onsi(eration o% +irt"e in thein(i+i("al, an( (e#onstrates the &oten*$ o% the h"#an

%a*"lties0 A%ter the Cos#os, the i*ro*os# a%ter the in

9! :F;

%initel$ !reat, the in%initel$ s#all0 The o($ is in theso"l, the so"l is in the #in(, the #in( is in Go(0 The li%eo% the so"l is the tr"e li%e o% the #an0 O% all his +ario"s%a*"lties, that whi*h r"les all, that whi*h e


22/153

t"rn *reators, we raise the e(i%i*e o% s*ien*e thro"!hthe intelle*t the a%%e*tions e*o#e &"ri%ie(, the wille*o#es stren!thene(0 Tr"e liert$ is a*"ire(, an( willan( a*tion e*o#in! one thro"!h tho"!ht, we e*o#eheroes0

This e("*ation o% the so"l, or rather this ele+ation an(!lor$ o% tho"!ht, whi*h (raws with it the will an( thea%%e*tions, not $ #eans o% lin( %aith or s"&ernat"ral!ra*e, not thro"!h an irrational an( #$sti*al i#&"lse,"t $ the stren!th o% a re%or#e( intelle*t an( $ a&al&ale an( well6*onsi(ere( enth"sias#, whi*h

s*ien*e an( the *onte#&lation o% Nat"re alone *an!i+e, this is the )e$note o% the &oe#0 't is *o#&ose( o%two &arts, ea*h o% whi*h is (i+i(e( into %i+e (ialo!"esthe %irst &art, whi*h #a$ e *alle( &s$*holo!i*al,shows, $ #eans o% +ario"s %i!"res an( s$#ols (rawn%ro# Nat"re, how the (i+ine li!ht is alwa$s &resent to"s, is inherent in #an it &resents itsel% to the sensesan( to the

9! :7;

*o#&rehension #an *onstantl$ re@e*ts an( i!nores itso#eti#es the so"l stri+es to rise "& to it, an( the &oet(es*ries the str"!!le with the o&&osin! a%%e*tionswhi*h are in+ol+e( in this e%%ort, an( shows how at lastthe #an o% intelli!en*e o+er*o#es these *onten(in!&owers an( %atal i#&"lses whi*h *on%li*t within "s, an(

$ +irt"e o% har#on$ an( the %"sion o% the o&&ositesthe intelle*t e*o#es one with the a%%e*tions, an( #anreali?es the !oo( an( rises to the )nowle(!e o% thetr"e0 All *on%li*tin! (esires ein! at last "nite(, the$e*o#e %i


23/153

was the hero o% %aith, an( sa*ri%i*e( hi#sel% %or it, so/r"no (e*lares hi#sel% rea($ to sa*ri%i*e hi#sel% %ors*ien*e0 't is also a literar$, a &hiloso&hi*al, an( areli!io"s wor) %or#, howe+er, is sa*ri%i*e( to the i(ea>so asore( is the a"thor in the i(ea that he o%teni!nores %or# alto!ether0 An e


24/153

so@o"rn in aris e%%orts were #a(e

9! :5;

$ en(o?a, the S&anish a#assa(or, an( others, toin("*e hi# to ret"rn to his alle!ian*e to the Ch"r*h,an( to e re*on*ile( to the o&e "t /r"no (e*line(these o+ert"res, an( soon a%ter le%t aris %or Ger#an$,where he arri+e( on %oot, his onl$ "r(en ein! a %ewoo)s0

=e +isite( ar"r! an( W"rte#"r!, re#ainin! in thelatter &la*e two $ears, earnin! his rea( $ tea*hin!0

ra!"e an( .ran)%ort were ne


25/153

with hi# in Veni*e, an( instr"*t hi# in the se*rets o%s*ien*e0 /r"no was e!innin! to tire o% this &er&et"all$wan(erin! li%e, an( a%ter se+eral letters %ro# o*eni!o,%"ll o% %ine &ro%essions o% %rien(shi& an( &rote*tion,/r"no, lon!in! to see his *o"ntr$ a!ain, t"rne( his %a*etowar(s Veni*e0

'n those (a$s #en o% s"&erior intelle*t were o%ten*onsi(ere( to e #a!i*ians or sor*erers o*eni!o,a%ter enti*in! /r"no to Veni*e, insiste( "&on histea*hin! hi# -the se*ret o% #e#or$ an( other thin!sthat he )new0-

The &hiloso&her with "ntirin! &atien*e trie( to instilinto this ("ll hea( the &rin*i&les o% lo!i*, the ele#entso% #athe#ati*s, an( the r"(i#ents o% the #ne#oni*art "t the &"&il hate( st"($, an( ha( no %a*"lt$ o%tho"!ht $et he insiste( that /r"no sho"l( #a)es*ien*e *learl$ )nown to hi#P /"t this was &roal$onl$ to initiate a "arrel with /r"no,

9! 21;

who# he inten(e( a%terwar(s to etra$, an( (eli+erinto the han(s o% the Ch"r*h0

The =ol$ O%%i*e wo"l( ha+e lai( han(s on /r"noi##e(iatel$ on his arri+al in 'tal$, "t ein! ass"re( $o*eni!o that he *o"l( not es*a&e, the$ le%t hi# a

*ertain liert$, so that he #i!ht #ore s"rel$*o#&ro#ise hi#sel%, while his ene#ies were "s$*olle*tin! e+i(en*e a!ainst hi#0 When at last his e$ese*a#e o&ene( to what was !oin! on ao"t hi#, an(he *o"l( no lon!er i!nore the &eril o% his &osition, it wastoo late /r"no *o"l( not !et awa$, an( was tol( $o*eni!o that i% he sta$e( not $ his own will an(&leas"re, he wo"l( e *o#&elle( to re#ain where he

was0 /r"no, howe+er, #a(e his &re&arations %or(e&art"re, an( sent his thin!s on to .ran)%ort, inten(in!


26/153

to lea+e the ne


27/153

9! 22;

#in( in the oo) written when he was %ree an( awan(erer in stran!e lan(s0

-/$ what *on(ition, nat"re, or %ell *han*e,'n li+in! (eath, (ea( li%e ' li+e-he writes ei!ht $ears an( #ore e%ore he e+er reathe(the sti%lin! air o% a ("n!eon an( a!ain

-The so"l nor $iel(s nor en(s to these ro"!h lows,/"t ears, e


28/153

-LBin*en(io Q tal, *hBio #Bar(o e non #i s%a**io0-Eroi*i ."rori0

9! 2;

THE

HEROIC ENTHUSIASTS.

First Dialo!".

Ta$sillo Ci#a%a.

Tans0 The enth"sias#s #ost s"itale to e %irst ro"!ht%orwar( an( *onsi(ere( are those that ' now &la*ee%ore $o" in the or(er that see#s to #e #ost %ittin!0

Ci*0 /e!in, then, to rea(0

Tansillo0

10

Ye "ses, that so o%t ' ha+e re&"lse(,That, now i#&ort"ne(, haste to *"re #$ &ain,An( to *onsole #e in #$ woes

With +erses, rh$#es, an( e


29/153

Where &ea*e%"ll$ ' &on(er an( !row %air' rise, ' li+e heart, s&irit, rows a(ornDeath, *$&resses, an( hells

Yo" *han!e to li%e, to la"rels, an( eternal starsP't is to e s"&&ose( that he o%ti#es an( %or (i+ersreasons ha( re&"lse( the "ses %irst, e*a"se he *o"l(not e i(le as a &riest o% the "ses sho"l( e, %ori(leness *annot e


30/153

*rown o% that &lant *onse*rate( to Ven"s, o% whi*h the$)now the &oten*$0 Those #a$ oast o% the la"rel whosin! worthil$ o% thin!s &ertainin! to heroes, s"stit"tin!heroi* so"ls %or s&e*"lati+e an( #oral &hiloso&h$, an(&raisin! the# an( settin! as #irrors an( e


31/153

r"les, or onl$ sli!htl$ an( a**i(entall$ so the r"les are(eri+e( %ro# the &oetr$, an( there are as #an$ )in(san( sorts o% tr"e r"les as there are )in(s an( sorts o%tr"e &oets0

Ci*0 =ow then are the tr"e &oets to e )nown

Tans0 /$ the sin!in! o% their +erses in that sin!in! the$!i+e (eli!ht, or the$ e(i%$, or the$ e(i%$ an( (eli!htto!ether0

9! 25;

Ci*0 To who# then are the r"les o% Aristotle "se%"lTans0 To hi# who, "nli)e =o#er, =esio(, Or&he"s, an(others, *o"l( not sin! witho"t the r"les o% Aristotle, an(who, ha+in! no "se o% his own, wo"l( *o"ette withthat o% =o#er0

Ci*0 Then the$ are wron!, those st"&i( &e(ants o% o"r(a$s, who e


32/153

9! 43;

' sa$ that there are as #an$ sorts o% &oets as there areh"#an senti#ents an( i(eas an( to these it is &ossile

to a(a&t !arlan(s, not onl$ o% e+er$ s&e*ies o% &lant,"t also o% other )in(s o% #aterial0 So the *rowns o%&oets are #a(e not onl$ o% #$rtle an( o% la"rel, "t o%+ine lea+es %or the white6wine +erses, an( o% i+$ %or thea**hanals o% oli+e %or sa*ri%i*e an( laws o% &o&lar, o%el#, an( o% *orn %or a!ri*"lt"re o% *$&ress %or %"nerals,an( inn"#erale others %or other o**asions an(, i% it&lease $o", also o% that #aterial si!ni%ie( $ a !oo(

%ellow when he e


33/153

ne*essities rin! %orth lao"rs an( st"(ies, an( these#ost o%ten rin! the !lor$ o% i##ortal s&len(o"r0

Ci*0 .or to (ie in one a!e #a)es "s li+e in all the rest0

Go on0

Tans0 Then %ollows

:0

'n %or# an( &la*e li)e to arnass"s is #$ heart,An( "& "nto this #o"nt %or sa%et$ ' as*en($ "ses are #$ tho"!hts, an( the$ &resent to #e

At e+er$ ho"r new ea"ties *o"nte( o"t0The %re"ent tears that %ro# #$ e$es (o &o"r,These #a)e #$ %o"nt o% =eli*on0/$ s"*h a #o"nt, s"*h n$#&hs, s"*h %loo(s,As =ea+en (i( &lease, was ' a &oet orn0No )in! o% an$ )in!(o#,No %a+o"rin! han( o% e#&eror,No hi!hest &riest nor !reat &astor,

=as !i+en to #e s"*h !ra*es, hono"rs, &ri+ile!es,9! 4:;

As are those la"rel lea+es with whi*hOBersha(owe( are #$ heart, #$ tho"!hts, #$ tears0=ere he (e*lares his #o"ntain to e the e


34/153

Tans0 /e*a"se the h"#an heart has two s"##its,whi*h ter#inate in one ase or root an(, s&irit"all$,%ro# one a%%e*tion o% the heart &ro*ee( two o&&osites,lo+e an( hate an( the #o"ntain o% arnass"s has twos"##its an( one ase0

Ci*0 On to the nethat is, $ %i*alls all the warriors orin+o)es all the &owers *alle( warriors e*a"se the$ arein *ontin"al stri%e an( o&&osition an( their a%%e*tions,whi*h are all *ontrar$ tho"!hts, so#e towar(s one an(so#e towar(s the other si(e in*linin!, an( he tries torin! the# all "n(er one %la!>one settle( en( an( ai#0So#e are *alle( in +ain to &"t in a rea($ a&&earan*e,

an( are *hie%l$ those whi*h &ro*ee( %ro# the lower


35/153

instin*ts, an( whi*h oe$ the reason either not at all, or+er$ little an( %or*in! hi#sel% to &re+ent their a*tionsan( *on(e#n those whi*h *annot e &re+ente(, heshows hi#sel% as one who wo"l( )ill those an( anishthese, now $ the s*o"r!e o% s*orn, now $ the swor(o% an!er0 One onl$ is the o@e*t o%

9! 44;

his re!ar(s, an( on this he is intentl$ %ithat is, one*ons"##ation, e*a"se &ara(ise *o##onl$ si!ni%ies

the en( whi*h is a!ain (istin!"ishe( %ro# that whi*h isasol"te in tr"th an( essen*e %ro# that whi*h is so ina&&earan*e an( sha(ow or %or#0 O% the %irst there *anonl$ e one, as there *an e onl$ one "lti#ate an( one&ri#al !oo(0 O% the se*on( the #o(es are in%inite0

40

Lo+e, .ate, Lo+eBs o@e*t, an( *ol( ealo"s$,Deli!ht #e, an( tor#ent, *ontent #e, an( a%%li*t0


36/153

9! 4;

The insensate o$, the lin( an( sinister,The lo%tiest ea"t$, an( #$ (eath aloneShow to #e &ara(ise, an( ta)e awa$,

resent #e with all !oo(, an( steal it %ro# #e,So that the heart, the #in(, the s&irit, an( the so"l,=a+e @o$, &ain, *ol(, an( wei!ht in their *ontrol0Who will (eli+er #e %ro# warWho !i+e to #e the %r"it o% lo+e in &ea*eAn( that whi*h +e


37/153

.ro# %airest (art that lo+e (i( *hoose,Lo%t$, #ost ea"teo"s an( &otential ?eal,

That #a)es the so"l in its own %la#es %in( wealPWhat &ower or s&ell o% her or #a!i* artCan tear thee %ro# the *entre o% #$ heart,Sin*e he, who with an e+er6!rowin! ?est,

Tor#entin! #ost, $et #ost (oes #a)e #e lest=ow *an ' o% this wei!ht "n"r(ene( e,'% &ain the *"re, an( @o$ the sore !i+e #eSweet is #$ &ain to this worl( new an( rare0E$esP $e are the ow an( tor*hes o% #$ lor(PDo"le the %la#es an( arrows in #$ reast,.or lan!"ishin! is sweet an( "rnin! est0.ate +e


38/153

Oh, wi*)e( *hil( o% En+$ an( o% Lo+ePThat t"rnest into &ain th$ %atherBs @o$s,To e+il Ar!"s6e$e(, "t lin( as #ole to !oo(0inister o% tor#entP ealo"s$P.eti( har&$P Tisi&hone in%ernalPWho steals an( &oisons othersB !oo(,n(er th$ *r"el reath (oes lan!"ish

The sweetest %lower o% all #$ ho&es0ro"( o% th$sel%, "nlo+el$ one,/ir( o% sorrow an( harin!er o% ill,

The heart tho" +isitest $ tho"san( (oors'% entran*e "nto thee *o"l( e (enie(,

The rei!n o% Lo+e wo"l( so #"*h %airer e,As wo"l( this worl( were (eath an( hate awa$0

To the ao+e is a((e(, that ealo"s$ not onl$ isso#eti#es the r"in an( (eath o% the lo+er, "t

9! 48;

o%ten )ills Lo+e itsel%, e*a"se Lo+e *o#es to e so

#"*h "n(er its in%l"en*e that it is i#&elle( to (es&isethe o@e*t, an( in %a*t e*o#es alienate( %ro# it,es&e*iall$ when it en!en(ers (is(ain0

Ci*0 E


39/153

an( o($ e*o#e si*)l$, an( ine&t to *onsi(er an((istin!"ish that whi*h is see#l$ %ro# that whi*h is(istorte( th"s ren(erin! the# s"@e*t to s*orn,(erision, an( re&roa*h0

Ci*0 't is *o##onl$ sai( that lo+e #a)es %ools o% the ol(an( #a)es the $o"n! wise0

Tans0 That (rawa*) (oes not ha&&en to all the

9! 45;

a!e(, nor that a(+anta!e to all the $o"n! the one is

tr"e o% the wea), an( the other o% the ro"st0 One thin!is *ertain, that he who lo+es wisel$ in $o"th will in a!enot !o astra$0 /"t (erision is %or those o% #at"re a!e,into whose han(s Lo+e &"ts the al&haet0

Ci*0 Tell #e now wh$ .ate is *alle( lin( an( a(0

Tans0 A!ain, lin( an( a( is not sai( o% Destin$ itsel%,e*a"se it is o% the sa#e or(er an( n"#er an(

#eas"re as the "ni+erse "t as to the s"@e*ts it issai( to e lin(, %or the$ are lin( to %ate, she ein! so"n*ertain0 So also is .ate sai( to e e+il, e*a"se e+er$li+in! #ortal who la#ents an( *o#&lains, la#es her0As the A&"lian &oet sa$s

=ow is it, or what #eans it, *enas,That none on earth *ontente( with that %ate a&&ear,

Whi*h Reason or =ea+en has assi!ne( to the#'n the sa#e wa$ he *alls the o@e*t the hi!hest ea"t$,as it is that alone whi*h has &ower o% attra*tin! hi# toitsel% an( th"s he hol(s it #ore worth$, #ore nole,an( %eels it &re(o#inant an( s"&erior as he e*o#ess"@e*t an( *a&ti+e to it0 -$ (eath itsel%,- he sa$s o%

ealo"s$, e*a"se as Lo+e has no #ore *lose*o#&anion than she, so also he %eels he has no !reater

ene#$ as nothin! is


40/153


41/153

#a)es the thin!s lo+e(, !ran(>at least in a&&earan*e0=e sa$s, .ate ta)es lo+e awa$ e*a"se, o%ten in s&iteo% the lo+er, it (oes not *on*e(e, an( that whi*h hesees an( (esires is (istant an( a(+erse to hi#0 E+er$!oo( he sets e%ore #e, he sa$s o% the o@e*t, e*a"sethat whi*h is in(i*ate( $ the %in!er o% Lo+e see#s tohi# the onl$ thin!, the &rin*i&al, an( the whole0 -Stealsit %ro# #e,- he sa$s o% ealo"s$, not si#&l$ in or(erthat it #a$ not e &resent to #e re#o+in! it %ro# #$e$esi!ht, "t in or(er that !oo( #a$ not e !oo(, "tan a*"te e+il sweet, not sweet, "t an a!oni?e(lon!in! while the heart>that is, the will, has @o$ $ the!reat %or*e o% lo+e, whate+er #a$ e the res"lt the#in(>that is, the intelle*t"al &art, has &ain thro"!hthe .ear o% .ate, whi*h %ate (oes not %a+o"r the lo+erthe s&irit>that is, the nat"ral a%%e*tions, are *ol(e*a"se the$ are snat*he( %ro# the o@e*t whi*h !i+es

@o$ to the heart, an( whi*h #i!ht !i+e &leas"re to the#in( the so"l>that is, the s"%%erin! an( sensiti+e so"l,is hea+$>that is, %in(s itsel% o&&resse( with the hea+$"r(en o% @ealo"s$ whi*h tor#ents it0 To this*onsi(eration o% his state he a((s a tear%"l la#ent, an(sa$s -Who

9! :;

will (eli+er #e %ro# war, an( !i+e #e &ea*e or whowill se&arate that whi*h &ains an( in@"res #e %ro# that

whi*h ' so lo+e, an( whi*h o&ens to #e the !ates o%hea+en, so that the %er+i( %la#es in #$ heart #a$ ea**e&tale, an( %ort"nate the %o"ntains o% #$ tears-Contin"in! this &ro&osition, he a((s

80

Ah #eP o&&ress so#e other, s&ite%"l .atePealo"s$, !et thee hen*e>e!oneP awa$P

These #a$ s"%%i*e to show #e all the !ra*eO% *han!e%"l Lo+e, an( o% that nole %a*e0


42/153

=e ta)es #$ li%e, she !i+es #e (eath,She win!s, he "rns #$ heart,=e #"r(ers it, an( she re+i+es the so"l$ s"**o"r she, #$ !rie+o"s "r(en heP/"t what sa$ ' o% Lo+e'% he an( she one s"@e*t e, or %or#,'% with one e#&ire an( one r"le the$ sta#&One sole i#&ression in #$ heart o% hearts,

Then are the$ two, $et one, on whi*h (o waitThe #irth an( #elan*hol$ o% #$ stateP.o"r e!innin!s an( ethat is, let it s"%%i*e thee, O#$ .ateP that tho" hast so #"*h o&&resse( #e an(sin*e tho" *anst not e


43/153


44/153

a%%or( no &leas"re witho"t so#e itterness an( #orethan this, ' will sa$, that were it not %or the itter, therewo"l( e no sweet seein! that it is thro"!h %ati!"ethat we %in( &leas"re in re&ose se&aration is the *a"seo% o"r &leas"re in "nion an(, e


45/153

lo+e, "t is o% the %"t"re an( the asent an(, on the*ontrar$, it %eels a#ition, e#"lation, s"s&i*ion an((rea(0 One e+enin!, a%ter s"&&er, a *ertain nei!ho"ro% o"rs sai( -Ne+er was ' #ore @oll$ than ' a# now0-

ohn /r"no, %ather o% the Nolano, answere( hi# -Ne+erwert tho" #ore %oolish than now0-

Ci*0 Yo" wo"l( i#&l$, then, that he who is sa( is wise,an( that other who is #ore sa( is wiser

Tans0 On the *ontrar$, ' #ean that there

9! 7;

is in these another s&e*ies o% %oolishness an( a worse0

Ci*0 Who, then, is wise, i% %oolish is he who is *ontent,an( %oolish he who is sa(

Tans0 =e who is neither #err$ nor sa(0

Ci*0 Who =e who slee&s =e who is witho"t %eelin!>

who is (ea(Tans0 No "t he who is "i*), oth seein! an( hearin!,an( who, *onsi(erin! e+il an( !oo(, esti#atin! the onean( the other as +ariale, an( *onsistent in #otion,#"tation, an( +i*issit"(e, in s"*h wise that the en( o%one o&&osite is the *o##en*e#ent o% another, an( thee


46/153

Ci*0 So that we *an ne+er hol( the &ro&osition o% ein!*ontente( or (is*ontente(, witho"t hol(in! the&ro&osition o% o"r own %oolishness, whi*h we

9! 8;

there$ *on%ess there%ore no one who reasons, an(*onse"entl$ no one who &arti*i&ates, *an e wise inshort, all #en are %ools0

Tans0 ' (o not inten( to in%er that %or ' will hol( o%hi!hest wis(o# hi# who *o"l( reall$ sa$ at one ti#ethe o&&osite o% what he sa$s at another>ne+er was '

less !a$ than now or, ne+er was ' less sa( than at&resent0

Ci*0 =ow Do $o" not #a)e two *ontrar$ "alitieswhere there are two o&&osite a%%e*tions Wh$, ' sa$, (o$o" ta)e as two +irt"es, an( not as one +i*e an( one+irt"e, the ein! less !a$ an( the ein! less sa(

Tans0 /e*a"se oth the *ontraries in ethat is, inso %ar as the$ eare +i*es, e*a"se the$ &ass theline an( the sa#e, in so %ar as the$ (i#inish, *o#e toe +irt"es, e*a"se the$ are *ontaine( within li#its0

Ci*0 =ow The ein! less #err$ an( the ein! less sa(are not one +irt"e an( one +i*e, "t are two +irt"es

Tans0 On the *ontrar$, ' sa$ the$ are one an( the sa#e

+irt"e e*a"se the +i*e is there where the o&&osite isthe o&&osite is *hie%l$ there where the e


47/153

*ontra(i*tion0 'n that wa$ whoso is least *ontent an(least @o$%"l is in the (e!ree o% in(i%%eren*e, an( %in(shi#sel% in the haitation o% te#&eran*e, where the+irt"e an( *on(ition o% a stron! so"l e


48/153

this senten*e -'#&i"s ani#a# (issi(ente# haet"n(e ne* se*"# i&se *on+enire &otest, ne"e *"#aliis0-

Tans0 Now listen to another sonnet, as se"el to whathas een sai(

130

/$ what *on(ition, nat"re, or %ell *han*e,'n li+in! (eath, (ea( li%e ' li+eLo+e has #e (ea(, ala*)P an( s"*h a (eath,

That (eath an( li%e to!ether ' #"st lose0De+oi( o% ho&e, ' rea*h the !ates o% hell,An( la(en with (esire arri+e at hea+en

Th"s a# ' s"@e*t to eternal o&&osites,9! F1;

An(, anishe( oth %ro# hea+en an( %ro# hell,No &a"se nor rest #$ tor#ents )now,/e*a"se etween two r"nnin! wheels ' !o,O% whi*h one here, the other there *o#&els,

An( li)e '


49/153

that it is a (o"le +i*e, whi*h *onsists in this, that thethin! re*e(es %ro# its nat"re, the &er%e*tion o% whi*h*onsists in "nit$, an( there where the o&&osites #eet,its *o#&osition an( +irt"e e


50/153

She&her(0 What wilt tho"

.0 What (oest tho"

S0 ' s"%%er0.0 Where%ore

S0 /e*a"se neither li%e has #e %or his own, nor (eath0

.0 WhoBs to la#e

S0 Lo+e0

.0 That ras*al

S0 That ras*al0

.0 Where is he

S0 =e hol(s #e ti!ht in #$ heartBs *ore0

.0 What (oes he

S0 Wo"n(s #e0

.0 Who

S0 e0

.0 Thee

S0 Yes0

.0 With what

S0 With the e$es, the !ates o% hea+en an( o% hell0

.0 Dost ho&e

S0 ' ho&e0

.0 .or &it$

S0 .or &it$0


51/153

.0 .ro# who#

S0 .ro# hi# who ra*)s #e ni!ht an( (a$0

.0 =as he an$S0 ' )now not0

.0 Tho" art a %ool0

S0 =ow i% s"*h %oll$ e &leasin! to #$ so"l

.0 Does he &ro#ise

S0 No0

.0 Does he (en$

9! F4;

S0 Not at all0

.0 's he silent

S0 Yes, %or so #"*h &"rit$ M#)e&t. ros #e o% #$ol(ness0

.0 Tho" ra+est0

S0 =ow so

.0 'n +ain e%%orts0

S0 =is s*orn #ore than #$ tor#ents (o ' %ear0=ere he sa$s that he *ra+es %or lo+e, an( he *o#&lainso% it, $et not e*a"se he lo+es>seein! that to no tr"elo+er *an lo+e e (is&leasin! "t e*a"se he lo+es"nha&&il$, whilst those ea#s whi*h are the ra$s o%those li!hts, an( whi*h the#sel+es, a**or(in! as the$are &er+erse an( anta!onisti*, or reall$ )in( an(!ra*io"s, e*o#e the !ates whi*h lea( towar(s hea+en

or towar(s hell0 'n this wa$ he is )e&t in ho&e o% %"t"re


52/153

an( "n*ertain #er*$, "t a*t"all$ in a state o% &resentan( *ertain tor#ent, an( altho"!h he sees his %oll$"ite *learl$, ne+ertheless he (oes not *are to *orre*thi#sel% in it, or e+en to %eel (is&lease( with it, "trather (oes he %eel satis%ie( with it, as he shows whenhe sa$s

Ne+er let #e o% Lo+e *o#&lain,.or Lo+e alone *an ease #$ &ain0=ere is shown another s&e*ies o% enth"sias# orn %ro#the li!ht o% reason, whi*h e


53/153

are there three s&e*ies o% lo+e, o% whi*h one raisesitsel% %ro# the *onte#&lation o% o(il$ %or# to the

9! FF;

*onsi(eration o% the s&irit"al an( (i+ine the other onl$*ontin"es in the (eli!ht o% seein! an( *on+ersin! thethir( %ro# seein! &ro*ee(s to &re*i&itate into the*on*"&is*en*e o% to"*h0 O% these three #o(es othersare *o#&ose(, a**or(in! as the %irst #a$ e *o"&le(with the se*on( or the thir(, or as all the three #o(es#a$ *o#ine to!ether, o% whi*h one an( all #a$ e

(i+i(e( into others, a**or(in! to the a%%e*tions o% theenth"siast, as these ten( #ore towar(s the s&irit"alo@e*t, or #ore towar(s the *or&oreal, or e"all$towar(s the one an( the other0 =en*e it *o#es, that o%those who %in( the#sel+es in this war%are, an( areentan!le( in the #eshes o% lo+e, so#e ai# at en@o$in!,an( the$ are in*ite( to &l"*) the a&&le %ro# the tree o%*or&oreal ea"t$, witho"t whi*h a*"isition, or at least

the ho&e o% it, the$ hol( +ain an( worth$ onl$ o%(erision e+er$ a#oro"s *are an( in s"*h6wise r"n allthose who are o% a araro"s nat"re, who neither (onor *an see) to e


54/153

s$#&ath$ whi*h are #ost &re*io"s to the# e*a"se toatte#&t this there *annot e #ore !"arantee o%s"**ess than there is ris) o% %or%eitin! that %a+o"r,whi*h a&&ears e%ore the e$es o% tho"!ht as a thin! so!lorio"s an( worth$0

Ci*0 't is a worth$ thin!, oh TansilloP %or its #an$ +irt"esan( &er%e*tions, an( it eho+es h"#an !eni"s to see),a**e&t, no"rish, an( &reser+e a lo+e li)e that "t onesho"l( ta)e !reat *are not to ow (own or e*o#eensla+e( to an o@e*t "nworth$ an( ase, lest wee*o#e sharers o% the aseness an( "nworthiness o%

the sa#e a&&ositel$ the .errarese &oet sa$s

Who sets his %oot "&on the a#oro"s snare,Lest he es#ear his win!s, let hi# eware0

Tans0 To sa$ the tr"th, that o@e*t, whi*h e$on( theea"t$ o% the o($ has no other s&len(o"r, is notworth$ o% ein! lo+e( otherwise than to #a)e the ra*ean( it see#s to #e the wor) o% a &i! or

9! F8;

a horse to tor#ent oneBs sel% ao"t it, an( as to #$sel%,ne+er was ' #ore %as*inate( $ s"*h thin!s than ' a#now %as*inate( $ so#e stat"e or &i*t"re to whi*h ' a#in(i%%erent0 't wo"l( then e a !reat (ishono"r to a!enero"s so"l, i%, o% a %o"l, +ile, loose, an( i!nolenat"re, altho"!h hi( "n(er an e


55/153

There are se+eral +arieties o% enth"siasts, whi*h #a$all e re("*e( to two )in(s0 While so#e onl$ (is&la$lin(ness, st"&i(it$, an( irrational i#&et"osit$, whi*hten( towar(s sa+a!e #a(ness, others $ (i+ineastra*tion e*o#e in realit$ s"&erior to or(inar$ #en0An( these a!ain are o% two )in(s, %or so#e ha+in!e*o#e the haitation o% !o(s or (i+ine s&irits, s&ea)an( &er%or# won(er%"l thin!s, witho"t the#sel+es"n(erstan(in! the reason0 an$ s"*h ha+e een"n*"lt"re( an( i!norant &ersons, into who#, ein! +oi(o% s&irit an( sense o% their own, as into an e#&t$*ha#er, the (i+ine s&irit an( sense intr"(e, as itwo"l( ha+e less &ower to show itsel% in those who are%"ll o% their own reason an( sense0 This (i+ine s&irito%ten (esires that the worl( sho"l( )now %or *ertain,that those (o not s&ea) %ro# their own )nowle(!e an(e


56/153

the ass whi*h *arries the sa*ra#ents the se*on( areas a sa*re( thin!0 'n the %irst is *onte#&late( an( seenin e%%e*t the (i+init$, an( that is ehel(, a(ore(, an(oe$e( in the se*on( is *onte#&late( an( seen thee


57/153

s&irit"al, thro"!h the %or%eit"re o% har#on$ etween the&er*e&ti+e an( en@o$in! &owers "t it is a!low )in(le($ the intelle*t"al s"n in the so"l, an( a (i+ine i#&et"swhi*h len(s it win!s, with whi*h, (rawin! nearer an(nearer to the intelle*t"al s"n, an( ri((in! itsel% o% ther"st o% h"#an *ares, it e*o#es a !ol( trie( an( &"re,has the &er*e&tion o% (i+ine an( internal har#on$, an(its tho"!hts an( a*ts a**or( with the s$##etr$ o% thelaw, innate in all thin!s0 Not, as (r"n) %ro# the *"&s o%Cir*e, (oes he !o (ashin! an( st"#lin!, now in thisan( then in that (it*h, now a!ainst this or that ro*), orli)e a shi%tin! rote"s, *han!in! now to this, now to theother as&e*t, ne+er %in(in! &la*e, %ashion, or !ro"n( tosta$ an( settle in "t, witho"t s&oilin! the har#on$,*on"ers an( o+er*o#es the horri( #onsters, an(howe+er #"*h he #a$ swer+e, he easil$ ret"rns tohi#sel%9A; $ #eans o% those inwar( instin*ts that, li)ethe nine "ses, (an*e an( sin! ro"n( the s&len(o"rs o%the "ni+ersal A&ollo, an( "n(er tan!ile i#a!es an(#aterial thin!s, he *o#es to *o#&rehen( (i+ine lawsan( *o"nsels0 't is tr"e that

9! 72;

so#eti#es, ha+in! lo+e %or his tr"st$ es*ort, who is(o"le, an( e*a"se so#eti#es thro"!h o**asionali#&e(i#ents he %in(s hi#sel% (e%ra"(e( o% his stren!th,then, as one insane an( %"rio"s, he s"an(ers awa$ the

lo+e o% that whi*h he *annot *o#&rehen( when*e,*on%"se( $ the os*"rit$ o% the (i+init$, he so#eti#esaan(ons the wor), an( then a!ain ret"rns, to %or*ehi#sel% with his will thither, where he *annot arri+e withthe intelle*t0 't is tr"e also that he *o##onl$ wan(ers,an( trans&orts hi#sel%, now into one, now into another%or# o% the (o"le Eros there%ore, the &rin*i&al lessonthat Lo+e !i+es to hi# is, that he *onte#&late the

(i+ine ea"t$ in sha(ow, when he *annot (o so in the#irror, an(, li)e the s"itors o% enelo&e, he entertain


58/153

hi#sel% with the #ai(s when he is not &er#itte( to*on+erse with the #istress0 Now, in *on*l"sion, $o" *an*o#&rehen(, %ro# what has een sai(, what is thisenth"siast whose &i*t"re is &"t %orth, when it is sai(

1:0

'% towar(s the shinin! li!ht the "tter%l$,Win!in! his wa$ )nows not the "rnin! %la#e,An( i% the thirst$ sta!, "n#in(%"l o% the (art,R"ns %aintin! to the roo),Or "ni*orn, "nto the *haste reast r"nnin!,

'!nores the snare that is %or hi# &re&are(, 9! 74;', in the li!ht, the %o"nt, the oso# o% #$ lo+e/ehol( the %la#es, the arrows, an( the *hains0'% it e sweet in &lainti+eness to (roo&,Wh$ (oes that lo%t$ s&len(o"r (a??le #eWhere%ore the sa*re( arrow sweetl$ wo"n(Wh$ in this )not is #$ (esire in+ol+e(

An( wh$ to #e eternal ir)so#eness.la#es to #$ heart, (arts to #$ reast an( snares "nto#$ so"l9A; .a*il#ente ritorna al sesso0

=ere he shows his lo+e not to e li)e that o% the"tter%l$, o% the sta!, an( o% the "ni*orn, who wo"l(%lee awa$ i% the$ ha( )nowle(!e o% the %ire, o% thearrow, an( o% the snares, an( who ha+e no other sense

than that o% &leas"re "t he is #o+e( $ a #ostsensile an( onl$ too e+i(ent &assion, whi*h %or*es hi#to lo+e that %ire #ore than an$ *oolness #ore thatwo"n( than an$ wholeness #ore those %etters thanan$ liert$0 .or this e+il is not asol"tel$ e+il, "t,thro"!h *o#&arison with !oo( Ma**or(in! to o&inion, itis (e*e&ti+e, li)e the sa"*e that ol( Sat"rn !ets whenhe (e+o"rs his own sons %or this e+il asol"tel$ in the

e$e o% the Eternal, is *o#&rehen(e( either %or !oo(, or


59/153

%or !"i(e whi*h *on("*es to it, sin*e this %ire is thear(ent (esire o% (i+ine thin!s, this arrow is thei#&ression o% the ra$ o% the ea"t$ o% s"&ernal li!ht,these snares are the s&e*ies o% tr"th whi*h "nite o"r#in( to the

9! 7;

&ri#al +erit$, an( the s&e*ies o% !oo( whi*h "nite an(@oin to the &ri#al an( hi!hest !oo(0 To that #eanin! 'a&&roa*he( when ' sai(

120

With s"*h a %ire an( s"*h a nole noose,/ea"t$ en)in(les #e, an( &"reness in(s,So that in %la#es an( ser+it"(e ' ta)e (eli!ht,Liert$ ta)es %li!ht an( (rea(s the i*e0S"*h is the heat, that tho"!h ' "rn $et a# ' not(estro$e(,

The tie is s"*h, the worl( with #e !i+es &raise0

.ear *annot %ree?e, nor &ain "nsha*)le #e

.or soothin! is the ar(o"r, sweet the s#art0So hi!h the li!ht that "rns #e ' (is*ern,An( o% so ri*h a threa( the noose *ontri+e(

That, tho"!ht ein! orn, the lon!in! (ies0An( sin*e, within #$ heart shines s"*h &"re %la#es,An( so s"&re#e a tie *o#&els #$ will,Let #$ sha(e ser+e, an( let #$ ashes "rn0

All the lo+es, i% the$ e heroi* an( not &"rel$ ani#al, orwhat is *alle( nat"ral, an( sla+es to !eneration, asinstr"#ents o% nat"re in a *ertain wa$, ha+e %or o@e*tthe (i+init$, ten( towar(s (i+ine ea"t$, whi*h %irst is*o##"ni*ate( to so"ls an( shines in the#, an( %ro#the#, or rather thro"!h the#, it is *o##"ni*ate( too(ies when*e it is that well6or(ere( a%%e*tion lo+esthe o($ or *or&oreal ea"t$, inso#"*h as it is an

in(i*ation o% ea"t$ o%


60/153

9! 7F;

s&irit0 Th"s that whi*h *a"ses the attra*tion o% lo+e tothe o($ is a *ertain s&irit"alit$ whi*h we see in it, an(

whi*h is *alle( ea"t$, an( whi*h (oes not *onsist in#a@or or #inor (i#ensions, nor in (eter#ine( *olo"rsor %or#s, "t in har#on$ an( *onsonan*e o% #e#ersan( *olo"rs0 This shows an a%%init$ etween the s&iritan( the #ost a*"te an( &enetrati+e senses when*e it%ollows that s"*h e*o#e #ore easil$ an( intensel$ena#o"re(, an( also #ore easil$ an( intensel$(is!"ste(, whi*h #i!ht e thro"!h a *han!e o% the

(e%or#e( s&irit, whi*h in so#e !est"re an( e


61/153

Wearie(, #$ so"l *ares no"!htThat ' o&&osin! *o"nsels entertain,An( with the sa+a!e t$rantNo"rishe( with want,An( #a(e to &"t #$sel% in eas, %or instan*e, %ilth$a+ari*e, ase !ree(iness %or #one$, in!ratit"(e %or%a+o"rs an( *o"rtesies re*ei+e(, or a lo+e o% "ite +ile&ersons, o% whi*h this last #ost (is&leases, e*a"se itta)es awa$ the ho&e %ro# the lo+er, that

9! 78;

$ e*o#in! or #a)in! hi#sel% #ore worth$ he #a$e*o#e #ore a**e&tale>in s&ite o% all this, it is tr"ethat ' (i( "rn %or *or&oreal ea"t$0 /"t how ' lo+e(a!ainst #$ will %or, were it not so, ' sho"l( ha+e een#ore sa((ene( than *heere( $ tro"les an(

#is%ort"nes0Ci*0 't is a +er$ &ro&er an( ni*e (istin*tion that is #a(eetween lo+in! an( li)in!0

Tans0 Tr"l$ e*a"se we li)e #an$>that is, we (esirethat the$ e wise an( @"st "t we lo+e the# note*a"se the$ are "n@"st an( i!norant #an$ we lo+ee*a"se the$ are ea"ti%"l, "t we (o not li)e the#,

e*a"se the$ (o not (eser+e it an( a#on!st otherthin!s o% whi*h the lo+er (ee#s the lo+e( one


62/153

"n(eser+in!, the %irst is, ein! lo+e( an( $et, altho"!hhe *annot astain %ro# lo+in!, ne+ertheless he re!retsit, an( shows his re!ret li)e hi# who sai(, -Woe is #ePwho a# *o#&elle( $ &assion to *oales*e with e+il0- 'nthe o&&osite #oo( was he, either thro"!h so#e*or&oreal o@e*t in si#ilit"(e or thro"!h a (i+ines"@e*t in realit$, when he sai(

10

Altho"!h to #an$ &ains tho" (ost s"@e*t #e,Yet (o ' than) thee, lo+e, an( owe thee #"*h,

That tho" #$ reast (ost *lea+e with nole wo"n(,An( then (ost ta)e #$ heart an( #aster it09! 75;

Th"s tr"e it is, that ', on earth, a(oreA li+in! o@e*t, i#a!e #ost ea"ti%"l o% Go(0Let hi# who will thin) that #$ %ate is a(

That )ills in ho&e an( "i*)ens in (esire0$ &ast"re is the hi!h e#&rise,

An( tho"!h the en( (esire( e not attaine(,An( tho"!h #$ so"l in #an$ tho"!hts is s&ent,Eno"!h that she en)in(le nole %ire,Eno"!h that she has li%te( #e on hi!h,An( %ro# the i!nole *row( has se+ere( #e0=ere his lo+e is entirel$ heroi* an( (i+ine, an( as s"*h,' wish it to e "n(erstoo( altho"!h he sa$s thatthro"!h it he is s"@e*t to #an$ &an!s, e+er$ lo+er who

is se&arate( %ro# the thin! lo+e( Mto whi*h ein! @oine($ a%%e*tion he wo"l( also wish to e a*t"all$, ein! inan!"ish an( &ain, he tor#ents hi#sel%, not %orsoothe*a"se he lo+es, sin*e he %eels his lo+e is en!a!e(#ost worthil$ an( #ost nol$, "t e*a"se he %eels(e&ri+e( o% that %r"ition whi*h he wo"l( otain i% hearri+e( at that en( to whi*h he ten(s0 =e s"%%ers, not%ro# the (esire whi*h ani#ates hi#, "t %ro# the

(i%%i*"lt$ in the *"lti+ation o% it whi*h so tort"res hi#0Others estee# hi# "nha&&$ thro"!h this a&&earan*e


63/153

o% an e+il (estin$, as ein! *on(e#ne( to these &an!s,%or he will ne+er *ease %ro# a*)nowle(!in! theoli!ation he is "n(er to lo+e, nor *ease %ro# ren(erin!than)s to hi# e*a"se he has &resente(

9! 83;

e%ore the e$es o% his #in( s"*h an intelli!ile*on*e&tion thro"!h whi*h, in this earthl$ li%e, sh"t inthis &rison o% the %lesh, wra&&e( in these ner+es an(s"&&orte( $ these ones, it is &er#itte( to hi# to*onte#&late the (i+init$ in a #ore s"itale #anner

than i% other *on*e&tions an( si#ilit"(es than theseha( o%%ere( the#sel+es0

Ci*0 The (i+ine an( li+in! o@e*t, then, o% whi*h hes&ea)s, is the hi!hest intelli!ile *on*e&tion that hehas een ale to %or# to hi#sel% o% the (i+init$, an( isnot so#e *or&oreal ea"t$ whi*h #i!ht o+ersha(ow histho"!ht an( a&&ear s"&er%i*iall$ to the senses0

Tans0 E+en so e*a"se no tan!ile thin! nor*on*e&tion o% s"*h *an raise itsel% to so #"*h (i!nit$0

Ci*0 Wh$, then, (oes he #ention that *on*e&tion as theo@e*t, i%, as a&&ears to #e, the tr"e o@e*t is the(i+init$ itsel%

Tans0 The (i+init$ is the %inal o@e*t, the "lti#ate an(#ost &er%e*t, "t not in this state, where we *annot see

Go( e


64/153

an( a%%e*tion %or e+er$ other thin! sense%"l as well asintelle*t"al, e*a"se this, *on@oine( to that li!ht, itsel%also e*o#es li!ht, an( in *onse"en*e e*o#es a!o( e*a"se it *ontra*ts the (i+init$ into itsel%, it ein!in Go( thro"!h the intention with whi*h it &enetratesinto the (i+init$ so %ar as it *an, an( Go( ein! in it, sothat a%ter &enetratin!, it *o#es to *on*ei+e, an( so %aras it *an, re*ei+e an( *o#&rehen( the (i+init$ in its*on*e&tion0 Now in s"*h *on*e&tions an( si#ilit"(esthe h"#an intelle*t o% this lower worl( no"rishes itsel%,till s"*h ti#e as it will e law%"l to ehol( with &"rere$e the ea"t$ o% the (i+init$0 As ha&&ens to hi#, who,asore( in the *onte#&lation o% so#e elaoratear*hite*t"ral wor), !oes on e


65/153

si#ilarl$ thro"!h the intelle*t"al o&eration, an( the will*onse"ent "&on s"*h o&eration, it a!rees with itsri!ht an( eati%i* o@e*t0 .itl$, there%ore, this ra&t"reo% heroi* enth"sias# %ee(s on s"*h -hi!h e#&rise0- .orthe o@e*t is in%inite, an( in a*tion #ost si#&le, an( o"rintelle*t"al &ower *annot a&&rehen( the in%inite e


66/153

state, *annot (esire nor otain !reater &er%e*tion thanthat in whi*h we are, when o"r intelle*t, $ #eans o%so#e nole an( intelli!ile *on*e&tion, "nites itsel%either to the s"stan*e o% thin!s ho&e(

9! 84;

%or, as those sa$, or to the (i+ine #in(, as it is the%ashion to sa$ o% the latonists0 .or the &resent, ' willlea+e reasonin! ao"t the so"l, or #an in another stateor #o(e o% ein! than he *an %in( hi#sel% or elie+ehi#sel% to e in0

Ci*0 /"t what &er%e*tion or satis%a*tion *an #an %in( inthat )nowle(!e whi*h is not &er%e*t

Tans0 't will ne+er e &er%e*t, so %ar as "n(erstan(in!the hi!hest o@e*t is *on*erne( "t in so %ar as o"rintelle*t *an "n(erstan( it0 Let it s"%%i*e that in this an(other states there e &resent to hi# the (i+ine ea"t$so %ar as the hori?on o% his +ision e


67/153

Sin*e ' ha+e s&rea( #$ win!s to #$ (esire,The #ore ' %eel the air eneath #$ %eet,So #"*h the #ore towar(s the win( ' en($ swi%test &inions,An( s&"rn the worl( an( "& towar(s hea+en ' !o0Not the sa( %ate o% Dae(al"sBs sonDoes warn #e to t"rn (ownwar(s,/"t e+er hi!her will ' rise0Well (o ' see, ' shall %all (ea( to earth/"t what li%e is there *an *o#&are with this #$ (eathO"t on the air #$ heartBs +oi*e (o ' hear-Whither (ost tho" *arr$ #e, tho" %earless one

T"rn a*)0 S"*h o+er6ol(ness rarel$ !rie% es*a&es0--.ear not the "t#ost r"in then,- ' sai(,-Clea+e *on%i(ent the *lo"(s an( (ie *ontent,

That hea+en has (estine( thee to s"*h ill"strio"s(eath0-Ci*0 ' "n(erstan( when $o" sa$ -Eno"!h that tho" hastli%te( #e on hi!h- "t not -An( %ro# the i!nole*row( hast se+ere( #e- "nless it #eans his ha+in!*o#e o"t %ro# the latoni* !roo+e on a**o"nt o% thest"&i( an( low *on(ition o% the *row( %or those that%in( &ro%it in this *onte#&lation *annot e n"#ero"s0

Tans0 Tho" "n(erstan(est well "t tho" #a$st also"n(erstan(, $ the -i!nole *row(,- the o($, an(sens"al *o!nition, %ro# whi*h he #"st arise an( %reehi#sel% who wo"l( "nite with a nat"re o% a *ontrar$

)in(0

9! 8F;

Ci*0 The latonists sa$ there are two )in(s o% )notswhi*h lin) the so"l to the o($0 One is a *ertain+i+i%$in! a*tion whi*h %ro# the so"l (es*en(s into theo($, li)e a ra$ the other is a *ertain +ital "alit$,whi*h is &ro("*e( %ro# that a*tion in the o($0 Now

this a*ti+e an( #ost nole n"#er, whi*h is the so"l, in


68/153

what wa$ (o $o" "n(erstan( that it #a$ e se+ere(%ro# the i!nole n"#er, whi*h is the o($

Tans0 Certainl$ it was not "n(erstoo( a**or(in! to an$

o% these #o(es, "t a**or(in! to that #o(e where$those &owers whi*h are not *o#&rehen(e( an(i#&risone( in the wo# o% #atter, so#eti#es as i%ineriate( an( st"&e%ie(, %in( that the$ also areo**"&ie( in the %or#ation o% #atter an( in the+i+i%i*ation o% the o($ then, as i% awa)ene( an(ro"!ht to the#sel+es, re*o!ni?in! its &rin*i&le an(!eni"s, the$ t"rn towar(s s"&erior thin!s an( %or*e

the#sel+es on the intelli!ile worl( as to their nati+eao(e, an( %ro# then*e, thro"!h their *on+ersion toin%erior thin!s, the$ are thr"st into the %ate an(*on(itions o% !eneration0 These two i#&"lses ares$#oli?e( in the two )in(s o% #eta#or&hosise


69/153

thin!s lower the#sel+es to thin!s in%erior, an(, $ theirown e


70/153

i#a!ination is one in #o+e#ent an( in (i+ersit$ the#in( alwa$s "n(erstan(s one, as the i#a!ination isalwa$s in+entin! %or itsel% +ario"s i#a!es0 'n the #i(stis the

9! 85;

rational %a*"lt$, whi*h is a #i


71/153

!oo( an( heroi* intelle*t, whi*h (e+otes itsel% to thest"($ o% its own o@e*t, whi*h is the &ri#al +erit$, orasol"te tr"th0 Now the %irst (is*o"rse hol(s the s"# o%this an( the intention, the or(er o% whi*h is (es*rie( in%i+e others %ollowin!

180

To the woo(s, the #asti%%s an( the !re$ho"n(s $o"n!A*ton lea(s,When (estin$ (ire*ts hi# into the (o"t%"l an(ne!le*te( wa$,

&on the tra*) o% sa+a!e easts in %orests wil(0An( here, etween the waters, he sees a "st an( %a*e#ore ea"ti%"l than eBer was seen/$ #ortal or (i+ine, o% s*arlet, alaaster, an( %ine !ol(=e sees, an( the !reat h"nter strai!ht e*o#es thatwhi*h he h"nts0

The sta!, that towar(s still thi*)er sha(es now !oeswith li!hter ste&s,

9! 51;=is own !reat (o!s swi%tl$ (e+o"r0So ' e


72/153

an( o% wa+erin! enth"sias#0 'n the (o"t%"l roa( o%"n*ertain an( (istorte( reason>a (is&osition assi!ne(to the *hara*ter o% $tha!oras>where $o" see the#ost thorn$, "n*"lti+ate(, an( (eserte( to e the ri!htan( (i%%i*"lt &ath, where he lets loose the !re$ho"n(san( the #asti%%s "&on the tra*) o% sa+a!e easts, thatis, the intelli!ile )in(s o% i(eal *on*e&tions, whi*h areo**"lt, %ollowe( $ %ew, +isite( "t rarel$, an( whi*h (onot (is*lose the#sel+es to

9! 5:;

all those who see) the#0 =ere, a#on!st the waters,>that is, in the #irror o% si#ilit"(e, in those wor)s whereshines the ri!htness o% (i+ine !oo(ness an(s&len(o"r, whi*h wor)s are s$#oli?e( $ the waterss"&erior an( in%erior, whi*h are ao+e an( elow the%ir#a#ent, he sees the #ost ea"ti%"l "st an( %a*e>that is, e


73/153

into itsel%0

9! 52;

Ci*0 ' "n(erstan(0 =e %or#s intelli!ile *on*e&tions inhis own wa$ an( &ro&ortions the# to his *a&a*it$, sothat the$ are re*ei+e( a**or(in! to the #anner o% there*i&ient0

Tans0 An( (oes he h"nt thro"!h the o&eration o% thewill, $ the a*t o% whi*h he *on+erts hi#sel% into theo@e*t

Ci*0 As ' "n(erstan( e*a"se lo+e trans%or#s an(*on+erts into the thin! lo+e(0

Tans0 Well (ost tho" )now that the intelle*t learnsthin!s intelli!il$>*/e/, in its own wa$, an( the will&"rs"es thin!s nat"rall$, that is, a**or(in! to thereason that is in the#sel+es0 So A*ton with thosetho"!hts>those (o!s>whi*h h"nte( o"tsi(ethe#sel+es %or !oo(ness, wis(o#, an( ea"t$, th"s*a#e into the &resen*e o% the sa#e, an( ra+ishe( o"to% hi#sel% $ so #"*h s&len(o"r, he e*a#e the &re$,saw hi#sel% *on+erte( into that %or whi*h he wassee)in!, an( &er*ei+e(, that o% his (o!s or tho"!hts, hehi#sel% *a#e to e the lon!e(6%or &re$ %or ha+in!asore( the (i+init$ into hi#sel% it was not ne*essar$to sear*h o"tsi(e hi#sel% %or it0

Ci*0 .or this reason it is sai( -the )in!(o# o% =ea+en isin "s- (i+init$ (wells within thro"!h the re%or#e(intelle*t an( will0

9! 54;

Tans0 't is so0 See then, A*ton h"nte( $ his own (o!s>&"rs"e( $ his own tho"!hts>r"ns an( (ire*ts theseno+el &a*es, in+i!orate( so as to &ro*ee( (i+inel$ an(-#ore easil$,- that is, with !reater %a*ilit$ an( with


74/153

re%reshe( +i!o"r -towar(s the (enser &la*es,- to the(eserts an( the re!ion o% thin!s in*o#&rehensile0.ro# ein! s"*h as he %irst was, a *o##on or(inar$#an, he e*o#es rare an( heroi*, his haits an( i(easare stran!e, an( he lea(s an "n"s"al li%e0 =ere his!reat (o!s -!i+e hi# (eath,- an( th"s en(s his li%ea**or(in! to the #a(, sens"al, lin(, an( %antasti*worl(, an( he e!ins to li+e intelle*t"all$ he li+es theli%e o% the !o(s, %e( on a#rosia an( (r"n) with ne*tar0

Ne


75/153

e


76/153

At e+er$ ho"r ' *all hi# a*) $ tho"!htsA reel he, li)e !er%al*on insane,=e %eels no #ore the han( that (i( restrain,An( is !one %orth not to ret"rn a!ain0

Tho" ea"teo"s east that (ost in &"nish#entKnit "& the so"l, s&irit an( heart *ontentBstWith &ri*)s, with li!htnin!s, an( with *hainsP

9! 57;

.ro# loo)s, %ro# a**ents, an( %ro# "sa!es,Whi*h %aint an( "rn an( )ee& thee o"n(,Where shall he that heals, that *ools, an( loosens theee %o"n(

=ere the so"l, sorrow%"l, not %ro# real (is*ontent, "ton a**o"nt o% &ains whi*h she s"%%ers, (ire*ts the(is*o"rse to those who are a%%e*te( $ &assions si#ilarto her own as i% she ha( not o% her own %ree will an( o%her own (esire (is#isse( her heart, whi*h !oes r"nnin!whither it *annot arri+e, stret*hes o"t to that whi*h it*annot rea*h, an( tries to en%ol( that whi*h it *annot*o#&rehen(, an( with this, e*a"se he +ainl$

se&arates %ro# her, e+er #ore an( #ore !oes onas&irin! towar(s the in%inite0

Ci*0 When*e *o#es it, oh Tansillo, that the so"l in s"*h&ro!ression (eli!hts in its own tor#ents When*e*o#es that s&"r whi*h "r!es it e+er e$on( that whi*hit &ossesses

Tans0 .ro# this, whi*h ' will tell thee now0 The intelle*tein! (e+elo&e( to the *o#&rehension o% a *ertain(e%inite an( s&e*i%i* %or#, an( the will to a lo+e*o##ens"rate with s"*h *o#&rehension the intelle*t(oes not sto& there, "t $ its own li!ht it is &ro#&te(to thin) o% this that it *ontains within itsel% the !er# o%e+er$thin! intelli!ile an( (esirale, "ntil it *o#es to*o#&rehen( with the

9! 58;


77/153

intelle*t the (e&th o% the %o"ntain o% i(eas, the o*ean o%e+er$ tr"th an( !oo(ness0 So that it ha&&ens, thatwhate+er *on*e&tion is &resente( to the #in(, an(e*o#es "n(erstoo( $ it, %ro# that whi*h is so&resente( an( *o#&rehen(e( it @"(!es, that ao+e it, isother !reater an( !reater, an( %in(s itsel% e+er in a*ertain wa$ (is*o"rsin! an( #o+in! with it0 /e*a"se itsees that all whi*h it &ossesses is onl$ a li#ite( thin!,an( there%ore *annot e s"%%i*ient o% itsel%, nor !oo( o%itsel%, nor ea"ti%"l o% itsel% e*a"se it is not the"ni+ersal nor the asol"te entit$ "t *ontra*te( intoein! this nat"re, this s&e*ies, this %or#, re&resente( tothe intelle*t an( &resent to the so"l0 Then %ro# theea"ti%"l that is "n(erstoo(, an( *onse"entl$ li#ite(,an( there%ore ea"ti%"l thro"!h &arti*i&ation, it&ro!resses towar(s that whi*h is reall$ ea"ti%"l, whi*hhas no #ar!in, nor an$ o"n(aries0

Ci*0 This &ro!ression a&&ears to #e "seless0

Tans0 Not so0 .or it is not nat"ral nor s"itale that thein%inite e restri*te(, nor !i+e itsel% (e%initel$, %or itwo"l( not then e in%inite0 To e in%inite, it #"st ein%initel$ &"rs"e( with that %or# o% &"rs"it whi*h is notin*ite( &h$si*all$, "t #eta&h$si*all$, an( is not %ro#i#&er%e*t to &er%e*t, "t !oes *ir*"latin! thro"!h the!ra(es o% &er%e*tion to

9! 55;

arri+e at that in%inite *entre whi*h is not %or#, an( isnot %or#e(0

Ci*0 ' sho"l( li)e to )now how, $ *ir*"#a#"latin!,one is to arri+e at the *entre

Tans0 ' *annot )now that0

Ci*0 Wh$ (o $o" sa$ it


78/153

Tans0 ' *an sa$ it, an( lea+e it to $o" to *onsi(er0

Ci*0 '% $o" (o not #ean that he who &"rs"es the in%initeis li)e hi# who tal)s ao"t the *ir*"#%eren*e when he

is see)in! %or the *entre, ' (o not )now what $o" #ean0

Tans0 "ite the *ontrar$0

Ci*0 Now i% $o" will not e


79/153

Ci*0 ' &er*ei+e that tho" sa$est tr"l$0 Now tell #e whatare the &ri*)s, the li!htnin!s, an( the *hains

Tans0 ri*)s are those e


80/153

War# with the %la#e o% (o#esti*it$,An( with stron! re&ression !"ar( th$ si!ht,

That stran!ers )ee& thee not *o#&anione( with #$heartAt least rin! news o% that,Whi*h "nto hi# is s"*h (eli!ht an( @o$0=ere he (es*ries the nat"ral soli*it"(e o% the attenti+eso"l on the s"@e*t, o% its in*lination towar(s!eneration, whi*h it has *ontra*te( with #atter0 She(is&at*hes the ar#e( tho"!hts, whi*h, soli*ite( an("r!e( $ (isa!ree#ent with the in%erior nat"re,

9! 13:;

are sent to re*all the heart0 The so"l instr"*ts the#how the$ sho"l( *on("*t the#sel+es, so that, ein!all"re( an( attra*te( $ the o@e*t, the$ (o not e*o#ein("*e( to re#ain, the$ also, *a&ti+e an( *o#&anionso% the heart0 She sa$s, then, the$ are to ar#the#sel+es with lo+e, with that lo+e that is %ire( $ the

(o#esti* %la#e that is, the %rien( o% !eneration, towho# the$ are o"n(, an( in whose @"ris(i*tion,#inistr$, an( war%are the$ %in( the#sel+es0 Anon sheor(ers the# to re&ress their e$esi!ht an( to *lose theire$es, so that the$ #a$ not ehol( other ea"t$ or!oo(ness than that whi*h is &resent, %rien( an(#other an( *on*l"(es at last with this, that i% no otherreason will *a"se the# to ret"rn, the$ sho"l( at least

(o so, to !i+e a**o"nt o% the (is*o"rse an( o% the stateo% the heart0

Ci*0 /e%ore $o" &ro*ee( %"rther, ' wo"l( "n(erstan(%ro# $o" what is that whi*h the so"l #eans when shetells the tho"!hts to re&ress the si!ht +i!oro"sl$0

Tans0 ' will tell thee0 All lo+e &ro*ee(s %ro# seein!intelli!ent lo+e, %ro# seein! intelli!entl$ sens"o"s

lo+e, %ro# seein! sens"o"sl$0 Now this seein! has two#eanin!s either it #eans the +is"al &ower, that is the


81/153

si!ht, whi*h is the intelle*t, or tr"l$ the sense or it#eans the a*t o% that &ower,

9! 132;

that is, that a&&li*ation whi*h the e$e or the intelle*t#a)es to the #aterial or intelle*t"al o@e*t0 When thetho"!hts are *o"nselle( to re&ress the si!ht, it is notthe %irst, "t the se*on(, #o(e that is #eant, e*a"sethat is the %ather o% the s"se"ent a%%e*tion o% thesens"o"s or intelle*t"al (esire0

Ci*0 This is what ' wishe( to hear %ro# $o"0 Now, i% the

a*t o% the +is"al &ower is the *a"se o% the e+il or !oo(whi*h &ro*ee( %ro# seein!, when*e *o#es it that inthin!s (i+ine we ha+e #ore lo+e than )nowle(!e

Tans0 We (esire to see, e*a"se in so#e wa$ we&er*ei+e the +al"e o% seein!0 We are aware that,thro"!h the a*t o% seein!, ea"ti%"l thin!s o%%erthe#sel+es to "s an( there%ore we (esire ea"ti%"l

thin!s0

Ci*0 We (esire the ea"ti%"l an( the !oo( "t seein! isnot ea"ti%"l nor !oo( rather is it the to"*hstone orli!ht $ whi*h we see, not onl$ the ea"ti%"l an( !oo(,"t also the e+il an( a(0 There%ore it see#s to #e thatseein! #a$ e e"all$ ea"ti%"l or !oo(, as the thin!seen #a$ e white or la*)0 '%, then, the si!ht, whi*h is

an a*t, is not ea"ti%"l nor !oo(, how *an it %all into(esire

Tans0 '% not %or itsel%, $et *ertainl$ %or so#e

9! 134;

other reason, it is (esire(, seein! that there *an e noa&&rehension o% that other witho"t it0

Ci*0 What wilt tho" sa$, i% that other is not within the)nowle(!e o% the senses nor o% the intelle*t =ow, '


82/153

sa$, *an that e (esire( whi*h is not seen, i% there is no)nowle(!e whate+er o% it>i% towar(s it neither theintelle*t nor the sense has e


83/153

sensil$ or intelli!entl$ re&resente(, whi*h o% itsel%#o+es "s e*a"se while one stan(s ehol(in! the%i!"re #ani%este( to the e$es, he (oes not $et arri+e atlo+in! "t %ro# that instant that the so"l *on*ei+eswithin itsel% that %i!"re, not +isile, "t thin)ale nolon!er (i+i("al, "t in(i+i("al no lon!er *lasse( a#on!thin!s in !eneral, "t a#on! thin!s !oo( an( ea"ti%"lthen i##e(iatel$ lo+e is orn0 Now this is the seein!,%ro# whi*h the so"l (esires to (i+ert the e$es o% hertho"!hts0 =ere the si!ht "s"all$ #o+es the a%%e*tion toa !reater lo+e than the lo+e o% that whi*h is

9! 13F;

seen %or, as ' ha+e @"st sai(, it alwa$s *onsi(ers,thro"!h the "ni+ersal )nowle(!e that it hol(s o% theea"ti%"l an( the !oo(, that, esi(es the (e!rees o%)nown *on*e&tions o% !oo(ness an( ea"t$, there areothers an( $et others $% *)"*)*t(m0

Ci*0 =ow is it that a%ter we e*o#e in%or#e( o% that

*on*e&tion o% the ea"ti%"l whi*h is e!otten in theso"l, we $et (esire to satis%$ the e


84/153

Ci*0 ' "n(erstan( +er$ well0 Now *ontin"e to "n%ol(what ha&&ens to these tho"!hts0

9! 137;

Tans0 Now %ollows the (isa!ree#ent etween the#other an( the a%oresai( *hil(ren, who ha+in!,*ontrar$ to her or(ers, o&ene( their e$es, an(, ha+in!%i


85/153


86/153


87/153

Ah, (o!s o% A*ton, ah, &ro"( in!ratesPWho# to the ao(e o% #$ (i+init$ ' sentWitho"t ho&e (o $e ret"rn to #eAn(, *o#in! to the #otherBs si(e, $e rin!/a*) "nto #e a too "nha&&$ oon

Ye #an!le #e, an( will that ' li+e not09! 111;

Lea+e #e, li%e, that ' #a$ #o"nt "& to #$ s"n,A (o"le strea#let, #a(, witho"t #$ %o"ntPWhen shall this &on(ero"s #ass o% #e (issol+eWhen shall it e, that, ta)in! #$sel% hen*e,An( swi%tl$ risin! to the hei!hts ao+e,

To!ether with #$ heart ' #a$ ai(e,An( with #$ tho"!hts ' #a$ e (ei%ie(

The latonists sa$ that the so"l, as to its s"&erior &art,alwa$s *onsists in the intelle*t, in whi*h it has #ore o%"n(erstan(in! than o% so"l, seein! that it is *alle( so"lonl$ in so %ar as it +i+i%ies the o($ an( s"stains it0 Sohere, the sa#e essen*e whi*h no"rishes an( #aintainsthe tho"!hts on hi!h, to!ether with the ethat is, to thestar, when*e it &ro*ee(s, an( has its e!innin!, an( is(i%%"se(, an( in whi*h it has its own an( ori!inals"sisten*e>so the so"l, whi*h is in the hori?on o%Nat"re, is *or&oreal an( in*or&oreal, an( *ontains thatwith whi*h it rises to s"&erior

9! 11:;

thin!s an( (e*lines to thin!s in%erior0 An( this, $o" #a$


88/153

&er*ei+e, (oes not ha&&en $ reason an( or(er o% lo*al#otion, "t solel$ thro"!h the i#&"lse o% one an( o%another &ower or %a*"lt$0 As when the sense rises tothe i#a!ination, the i#a!ination to the reason, thereason to the intelle*t, the intelle*t to the #in(, thenthe whole so"l is *on+erte( into Go(, an( inhaits theintelli!ile worl( when*e, on the other han(, she(es*en(s in an in+erse #anner to the worl( o% %eelin!,thro"!h the intelle*t, reason, i#a!ination, sense,+e!etation0

Ci*0 't is tr"e that ' ha+e hear( that the so"l, in or(er to

&"t itsel% in the "lti#ate (e!ree o% (i+ine thin!s,(es*en(s into the #ortal o($, an( %ro# this !oes "&a!ain to the (i+ine (e!rees, whi*h are three (e!rees o%intelli!en*e0 .or there are others in whi*h theintelle*t"al s"r&asses the ani#al, whi*h are sai( to ethe *elestial intelli!en*es an( others in whi*h theani#al s"r&asses the intelle*t"al, whi*h are the h"#anintelli!en*es others there are, o% whi*h those thin!s

are e"al, as those o% (e#ons or heroes0

Tans0 The #in( then *annot (esire e


89/153

#aterial *on@"n*tion o% the so"l, to raise itsel% to the*onte#&lation o% another state, to whi*h the so"l #a$arri+e, *o#&arin! the two, an( so thro"!h the %"t"re(es&ise the &resent0 '% a east ha( a sense o% the(i%%eren*e whi*h e


90/153

an(, as it were, &"r&oseless0

Ci*0 Th"s a *ertain theolo!ian, who was sai( to etrans&orte( to the thir( hea+en an( en*hante( with the

+iew o% it, sai( that what he (esire( was the (issol"tiono% his o($0

9! 11;

Tans0 So %irst *o#&lainin! o% the heart an( "arrellin!with the tho"!hts, she now (esires to rise on hi!h withthe#, an( e


91/153

tho" o"!htest to learn that (o*trine ta)en %ro# the$tha!oreans an( latonists, whi*h is, that the so"l#a)es the two &ro!ressions o% as*ent an( (es*ent, $the *are that it has o% itsel% an( o% #atter ein! #o+e($ its own &ro&er lo+e o% !oo(, an( ein! "r!e( $ the&ro+i(en*e o% %ate0

Ci*0 /"t, &r$thee, tell #e rie%l$ what $o" #ean ao"tthe so"l o% the worl(, i% she *an neither as*en( nor(es*en(

Tans0 '% $o" as) o% the worl(, a**or(in! to the *o##on

si!ni%i*ation>that is, in so %ar as it si!ni%ies what is*alle( the "ni+erse>' sa$ that, ein! in%inite, it has no(i#ension or #eas"re, is i##oile, inani#ate, an(witho"t %or#, notwithstan(in! it is the &la*e o% in%inite#o+in! worl(s an( is in%inite s&a*e, in whi*h are so#an$ lar!e ani#als that are *alle( stars0 '% $o" as)a**or(in! to the si!ni%i*ation hel( $ the tr"e&hiloso&hers>that is, in so %ar as it si!ni%ies e+er$

!loe, e+er$ star, s"*h as this earth, the o($ o% thes"n, #oon, an( others>' sa$ that s"*h so"l (oes notas*en( nor (es*en(, "t t"rns in a *ir*le0 Th"s, ein!*o#&o"n(e( o% s"&erior an( in%erior &owers, with thes"&erior it t"rns ro"n( the (i+init$, an( with thein%erior, towar(s the #ass o% the worl(s, whi*h is $ it+i+i%ie( an( #aintaine( etween the tro&i*s o%!eneration an(

9! 117;

the *orr"&tion o% li+in! thin!s in those worl(s, ser+in!its own li%e eternall$ e*a"se the a*t o% the (i+ine&ro+i(en*e, alwa$s &reser+es it with (i+ine heat an(li!ht, with the sa#e or(er an( #eas"re, in the or(inar$an( sel%6sa#e ein!0

Ci*0 ' ha+e now hear( eno"!h "&on this s"@e*t0


92/153

Tans0 't ha&&ens then that in(i+i("al so"ls *o#e to ein%l"en*e( (i%%erentl$ as to their haits an( in*linations,a**or(in! to the (i+erse (e!rees o% as*ension an((es*ension, an( *o#e to (is&la$ +ario"s )in(s an(or(ers o% enth"sias#s, o% lo+es, an( o% senses, not onl$in the s*ale o% Nat"re a**or(in! to the or(ers o% (i+erseli+es whi*h the so"l ta)es "& in (i%%erent o(ies, as ise


93/153


94/153

o+er*o#e, no error assail OhP i% $ %or*e he #a$ arri+ethere, at that hei!ht whi*h he is waitin! to rea*h, hewill re#ain on hi!h, at the ele+ation o% his o@e*t, an(he will ta)e that !oo(

9! 1:3;

that *annot e *o#&rehen(e( $ an$ other than one,that is, $ hi#sel%, seein! that e+er$ other has it in the#eas"re o% his own *a&a*it$, an( this one alone has itin all its %"lness0 Then will ha&&iness *o#e to #e in that#anner whi*h he sa$s, -who all %oretells- that is, at

that ele+ation in whi*h the sa$in! all an( the (oin! allis the sa#e thin! in that #anner that he sa$s an( (oeswho all %oretells, that is, who is s"%%i*ient %or all thin!san( &ri#ar$, an( whose wor( an( &re6or(ainin! is thetr"e (oin! an( e!innin!0 This is how, in the s*ale o%thin!s s"&erior an( in%erior, the a%%e*tion o% Lo+e&ro*ee(s, as the intelle*t or senti#ent &ro*ee(s %ro#these intelli!ile or )nowale o@e*ts, to those, or %ro#

those to these0Ci*0 Th"s the !reater n"#er o% sa!es elie+e thatNat"re (eli!hts in this *han!e%"l *ir*"lation whi*h isseen in the whirlin! o% her wheel0

9! 1:1;

Fi't& Dialo!".

'0

Ci*0 Now show #e how ' #a$ e ale %or #$sel% to*onsi(er the *on(itions o% these enth"siasts, thro"!hthat whi*h a&&ears in the or(er o% the war%are here(es*rie(0

Tans0 /ehol( how the$ *arr$ the ensi!n o% their


95/153

a%%e*tions or %ort"nes0 Let "s lea+e the *onsi(eration o%their na#es an( haits eno"!h that we stan( "&on the#eanin! o% the "n(erta)in! an( the intelli!iilit$ o% thewritin!, ali)e that whi*h is &"t %or the %or# o% the o($o% the %i!"re, as well as that whi*h is #ostl$ &"t as anel"*i(ation o% the "n(erta)in!0

Ci*0 Th"s will we (o0 =ere then is the %irst, who *arries ashiel( (i+i(e( into %o"r *olo"rs, an( in the *rest is(e&i*te( a %la#e "n(er the hea( o% ron?e, %ro# theholes in whi*h, iss"e in !reat %or*e a s#o)$ win(, an(ao"t it is written -At re!na senser"nt tria0-

9! 1::;

Tans0 .or the e


96/153


97/153

Ci*0 ' &er*ei+e that the inter&retation o% it will e(i%%i*"lt0

Tans0 The #ore e


98/153

:F0

When as the s"n towar(s Ca&ri*orn (e*lines,Then (o the rains enri*h the strea#s,

As towar(s the line he !oes, or then*e ret"rns,ore %elt is ea*h olian #essen!er,War#in! the #ore with e+er$ len!thenin! (a$What ti#e towar(s "rnin! Can*er he re#o"nts0An( e"al to this heat, this *ol(, this ?ealAre these #$ tears, #$ si!hs, the ar(o"r that ' %eel0$ *onstant si!hs, #$ ne+er wanin! %la#esAre onl$ e"al to #$ tears0

$ %loo(s an( %la#es howeBer intense the$ e,Are ne+er #ore so than #$ si!hs' "rn with %er+i( heat,An(, %ir#l$ %i


99/153

Ci*0 What (oes that #ean

Tans0 't #eans that enth"siast, si!ni%ie( $ the na)e(*hil( as si#&le, &"re, an( ethat is, ' "il(an( "&hol( $o" there with

9! 1:7;

#$ tho"!ht, an( $o" "&hol( #e here with ho&e $o"wo"l( not e in e


100/153

Oh ha&&$ then #$ &ains, ha&&$ #$ (eath0The ar(o"r o% those %la#es she (oes not %eel,Nor is she hin(ere( $ those snares

9! 1:8;

With whi*h, oh o$P tho"Brt wont to ensla+eAn( lea( into *a&ti+it$ oth #en an( !o(s/$ &it$Bs han( alone, oh Lo+e,/$ showin! all #$ woe, tho" shalt &re+ail0Ci*0 =e shows that whi*h %ee(s his %an*$ an( athes hiss&irit $et, inas#"*h as he is witho"t *o"ra!e to e


101/153

inno*entl$ an( a#i*al$ to #eet its (eath in the(e+o"rin! %la#es0 Th"s, -hostis- stan(s written %or thee%%e*t o% the %ire -non hostis- %or the in*lination o% the%l$0 -=ostis,- the %l$ &assi+el$ -non hostis,- a*ti+el$0-=ostis,- the %la#e, thro"!h its ar(o"r -non hostis,-thro"!h its s&len(o"r0

Ci*0 Now what is that whi*h is written on the talet

Tans0

:80

/e it %ar %ro# #e to #a)e *o#&laint o% lo+e,Lo+e, witho"t who# ' will not ha&&$ e,An( tho"!h thro"!h hi# these wear$ toils ' ear0

Yet what is !i+en #$ will shall not re@e*t0/e *lear the s)$ or (ar), "rnin! or *ol(,

To that one &h9oe;ni< eBer the sa#e 'Bll e,No %ate nor (estin$ *an eBer "ntie

That )not whi*h (eath "nale is to loose

To heart, to s&irit, an( to so"l,No &leas"re is, no liert$, no li%e,No s#ile, no ra&t"re, no (eli!ht,So sweet, so !rate%"l, so (i+ine,As these har( on(s, this (eath o% #ine,

To whi*h $ %ate, $ will, $ nat"re ' in*line0=ere, in the %i!"re, he shows the rese#lan*e

9! 123;

etween the enth"siast an( the "tter%l$ attra*te(towar(s the li!ht in the sonnet, howe+er, he(e#onstrates rather (i%%eren*e an( (issi#ilarit$ as it is*o##onl$ elie+e(, that i% the "tter%l$ %oresaw its(estr"*tion, it wo"l( %l$ %ro# the li!ht #ore ea!erl$than it now &"rs"es it, an( wo"l( *onsi(er it an e+il tolose its li%e thro"!h ein! asore( into that hostile

%ire0 /"t to hi# Mthe enth"siast it is no less &leasin! to


102/153

&erish in the %

Documents

The Heroic Enthusiasts (1 of 2) Giordano Bruno.rtf