“Between the two coasts of Italy,” said the spirit, “and not far from thine own country, the stony mountains ascend into a ridge so lofty that the thunder rolls beneath it.  Catria is its name.  Beneath it is a consecrated cell; and in that cell I was called Pietro Damiano.[31] I so devoted myself to the service of God, that with no other sustenance than the juice of the olive, I forgot both heat and cold, happy in heavenly meditation.  That cloister made abundant returns in its season to these granaries of the Lord; but so idle has it become now, that it is fit the world should know its barrenness.  The days of my mortal life were drawing to a close, when I was besought and drawn into wearing the hat which descends every day from bad head to worse.[32] St. Peter and St. Paul came lean and barefoot, getting their bread where they could; but pastors now-a-days must be lifted from the ground, and have ushers going before them, and train-bearers behind them, and ride upon palfreys covered with their spreading mantles, so that two beasts go under one skin.[33] O Lord, how long!”

At these words Dante saw more splendours come pouring down the ladder, and wheel round and round, and become at every wheel more beautiful.  The whole dazzling body then gathered round the indignant speaker, and shouted something in a voice so tremendous, that the poet could liken it to nothing on earth.  The thunder was so overwhelming, that he did not even hear what they said.[34]

Pallid and stunned, he turned in affright to Beatrice, who comforted him as a mother comforts a child that wants breath to speak.  The shout was prophetic of the vengeance about to overtake the Church.  Beatrice then directed hisattention to a multitude of small orbs, which increased one another’s beauty by interchanging their splendours.  They enclosed the spirits of those who most combined meditation with love.  One of them was Saint Benedict; and others Macarius and Romoaldo.[35] The light of St. Benedict issued forth from among its companions to address the poet; and after explaining how its occupant was unable farther to disclose himself, inveighed against the degeneracy of the religious orders.  It then rejoined its fellows, and the whole company clustering into one meteor, swept aloft like a whirlwind.  Beatrice beckoned the poet to ascend after them.  He did so, gifted with the usual virtue by her eyes; and found himself in the twin light of the Gemini, the constellation that presided over his birth.  He was now in the region of the fixed stars.

“Thou art now,” said his guide, “so near the summit of thy prayers, that it behoves thee to take a last look at things below thee, and see how little they should account in thine eyes.”  Dante turned his eyes downwards through all the seven spheres, and saw the earth so diminutive, that he smiled at its miserable appearance.  Wisest, thought he, is the man that esteems it least; and truly worthy he that sets his thoughts on the world to come.