indeed, in their essential selves, but inasmuch as without further assistance the beholder’s eyes could not see them as they were.  Dante rushed to the stream as eagerly as the lips of an infant to the breast, when it has slept beyond its time; and his eyelashes had no sooner touched it, than the length of the river became a breadth and a circle, and its real nature lay unveiled before him, like a face when a mask is taken off.  It was the whole two combined courts of Heaven, the angelical and the human, in circumference larger than would hold the sun, and all blazing beneath a light, which was reflected downwards in its turn upon the sphere of the Primum Mobile below it, the mover of the universe.  And as a green cliff by the water’s side seems to delight in seeing itself reflected from head to foot with all its verdure and its flowers; so, round about on all sides, upon thousands of thrones, the blessed spirits that once lived on earth sat beholding themselves in the light.  And yet even all these together formed but the lowest part of the spectacle, which ascended above them, tier upon tier, in the manner of an immeasurable rose,—­all dilating itself, doubling still and doubling, and all odorous with the praises of an ever-vernal sun.  Into the base of it, as into the yellow of the flower, with a dumb glance that yet promised to speak, Beatrice drew forward her companion, and said, “Behold the innumerable assemblage of the white garments!  Behold our city, how large its circuit!  Behold our seats, which are, nevertheless, so full, that few comers are wanted to fill them!  On that lofty one at which thou art looking, surmounted with the crown, and which shall be occupied before thou joinest this bridal feast, shall be seated the soul of the great Henry, who would fain set Italy right before she is prepared for it.[52] The blind waywardness of which ye are sick renders ye like the bantling who, while he is dying of hunger, kicks away his nurse.  And Rome is governed by one that cannot walk in the same path with such a man, whatever be the road.[53] But God will not long endure him.  He will be thrust down into the pit with Simon Magus; and his feet, when he arrives there, will thrust down the man of Alagna still lower.[54]”

In the form, then, of a white rose the blessed multitude of human souls lay manifest before the eyes of the poet; and now he observed, that the winged portion of the blest, the angels, who fly up with their wings nearer to Him that fills them with love, came to and fro upon the rose like bees; now descending into its bosom, now streaming back to the source of their affection.  Their faces were all fire, their wings golden, their garments whiter than snow.  Whenever they descended on the flower, they went from fold to fold, fanning their loins, and communicating the peace and ardour which they gathered as they gave.  Dante beheld all,—­every flight and action of the whole winged multitude,—­without let or shadow; for he stood in the region of light itself, and light has no obstacle where it is deservedly vouchsafed.