ancient and the new
      Postulates, that to thee are so conclusive,
      Why dost thou take them for the word divine?”
    And I:  “The proof, which shows the truth to me,
      Are the works subsequent, whereunto Nature
      Ne’er heated iron yet, nor anvil beat.” 
    ’Twas answered me:  “Say, who assureth thee
      That those works ever were? the thing itself
      We wish to prove, nought else to thee affirms it.” 
    “Were the world to Christianity converted,”
      I said, “withouten miracles, this one
      Is such, the rest are not its hundredth part;
    For thou didst enter destitute and fasting
      Into the field to plant there the good plant,
      Which was a vine and has become a thorn!”
    This being finished, the high, holy Court
      Resounded through the spheres, “One God we praise!”
      In melody that there above is chanted. 
    And then that Baron, who from branch to branch, [115]
      Examining, had thus conducted me,
      Till the remotest leaves we were approaching,
    Did recommence once more:  “The Grace that lords it
      Over thy intellect thy mouth has opened,
      Up to this point, as it should opened be,
    So that I do approve what forth emerged;
      But now thou must express what thou believest,
      And whence to thy belief it was presented.” 
    “O holy father!  O thou spirit, who seest
      What thou believedst, so that thou o’ercamest,
      Towards the sepulchre, more youthful feet,” [126]
    Began I, “thou dost wish me to declare
      Forthwith the manner of my prompt belief,
      And likewise thou the cause thereof demandest. 
    And I respond:  In one God I believe,
      Sole and eterne, who all the heaven doth move,
      Himself unmoved, with love and with desire;
    And of such faith not only have I proofs
      Physical and metaphysical, but gives them
      Likewise the truth that from this place rains down
    Through Moses, through the Prophets and the Psalms,
      Through the Evangel, and through you, who wrote
      After the fiery Spirit sanctified you; [138]
    In Persons three eterne believe I, and these
      One essence I believe, so one and trine,
      They bear conjunction both with sunt and est. 
    With the profound conjunction and divine,
      Which now I touch upon, doth stamp my mind
      Ofttimes the doctrine evangelical. 
    This the beginning is, this is the spark
      Which afterwards dilates to vivid flame,
      And, like a star in heaven, is sparkling in me.” 
    Even as a lord, who hears what pleases him,
      His servant straight embraces, giving thanks
      For the good news, as soon as he is silent;
    So, giving me its benediction, singing,
      Three times encircled me, when I was silent,
      The apostolic light, at whose command
    I spoken had, in speaking I so pleased him.