# Paradise Canto 24

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-19 — 1 clipping.*

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> Christianity Index  Divine Comedy Index  Previous: Paradise Canto 23  Next: Paradise Canto 25  
> 
> Canto XXIV
> 
> Argument
> 
>      St. Peter examines Dante touching Faith, and is contented with his
> answers.
> 
> "O Ye! in chosen fellowship advanced
> To the great supper of the blessed Lamb,
> Whereon who feeds hath every wish fulfill'd;
> If to this man through God's grace be vouchsafed
> Foretaste of that, which from your table falls,
> Or ever death his fated term prescribe;
> Be ye not heedless of his urgent will:
> But may some influence of your sacred dews
> Sprinkle him. Of the fount ye always drink,
> Whence flows what most he craves." Beatrice spake;
> And the rejoicing spirits, like to spheres
> On firm - set poles revolving, trail'd a blaze
> Of comet splendour: and as wheels, that wind
> Their circles in the horologe, so work
> The stated rounds, that to the observant eye
> The first seems still, and as it flew, the last;
> E'en thus their carols weaving variously,
> They, by the measure paced, or swift, or slow,
> Made me to rate the riches of their joy.
> 
> From that, which I did note in beauty most
> Excelling, saw I issue forth a flame
> So bright, as none was left more goodly there.
> Round Beatrice thrice it wheel'd about,
> With so divine a song, that fancy's ear
> Records it not; and the pen passeth on,
> And leaves a blank: for that our mortal speech,
> Nor e'en the inward shaping of the brain,
> Hath colours fine enough to trace such folds.
> 
> "O saintly sister mine! thy prayer devout
> Is with so vehement affection urged,
> Thou dost unbind me from that beauteous sphere."
> 
> Such were the accents towards my lady breathed
> From that blest ardour, soon as it was stay'd;
> To whom she thus: "O everlasting light
> Of him, within whose mighty grasp our Lord
> Did leave the keys, which of this wondrous bliss
> He bare below! tent this man as thou wilt,
> With lighter probe or deep, touching the faith,
> By the which thou didst on the billows walk.
> If he in love, in hope, and in belief,
> Be steadfast, is not hid from thee: for thou
> Hast there thy ken, where all things are beheld
> In liveliest portraiture. But since true faith
> Has peopled this fair realm with citizens;
> Meet is, that to exalt its glory more,
> Thou, in his audience, shouldst thereof discourse."
> 
> Like to the bachelor, who arms himself,
> And speaks not, till the master have proposed
> The question, to approve, and not to end it;
> So I, in silence, arm'd me, while she spake,
> Summoning up each argument to aid;
> As was behoveful for such questioner,
> And such profession: "As good Christian ought,
> Declare thee, what is faith?" Whereat I raised
> My forehead to the light, whence this had breathed;
> Then turn'd to Beatrice; and in her looks
> Approval met, that from their inmost fount
> I should unlock the waters. "May the grace,
> That giveth me the captain of the Church
> For confessor," said I, "vouchsafe to me
> Apt utterance for my thoughts;" then added: "Sire!
> E'en as set down by the unerring style
> Of thy dear brother, who with thee conspired
> To bring Rome in unto the way of life,
> Faith of things hoped is substance, and the proof
> Of things not see; and herein doth consist
> Methinks its essence." - "Rightly hast thou deem'd,"
> Was answer'd; "if thou well discern, why first
> He hath defined it substance, and then proof."
> 
> "The deep things," I replied, "which here I scan
> Distinctly, are below from mortal eye
> So hidden, they have in belief alone
> Their being; on which credence, hope sublime
> Is built: and, therefore substance, it intends.
> And inasmuch as we must needs infer
> From such belief our reasoning, all respect
> To other view excluded; hence of proof
> The intention is derived." Forthwith I heard:
> "If thus, whate'er by learning men attain,
> Were understood; the sophist would want room
> To exercise his wit." So breathed the flame
> Of love; then added: "Current is the coin
> Thou utter'st, both in weight and in alloy.
> But tell me, if thou hast it in thy purse."
> 
> "Even so glittering and so round," said I,
> "I not a whit misdoubt of its assay."
> Next issued from the deep - imbosom'd splendour:
> "Say, whence the costly jewel, on the which
> Is founded every virtue, came to thee."
> 
> "The flood," I answer'd, "from the Spirit of God
> Rain'd down upon the ancient bond and new,[1] -
> Here is the reasoning that convinceth me
> So feelingly, each argument beside
> Seems blunt and forceless in comparison."
> Then heard I: "Wherefore holdest thou that each,
> The elder proposition and the new,
> Which so persuade thee, are the voice of Heaven?"
> 
> [1: "The ancient bond and new." The Old and New Testaments.]
> 
> "The works, that follow'd, evidence their truth,"
> I answer'd: "Nature did not make for these
> The iron hot, or on her anvil mould them."
> 
> "Who voucheth to thee of the works themselves,"
> Was the reply, "that they in very deed
> Are that they purport? None hath sworn so to thee."
> 
> "That all the world," said I, "should have been turn'd
> To Christian, and no miracle been wrought,
> Would in itself be such a miracle,
> The rest were not an hundredth part so great.
> E'en thou went'st forth in poverty and hunger
> To set the goodly plant, that, from the vine
> It once was, now is grown unsightly bramble."
> 
> That ended, through the high celestial court
> Resounded all the spheres, "Praise we one God!"
> In song of most unearthly melody.
> And when that Worthy[2] thus, from branch to branch,
> Examining, had led me, that we now
> Approach'd the topmost bough; he straight resumed:
> "The grace, that holds sweet dalliance with thy soul
> So far discreetly hath thy lips unclosed;
> That, whatsoe'er has past them, I commend.
> Behoves thee to express, what thou believest,
> The next; and, whereon, thy belief hath grown."
> 
> [2: "Quel Baron." In the next Canto, St. James is called "Barone." So
> in Boccaccio, G. vi. N. 10, we find "Baron Messer Santo Antonio."]
> 
> "O saintly sire and spirit!" I began,
> "Who seest that, which thou didst so believe,
> As to outstrip feet younger than thine own,
> Toward the sepulchre; thy will is here,
> That I the tenour of my creed unfold;
> And thou, the cause of it, hast likewise ask'd.
> And I reply: I in one God believe;
> One sole eternal Godhead, of whose love
> All Heaven is moved, Himself unmoved the while.
> Nor demonstration physical alone,
> Or more intelligential and abstruse,
> Persuades me to this faith: but from that truth
> It cometh to me rather, which is shed
> Through Moses; the rapt Prophets; and the Psalms;
> The Gospel; and what ye yourselves did write,
> When ye were gifted of the Holy Ghost.
> I
>  three eternal Persons I believe;
> Essence threefold and one; mysterious league
> Of union absolute, which, many a time,
> The word of gospel lore upon my mind
> Imprints: and from this germ, this firstling spark
> The lively flame dilates; and, like Heaven's star,
> Doth glitter in me." As the master hears,
> Well pleased, and then enfoldeth in his arms
> The servant, who hath joyful tidings brought,
> And having told the errand keeps his peace;
> Thus benediction uttering with song,
> Soon as my peace I held, compass'd me thrice
> 
> The apostolic radiance, whose behest
> Had oped my lips: so well their answer pleased.
>
> — *Paradise Canto 24*