to mankind. Conversing thus, they reach the second
stream, of whose waters Beatrice bids her friend drink, and after that
renovating draught Dante realizes he has now been made pure and "apt
for mounting to the stars."

PARADISE

_Introduction._ The Paradise of Dante consists of nine crystalline
spheres of different sizes, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars,
Jupiter, Saturn, the Fixed Stars, and the Empyrean, enclosed one
within the other, and revolved by the Angels, Archangels, Princedoms,
Powers, Virtues, Dominations, Thrones, Cherubim, and Seraphim. Beyond
these orbs, whose whirling motions cause "the music of the spheres,"
lies a tenth circle, the real heaven (a Rose), where "peace divine
inhabits," and of which the Divine Essence or Trinity forms the very
core.

_Canto I._ Paradise opens with Dante's statement that in heaven he was
"witness of things, which to relate again, surpasseth the power of him
who comes from thence." He therefore invokes the help of Apollo to
describe that part of the universe upon which is lavished the greatest
share of light. Then, while gazing up into Beatrice's eyes, Dante,
freed from earth's trammels, suddenly feels himself soar upward, and
is transferred with indescribable swiftness into a totally different
medium.

_Canto II._ Perceiving his bewilderment, Beatrice reassures him in a
motherly strain, and, gazing around him, Dante realizes they have
entered the translucent circle of the moon (revolved by angels). After
warning his fellow-men "the way I pass ne'er yet was run," Dante goes
on to relate what Beatrice teaches him in regard to the heavenly
spheres and spiritual evolution, and how she promises to reveal to him
"the truth thou lovest."

_Canto III._ In the pearl-hued atmosphere of the moon, Dante beholds,
"as through a glass, darkly," shadowy, nun-like forms, and is told by
Beatrice to communicate with them. Addressing the form nearest him,
Dante learns she is Piccarda (sister of Forese), who was kidnapped by
her husband after she had taken the veil. Although she would fain have
kept her religious vows, Piccarda proved a faithful wife, and declares
she and her fellow-spirits are content to remain in their appointed
sphere until called higher by the Almighty.

"She with those other spirits gently smiled;
Then answer'd with such gladness, that she seem'd
With love's first flame to glow: 'Brother! our will
Is, in composure, settled by the power