where he and
Beatrice behold consecutive moving wreaths, each composed of twelve
blessed spirits who while on earth were noted as teachers of divinity
and philosophy. One of these singing, revolving wreaths encompasses
our travellers, until one of its members, St. Thomas Aquinas, ceases
his ineffable song long enough to present his companions and explain
their titles to immortal glory.

_Canto XI._ St. Thomas Aquinas, in his conversation with Dante,
relates the life of St. Francis of Assisi, dwelling particularly upon
his noble character, and describing how, after becoming wedded to
Poverty, he founded the order of the Franciscans, received the
stigmata, and died in odor of sanctity, leaving worthy disciples and
emulators, such as St. Dominic, to continue and further the good work
he had begun. He adds that many of the saint's followers are
represented in the innumerable glowing wreaths which people the heaven
of the Sun.

_Canto XII._ Still encompassed by one rainbow circle after another,
Dante is told by St. Buonaventura of Dominic's inestimable services to
mankind, and hears about his fervent zeal and deep faith.

_Canto XIII._ While Dante and Beatrice gaze with awe and admiration
upon the circles of light which revolve through all the signs of the
zodiac, St. Thomas Aquinas solves sundry of Dante's doubts, and
cautions him never to accede to any proposition without having duly
weighed it.

"Let not the people be too swift to judge;
As one who reckons on the blades in field,
Or e'er the crop be ripe. For I have seen
The thorn frown rudely all the winter long,
And after bear the rose upon its top;
And bark, that all her way across the sea
Ran straight and speedy, perish at the last
E'en in the haven's mouth."

_Canto XIV._ Proceeding from circle to circle, Dante and Beatrice
reach the innermost ring, where the latter bids Solomon solve Dante's
doubts by describing the appearance of the blest after the
resurrection of the body. In words almost as eloquent as those
wherewith St. Gabriel transmitted his message to Mary, Solomon
complies.

"Long as the joy of Paradise shall last,
Our love shall shine around that raiment, bright
As fervent; fervent as, in vision, blest;
And that as far, in blessedness, exceeding,
As it hath grace, beyond its virtue, great.
Our shape, regarmented with glorious weeds
Of saintly flesh, must, being thus entire,
Show yet more gracious. Therefore