in contemplation of her, warns
him that "these eyes are not thy only Paradise."

_Canto XVIII._ Then Beatrice leads her charge into the fifth heaven,
that of Mars, revolved by Virtues and inhabited by transfigured
martyrs, confessors, and holy warriors, such as Joshua, the Maccabees,
Charlemagne, Orlando, Godfrey of Bouillon, and other men of note.
These worthies form a part of the mystic cross, and each glows with
transcendent light as Beatrice points them out one after another. Then
Beatrice wafts her change into the sixth heaven, that of Jupiter
(revolved by Dominations). Here the spirits of rulers famous for
justice, moving with kaleidoscopic tints and rapidity, alternately
form mystic letters spelling "Love righteousness ye that be judges of
the earth," or settle silently into the shape of a gigantic eagle.
This sight proves so impressive that Dante sinks to his knees,
fervently praying justice may indeed reign on earth as in heaven.

Canto XIX. To his intense surprise Dante now hears the mystic eagle
proclaim in trumpet tones that justice and pity shall be exacted, and
that no man shall be saved without them. He adds that eternal judgment
is incomprehensible to mortal ken, that mere professions are vain, and
that many so-called Christian potentates (some of whom he names) will
present a sorry figure on Judgment Day.

Canto XX. After a period of silence, the same Eagle (an emblem of the
Empire) proceeds to exalt certain rulers, especially those glorified
spirits which form the pupil of his eye (David), and his eyelids
(Trajan, Hezekiah, Constantine). As he mentions their names they glow
like priceless rubies, and he explains that, although some of them
lived before Christ was made flesh, all have been redeemed because
Faith, Hope, and Charity are their sponsors.

"The three nymphs,
Whom at the right wheel thou beheld'st advancing,
Were sponsors for him, more than thousand years
Before baptizing. O how far removed,
Predestination! is thy root from such
As see not the First Cause entire: and ye,
O mortal men! be wary how ye judge:
For we, who see our Maker, know not yet
The number of the chosen; and esteem
Such scantiness of knowledge our delight:
For all our good is, in that primal good,
Concentrate; and God's will and ours are one."

_Canto XXI._ Meantime Beatrice, who has grown more and more beautiful
as they rise, explains, when Dante again gazes upon her, that