white, the redeemed--who form the petals
of the Eternal Rose--are visited from time to time by ruby sparks,
which are the angels hovering above them, who plunge like bees into
the heart of this flower, their glowing faces, golden wings, and white
robes adding charms to the scene. After gazing for some time at this
sight in speechless wonder, Dante, turning to question Beatrice,
discovers she is no longer beside him! At the same time a being robed
in glory near him bids him look up at the third row of thrones from
the centre, and there behold her in her appointed seat. Eagerly
glancing in the direction indicated, Dante perceives Beatrice, who,
when he invokes her, smiles radiantly down upon him, ere she again
turns her face to the eternal fountain of light.

"So I my suit preferr'd:
And she, so distant, as appear'd, look'd down,
And smiled; then towards the eternal fountain turn'd."

Meanwhile the spirit informs Dante he has been sent by Beatrice to
help him end his journey safely, for he is St. Bernard, who so longed
to behold the Virgin's countenance that that boon was vouchsafed him.
Knowing Dante would fain see her too, he bids him find, among the most
brilliant lights in the Mystic Rose, the Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven.

_Canto XXXII._ Because the dazzled Dante cannot immediately locate
her, St. Bernard points her out, with Eve, Rachel, Beatrice, Sarah,
Judith, Rebecca, and Ruth sitting at her feet, and John the Baptist,
St. Augustine, St. Francis, and St. Benedict standing close behind
her. He also explains that those who believed in "Christ who was to
come" are in one part of the rose, while those who "looked to Christ
already come" are in another, but that all here are spirits duly
assoiled, and adds that, although occupying different ranks, these
spirits are perfectly satisfied with the places awarded to them. Told
now to look up at the face most closely resembling Christ's Dante
discovers it is that of St. Gabriel, angel of the annunciation, and he
descries further on St. Peter, Moses, and St. Anna, as well as Santa
Lucia who induced Beatrice to send for him.

_Canto XXXIII._ This done, St. Bernard fervently prays the Virgin, who
not only "gives succor to him who asketh it, but oftentimes
forerunneth of its own accord the asking," to allow Dante one glimpse
of Divine Majesty. Seeing this prayer is graciously received, St.
Bernard bids Dante look up. Thanks to his recently purified v