How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Canto, Line). We used Allen Mandelbaum's translation.
Quote #10
[Virgil]: “My son, you’ve seen the temporary fire
and the eternal fire; you have reached
the place past which my powers cannot see.
I’ve brought you here through intellect and art;
from now on, let your pleasure be your guide;
you’re past the steep and past the narrow paths.
Look at the sun that shines upon your brow;
look at the grasses, flowers, and the shrubs
born here, spontaneously, of the earth.
Among them, you can rest or walk until
the coming of the glad and lovely eyes –
those eyes that, weeping, sent me to your side.
Await no further word or sign from me:
your will is free, erect, and whole – to act
against that will would be to err: therefore
I crown and miter you over yourself.” (Purg. XXVII, 127-142)
Here, Virgil essentially announces that Dante’s mental love is now all faith; it has been redirected into the true path that will lead to God. Thus, Dante can “let [his] pleasure be [his] guide” because Dante correctly equates pleasure with God. Thus, he no longer has need of Virgil as his guide “through intellect and art,” for he has found faith.