The glory of the One Who moves all things
shines through the universe and is reflected
by all things in proportion to their merit.[La gloria di colui che tutto move
per l’universo penetra, e risplende
in una parte più e meno altrove.]Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) Italian poet
The Divine Comedy [Divina Commedia], Book 3 “Paradiso,” Canto 1, l. 1ff (1.1-3) (1320) [tr. Musa (1984)
(Source)
God as the "unmoved mover" derives from Aristotle (Metaphysics 12.7), frequently referenced in medieval Scholastic writings.
Musa provides this variant translation as "a more interpretive rendering" in his notes (and a rendering similar to Ciardi's). His more literal translation, which he uses in the main text, is given below.
(Source (Italian)). Alternate translations:His Glory, who, with solitary hand,
Launches thro' boundless space the stellar Band,
And shines effulgent, or involves his Throne
In darkness, as he wills ....
[tr. Boyd (1802), st. 1]His glory, by whose might all things are mov’d,
Pierces the universe, and in one part
Sheds more resplendence, elsewhere less.
[tr. Cary (1814)]The glory of Him who moveth all things
Pierceth the universe, and shines so fair,
More at one part, and less, perchance, elsewhere.
[tr. Bannerman (1850)]The glory of Him who moveth everything
Doth penetrate the universe, and shine
In one part more and in another less.
[tr. Longfellow (1867)]The glory of Him who moves all things penetrates through the universe, and shines forth in one quarter more, and less in another.
[tr. Butler (1885)]His glory who moves all doth penetrate
Throughout the universe, and shineth bright
Here with a greater, there with lesser state.
[tr. Minchin (1885)]The glory of Him who moves everything penetrates through the universe, and shines in one part more and in another less.
[tr. Norton (1892)]The All-mover's glory penetrates through the universe, and regloweth in one region more, and less in another.
[tr. Wicksteed (1899)]The glory of Him who moves all things penetrates the universe and shines in one part more and in another less.
[tr. Sinclair (1939)]The glory of Him who moveth all that is
Pervades the universe, and glows more bright
In the one region, and in another less.
[tr. Binyon (1943)]The glory of Him who moves all things soe’er
Impenetrates the universe, and bright
The splendour burns, more here and lesser there.
[tr. Sayers/Reynolds (1962)]The glory of Him who moves all things rays forth
through all the universe, and is reflected
from each thing in proportion to its worth.
[tr. Ciardi (1970)]The glory of the All-Mover penetrates through the universe and reglows in one part more, and in another less.
[tr. Singleton (1975)]The glory of him who moves everything
Penetrates the universe and shines
In one part more and, in another, less.
[tr. Sisson (1981)]the glory of the One who moves all things
permeates the universe and glows
in one part more and in another less.
[tr. Mandelbaum (1984)]The glory of the One Who moves all things
penetrates all the universe and shines
in one part more and in another less.
[tr. Musa (1984)]The glory of Him who moves all things
penetrates through the universe and shines
forth in one place more and less elsewhere
[tr. Durling (2011)]The glory of Him, who moves all things, penetrates the universe, and glows in one region more, in another less.
[tr. Kline (2002)]Glory, from Him who moves all things that are,
penetrates the universe and then shines back,
reflected more in one part, less elsewhere.
[tr. Kirkpatrick (2007)]The glory of Him who moves all things
pervades the universe and shines
in one part more and in another less.
[tr. Hollander/Hollander (2007)]The Glory of He who made and moves it all
Penetrates the entire universe
Glowing in one part more, in another less.
[tr. Raffel (2010)]The glory of the Animator of Everything
Pervades the universe and shines more
In one area and less somewhere else.
[tr. Bang (2021)]