Cally in identifying light with God and the angels and the blessed, Dante is only expressing--but expressing beautifully and supremely--the thought which pagan oracles proclaimed and Holy Writ and the Church made known.

From the earliest ages the sun which vivifies

and illuminates the world was regarded by many nations as the symbol of the Deity--and by still other nations it was adored. The psalmist, addressing God, says: "Thou art clothed with light as with a garment." (Ps.,