s: Such sleepy dullness in that instant weigh'd


s: My senses down, when the true path I left,


s: But when a mountain's foot I reach'd, where clos'd


s: The valley, that had pierc'd my heart with dread,


s: I look'd aloft, and saw his shoulders broad


s: Who leads all wanderers safe through every way.


s: That in my heart's recesses deep had lain,


s: And as a man, with difficult short breath,


s: Forespent with toiling, 'scap'd from sea to shore,


s: Turns to the perilous wide waste, and stands


s: At gaze; e'en so my spirit, that yet fail'd


s: Struggling with terror, turn'd to view the straits,


s: That none hath pass'd and liv'd.  My weary frame


s: The hinder foot still firmer.  Scarce the ascent


s: Began, when, lo! a panther, nimble, light,


s: And cover'd with a speckled skin, appear'd,


s: Nor, when it saw me, vanish'd, rather strove


s: With purpose to retrace my steps I turn'd.


s: The hour was morning's prime, and on his way


s: Aloft the sun ascended with those stars,


s: That with him rose, when Love divine first mov'd


s: Those its fair works: so that with joyous hope


s: All things conspir'd to fill me, the gay skin


s: And the sweet season.  Soon that joy was chas'd,


s: And by new dread succeeded, when in view


s: A lion came, 'gainst me, as it appear'd,


s: With his head held aloft and hunger-mad,


s: That e'en the air was fear-struck.  A she-wolf


s: Was at his heels, who in her leanness seem'd


s: Full of all wants, and many a land hath made


s: Disconsolate ere now.  She with such fear


s: O'erwhelmed me, at the sight of her appall'd,


s: That of the height all hope I lost.  As one,


s: Mourns with heart-griping anguish; such was I,


s: Haunted by that fell beast, never at peace,


s: Impell'd me where the sun in silence rests.


s: While to the lower space with backward step


s: I fell, my ken discern'd the form one of one,


s: Whose voice seem'd faint through long disuse of speech.


s: "Spirit! or living man! what e'er thou be!"


s: He answer'd: "Now not man, man once I was,


s: And born of Lombard parents, Mantuana both


s: By country, when the power of Julius yet


s: Was scarcely firm.  At Rome my life was past


s: The subject of my song, who came from Troy,


s: When the flames prey'd on Ilium's haughty towers.


s: But thou, say wherefore to such perils past


s: Return'st thou?  wherefore not this pleasant mount


s: Ascendest, cause and source of all delight?"


s: "And art thou then that Virgil, that well-spring,


s: From which such copious floods of eloquence


s: Have issued?"  I with front abash'd replied.


s: "Glory and light of all the tuneful train!


s: Have sought thy volume, and with love immense


s: Have conn'd it o'er.  My master thou and guide!


s: That style, which for its beauty into fame


s: Exalts me.  See the beast, from whom I fled.


s: O save me from her, thou illustrious sage!"


s: "For every vein and pulse throughout my frame


s: She hath made tremble."  He, soon as he saw


s: That I was weeping, answer'd, "Thou must needs


s: Another way pursue, if thou wouldst 'scape


s: From out that savage wilderness.  This beast,


s: At whom thou criest, her way will suffer none


s: To pass, and no less hindrance makes than death:


s: Still after food more craving than before.


s: She fastens, and shall yet to many more,


s: Until that greyhound come, who shall destroy


s: Her with sharp pain.  He will not life support


s: By earth nor its base metals, but by love,


s: Wisdom, and virtue, and his land shall be


s: The land 'twixt either Feltro.  In his might


s: For whose fair realm, Camilla, virgin pure,


s: He with incessant chase through every town


s: Restore her, thence by envy first let loose.


s: That thou mayst follow me, and I thy guide


s: Will lead thee hence through an eternal space,


s: Where thou shalt hear despairing shrieks, and see


s: A second death; and those next view, who dwell


s: Content in fire, for that they hope to come,


s: Whene'er the time may be, among the blest,


s: Must lead thee, in whose charge, when I depart,


s: Thou shalt be left: for that Almighty King,


s: Adjudges me, and therefore hath decreed,


s: That to his city none through me should come.


s: He in all parts hath sway; there rules, there holds


s: Whom there he chooses!"  I to him in few:


s: "Bard! by that God, whom thou didst not adore,


s: I do beseech thee (that this ill and worse


s: I may escape) to lead me, where thou saidst,


s: That I Saint Peter's gate may view, and those


s: Who as thou tell'st, are in such dismal plight."


s: Onward he mov'd, I close his steps pursu'd.


s: Imbrown'd with shadows, from their toils releas'd


s: Prepar'd myself the conflict to sustain,


s: Both of sad pity, and that perilous road,


s: Your aid!  O mind! that all I saw hast kept


s: Safe in a written record, here thy worth


s: I thus began: "Bard! thou who art my guide,


s: Thou trust me.  Thou hast told that Silvius' sire,


s: Th' immortal tribes had entrance, and was there


s: Sensible present.  Yet if heaven's great Lord,


s: Almighty foe to ill, such favour shew'd,


s: Both what and who from him should issue forth,


s: It seems in reason's judgment well deserv'd:


s: Sith he of Rome, and of Rome's empire wide,


s: In heaven's empyreal height was chosen sire:


s: Both which, if truth be spoken, were ordain'd


s: And 'stablish'd for the holy place, where sits


s: Who to great Peter's sacred chair succeeds.


s: He from this journey, in thy song renown'd,


s: Learn'd things, that to his victory gave rise


s: To bring us back assurance in that faith,


s: Which is the entrance to salvation's way.


s: But I, why should I there presume?  or who


s: Will deem me.  I, if on this voyage then


s: Thou, who art wise, better my meaning know'st,


s: Than I can speak."  As one, who unresolves


s: What he hath late resolv'd, and with new thoughts


s: Changes his purpose, from his first intent


s: Remov'd; e'en such was I on that dun coast,


s: Wasting in thought my enterprise, at first


s: So eagerly embrac'd.  "If right thy words


s: I scan," replied that shade magnanimous,


s: "Thy soul is by vile fear assail'd, which oft


s: At some false semblance in the twilight gloom.


s: That from this terror thou mayst free thyself,


s: I will instruct thee why I came, and what


s: I heard in that same instant, when for thee


s: Grief touch'd me first.  I was among the tribe,


s: Who rest suspended, when a dame, so blest


s: Call'd me; her eyes were brighter than the star


s: Of day; and she with gentle voice and soft


s: "O courteous shade of Mantua! thou whose fame


s: Yet lives, and shall live long as nature lasts!


s: Hindrance so great, that he through fear has turn'd.


s: Now much I dread lest he past help have stray'd,


s: From what in heaven of him I heard.  Speed now,


s: And by all means for his deliverance meet,


s: Assist him.  So to me will comfort spring.


s: (Note: Beatrice.  I use this word, as it is


s: pronounced in the Italian, as consisting of four


s: syllables, of which the third is a long one.)


s: Revisited with joy.  Love brought me thence,


s: Who prompts my speech.  When in my Master's sight


s: I stand, thy praise to him I oft will tell."


s: Within that heaven which hath the smallest orb,


s: So thy command delights me, that to obey,


s: If it were done already, would seem late.


s: No need hast thou farther to speak thy will;


s: Yet tell the reason, why thou art not loth


s: To leave that ample space, where to return


s: Thou burnest, for this centre here beneath."


s: She then: "Since thou so deeply wouldst inquire,


s: I will instruct thee briefly, why no dread


s: Hinders my entrance here.  Those things alone


s: Are to be fear'd, whence evil may proceed,


s: None else, for none are terrible beside.


s: I am so fram'd by God, thanks to his grace!


s: Touches me not, nor flame of that fierce fire


s: Assails me.  In high heaven a blessed dame


s: Besides, who mourns with such effectual grief


s: That hindrance, which I send thee to remove,


s: That God's stern judgment to her will inclines."


s: "Now doth thy faithful servant need thy aid


s: And I commend him to thee."  At her word


s: Seated with Rachel, her of ancient days,


s: She thus address'd me: "Thou true praise of God!


s: To him, who so much lov'd thee, as to leave


s: Dost thou not hear how pitiful his wail,


s: Nor mark the death, which in the torrent flood,


s: Swoln mightier than a sea, him struggling holds?"


s: "Ne'er among men did any with such speed


s: Haste to their profit, flee from their annoy,


s: As when these words were spoken, I came here,


s: Down from my blessed seat, trusting the force


s: Of thy pure eloquence, which thee, and all


s: Who well have mark'd it, into honour brings."


s: "When she had ended, her bright beaming eyes


s: Tearful she turn'd aside; whereat I felt


s: Redoubled zeal to serve thee.  As she will'd,


s: Thus am I come: I sav'd thee from the beast,


s: Who thy near way across the goodly mount


s: Prevented.  What is this comes o'er thee then?


s: Why, why dost thou hang back?  why in thy breast


s: Harbour vile fear?  why hast not courage there


s: And noble daring?  Since three maids so blest


s: Thy safety plan, e'en in the court of heaven;


s: And so much certain good my words forebode."


s: Bent down and clos'd, when day has blanch'd their leaves,


s: And to my heart such kindly courage ran,


s: My succour! and thou kind who didst perform


s: So soon her true behest!  With such desire


s: Thou hast dispos'd me to renew my voyage,


s: Thou art my guide, my master thou, and lord."


s: So spake I; and when he had onward mov'd,


s: "THROUGH me you pass into the city of woe:


s: Through me among the people lost for aye.


s: To rear me was the task of power divine,


s: Before me things create were none, save things


s: Whereat I thus: "Master, these words import


s: Hard meaning."  He as one prepar'd replied:


s: "Here thou must all distrust behind thee leave;


s: Here be vile fear extinguish'd. We are come


s: Where I have told thee we shall see the souls


s: Have lost."  And when his hand he had stretch'd forth


s: To mine, with pleasant looks, whence I was cheer'd,


s: Here sighs with lamentations and loud moans


s: Resounded through the air pierc'd by no star,


s: That e'en I wept at entering.  Various tongues,


s: Accents of anger, voices deep and hoarse,


s: With hands together smote that swell'd the sounds,


s: Round through that air with solid darkness stain'd,


s: Like to the sand that in the whirlwind flies.


s: I then, with error yet encompass'd, cried:


s: "O master!  What is this I hear?  What race


s: Are these, who seem so overcome with woe?"


s: Suffer the wretched souls of those, who liv'd


s: Without or praise or blame, with that ill band


s: Of angels mix'd, who nor rebellious prov'd


s: Nor yet were true to God, but for themselves


s: Were only.  From his bounds Heaven drove them forth,


s: Of Hell receives them, lest th' accursed tribe


s: Should glory thence with exultation vain."


s: I then: "Master! what doth aggrieve them thus,


s: That they lament so loud?"  He straight replied:


s: "That will I tell thee briefly.  These of death


s: No hope may entertain: and their blind life


s: They envy.  Fame of them the world hath none,


s: Nor suffers; mercy and justice scorn them both.


s: Speak not of them, but look, and pass them by."


s: And I, who straightway look'd, beheld a flag,


s: That it no pause obtain'd: and following came


s: Such a long train of spirits, I should ne'er


s: Have thought, that death so many had despoil'd.


s: And knew the shade of him, who to base fear


s: Yielding, abjur'd his high estate.  Forthwith


s: Of those ill spirits both to God displeasing


s: And to his foes.  These wretches, who ne'er lived,


s: By wasps and hornets, which bedew'd their cheeks


s: With blood, that mix'd with tears dropp'd to their feet,


s: And by disgustful worms was gather'd there.


s: A throng upon the shore of a great stream:


s: Whereat I thus: "Sir! grant me now to know


s: Whom here we view, and whence impell'd they seem


s: Through the blear light?"  He thus to me in few:


s: "This shalt thou know, soon as our steps arrive


s: Then with eyes downward cast and fill'd with shame,


s: Till we had reach'd the river, I from speech


s: Comes on an old man hoary white with eld,


s: Crying, "Woe to you wicked spirits! hope not


s: In fierce heat and in ice.  And thou, who there


s: Standest, live spirit! get thee hence, and leave


s: These who are dead."  But soon as he beheld


s: I left them not, "By other way," said he,


s: "By other haven shalt thou come to shore,


s: Not by this passage; thee a nimbler boat


s: Must carry."  Then to him thus spake my guide:


s: "Charon! thyself torment not: so 't is will'd,


s: Where will and power are one: ask thou no more."


s: Straightway in silence fell the shaggy cheeks


s: Around whose eyes glar'd wheeling flames.  Meanwhile


s: Those spirits, faint and naked, color chang'd,


s: And gnash'd their teeth, soon as the cruel words


s: They heard.  God and their parents they blasphem'd,


s: The human kind, the place, the time, and seed


s: That did engender them and give them birth.


s: To the curs'd strand, that every man must pass


s: Who fears not God.  Charon, demoniac form,


s: With eyes of burning coal, collects them all,


s: Beck'ning, and each, that lingers, with his oar


s: Strikes.  As fall off the light autumnal leaves,


s: One still another following, till the bough


s: Strews all its honours on the earth beneath;


s: Cast themselves one by one down from the shore,


s: Thus go they over through the umber'd wave,


s: Still gathers.  "Son," thus spake the courteous guide,


s: "Those, who die subject to the wrath of God,


s: All here together come from every clime,


s: For so heaven's justice goads them on, that fear


s: Is turn'd into desire.  Hence ne'er hath past


s: Good spirit.  If of thee Charon complain,


s: Now mayst thou know the import of his words."


s: This said, the gloomy region trembling shook


s: Fear chills my brow.  The sad earth gave a blast,


s: That, lightening, shot forth a vermilion flame,


s: Which all my senses conquer'd quite, and I


s: Down dropp'd, as one with sudden slumber seiz'd.


s: BROKE the deep slumber in my brain a crash


s: As one by main force rous'd.  Risen upright,


s: My rested eyes I mov'd around, and search'd


s: With fixed ken to know what place it was,


s: Wherein I stood.  For certain on the brink


s: The dread abyss, that joins a thund'rous sound


s: And thick with clouds o'erspread, mine eye in vain


s: Explor'd its bottom, nor could aught discern.


s: "Now let us to the blind world there beneath


s: Descend;" the bard began all pale of look:


s: "I go the first, and thou shalt follow next."


s: Then I his alter'd hue perceiving, thus:


s: "How may I speed, if thou yieldest to dread,


s: Who still art wont to comfort me in doubt?"


s: He then: "The anguish of that race below


s: With pity stains my cheek, which thou for fear


s: Mistakest.  Let us on.  Our length of way


s: Urges to haste."  Onward, this said, he mov'd;


s: And ent'ring led me with him on the bounds


s: Of the first circle, that surrounds th' abyss.


s: Here, as mine ear could note, no plaint was heard


s: Except of sighs, that made th' eternal air


s: Tremble, not caus'd by tortures, but from grief


s: Felt by those multitudes, many and vast,


s: The gentle guide: "Inquir'st thou not what spirits


s: Are these, which thou beholdest?  Ere thou pass


s: Farther, I would thou know, that these of sin


s: Were blameless; and if aught they merited,


s: It profits not, since baptism was not theirs,


s: The portal to thy faith.  If they before


s: The Gospel liv'd, they serv'd not God aright;


s: Desiring without hope."  So grief assail'd


s: My heart at hearing this, for well I knew


s: Of mighty worth.  "O tell me, sire rever'd!


s: Tell me, my master!"  I began through wish


s: Which vanquishes all error; "say, did e'er


s: Any, or through his own or other's merit,


s: Come forth from thence, whom afterward was blest?"


s: Piercing the secret purport of my speech,


s: Amongst us, with victorious trophy crown'd.


s: He forth the shade of our first parent drew,


s: Exalted.  Before these, be thou assur'd,


s: No spirit of human kind was ever sav'd."


s: We, while he spake, ceas'd not our onward road,


s: Still passing through the wood; for so I name


s: Those spirits thick beset.  We were not far


s: On this side from the summit, when I kenn'd


s: A flame, that o'er the darken'd hemisphere


s: Prevailing shin'd.  Yet we a little space


s: That place possess'd.  "O thou, who every art


s: And science valu'st! who are these, that boast


s: Such honour, separate from all the rest?"


s: He answer'd: "The renown of their great names


s: That echoes through your world above, acquires


s: Favour in heaven, which holds them thus advanc'd."


s: Meantime a voice I heard: "Honour the bard


s: Sublime! his shade returns that left us late!"


s: No sooner ceas'd the sound, than I beheld


s: Four mighty spirits toward us bend their steps,


s: Of semblance neither sorrowful nor glad.


s: When thus my master kind began: "Mark him,


s: Who in his right hand bears that falchion keen,


s: The other three preceding, as their lord.


s: This is that Homer, of all bards supreme:


s: Flaccus the next in satire's vein excelling;


s: With which the voice singly accosted me,


s: Honouring they greet me thus, and well they judge."


s: That o'er the others like an eagle soars.


s: When they together short discourse had held,


s: Beck'ning me; at the which my master smil'd:


s: Nor was this all; but greater honour still


s: They gave me, for they made me of their tribe;


s: Speaking of matters, then befitting well


s: To speak, now fitter left untold.  At foot


s: Seven times with lofty walls begirt, and round


s: Defended by a pleasant stream.  O'er this


s: As o'er dry land we pass'd.  Next through seven gates


s: There dwelt a race, who slow their eyes around


s: Seldom, but all their words were tuneful sweet.


s: Open and bright and lofty, whence each one


s: Were shown me the great spirits, by whose sight


s: Anchises' pious son, and with hawk's eye


s: Who Tarquin chas'd, Lucretia, Cato's wife


s: And sole apart retir'd, the Soldan fierce.


s: Then when a little more I rais'd my brow,


s: I spied the master of the sapient throng,


s: Him all admire, all pay him rev'rence due.


s: In nature's secret lore.  Orpheus I mark'd


s: Of all to speak at full were vain attempt;


s: For my wide theme so urges, that ofttimes


s: My words fall short of what bechanc'd.  In two


s: My sage guide leads me, from that air serene,


s: And to a part I come where no light shines.


s: Down to the second, which, a lesser space


s: Embracing, so much more of grief contains


s: Provoking bitter moans.  There, Minos stands


s: Grinning with ghastly feature: he, of all


s: Gives sentence, and dismisses them beneath,


s: For when before him comes th' ill fated soul,


s: Suits the transgression, with his tail so oft


s: He dooms it to descend.  Before him stand


s: Always a num'rous throng; and in his turn


s: Each one to judgment passing, speaks, and hears


s: His fate, thence downward to his dwelling hurl'd.


s: Approachest?"  when he saw me coming, cried


s: "Look how thou enter here; beware in whom


s: Thou place thy trust; let not the entrance broad


s: Deceive thee to thy harm."  To him my guide:


s: "Wherefore exclaimest?  Hinder not his way


s: Where will and power are one.  Ask thou no more."


s: Now 'gin the rueful wailings to be heard.


s: Now am I come where many a plaining voice


s: Smites on mine ear.  Into a place I came


s: Where light was silent all.  Bellowing there groan'd


s: By warring winds.  The stormy blast of hell


s: With restless fury drives the spirits on


s: Whirl'd round and dash'd amain with sore annoy.


s: When they arrive before the ruinous sweep,


s: There shrieks are heard, there lamentations, moans,


s: And blasphemies 'gainst the good Power in heaven.


s: The carnal sinners are condemn'd, in whom


s: Reason by lust is sway'd.  As in large troops


s: The starlings on their wings are borne abroad;


s: So bears the tyrannous gust those evil souls.


s: It drives them: hope of rest to solace them


s: Is none, nor e'en of milder pang.  As cranes,


s: Chanting their dol'rous notes, traverse the sky,


s: Stretch'd out in long array: so I beheld


s: Spirits, who came loud wailing, hurried on


s: By their dire doom.  Then I: "Instructor! who


s: Are these, by the black air so scourg'd?"--"The first


s: 'Mong those, of whom thou question'st," he replied,


s: "O'er many tongues was empress.  She in vice


s: Of luxury was so shameless, that she made


s: To clear the blame she had herself incurr'd.


s: And held the land, which now the Soldan rules.


s: There mark'd I Helen, for whose sake so long


s: The time was fraught with evil; there the great


s: Achilles, who with love fought to the end.


s: A thousand more he show'd me, and by name


s: Pointed them out, whom love bereav'd of life.


s: When I had heard my sage instructor name


s: Those dames and knights of antique days, o'erpower'd


s: I would address those two together coming,


s: Which seem so light before the wind."  He thus:


s: "Note thou, when nearer they to us approach."


s: "Then by that love which carries them along,


s: Entreat; and they will come."  Soon as the wind


s: Sway'd them toward us, I thus fram'd my speech:


s: "O wearied spirits! come, and hold discourse


s: With us, if by none else restrain'd."  As doves


s: And firm, to their sweet nest returning home,


s: Cleave the air, wafted by their will along;


s: Thus issu'd from that troop, where Dido ranks,


s: They through the ill air speeding; with such force


s: My cry prevail'd by strong affection urg'd.


s: "O gracious creature and benign! who go'st


s: Us, who the world with bloody stain imbru'd;


s: If for a friend the King of all we own'd,


s: Our pray'r to him should for thy peace arise,


s: Since thou hast pity on our evil plight.


s: It pleases thee, that will we hear, of that


s: Freely with thee discourse, while e'er the wind,


s: As now, is mute.  The land, that gave me birth,


s: Is situate on the coast, where Po descends


s: To rest in ocean with his sequent streams.


s: "Love, that in gentle heart is quickly learnt,


s: Entangled him by that fair form, from me


s: Ta'en in such cruel sort, as grieves me still:


s: Love, that denial takes from none belov'd,


s: Caught me with pleasing him so passing well,


s: That, as thou see'st, he yet deserts me not.


s: "Love brought us to one death: Caina waits


s: The soul, who spilt our life."  Such were their words;


s: At hearing which downward I bent my looks,


s: And held them there so long, that the bard cried:


s: "What art thou pond'ring?"  I in answer thus:


s: "Alas! by what sweet thoughts, what fond desire


s: Must they at length to that ill pass have reach'd!"


s: Then turning, I to them my speech address'd.


s: And thus began: "Francesca! your sad fate


s: But tell me; in the time of your sweet sighs,


s: By what, and how love granted, that ye knew


s: Your yet uncertain wishes?"  She replied:


s: Of joy, when mis'ry is at hand!  That kens


s: If thou art bent to know the primal root,


s: From whence our love gat being, I will do,


s: As one, who weeps and tells his tale.  One day


s: How him love thrall'd.  Alone we were, and no


s: Suspicion near us.  Ofttimes by that reading


s: Our eyes were drawn together, and the hue


s: Fled from our alter'd cheek.  But at one point


s: Alone we fell.  When of that smile we read,


s: By one so deep in love, then he, who ne'er


s: All trembling kiss'd.  The book and writer both


s: Were love's purveyors.  In its leaves that day


s: We read no more."  While thus one spirit spake,


s: The other wail'd so sorely, that heartstruck


s: I through compassion fainting, seem'd not far


s: From death, and like a corpse fell to the ground.


s: MY sense reviving, that erewhile had droop'd


s: With pity for the kindred shades, whence grief


s: O'ercame me wholly, straight around I see


s: New torments, new tormented souls, which way


s: Soe'er I move, or turn, or bend my sight.


s: In the third circle I arrive, of show'rs


s: Ceaseless, accursed, heavy, and cold, unchang'd


s: Large hail, discolour'd water, sleety flaw


s: Through the dun midnight air stream'd down amain:


s: Stank all the land whereon that tempest fell.


s: Cerberus, cruel monster, fierce and strange,


s: Through his wide threefold throat barks as a dog


s: His eyes glare crimson, black his unctuous beard,


s: His belly large, and claw'd the hands, with which


s: He tears the spirits, flays them, and their limbs


s: Piecemeal disparts.  Howling there spread, as curs,


s: The other screening, oft they roll them round,


s: A wretched, godless crew.  When that great worm


s: His jaws, and the fangs show'd us; not a limb


s: Of him but trembled.  Then my guide, his palms


s: Expanding on the ground, thence filled with earth


s: Rais'd them, and cast it in his ravenous maw.


s: E'en as a dog, that yelling bays for food


s: His keeper, when the morsel comes, lets fall


s: To swallow it; so dropp'd the loathsome cheeks


s: The spirits, that they for deafness wish in vain.


s: We, o'er the shades thrown prostrate by the brunt


s: Of the heavy tempest passing, set our feet


s: Upon their emptiness, that substance seem'd.


s: Save one, that sudden rais'd himself to sit,


s: Soon as that way he saw us pass.  "O thou!"


s: He cried, "who through the infernal shades art led,


s: Own, if again thou know'st me.  Thou wast fram'd


s: Or ere my frame was broken."  I replied:


s: "The anguish thou endur'st perchance so takes


s: Thy form from my remembrance, that it seems


s: Art set, and in such torment, that although


s: Ay that the measure overflows its bounds,


s: Were wont to name me Ciacco.  For the sin


s: Of glutt'ny, damned vice, beneath this rain,


s: E'en as thou see'st, I with fatigue am worn;


s: Nor I sole spirit in this woe: all these


s: Have by like crime incurr'd like punishment."


s: No more he said, and I my speech resum'd:


s: "Ciacco! thy dire affliction grieves me much,


s: Even to tears.  But tell me, if thou know'st,


s: What shall at length befall the citizens


s: Of the divided city; whether any just one


s: Inhabit there: and tell me of the cause,


s: Whence jarring discord hath assail'd it thus?"


s: He then: "After long striving they will come


s: To blood; and the wild party from the woods


s: Will chase the other with much injury forth.


s: Then it behoves, that this must fall, within


s: By borrow'd force of one, who under shore


s: Now rests.  It shall a long space hold aloof


s: Its forehead, keeping under heavy weight


s: The other oppress'd, indignant at the load,


s: And grieving sore.  The just are two in number,


s: But they neglected.  Av'rice, envy, pride,


s: Three fatal sparks, have set the hearts of all


s: On fire."  Here ceas'd the lamentable sound;


s: And I continu'd thus: "Still would I learn


s: More from thee, farther parley still entreat.


s: Their minds on working good.  Oh! tell me where


s: They bide, and to their knowledge let me come.


s: For I am press'd with keen desire to hear,


s: If heaven's sweet cup or poisonous drug of hell


s: Be to their lip assign'd."   He answer'd straight:


s: "These are yet blacker spirits.  Various crimes


s: Have sunk them deeper in the dark abyss.


s: If thou so far descendest, thou mayst see them.


s: But to the pleasant world when thou return'st,


s: Of me make mention, I entreat thee, there.


s: No more I tell thee, answer thee no more."


s: This said, his fixed eyes he turn'd askance,


s: A little ey'd me, then bent down his head,


s: And 'midst his blind companions with it fell.


s: When thus my guide: "No more his bed he leaves,


s: Ere the last angel-trumpet blow.  The Power


s: Adverse to these shall then in glory come,


s: Each one forthwith to his sad tomb repair,


s: Resume his fleshly vesture and his form,


s: And hear the eternal doom re-echoing rend


s: The vault."  So pass'd we through that mixture foul


s: Touching, though slightly, on the life to come.


s: For thus I question'd: "Shall these tortures, Sir!


s: When the great sentence passes, be increas'd,


s: He then: "Consult thy knowledge; that decides


s: That as each thing to more perfection grows,


s: It feels more sensibly both good and pain.


s: Though ne'er to true perfection may arrive


s: This race accurs'd, yet nearer then than now


s: They shall approach it."  Compassing that path


s: Much more than I relate between us pass'd:


s: Till at the point, where the steps led below,


s: Arriv'd, there Plutus, the great foe, we found.


s: "AH me!  O Satan!  Satan!" loud exclaim'd


s: And the kind sage, whom no event surpris'd,


s: To comfort me thus spake: "Let not thy fear


s: Harm thee, for power in him, be sure, is none


s: To hinder down this rock thy safe descent."


s: Then to that sworn lip turning, "Peace!"  he cried,


s: "Curs'd wolf! thy fury inward on thyself


s: Prey, and consume thee!  Through the dark profound


s: Not without cause he passes.  So 't is will'd


s: On high, there where the great Archangel pour'd


s: Heav'n's vengeance on the first adulterer proud."


s: As sails full spread and bellying with the wind


s: Drop suddenly collaps'd, if the mast split;


s: So to the ground down dropp'd the cruel fiend.


s: Thus we, descending to the fourth steep ledge,


s: Gain'd on the dismal shore, that all the woe


s: Almighty Justice! in what store thou heap'st


s: New pains, new troubles, as I here beheld!


s: Wherefore doth fault of ours bring us to this?


s: Against encounter'd billow dashing breaks;


s: Such is the dance this wretched race must lead,


s: Whom more than elsewhere numerous here I found,


s: From one side and the other, with loud voice,


s: Both roll'd on weights by main forge of their breasts,


s: Then smote together, and each one forthwith


s: Roll'd them back voluble, turning again,


s: Exclaiming these, "Why holdest thou so fast?"


s: Those answering, "And why castest thou away?"


s: So still repeating their despiteful song,


s: They to the opposite point on either hand


s: Travers'd the horrid circle: then arriv'd,


s: Both turn'd them round, and through the middle space


s: Conflicting met again.  At sight whereof


s: I, stung with grief, thus spake: "O say, my guide!


s: What race is this?  Were these, whose heads are shorn,


s: On our left hand, all sep'rate to the church?"


s: He straight replied: "In their first life these all


s: In mind were so distorted, that they made,


s: According to due measure, of their wealth,


s: No use.  This clearly from their words collect,


s: Which they howl forth, at each extremity


s: Arriving of the circle, where their crime


s: Contrary' in kind disparts them.  To the church


s: Were separate those, that with no hairy cowls


s: Are crown'd, both Popes and Cardinals, o'er whom


s: I then: "Mid such as these some needs must be,


s: Whom I shall recognize, that with the blot


s: Of these foul sins were stain'd."  He answering thus:


s: "Vain thought conceiv'st thou.  That ignoble life,


s: Which made them vile before, now makes them dark,


s: Forever they shall meet in this rude shock:


s: These from the tomb with clenched grasp shall rise,


s: Those with close-shaven locks.  That ill they gave,


s: And ill they kept, hath of the beauteous world


s: Depriv'd, and set them at this strife, which needs


s: No labour'd phrase of mine to set if off.


s: Now may'st thou see, my son! how brief, how vain,


s: The goods committed into fortune's hands,


s: For which the human race keep such a coil!


s: Not all the gold, that is beneath the moon,


s: Or ever hath been, of these toil-worn souls


s: Might purchase rest for one."  I thus rejoin'd:


s: "My guide! of thee this also would I learn;


s: This fortune, that thou speak'st of, what it is,


s: Whose talons grasp the blessings of the world?"


s: He thus: "O beings blind! what ignorance


s: Besets you?  Now my judgment hear and mark.


s: He, whose transcendent wisdom passes all,


s: The heavens creating, gave them ruling powers


s: To guide them, so that each part shines to each,


s: Their light in equal distribution pour'd.


s: From race to race, from one to other's blood,


s: Decrees, from us conceal'd, as in the grass


s: The serpent train.  Against her nought avails


s: Your utmost wisdom.  She with foresight plans,


s: Judges, and carries on her reign, as theirs


s: The other powers divine.  Her changes know


s: She is made swift, so frequent come who claim


s: Succession in her favours.  This is she,


s: To her is rather praise; they wrongfully


s: With blame requite her, and with evil word;


s: But she is blessed, and for that recks not:


s: Rolls on her sphere, and in her bliss exults.


s: Descending: for each star is falling now,


s: That mounted at our entrance, and forbids


s: Too long our tarrying."  We the circle cross'd


s: That boiling pours itself down to a foss


s: Sluic'd from its source.  Far murkier was the wave


s: Of the' inky waters, journeying by their side,


s: Enter'd, though by a different track, beneath.


s: The dismal stream, when it hath reach'd the foot


s: Of the grey wither'd cliffs.  Intent I stood


s: To gaze, and in the marish sunk descried


s: Betok'ning rage.  They with their hands alone


s: Struck not, but with the head, the breast, the feet,


s: Cutting each other piecemeal with their fangs.


s: The good instructor spake; "Now seest thou, son!


s: The souls of those, whom anger overcame.


s: This too for certain know, that underneath


s: The water dwells a multitude, whose sighs


s: Into these bubbles make the surface heave,


s: As thine eye tells thee wheresoe'er it turn."


s: Fix'd in the slime they say: "Sad once were we


s: In the sweet air made gladsome by the sun,


s: Now in these murky settlings are we sad."


s: Such dolorous strain they gurgle in their throats.


s: But word distinct can utter none."  Our route


s: Thus compass'd we, a segment widely stretch'd


s: Between the dry embankment, and the core


s: Of the loath'd pool, turning meanwhile our eyes


s: Downward on those who gulp'd its muddy lees;


s: Nor stopp'd, till to a tower's low base we came.


s: We reach'd the lofty turret's base, our eyes


s: Its height ascended, where two cressets hung


s: Return the signal, so remote, that scarce


s: The eye could catch its beam.  I turning round


s: To the deep source of knowledge, thus inquir'd:


s: "Say what this means?  and what that other light


s: "There on the filthy waters," he replied,


s: "E'en now what next awaits us mayst thou see,


s: If the marsh-gender'd fog conceal it not."


s: Never was arrow from the cord dismiss'd,


s: That ran its way so nimbly through the air,


s: As a small bark, that through the waves I spied


s: Of one that ferried it, who cried aloud:


s: "Art thou arriv'd, fell spirit?"--"Phlegyas, Phlegyas,


s: This time thou criest in vain," my lord replied;


s: "No longer shalt thou have us, but while o'er


s: The slimy pool we pass."  As one who hears


s: Of some great wrong he hath sustain'd, whereat


s: In his fierce ire.  My guide descending stepp'd


s: Close at his side; nor till my entrance seem'd


s: The vessel freighted.  Soon as both embark'd,


s: Cutting the waves, goes on the ancient prow,


s: More deeply than with others it is wont.


s: While we our course o'er the dead channel held.


s: One drench'd in mire before me came, and said;


s: "Who art thou, that thou comest ere thine hour?"


s: I answer'd: "Though I come, I tarry not;


s: But who art thou, that art become so foul?"


s: "One, as thou seest, who mourn:" he straight replied.


s: To which I thus: "In mourning and in woe,


s: Curs'd spirit! tarry thou.g I know thee well,


s: E'en thus in filth disguis'd."  Then stretch'd he forth


s: Hands to the bark; whereof my teacher sage


s: Aware, thrusting him back: "Away! down there;


s: "To the' other dogs!" then, with his arms my neck


s: Encircling, kiss'd my cheek, and spake: "O soul


s: Justly disdainful! blest was she in whom


s: Thou was conceiv'd!  He in the world was one


s: Here is his shadow furious.  There above


s: How many now hold themselves mighty kings


s: Who here like swine shall wallow in the mire,


s: Leaving behind them horrible dispraise!"


s: I then: "Master! him fain would I behold


s: Whelm'd in these dregs, before we quit the lake."


s: Be offer'd, satisfied shall be that wish,


s: Which well deserves completion."  Scarce his words


s: For that render I thanks to God and praise


s: Turn'd his avenging fangs.  Him here we left,


s: Nor speak I of him more.  But on mine ear


s: Whereat mine eye unbarr'd I sent abroad.


s: And thus the good instructor: "Now, my son!


s: Draws near the city, that of Dis is nam'd,


s: With its grave denizens, a mighty throng."


s: Gleaming vermilion, as if they from fire


s: Had issu'd."  He replied: "Eternal fire,


s: That inward burns, shows them with ruddy flame


s: Illum'd; as in this nether hell thou seest."


s: We came within the fosses deep, that moat


s: This region comfortless.  The walls appear'd


s: As they were fram'd of iron.  We had made


s: Wide circuit, ere a place we reach'd, where loud


s: The' entrance is here!"  Upon the gates I spied


s: More than a thousand, who of old from heaven


s: Were hurl'd.  With ireful gestures, "Who is this,"


s: They cried, "that without death first felt, goes through


s: The regions of the dead?"  My sapient guide


s: Made sign that he for secret parley wish'd;


s: They spake: "Come thou alone; and let him go


s: If well he know it, let him prove.  For thee,


s: Here shalt thou tarry, who through clime so dark


s: Hast been his escort." Now bethink thee, reader!


s: What cheer was mine at sound of those curs'd words.


s: "O my lov'd guide! who more than seven times


s: From peril deep, whereto I stood expos'd,


s: Desert me not," I cried, "in this extreme.


s: Together trace we back our steps with speed."


s: Replied: "Fear not: for of our passage none


s: Hath power to disappoint us, by such high


s: Expect me here; meanwhile thy wearied spirit


s: Comfort, and feed with kindly hope, assur'd


s: I will not leave thee in this lower world."


s: At war 'twixt will and will not in my thoughts.


s: I could not hear what terms he offer'd them,


s: But they conferr'd not long, for all at once


s: To trial fled within.  Clos'd were the gates


s: His eyes were bent, and from his brow eras'd


s: All confidence, while thus with sighs he spake:


s: "Who hath denied me these abodes of woe?"


s: Then thus to me: "That I am anger'd, think


s: Shall vanquish, use what arts they may within


s: For hindrance.  This their insolence, not new,


s: Erewhile at gate less secret they display'd,


s: Which still is without bolt; upon its arch


s: Thou saw'st the deadly scroll: and even now


s: On this side of its entrance, down the steep,


s: One whose strong might can open us this land."


s: THE hue, which coward dread on my pale cheeks


s: Imprinted, when I saw my guide turn back,


s: Chas'd that from his which newly they had worn,


s: Who listens, stood attentive: for his eye


s: Not far could lead him through the sable air,


s: And the thick-gath'ring cloud.  "It yet behooves


s: We win this fight"--thus he began--"if not--


s: Such aid to us is offer'd.--Oh, how long


s: Me seems it, ere the promis'd help arrive!"


s: Clok'd their beginning; for the last he spake


s: Agreed not with the first.  But not the less


s: To import worse perchance, than that he held,


s: Into this rueful concave's extreme depth


s: Descend, out of the first degree, whose pain


s: This journey, which I wend.  Erewhile 'tis true


s: Once came I here beneath, conjur'd by fell


s: Erictho, sorceress, who compell'd the shades


s: Back to their bodies.  No long space my flesh


s: Was naked of me, when within these walls


s: She made me enter, to draw forth a spirit


s: From out of Judas' circle.  Lowest place


s: Farthest from heav'n's all-circling orb.  The road


s: Full well I know: thou therefore rest secure.


s: That lake, the noisome stench exhaling, round


s: The city' of grief encompasses, which now


s: We may not enter without rage."  Yet more


s: For that mine eye toward the lofty tower


s: Had drawn me wholly, to its burning top.


s: At once three hellish furies stain'd with blood:


s: In limb and motion feminine they seem'd;


s: Around them greenest hydras twisting roll'd


s: Their volumes; adders and cerastes crept


s: Instead of hair, and their fierce temples bound.


s: Who tend the queen of endless woe, thus spake:


s: "Mark thou each dire Erinnys. To the left


s: I' th' midst."  This said, in silence he remain'd


s: Their breast they each one clawing tore; themselves


s: Smote with their palms, and such shrill clamour rais'd,


s: That to the bard I clung, suspicion-bound.


s: Him shall we change;" all looking down exclaim'd.


s: "E'en when by Theseus' might assail'd, we took


s: No ill revenge."  "Turn thyself round, and keep


s: Thy count'nance hid; for if the Gorgon dire


s: Be shown, and thou shouldst view it, thy return


s: Upwards would be for ever lost."  This said,


s: Himself my gentle master turn'd me round,


s: Nor trusted he my hands, but with his own


s: Sound and entire, mark well the lore conceal'd


s: Under close texture of the mystic strain!


s: And now there came o'er the perturbed waves


s: Loud-crashing, terrible, a sound that made


s: Impetuous, from conflicting vapours sprung,


s: That 'gainst some forest driving all its might,


s: Plucks off the branches, beats them down and hurls


s: Afar; then onward passing proudly sweeps


s: Its whirlwind rage, while beasts and shepherds fly.


s: Mine eyes he loos'd, and spake: "And now direct


s: Thy visual nerve along that ancient foam,


s: There, thickest where the smoke ascends." As frogs


s: Before their foe the serpent, through the wave


s: Ply swiftly all, till at the ground each one


s: Lies on a heap; more than a thousand spirits


s: Who pass'd with unwet feet the Stygian sound.


s: He, from his face removing the gross air,


s: Oft his left hand forth stretch'd, and seem'd alone


s: That he was sent from heav'n, and to my guide


s: Turn'd me, who signal made that I should stand


s: He came, and with his wand touch'd it, whereat


s: "Outcasts of heav'n!  O abject race and scorn'd!"


s: Began he on the horrid grunsel standing,


s: "Whence doth this wild excess of insolence


s: Lodge in you? wherefore kick you 'gainst that will


s: Ne'er frustrate of its end, and which so oft


s: Hath laid on you enforcement of your pangs?


s: What profits at the fays to but the horn?


s: Bears still, peel'd of their hair, his throat and maw."


s: This said, he turn'd back o'er the filthy way,


s: Beset, and keenly press'd, than thought of him


s: Who in his presence stands.  Then we our steps


s: There enter'd; and my mind eager to learn


s: What state a fortress like to that might hold,


s: I soon as enter'd throw mine eye around,


s: And see on every part wide-stretching space


s: Replete with bitter pain and torment ill.


s: As where Rhone stagnates on the plains of Arles,


s: The place is all thick spread with sepulchres;


s: So was it here, save what in horror here


s: Excell'd: for 'midst the graves were scattered flames,


s: Wherewith intensely all throughout they burn'd,


s: That iron for no craft there hotter needs.


s: Their lids all hung suspended, and beneath


s: From them forth issu'd lamentable moans,


s: Such as the sad and tortur'd well might raise.


s: I thus: "Master! say who are these, interr'd


s: Within these vaults, of whom distinct we hear


s: The dolorous sighs?"  He answer thus return'd:


s: "The arch-heretics are here, accompanied


s: By every sect their followers; and much more,


s: Than thou believest, tombs are freighted: like


s: Are different in degrees of heat."  This said,


s: He to the right hand turning, on we pass'd


s: Betwixt the afflicted and the ramparts high.


s: Between the walls, that hem the region round,


s: And the tormented souls: my master first,


s: I close behind his steps.  "Virtue supreme!"


s: I thus began; "who through these ample orbs


s: In circuit lead'st me, even as thou will'st,


s: Speak thou, and satisfy my wish.  May those,


s: Who lie within these sepulchres, be seen?


s: Already all the lids are rais'd, and none


s: O'er them keeps watch."  He thus in answer spake


s: "They shall be closed all, what-time they here


s: From Josaphat return'd shall come, and bring


s: Their bodies, which above they now have left.


s: Here therefore satisfaction shall be soon


s: Both to the question ask'd, and to the wish,


s: Which thou conceal'st in silence."  I replied:


s: "I keep not, guide belov'd! from thee my heart


s: Secreted, but to shun vain length of words,


s: A lesson erewhile taught me by thyself."


s: "O Tuscan! thou who through the city of fire


s: Alive art passing, so discreet of speech!


s: Here please thee stay awhile. Thy utterance


s: To be that noble land, with which perchance


s: I too severely dealt."  Sudden that sound


s: Forth issu'd from a vault, whereat in fear


s: Approaching, he thus spake: "What dost thou?  Turn.


s: Expos'd behold him."  On his face was mine


s: Already fix'd; his breast and forehead there


s: Erecting, seem'd as in high scorn he held


s: E'en hell.  Between the sepulchres to him


s: My guide thrust me with fearless hands and prompt,


s: This warning added: "See thy words be clear!"


s: He, soon as there I stood at the tomb's foot,


s: Ey'd me a space, then in disdainful mood


s: Address'd me: "Say, what ancestors were thine?"


s: I, willing to obey him, straight reveal'd


s: The whole, nor kept back aught: whence he, his brow


s: Somewhat uplifting, cried: "Fiercely were they


s: From whence I sprang: twice therefore I abroad


s: Scatter'd them."  "Though driv'n out, yet they each time


s: From all parts," answer'd I, "return'd; an art


s: Which yours have shown, they are not skill'd to learn."


s: Then, peering forth from the unclosed jaw,


s: Rose from his side a shade, high as the chin,


s: Leaning, methought, upon its knees uprais'd.


s: If there were other with me; but perceiving


s: That fond imagination quench'd, with tears


s: Thus spake: "If thou through this blind prison go'st.


s: Where is my son? and wherefore not with thee?"


s: I straight replied: "Not of myself I come,


s: By him, who there expects me, through this clime


s: Had in contempt."  Already had his words


s: And mode of punishment read me his name,


s: Exclaim'd, up starting, "How! said'st thou he HAD?


s: No longer lives he?  Strikes not on his eye


s: The blessed daylight?"  Then of some delay


s: Supine, not after forth appear'd he more.


s: Meanwhile the other, great of soul, near whom


s: I yet was station'd, chang'd not count'nance stern,


s: Nor mov'd the neck, nor bent his ribbed side.


s: "And if," continuing the first discourse,


s: "They in this art," he cried, "small skill have shown,


s: That doth torment me more e'en than this bed.


s: But not yet fifty times shall be relum'd


s: Her aspect, who reigns here Queen of this realm,


s: Ere thou shalt know the full weight of that art.


s: So to the pleasant world mayst thou return,


s: As thou shalt tell me, why in all their laws,


s: "The slaughter and great havoc," I replied,


s: "That colour'd Arbia's flood with crimson stain--


s: To these impute, that in our hallow'd dome


s: The head, then thus resum'd: "In that affray


s: I stood not singly, nor without just cause


s: Assuredly should with the rest have stirr'd;


s: But singly there I stood, when by consent


s: Of all, Florence had to the ground been raz'd,


s: "So may thy lineage find at last repose,"


s: I thus adjur'd him, "as thou solve this knot,


s: Which now involves my mind.  If right I hear,


s: Ye seem to view beforehand, that which time


s: Leads with him, of the present uninform'd."


s: "We view, as one who hath an evil sight,"


s: He answer'd, "plainly, objects far remote:


s: So much of his large spendour yet imparts


s: The' Almighty Ruler; but when they approach


s: Then wholly fails, nor of your human state


s: Except what others bring us know we aught.


s: Hence therefore mayst thou understand, that all


s: Our knowledge in that instant shall expire,


s: Then conscious of my fault, and by remorse


s: Smitten, I added thus: "Now shalt thou say


s: To him there fallen, that his offspring still


s: Is to the living join'd; and bid him know,


s: 'Twas that my thought was occupied intent


s: Upon that error, which thy help hath solv'd."


s: I heard, and with more eager haste besought


s: Partook his lot.  He answer thus return'd:


s: "More than a thousand with me here are laid


s: Within is Frederick, second of that name,


s: I speak not."  He, this said, from sight withdrew.


s: Betokening me such ill.  Onward he mov'd,


s: And thus in going question'd: "Whence the' amaze


s: That holds thy senses wrapt?"  I satisfied


s: The' inquiry, and the sage enjoin'd me straight:


s: "Let thy safe memory store what thou hast heard


s: To thee importing harm; and note thou this,"


s: With his rais'd finger bidding me take heed,


s: "When thou shalt stand before her gracious beam,


s: Whose bright eye all surveys, she of thy life


s: Forthwith he to the left hand turn'd his feet:


s: We left the wall, and tow'rds the middle space


s: Went by a path, that to a valley strikes;


s: Which e'en thus high exhal'd its noisome steam.


s: By craggy rocks environ'd round, we came,


s: Where woes beneath more cruel yet were stow'd:


s: Whereon this scroll I mark'd: "I have in charge


s: From the right path.--Ere our descent behooves


s: We make delay, that somewhat first the sense,


s: To the dire breath accustom'd, afterward


s: Regard it not."  My master thus; to whom


s: Answering I spake: "Some compensation find


s: That the time past not wholly lost."  He then:


s: "Lo! how my thoughts e'en to thy wishes tend!


s: My son! within these rocks," he thus began,


s: "Are three close circles in gradation plac'd,


s: As these which now thou leav'st. Each one is full


s: Of spirits accurs'd; but that the sight alone


s: And for what cause in durance they abide.


s: "Of all malicious act abhorr'd in heaven,


s: Either by force or fraud works other's woe


s: But fraud, because of man peculiar evil,


s: The fraudulent are therefore doom'd to' endure


s: All the first circle; and because to force


s: Three persons are obnoxious, in three rounds


s: Hach within other sep'rate is it fram'd.


s: To God, his neighbour, and himself, by man


s: And his possessions, as thou soon shalt hear


s: At full.  Death, violent death, and painful wounds


s: Upon his neighbour he inflicts; and wastes


s: By devastation, pillage, and the flames,


s: His substance.  Slayers, and each one that smites


s: In malice, plund'rers, and all robbers, hence


s: In different herds.  Man can do violence


s: To himself and his own blessings: and for this


s: Whoe'er deprives himself of life and light,


s: In reckless lavishment his talent wastes,


s: And sorrows there where he should dwell in joy.


s: To God may force be offer'd, in the heart


s: And nature with her kindly law contemning.


s: And thence the inmost round marks with its seal


s: Contemptuously' of the Godhead in their hearts.


s: "Fraud, that in every conscience leaves a sting,


s: May be by man employ'd on one, whose trust


s: Strict confidence.  Seems as the latter way


s: Broke but the bond of love which Nature makes.


s: Whence in the second circle have their nest


s: Theft, falsehood, simony, all who seduce


s: With such vile scum as these.  The other way


s: Forgets both Nature's general love, and that


s: Which thereto added afterwards gives birth


s: To special faith.  Whence in the lesser circle,


s: Point of the universe, dread seat of Dis,


s: I thus: "Instructor, clearly thy discourse


s: Proceeds, distinguishing the hideous chasm


s: But tell me this: they of the dull, fat pool,


s: Whom the rain beats, or whom the tempest drives,


s: Or who with tongues so fierce conflicting meet,


s: Are not these punish'd, if God's wrath be on them?


s: And if it be not, wherefore in such guise


s: Are they condemned?"  He answer thus return'd:


s: "Wherefore in dotage wanders thus thy mind,


s: Not so accustom'd? or what other thoughts


s: The words, wherein thy ethic page describes


s: Three dispositions adverse to Heav'n's will,


s: Incont'nence, malice, and mad brutishness,


s: God, and least guilt incurs?  If well thou note


s: This judgment, and remember who they are,


s: Without these walls to vain repentance doom'd,


s: Thou shalt discern why they apart are plac'd


s: From these fell spirits, and less wreakful pours


s: Justice divine on them its vengeance down."


s: "O Sun! who healest all imperfect sight,


s: Thou so content'st me, when thou solv'st my doubt,


s: That ignorance not less than knowledge charms.


s: Yet somewhat turn thee back," I in these words


s: Continu'd, "where thou saidst, that usury


s: Offends celestial Goodness; and this knot


s: Perplex'd unravel."  He thus made reply:


s: Clearly points out, not in one part alone,


s: From the celestial mind and from its art:


s: And where her laws the Stagyrite unfolds,


s: Not many leaves scann'd o'er, observing well


s: Thou shalt discover, that your art on her


s: Obsequious follows, as the learner treads


s: In his instructor's step, so that your art


s: From God.  These two, if thou recall to mind


s: Creation's holy book, from the beginning


s: Were the right source of life and excellence


s: And in her follower thus he sets at nought,


s: Placing elsewhere his hope.  But follow now


s: My steps on forward journey bent; for now


s: Along the' horizon, and the Wain lies all


s: O'er the north-west; and onward there a space


s: Is our steep passage down the rocky height."


s: THE place where to descend the precipice


s: We came, was rough as Alp, and on its verge


s: Such object lay, as every eye would shun.


s: On this side Trento struck, should'ring the wave,


s: Or loos'd by earthquake or for lack of prop;


s: For from the mountain's summit, whence it mov'd


s: Is shiver'd, that some passage it might give


s: To him who from above would pass; e'en such


s: Into the chasm was that descent: and there


s: At point of the disparted ridge lay stretch'd


s: Of the feign'd heifer: and at sight of us


s: It gnaw'd itself, as one with rage distract.


s: To him my guide exclaim'd: "Perchance thou deem'st


s: The King of Athens here, who, in the world


s: Above, thy death contriv'd.  Monster! avaunt!


s: He comes not tutor'd by thy sister's art,


s: But to behold your torments is he come."


s: Like to a bull, that with impetuous spring


s: Darts, at the moment when the fatal blow


s: The Minotaur; whereat the sage exclaim'd:


s: "Run to the passage! while he storms, 't is well


s: That thou descend."  Thus down our road we took


s: Through those dilapidated crags, that oft


s: Mov'd underneath my feet, to weight like theirs


s: Unus'd.  I pond'ring went, and thus he spake:


s: "Perhaps thy thoughts are of this ruin'd steep,


s: Have vanquish'd now. Know then, that when I erst


s: This rock was not yet fallen.  But past doubt


s: (If well I mark) not long ere He arrived,


s: Who carried off from Dis the mighty spoil


s: Of the highest circle, then through all its bounds


s: Such trembling seiz'd the deep concave and foul,


s: I thought the universe was thrill'd with love,


s: Whereby, there are who deem, the world hath oft


s: Been into chaos turn'd: and in that point,


s: Here, and elsewhere, that old rock toppled down.


s: But fix thine eyes beneath: the river of blood


s: Approaches, in the which all those are steep'd,


s: Who have by violence injur'd."  O blind lust!


s: In the brief life, and in the eternal then


s: As circling all the plain; for so my guide


s: Had told.  Between it and the rampart's base


s: On trail ran Centaurs, with keen arrows arm'd,


s: As to the chase they on the earth were wont.


s: At seeing us descend they each one stood;


s: And issuing from the troop, three sped with bows


s: And missile weapons chosen first; of whom


s: One cried from far: "Say to what pain ye come


s: Condemn'd, who down this steep have journied?  Speak


s: From whence ye stand, or else the bow I draw."


s: To whom my guide: "Our answer shall be made


s: To Chiron, there, when nearer him we come.


s: Ill was thy mind, thus ever quick and rash."


s: Then me he touch'd, and spake: "Nessus is this,


s: And wrought himself revenge for his own fate.


s: He in the midst, that on his breast looks down,


s: Is the great Chiron who Achilles nurs'd;


s: That other Pholus, prone to wrath."  Around


s: The foss these go by thousands, aiming shafts


s: From out the blood, more than his guilt allows.


s: We to those beasts, that rapid strode along,


s: Drew near, when Chiron took an arrow forth,


s: And with the notch push'd back his shaggy beard


s: To the cheek-bone, then his great mouth to view


s: Exposing, to his fellows thus exclaim'd:


s: Moves what he touches?  The feet of the dead


s: Are not so wont."  My trusty guide, who now


s: Stood near his breast, where the two natures join,


s: Be shown the gloomy vale, thereto induc'd


s: She left her joyful harpings in the sky,


s: Who this new office to my care consign'd.


s: But by that virtue, which empowers my step


s: To treat so wild a path, grant us, I pray,


s: One of thy band, whom we may trust secure,


s: Then on his right breast turning, Chiron thus


s: To Nessus spake: "Return, and be their guide.


s: And if ye chance to cross another troop,


s: Command them keep aloof."  Onward we mov'd,


s: The border of the crimson-seething flood,


s: Whence from those steep'd within loud shrieks arose.


s: Some there I mark'd, as high as to their brow


s: Immers'd, of whom the mighty Centaur thus:


s: "These are the souls of tyrants, who were given


s: To blood and rapine.  Here they wail aloud


s: Their merciless wrongs.  Here Alexander dwells,


s: Of woe wrought for fair Sicily.  That brow


s: Whereon the hair so jetty clust'ring hangs,


s: By his foul step-son."  To the bard rever'd


s: I turned me round, and thus he spake; "Let him


s: Be to thee now first leader, me but next


s: To him in rank."  Then farther on a space


s: The Centaur paus'd, near some, who at the throat


s: Were extant from the wave; and showing us


s: Exclaim'd: "He in God's bosom smote the heart,


s: Which yet is honour'd on the bank of Thames."


s: A race I next espied, who held the head,


s: 'Midst these I many a face remember'd well.


s: Thus shallow more and more the blood became,


s: So that at last it but imbru'd the feet;


s: And there our passage lay athwart the foss.


s: Thou seest diminishing," the Centaur said,


s: Where 't is the lot of tyranny to mourn.


s: There Heav'n's stern justice lays chastising hand


s: On Attila, who was the scourge of earth,


s: Tears ever by the seething flood unlock'd


s: Pazzo the other nam'd, who fill'd the ways


s: With violence and war."  This said, he turn'd,


s: And quitting us, alone repass'd the ford.


s: ERE Nessus yet had reach'd the other bank,


s: Of steps had worn a way.  Not verdant there


s: The foliage, but of dusky hue; not light


s: The boughs and tapering, but with knares deform'd


s: And matted thick: fruits there were none, but thorns


s: Instead, with venom fill'd. Less sharp than these,


s: Less intricate the brakes, wherein abide


s: Those animals, that hate the cultur'd fields,


s: Here the brute Harpies make their nest, the same


s: Drove with dire boding of their future woe.


s: Broad are their pennons, of the human form


s: Their neck and count'nance, arm'd with talons keen


s: The feet, and the huge belly fledge with wings


s: These sit and wail on the drear mystic wood.


s: The kind instructor in these words began:


s: "Ere farther thou proceed, know thou art now


s: I' th' second round, and shalt be, till thou come


s: Upon the horrid sand: look therefore well


s: Around thee, and such things thou shalt behold,


s: As would my speech discredit."  On all sides


s: I heard sad plainings breathe, and none could see


s: From whom they might have issu'd.  In amaze


s: Fast bound I stood.  He, as it seem'd, believ'd,


s: From some amid those thickets close conceal'd,


s: And thus his speech resum'd: "If thou lop off


s: A single twig from one of those ill plants,


s: The thought thou hast conceiv'd shall vanish quite."


s: Thereat a little stretching forth my hand,


s: From a great wilding gather'd I a branch,


s: And straight the trunk exclaim'd: "Why pluck'st thou me?"


s: Then as the dark blood trickled down its side,


s: These words it added: "Wherefore tear'st me thus?


s: Is there no touch of mercy in thy breast?


s: Men once were we, that now are rooted here.


s: Thy hand might well have spar'd us, had we been


s: The souls of serpents."  As a brand yet green,


s: That burning at one end from the' other sends


s: A groaning sound, and hisses with the wind


s: That forces out its way, so burst at once,


s: Forth from the broken splinter words and blood.


s: I, letting fall the bough, remain'd as one


s: Assail'd by terror, and the sage replied:


s: "If he, O injur'd spirit! could have believ'd


s: What he hath seen but in my verse describ'd,


s: He never against thee had stretch'd his hand.


s: But I, because the thing surpass'd belief,


s: Prompted him to this deed, which even now


s: Myself I rue.  But tell me, who thou wast;


s: That, for this wrong to do thee some amends,


s: In the upper world (for thither to return


s: Is granted him) thy fame he may revive."


s: "That pleasant word of thine," the trunk replied


s: "Hath so inveigled me, that I from speech


s: Count it not grievous.  I it was, who held


s: Both keys to Frederick's heart, and turn'd the wards,


s: Opening and shutting, with a skill so sweet,


s: The faith I bore to my high charge was such,


s: It cost me the life-blood that warm'd my veins.


s: The harlot, who ne'er turn'd her gloating eyes


s: From Caesar's household, common vice and pest


s: Of courts, 'gainst me inflam'd the minds of all;


s: And to Augustus they so spread the flame,


s: That my glad honours chang'd to bitter woes.


s: My soul, disdainful and disgusted, sought


s: Refuge in death from scorn, and I became,


s: By the new roots, which fix this stem, I swear,


s: That never faith I broke to my liege lord,


s: Clear he from wrong my memory, that lies


s: First somewhat pausing, till the mournful words


s: "Lose not the time; but speak and of him ask,


s: If more thou wish to learn."  Whence I replied:


s: Will, as thou think'st, content me; for no power


s: Have I to ask, such pity' is at my heart."


s: Freely what thou entreatest, as thou yet


s: Be pleas'd, imprison'd Spirit! to declare,


s: How in these gnarled joints the soul is tied;


s: Be loosen'd, if thou canst, that also tell."


s: Thereat the trunk breath'd hard, and the wind soon


s: Chang'd into sounds articulate like these;


s: "Briefly ye shall be answer'd.  When departs


s: The fierce soul from the body, by itself


s: Thence torn asunder, to the seventh gulf


s: By Minos doom'd, into the wood it falls,


s: No place assign'd, but wheresoever chance


s: Hurls it, there sprouting, as a grain of spelt,


s: A savage plant.  The Harpies, on its leaves


s: Then feeding, cause both pain and for the pain


s: A vent to grief.  We, as the rest, shall come


s: For our own spoils, yet not so that with them


s: Takes from himself it is not just he have.


s: Here we perforce shall drag them; and throughout


s: The dismal glade our bodies shall be hung,


s: Each on the wild thorn of his wretched shade."


s: We stood, expecting farther speech, when us


s: A noise surpris'd, as when a man perceives


s: The wild boar and the hunt approach his place


s: Of station'd watch, who of the beasts and boughs


s: Loud rustling round him hears.  And lo! there came


s: Two naked, torn with briers, in headlong flight,


s: That they before them broke each fan o' th' wood.


s: "Haste now," the foremost cried, "now haste thee death!"


s: The' other, as seem'd, impatient of delay


s: Exclaiming, "Lano! not so bent for speed


s: Thy sinews, in the lists of Toppo's field."


s: And then, for that perchance no longer breath


s: One group he made.  Behind them was the wood


s: Full of black female mastiffs, gaunt and fleet,


s: As greyhounds that have newly slipp'd the leash.


s: On him, who squatted down, they stuck their fangs,


s: The tortur'd limbs.  My guide then seiz'd my hand,


s: And led me to the thicket, which in vain


s: Mourn'd through its bleeding wounds: "O Giacomo


s: It cried, "that of me thou hast made thy screen?


s: For thy ill life what blame on me recoils?"


s: When o'er it he had paus'd, my master spake:


s: "Say who wast thou, that at so many points


s: Breath'st out with blood thy lamentable speech?"


s: He answer'd: "Oh, ye spirits: arriv'd in time


s: My leaves hath sever'd thus, gather them up,


s: And at the foot of their sad parent-tree


s: Carefully lay them.  In that city' I dwelt,


s: Who for the Baptist her first patron chang'd,


s: Whence he for this shall cease not with his art


s: To work her woe: and if there still remain'd not


s: On Arno's passage some faint glimpse of him,


s: Those citizens, who rear'd once more her walls


s: Had labour'd without profit of their toil.


s: I slung the fatal noose from my own roof."


s: Wrought in my bosom, I the scatter'd leaves


s: Was hoarse with utt'rance.  To the limit thence


s: We came, which from the third the second round


s: Divides, and where of justice is display'd


s: Contrivance horrible.  Things then first seen


s: A plain we reach'd, that from its sterile bed


s: Each plant repell'd. The mournful wood waves round


s: Its garland on all sides, as round the wood


s: Spreads the sad foss.  There, on the very edge,


s: Our steps we stay'd.  It was an area wide


s: The soil that erst by Cato's foot was trod.


s: Vengeance of Heav'n!  Oh! how shouldst thou be fear'd


s: By all, who read what here my eyes beheld!


s: All weeping piteously, to different laws


s: Subjected: for on the' earth some lay supine,


s: Some crouching close were seated, others pac'd


s: The torment lay, but louder in their grief.


s: O'er all the sand fell slowly wafting down


s: Dilated flakes of fire, as flakes of snow


s: On Alpine summit, when the wind is hush'd.


s: Descending, solid flames, that to the ground


s: Came down: whence he bethought him with his troop


s: The vapour was extinguish'd, while alone;


s: So fell the eternal fiery flood, wherewith


s: The marble glow'd underneath, as under stove


s: Unceasing was the play of wretched hands,


s: Now this, now that way glancing, to shake off


s: The heat, still falling fresh.  I thus began:


s: "Instructor! thou who all things overcom'st,


s: Except the hardy demons, that rush'd forth


s: To stop our entrance at the gate, say who


s: Is yon huge spirit, that, as seems, heeds not


s: The burning, but lies writhen in proud scorn,


s: Straight he himself, who was aware I ask'd


s: My guide of him, exclaim'd: "Such as I was


s: When living, dead such now I am.  If Jove


s: He snatch'd the lightnings, that at my last day


s: At their black smithy labouring by turns


s: "Help, help, good Mulciber!" as erst he cried


s: In the Phlegraean warfare, and the bolts


s: Launch he full aim'd at me with all his might,


s: Then thus my guide, in accent higher rais'd


s: Thou art more punish'd, in that this thy pride


s: Lives yet unquench'd: no torrent, save thy rage,


s: Were to thy fury pain proportion'd full."


s: Next turning round to me with milder lip


s: He spake: "This of the seven kings was one,


s: Who girt the Theban walls with siege, and held,


s: As still he seems to hold, God in disdain,


s: And sets his high omnipotence at nought.


s: Is ornament well suits the breast that wears it.


s: Follow me now; and look thou set not yet


s: Thy foot in the hot sand, but to the wood


s: Keep ever close."  Silently on we pass'd


s: To where there gushes from the forest's bound


s: A little brook, whose crimson'd wave yet lifts


s: My hair with horror.  As the rill, that runs


s: Down through the sand, its bottom and each bank


s: Stone-built, and either margin at its side,


s: Whereon I straight perceiv'd our passage lay.


s: "Of all that I have shown thee, since that gate


s: We enter'd first, whose threshold is to none


s: Denied, nought else so worthy of regard,


s: As is this river, has thine eye discern'd,


s: O'er which the flaming volley all is quench'd."


s: So spake my guide; and I him thence besought,


s: The food he too would give, that hunger crav'd.


s: "In midst of ocean," forthwith he began,


s: "A desolate country lies, which Crete is nam'd,


s: Under whose monarch in old times the world


s: Liv'd pure and chaste.  A mountain rises there,


s: Call'd Ida, joyous once with leaves and streams,


s: It was the spot which Rhea, Saturn's spouse,


s: And better to conceal him, drown'd in shouts


s: His infant cries.  Within the mount, upright


s: An ancient form there stands and huge, that turns


s: His shoulders towards Damiata, and at Rome


s: His head is shap'd, pure silver are the breast


s: And arms; thence to the middle is of brass.


s: And downward all beneath well-temper'd steel,


s: Save the right foot of potter's clay, on which


s: Each part except the gold, is rent throughout;


s: And from the fissure tears distil, which join'd


s: Penetrate to that cave.  They in their course


s: Then by this straiten'd channel passing hence


s: Beneath, e'en to the lowest depth of all,


s: Form there Cocytus, of whose lake (thyself


s: Shall see it) I here give thee no account."


s: Then I to him: "If from our world this sluice


s: Be thus deriv'd; wherefore to us but now


s: Appears it at this edge?"  He straight replied:


s: "The place, thou know'st, is round; and though great part


s: Thou have already pass'd, still to the left


s: Hast thou the circuit made of the whole orb.


s: It needs not bring up wonder in thy looks."


s: Then I again inquir'd: "Where flow the streams


s: Thou tell'st not, and the other of that shower,


s: Thou say'st, is form'd."  He answer thus return'd:


s: "Doubtless thy questions all well pleas'd I hear.


s: Yet the red seething wave might have resolv'd


s: One thou proposest.  Lethe thou shalt see,


s: But not within this hollow, in the place,


s: Whither to lave themselves the spirits go,


s: Whose blame hath been by penitence remov'd."


s: He added: "Time is now we quit the wood.


s: Look thou my steps pursue: the margins give


s: Envelop'd in the mist, that from the stream


s: Arising, hovers o'er, and saves from fire


s: Both piers and water.  As the Flemings rear


s: Their mound, 'twixt Ghent and Bruges, to chase back


s: That drives toward them, or the Paduans theirs


s: And castles, ere the genial warmth be felt


s: On Chiarentana's top; such were the mounds,


s: So fram'd, though not in height or bulk to these


s: He was, that rais'd them here.  We from the wood


s: Were not so far remov'd, that turning round


s: I might not have discern'd it, when we met


s: A troop of spirits, who came beside the pier.


s: And toward us sharpen'd their sight as keen,


s: Thus narrowly explor'd by all the tribe,


s: Caught me, and cried, "What wonder have we here!"


s: And I, when he to me outstretch'd his arm,


s: Intently fix'd my ken on his parch'd looks,


s: That although smirch'd with fire, they hinder'd not


s: But I remember'd him; and towards his face


s: My hand inclining, answer'd: "Sir!  Brunetto!


s: "And art thou here?"  He thus to me: "My son!


s: Oh let it not displease thee, if Brunetto


s: Turn back, and leave his fellows to proceed."


s: I thereto pray thee; and if thou be willing,


s: That I here seat me with thee, I consent;


s: His leave, with whom I journey, first obtain'd."


s: "O son!" said he, "whoever of this throng


s: One instant stops, lies then a hundred years,


s: Smites sorest.  Pass thou therefore on.  I close


s: Will at thy garments walk, and then rejoin


s: My troop, who go mourning their endless doom."


s: I dar'd not from the path descend to tread


s: On equal ground with him, but held my head


s: Bent down, as one who walks in reverent guise.


s: "What chance or destiny," thus he began,


s: "Ere the last day conducts thee here below?


s: And who is this, that shows to thee the way?"


s: "There up aloft," I answer'd, "in the life


s: Before mine age had to its fullness reach'd.


s: But yester-morn I left it: then once more


s: And by this path homeward he leads me back."


s: "If thou," he answer'd, "follow but thy star,


s: Thou canst not miss at last a glorious haven:


s: Unless in fairer days my judgment err'd.


s: And if my fate so early had not chanc'd,


s: Seeing the heav'ns thus bounteous to thee, I


s: Had gladly giv'n thee comfort in thy work.


s: Ay and still smack of their rough mountain-flint,


s: Will for thy good deeds shew thee enmity.


s: Nor wonder; for amongst ill-savour'd crabs


s: It suits not the sweet fig-tree lay her fruit.


s: Old fame reports them in the world for blind,


s: Covetous, envious, proud.  Look to it well:


s: Take heed thou cleanse thee of their ways.  For thee


s: Thy fortune hath such honour in reserve,


s: That thou by either party shalt be crav'd


s: With hunger keen: but be the fresh herb far


s: From the goat's tooth.  The herd of Fesole


s: May of themselves make litter, not touch the plant,


s: If any such yet spring on their rank bed,


s: In which the holy seed revives, transmitted


s: From those true Romans, who still there remain'd,


s: When it was made the nest of so much ill."


s: "Were all my wish fulfill'd," I straight replied,


s: "Thou from the confines of man's nature yet


s: Hadst not been driven forth; for in my mind


s: Is fix'd, and now strikes full upon my heart


s: As thine was, when so lately thou didst teach me


s: And how I priz'd the lesson, it behooves,


s: That, long as life endures, my tongue should speak,


s: What of my fate thou tell'st, that write I down:


s: This only would I have thee clearly note:


s: That so my conscience have no plea against me;


s: Do fortune as she list, I stand prepar'd.


s: Not new or strange such earnest to mine ear.


s: Speed fortune then her wheel, as likes her best,


s: The clown his mattock; all things have their course."


s: Turn'd himself back, then look'd at me and spake:


s: "He listens to good purpose who takes note."


s: Who are most known and chief among his tribe.


s: "To know of some is well;" thus he replied,


s: "But of the rest silence may best beseem.


s: Time would not serve us for report so long.


s: In brief I tell thee, that all these were clerks,


s: Men of great learning and no less renown,


s: With them is Priscian, and Accorso's son


s: Francesco herds among that wretched throng:


s: Possess'd thee, him thou also might'st have seen,


s: Who by the servants' servant was transferr'd


s: His ill-strain'd nerves he left.  I more would add,


s: But must from farther speech and onward way


s: Approaches.  I commend my TREASURE to thee,


s: Wherein I yet survive; my sole request."


s: This said he turn'd, and seem'd as one of those,


s: Who o'er Verona's champain try their speed


s: For the green mantle, and of them he seem'd,


s: Not he who loses but who gains the prize.


s: NOW came I where the water's din was heard,


s: Resounding like the hum of swarming bees:


s: When forth together issu'd from a troop,


s: That pass'd beneath the fierce tormenting storm,


s: Three spirits, running swift.  They towards us came,


s: And each one cried aloud, "Oh do thou stay!


s: Ah me! what wounds I mark'd upon their limbs,


s: Recent and old, inflicted by the flames!


s: E'en the remembrance of them grieves me yet.


s: Attentive to their cry my teacher paus'd,


s: And turn'd to me his visage, and then spake;


s: "Wait now! our courtesy these merit well:


s: And were 't not for the nature of the place,


s: Whence glide the fiery darts, I should have said,


s: That haste had better suited thee than them."


s: They, when we stopp'd, resum'd their ancient wail,


s: And soon as they had reach'd us, all the three


s: Whirl'd round together in one restless wheel.


s: As naked champions, smear'd with slippery oil,


s: Are wont intent to watch their place of hold


s: And vantage, ere in closer strife they meet;


s: Thus each one, as he wheel'd, his countenance


s: The neck mov'd ever to the twinkling feet.


s: And destitute, do call forth scorn on us


s: And our entreaties, let our great renown


s: That dost imprint with living feet unharm'd


s: The soil of Hell.  He, in whose track thou see'st


s: And reft of all, was of more high estate


s: Than thou believest; grandchild of the chaste


s: Achiev'd, both by his wisdom and his sword.


s: The other, next to me that beats the sand,


s: In the' upper world, of honour; and myself


s: Who in this torment do partake with them,


s: Am Rusticucci, whom, past doubt, my wife


s: Of savage temper, more than aught beside


s: Hath to this evil brought."  If from the fire


s: I had been shelter'd, down amidst them straight


s: I then had cast me, nor my guide, I deem,


s: Would have restrain'd my going; but that fear


s: Of the dire burning vanquish'd the desire,


s: Which made me eager of their wish'd embrace.


s: I then began: "Not scorn, but grief much more,


s: Such as long time alone can cure, your doom


s: Fix'd deep within me, soon as this my lord


s: Spake words, whose tenour taught me to expect


s: That such a race, as ye are, was at hand.


s: Affectionate have utter'd, and have heard


s: Your deeds and names renown'd.  Leaving the gall


s: For the sweet fruit I go, that a sure guide


s: Hath promis'd to me.  But behooves, that far


s: As to the centre first I downward tend."


s: "So may long space thy spirit guide thy limbs,"


s: He answer straight return'd; "and so thy fame


s: Shine bright, when thou art gone; as thou shalt tell,


s: Dwell in our city, or have vanish'd clean?


s: For one amidst us late condemn'd to wail,


s: Borsiere, yonder walking with his peers,


s: Grieves us no little by the news he brings."


s: Pride and excess, O Florence! have in thee


s: Engender'd, so that now in tears thou mourn'st!"


s: Thus cried I with my face uprais'd, and they


s: All three, who for an answer took my words,


s: Look'd at each other, as men look when truth


s: Comes to their ear.  "If thou at other times,"


s: Satisfy those, who question, happy thou,


s: Gifted with words, so apt to speak thy thought!


s: Wherefore if thou escape this darksome clime,


s: When thou with pleasure shalt retrace the past,


s: See that of us thou speak among mankind."


s: This said, they broke the circle, and so swift


s: Fled, that as pinions seem'd their nimble feet.


s: Not in so short a time might one have said


s: "Amen," as they had vanish'd. Straight my guide


s: Pursu'd his track.  I follow'd; and small space


s: Had we pass'd onward, when the water's sound


s: Was now so near at hand, that we had scarce


s: Heard one another's speech for the loud din.


s: E'en as the river, that holds on its course


s: They call, ere it descend into the vale,


s: Rebellows o'er Saint Benedict, roll'd on


s: From the' Alpine summit down a precipice,


s: Where space enough to lodge a thousand spreads;


s: Thus downward from a craggy steep we found,


s: That this dark wave resounded, roaring loud,


s: So that the ear its clamour soon had stunn'd.


s: I had a cord that brac'd my girdle round,


s: Wherewith I erst had thought fast bound to take


s: The painted leopard.  This when I had all


s: I gather'd up, and stretch'd it forth to him.


s: Then to the right he turn'd, and from the brink


s: Standing few paces distant, cast it down


s: Into the deep abyss.  "And somewhat strange,"


s: Thus to myself I spake, "signal so strange


s: Betokens, which my guide with earnest eye


s: Thus follows."  Ah! what caution must men use


s: With those who look not at the deed alone,


s: But spy into the thoughts with subtle skill!


s: "Quickly shall come," he said, "what I expect,


s: Thine eye discover quickly, that whereof


s: Thy thought is dreaming."  Ever to that truth,


s: Which but the semblance of a falsehood wears,


s: Since, although blameless, he incurs reproach.


s: But silence here were vain; and by these notes


s: Which now I sing, reader!  I swear to thee,


s: So may they favour find to latest times!


s: That through the gross and murky air I spied


s: A shape come swimming up, that might have quell'd


s: The stoutest heart with wonder, in such guise


s: As one returns, who hath been down to loose


s: An anchor grappled fast against some rock,


s: Or to aught else that in the salt wave lies,


s: Who upward springing close draws in his feet.


s: "LO! the fell monster with the deadly sting!


s: Who passes mountains, breaks through fenced walls


s: And firm embattled spears, and with his filth


s: Taints all the world!"  Thus me my guide address'd,


s: And beckon'd him, that he should come to shore,


s: Near to the stony causeway's utmost edge.


s: Forthwith that image vile of fraud appear'd,


s: His head and upper part expos'd on land,


s: But laid not on the shore his bestial train.


s: His face the semblance of a just man's wore,


s: So kind and gracious was its outward cheer;


s: The rest was serpent all: two shaggy claws


s: Reach'd to the armpits, and the back and breast,


s: And either side, were painted o'er with nodes


s: Nor Turks nor Tartars e'er on cloth of state


s: Nor spread Arachne o'er her curious loom.


s: As ofttimes a light skiff, moor'd to the shore,


s: Stands part in water, part upon the land;


s: Or, as where dwells the greedy German boor,


s: The beaver settles watching for his prey;


s: So on the rim, that fenc'd the sand with rock,


s: Sat perch'd the fiend of evil.  In the void


s: Glancing, his tail upturn'd its venomous fork,


s: With sting like scorpion's arm'd.  Then thus my guide:


s: "Now need our way must turn few steps apart,


s: Far as to that ill beast, who couches there."


s: Thereat toward the right our downward course


s: We shap'd, and, better to escape the flame


s: And burning marle, ten paces on the verge


s: Near the wide chasm.  Forthwith my master spake:


s: "That to the full thy knowledge may extend


s: Of all this round contains, go now, and mark


s: The mien these wear: but hold not long discourse.


s: Till thou returnest, I with him meantime


s: Will parley, that to us he may vouchsafe


s: The aid of his strong shoulders."  Thus alone


s: Of that seventh circle, where the mournful tribe


s: Were seated.  At the eyes forth gush'd their pangs.


s: Alternately their shifting hands they plied.


s: Thus use the dogs in summer still to ply


s: Their jaws and feet by turns, when bitten sore


s: By gnats, or flies, or gadflies swarming round.


s: Beneath the pelting of that dolorous fire,


s: One of them all I knew not; but perceiv'd,


s: That pendent from his neck each bore a pouch


s: With colours and with emblems various mark'd,


s: On which it seem'd as if their eye did feed.


s: And when amongst them looking round I came,


s: A yellow purse I saw with azure wrought,


s: That wore a lion's countenance and port.


s: Then still my sight pursuing its career,


s: A goose display of whiter wing than curd.


s: Pictur'd on his white scrip, addressed me thus:


s: "What dost thou in this deep?  Go now and know,


s: Since yet thou livest, that my neighbour here


s: Ofttimes they thunder in mine ears, exclaiming


s: 'O haste that noble knight! he who the pouch


s: With the three beaks will bring!'"  This said, he writh'd


s: The mouth, and loll'd the tongue out, like an ox


s: That licks his nostrils.  I, lest longer stay


s: He ill might brook, who bade me stay not long,


s: Backward my steps from those sad spirits turn'd.


s: He me encourag'd.  "Be thou stout; be bold.


s: Down such a steep flight must we now descend!


s: Mount thou before: for that no power the tail


s: May have to harm thee, I will be i' th' midst."


s: His nails already are turn'd blue, and he


s: Quivers all o'er, if he but eye the shade;


s: Such was my cheer at hearing of his words.


s: But shame soon interpos'd her threat, who makes


s: The servant bold in presence of his lord.


s: And would have said, but that the words to aid


s: My purpose came not, "Look thou clasp me firm!"


s: But he whose succour then not first I prov'd,


s: Embracing, held me up, and thus he spake:


s: "Geryon! now move thee! be thy wheeling gyres


s: Think on th' unusual burden thou sustain'st."


s: As a small vessel, back'ning out from land,


s: Her station quits; so thence the monster loos'd,


s: And when he felt himself at large, turn'd round


s: There where the breast had been, his forked tail.


s: Thus, like an eel, outstretch'd at length he steer'd,


s: Gath'ring the air up with retractile claws.


s: The reins let drop at random, whence high heaven,


s: Whereof signs yet appear, was wrapt in flames;


s: The trusted pennons loosen'd from his loins,


s: His sire exclaiming loud, "Ill way thou keep'st!"


s: Than was my dread, when round me on each part


s: Save the fell beast.  He slowly sailing, wheels


s: Breathes on me from below.  Now on our right


s: With hideous crash; whence bending down to' explore,


s: New terror I conceiv'd at the steep plunge:


s: For flames I saw, and wailings smote mine ear:


s: So that all trembling close I crouch'd my limbs,


s: And then distinguish'd, unperceiv'd before,


s: By the dread torments that on every side


s: Drew nearer, how our downward course we wound.


s: As falcon, that hath long been on the wing,


s: But lure nor bird hath seen, while in despair


s: The falconer cries, "Ah me! thou stoop'st to earth!"


s: Wearied descends, and swiftly down the sky


s: In many an orbit wheels, then lighting sits


s: At distance from his lord in angry mood;


s: Low down at base of the deep-furrow'd rock,


s: And, of his burden there discharg'd, forthwith


s: Sprang forward, like an arrow from the string.


s: THERE is a place within the depths of hell


s: Call'd Malebolge, all of rock dark-stain'd


s: That round it circling winds.  Right in the midst


s: A spacious gulf profound, whereof the frame


s: Due time shall tell.  The circle, that remains,


s: Throughout its round, between the gulf and base


s: Of the high craggy banks, successive forms


s: Ten trenches, in its hollow bottom sunk.


s: As where to guard the walls, full many a foss


s: Begirds some stately castle, sure defence


s: Were model'd these; and as like fortresses


s: E'en from their threshold to the brink without,


s: Are flank'd with bridges; from the rock's low base


s: Thus flinty paths advanc'd, that 'cross the moles


s: And dikes, struck onward far as to the gulf,


s: That in one bound collected cuts them off.


s: Such was the place, wherein we found ourselves


s: From Geryon's back dislodg'd. The bard to left


s: Held on his way, and I behind him mov'd.


s: That swarming peopled the first chasm.  Below


s: Were naked sinners.  Hitherward they came,


s: Meeting our faces from the middle point,


s: With us beyond but with a larger stride.


s: E'en thus the Romans, when the year returns


s: The thronging multitudes, their means devise


s: For such as pass the bridge; that on one side


s: All front toward the castle, and approach


s: Saint Peter's fane, on th' other towards the mount.


s: Horn'd demons I beheld, with lashes huge,


s: Ah! how they made them bound at the first stripe!


s: None for the second waited nor the third.


s: Meantime as on I pass'd, one met my sight


s: Whom soon as view'd; "Of him," cried I, "not yet


s: Mine eye hath had his fill."  With fixed gaze


s: I therefore scann'd him.  Straight the teacher kind


s: Paus'd with me, and consented I should walk


s: Backward a space, and the tormented spirit,


s: Who thought to hide him, bent his visage down.


s: But it avail'd him nought; for I exclaim'd:


s: "Thou who dost cast thy eye upon the ground,


s: Venedico art thou.  But what brings thee


s: Into this bitter seas'ning?" He replied:


s: But thy clear speech, that to my mind recalls


s: The world I once inhabited, constrains me.


s: The shameful tale have bruited.  Nor alone


s: Rather with us the place is so o'erthrong'd


s: That not so many tongues this day are taught,


s: To answer SIPA in their country's phrase.


s: Remember but our craving thirst for gold."


s: Him speaking thus, a demon with his thong


s: Struck, and exclaim'd, "Away! corrupter! here


s: Women are none for sale."  Forthwith I join'd


s: To where a rock forth issued from the bank.


s: From those eternal barriers. When arriv'd,


s: Where underneath the gaping arch lets pass


s: The scourged souls: "Pause here," the teacher said,


s: Strike on thy ken, faces not yet beheld,


s: For that together they with us have walk'd."


s: From the old bridge we ey'd the pack, who came


s: From th' other side towards us, like the rest,


s: Excoriate from the lash.  My gentle guide,


s: By me unquestion'd, thus his speech resum'd:


s: "Behold that lofty shade, who this way tends,


s: And seems too woe-begone to drop a tear.


s: Jason is he, whose skill and prowess won


s: The ram from Colchos. To the Lemnian isle


s: His passage thither led him, when those bold


s: And pitiless women had slain all their males.


s: There he with tokens and fair witching words


s: Who first had all the rest herself beguil'd.


s: Such is the guilt condemns him to this pain.


s: To his have practis'd.  And thus much to know


s: Of the first vale suffice thee, and of those


s: Whom its keen torments urge."  Now had we come


s: Where, crossing the next pier, the straighten'd path


s: Bestrides its shoulders to another arch.


s: Hence in the second chasm we heard the ghosts,


s: With wide-stretch'd nostrils snort, and on themselves


s: Smite with their palms.  Upon the banks a scurf


s: From the foul steam condens'd, encrusting hung,


s: That held sharp combat with the sight and smell.


s: So hollow is the depth, that from no part,


s: Could I distinguish aught.  Thus far we came;


s: And thence I saw, within the foss below,


s: A crowd immers'd in ordure, that appear'd


s: Searching with eye inquisitive, I mark'd


s: One with his head so grim'd, 't were hard to deem,


s: If he were clerk or layman.  Loud he cried:


s: Than on these other filthy ones, thy ken?"


s: "I heretofore have seen thee with dry locks,


s: Therefore than all the rest I scan thee more."


s: Then beating on his brain these words he spake:


s: "Me thus low down my flatteries have sunk,


s: Wherewith I ne'er enough could glut my tongue."


s: My leader thus: "A little further stretch


s: Thy face, that thou the visage well mayst note


s: Who there doth rend her with defiled nails,


s: Now crouching down, now risen on her feet.


s: "Thais is this, the harlot, whose false lip


s: Answer'd her doting paramour that ask'd,


s: 'Thankest me much!'--'Say rather wondrously,'


s: And seeing this here satiate be our view."


s: His wretched followers! who the things of God,


s: Which should be wedded unto goodness, them,


s: Now must the trumpet sound for you, since yours


s: Is the third chasm.  Upon the following vault


s: We now had mounted, where the rock impends


s: Which thou dost manifest in heaven, in earth,


s: I saw the livid stone, throughout the sides


s: All equal in their width, and circular each,


s: Than in Saint John's fair dome of me belov'd


s: Those fram'd to hold the pure baptismal streams,


s: One of the which I brake, some few years past,


s: The motive of my deed.  From out the mouth


s: The rest beneath was hid.  On either foot


s: The soles were burning, whence the flexile joints


s: Glanc'd with such violent motion, as had snapt


s: Asunder cords or twisted withs.  As flame,


s: Feeding on unctuous matter, glides along


s: The surface, scarcely touching where it moves;


s: So here, from heel to point, glided the flames.


s: "Master! say who is he, than all the rest


s: A ruddier flame doth prey?"  I thus inquir'd.


s: "If thou be willing," he replied, "that I


s: Carry thee down, where least the slope bank falls,


s: He of himself shall tell thee and his wrongs."


s: Thou art my lord; and know'st that ne'er I quit


s: Thy will: what silence hides that knowest thou."


s: Thereat on the fourth pier we came, we turn'd,


s: Nor from his side my leader set me down,


s: Till to his orifice he brought, whose limb


s: Quiv'ring express'd his pang.  "Whoe'er thou art,


s: Sad spirit! thus revers'd, and as a stake


s: Driv'n in the soil!"  I in these words began,


s: "If thou be able, utter forth thy voice."


s: There stood I like the friar, that doth shrive


s: A wretch for murder doom'd, who e'en when fix'd,


s: Calleth him back, whence death awhile delays.


s: He shouted: "Ha! already standest there?


s: By many a year the writing play'd me false.


s: So early dost thou surfeit with the wealth,


s: For which thou fearedst not in guile to take


s: I felt as those who, piercing not the drift


s: Of answer made them, stand as if expos'd


s: When Virgil thus admonish'd: "Tell him quick,


s: I am not he, not he, whom thou believ'st."


s: And I, as was enjoin'd me, straight replied.


s: That heard, the spirit all did wrench his feet,


s: And sighing next in woeful accent spake:


s: So much imports thee, who I am, that thou


s: Hast therefore down the bank descended, learn


s: So eager to advance my whelps, that there


s: And here myself.  Under my head are dragg'd


s: Of simony.  Stretch'd at their length they lie


s: Along an opening in the rock.  'Midst them


s: I also low shall fall, soon as he comes,


s: Hath pass'd, since my souls kindled, and I thus


s: Upturn'd have stood, than is his doom to stand


s: Planted with fiery feet.  For after him,


s: One yet of deeds more ugly shall arrive,


s: From forth the west, a shepherd without law,


s: As to that priest his king indulgent show'd,


s: Shall be of France's monarch shown to him."


s: But in this strain I answer'd: "Tell me now,


s: What treasures from St. Peter at the first


s: Into his charge?  Surely he ask'd no more


s: When lots were cast upon the forfeit place


s: Of the condemned soul.  Abide thou then;


s: And look thou well to that ill-gotten coin,


s: Which against Charles thy hardihood inspir'd.


s: If reverence of the keys restrain'd me not,


s: Which thou in happier time didst hold, I yet


s: O'ercasts the world with mourning, under foot


s: Treading the good, and raising bad men up.


s: Of shepherds, like to you, th' Evangelist


s: Was ware, when her, who sits upon the waves,


s: She who with seven heads tower'd at her birth,


s: And from ten horns her proof of glory drew,


s: Long as her spouse in virtue took delight.


s: Of gold and silver ye have made your god,


s: Ah, Constantine! to how much ill gave birth,


s: Not thy conversion, but that plenteous dower,


s: Which the first wealthy Father gain'd from thee!"


s: Meanwhile, as thus I sung, he, whether wrath


s: Or conscience smote him, violent upsprang


s: My teacher well was pleas'd, with so compos'd


s: Of the true words I utter'd.  In both arms


s: Nor weary of his weight he press'd me close,


s: Our passage from the fourth to the fifth pier.


s: His cherish'd burden there gently he plac'd


s: Not easy for the clamb'ring goat to mount.


s: AND now the verse proceeds to torments new,


s: Fit argument of this the twentieth strain


s: Of the first song, whose awful theme records


s: The spirits whelm'd in woe.  Earnest I look'd


s: Moisten'd with tears of anguish, and beheld


s: A tribe, that came along the hollow vale,


s: In silence weeping: such their step as walk


s: Quires chanting solemn litanies on earth.


s: As on them more direct mine eye descends,


s: At the neck-bone, so that the countenance


s: None might before him look, they were compell'd


s: To' advance with backward gait.  Thus one perhaps


s: Hath been by force of palsy clean transpos'd,


s: Now, reader! think within thyself, so God


s: Fruit of thy reading give thee! how I long


s: Near me our form distorted in such guise,


s: That on the hinder parts fall'n from the face


s: The tears down-streaming roll'd.  Against a rock


s: I leant and wept, so that my guide exclaim'd:


s: "What, and art thou too witless as the rest?


s: When she is dead.  What guilt exceedeth his,


s: Who with Heaven's judgment in his passion strives?


s: Raise up thy head, raise up, and see the man,


s: Before whose eyes earth gap'd in Thebes, when all


s: Cried out, 'Amphiaraus, whither rushest?


s: 'Why leavest thou the war?'  He not the less


s: Whose grapple none eludes.  Lo! how he makes


s: The breast his shoulders, and who once too far


s: Before him wish'd to see, now backward looks,


s: And treads reverse his path.  Tiresias note,


s: Who semblance chang'd, when woman he became


s: Of male, through every limb transform'd, and then


s: Once more behov'd him with his rod to strike


s: The two entwining serpents, ere the plumes,


s: That mark'd the better sex, might shoot again.


s: "Aruns, with more his belly facing, comes.


s: On Luni's mountains 'midst the marbles white,


s: Where delves Carrara's hind, who wons beneath,


s: A cavern was his dwelling, whence the stars


s: And main-sea wide in boundless view he held.


s: "The next, whose loosen'd tresses overspread