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


s: Her bosom, which thou seest not (for each hair


s: On that side grows) was Manto, she who search'd


s: Through many regions, and at length her seat


s: Fix'd in my native land, whence a short space


s: My words detain thy audience.  When her sire


s: Long time she went a wand'rer through the world.


s: A lake there lies, at foot of that proud Alp,


s: Its name Benacus, which a thousand rills,


s: Methinks, and more, water between the vale


s: At midway of that lake, where he who bears


s: Of Trento's flock the past'ral staff, with him


s: Of Brescia, and the Veronese, might each


s: Peschiera stands, to awe with front oppos'd


s: The Bergamese and Brescian, whence the shore


s: More slope each way descends.  There, whatsoev'er


s: Down falls, and winds a river flood beneath


s: Through the green pastures.  Soon as in his course


s: The steam makes head, Benacus then no more


s: They call the name, but Mincius, till at last


s: Not far his course hath run, when a wide flat


s: It finds, which overstretchmg as a marsh


s: All human converse, here she with her slaves


s: Plying her arts remain'd, and liv'd, and left


s: Her body tenantless.  Thenceforth the tribes,


s: Who round were scatter'd, gath'ring to that place


s: Assembled; for its strength was great, enclos'd


s: On all parts by the fen.  On those dead bones


s: They rear'd themselves a city, for her sake,


s: Calling it Mantua, who first chose the spot,


s: Of that my country, I forewarn thee now,


s: That falsehood none beguile thee of the truth."


s: I answer'd: "Teacher, I conclude thy words


s: So certain, that all else shall be to me


s: As embers lacking life.  But now of these,


s: Who here proceed, instruct me, if thou see


s: He straight replied: "That spirit, from whose cheek


s: The beard sweeps o'er his shoulders brown, what time


s: Graecia was emptied of her males, that scarce


s: The cradles were supplied, the seer was he


s: In Aulis, who with Calchas gave the sign


s: When first to cut the cable.  Him they nam'd


s: In which majestic measure well thou know'st,


s: Who know'st it all.  That other, round the loins


s: So slender of his shape, was Michael Scot,


s: Practis'd in ev'ry slight of magic wile.


s: Who now were willing, he had tended still


s: The thread and cordwain; and too late repents.


s: "See next the wretches, who the needle left,


s: Diviners: baneful witcheries they wrought


s: For now doth Cain with fork of thorns confine


s: Beneath the towers of Seville.  Yesternight


s: The moon was round.  Thou mayst remember well:


s: For she good service did thee in the gloom


s: Of the deep wood."  This said, both onward mov'd.


s: THUS we from bridge to bridge, with other talk,


s: The which my drama cares not to rehearse,


s: Pass'd on; and to the summit reaching, stood


s: Marvelous darkness shadow'd o'er the place.


s: Through wintry months tenacious pitch, to smear


s: Their unsound vessels; for th' inclement time


s: Sea-faring men restrains, and in that while


s: The ribs of his, that hath made many a voyage;


s: One hammers at the prow, one at the poop;


s: This shapeth oars, that other cables twirls,


s: The mizen one repairs and main-sail rent


s: Boil'd here a glutinous thick mass, that round


s: Lim'd all the shore beneath.  I that beheld,


s: But therein nought distinguish'd, save the surge,


s: Rais'd by the boiling, in one mighty swell


s: Heave, and by turns subsiding and fall.  While there


s: I fix'd my ken below, "Mark! mark!" my guide


s: Exclaiming, drew me towards him from the place,


s: Wherein I stood.  I turn'd myself as one,


s: He needs must shun, whom sudden fear unmans,


s: That he his flight delays not for the view.


s: That running, up advanc'd along the rock.


s: Ah! what fierce cruelty his look bespake!


s: In act how bitter did he seem, with wings


s: Buoyant outstretch'd and feet of nimblest tread!


s: Was with a sinner charg'd; by either haunch


s: He held him, the foot's sinew griping fast.


s: "Ye of our bridge!" he cried, "keen-talon'd fiends!


s: Whelm ye beneath, while I return for more.


s: That land hath store of such.  All men are there,


s: For lucre there an 'aye' is quickly made."


s: Him dashing down, o'er the rough rock he turn'd,


s: Sped with like eager haste.  That other sank


s: And forthwith writing to the surface rose.


s: But those dark demons, shrouded by the bridge,


s: Cried "Here the hallow'd visage saves not: here


s: Is other swimming than in Serchio's wave.


s: Wherefore if thou desire we rend thee not,


s: Take heed thou mount not o'er the pitch."  This said,


s: They grappled him with more than hundred hooks,


s: And shouted: "Cover'd thou must sport thee here;


s: So, if thou canst, in secret mayst thou filch."


s: E'en thus the cook bestirs him, with his grooms,


s: To thrust the flesh into the caldron down


s: With flesh-hooks, that it float not on the top.


s: Me then my guide bespake: "Lest they descry,


s: That thou art here, behind a craggy rock


s: Bend low and screen thee; and whate'er of force


s: Be offer'd me, or insult, fear thou not:


s: For I am well advis'd, who have been erst


s: In the like fray."  Beyond the bridge's head


s: Therewith he pass'd, and reaching the sixth pier,


s: Behov'd him then a forehead terror-proof.


s: With storm and fury, as when dogs rush forth


s: From whence he standeth makes his suit; so rush'd


s: Those from beneath the arch, and against him


s: Their weapons all they pointed.  He aloud:


s: "Be none of you outrageous: ere your time


s: Dare seize me, come forth from amongst you one,


s: "Who having heard my words, decide he then


s: If he shall tear these limbs."  They shouted loud,


s: The others standing firm, and as he came,


s: "What may this turn avail him?" he exclaim'd.


s: Thus far from all your skirmishing secure,"


s: My teacher answered, "without will divine


s: For so Heaven's pleasure is, that I should lead


s: Another through this savage wilderness."


s: Forthwith so fell his pride, that he let drop


s: And to the rest exclaim'd: "We have no power


s: To strike him."  Then to me my guide: "O thou!


s: Who on the bridge among the crags dost sit


s: Low crouching, safely now to me return."


s: I rose, and towards him moved with speed: the fiends


s: Meantime all forward drew: me terror seiz'd


s: Lest they should break the compact they had made.


s: Th' infantry dreading, lest his covenant


s: The foe should break; so close he hemm'd them round.


s: I to my leader's side adher'd, mine eyes


s: With fixt and motionless observance bent


s: On their unkindly visage.  They their hooks


s: "Wilt thou I touch him on the hip?"  To whom


s: Was answer'd: "Even so; nor miss thy aim."


s: But he, who was in conf'rence with my guide,


s: Turn'd rapid round, and thus the demon spake:


s: "Stay, stay thee, Scarmiglione!"  Then to us


s: This rock affords not, shiver'd to the base


s: Of the sixth arch.  But would you still proceed,


s: Another rock will yield you passage safe.


s: Yesterday, later by five hours than now,


s: Twelve hundred threescore years and six had fill'd


s: The circuit of their course, since here the way


s: Was broken.  Thitherward I straight dispatch


s: Certain of these my scouts, who shall espy


s: Go ye: for ye shall find them nothing fell.


s: Come Alichino forth," with that he cried,


s: Search ye around the bubbling tar.  For these,


s: In safety lead them, where the other crag


s: I then: "O master! what a sight is there!


s: Which, if thou know the way, I covet not.


s: Unless thy prudence fail thee, dost not mark


s: How they do gnarl upon us, and their scowl


s: Threatens us present tortures?"  He replied:


s: "I charge thee fear not: let them, as they will,


s: Gnarl on: 't is but in token of their spite


s: Against the souls, who mourn in torment steep'd."


s: To leftward o'er the pier they turn'd; but each


s: Had first between his teeth prest close the tongue,


s: Toward their leader for a signal looking,


s: Which he with sound obscene triumphant gave.


s: IT hath been heretofore my chance to see


s: Horsemen with martial order shifting camp,


s: Or in retreat sometimes outstretch'd for flight;


s: Light-armed squadrons and fleet foragers


s: Scouring thy plains, Arezzo! have I seen,


s: And clashing tournaments, and tilting jousts,


s: Now with the sound of trumpets, now of bells,


s: Tabors, or signals made from castled heights,


s: Or introduc'd from foreign land; but ne'er


s: Nor ship, that tack'd by sign from land or star.


s: With saints, with gluttons at the tavern's mess.


s: Still earnest on the pitch I gaz'd, to mark


s: All things whate'er the chasm contain'd, and those


s: Who burn'd within.  As dolphins, that, in sign


s: To mariners, heave high their arched backs,


s: That thence forewarn'd they may advise to save


s: Their threaten'd vessels; so, at intervals,


s: To ease the pain his back some sinner show'd,


s: Then hid more nimbly than the lightning glance.


s: E'en as the frogs, that of a wat'ry moat


s: Stand at the brink, with the jaws only out,


s: Their feet and of the trunk all else concealed,


s: Thus on each part the sinners stood, but soon


s: Drew back under the wave.  I saw, and yet


s: My heart doth stagger, one, that waited thus,


s: As it befalls that oft one frog remains,


s: While the next springs away: and Graffiacan,


s: Who of the fiends was nearest, grappling seiz'd


s: His clotted locks, and dragg'd him sprawling up,


s: When they were chosen, I observ'd, and mark'd


s: See that his hide thou with thy talons flay,"


s: Then I: "Inform thee, master! if thou may,


s: What wretched soul is this, on whom their hand


s: His foes have laid."  My leader to his side


s: Approach'd, and whence he came inquir'd, to whom


s: Was answer'd thus: "Born in Navarre's domain


s: My mother plac'd me in a lord's retinue,


s: A spendthrift of his substance and himself.


s: The good king Thibault after that I serv'd,


s: To peculating here my thoughts were turn'd,


s: Whereof I give account in this dire heat."


s: Straight Ciriatto, from whose mouth a tusk


s: Ript him with one of these.  'Twixt evil claws


s: The mouse had fall'n: but Barbariccia cried,


s: Seizing him with both arms: "Stand thou apart,


s: While I do fix him on my prong transpierc'd."


s: Then added, turning to my guide his face,


s: "Inquire of him, if more thou wish to learn,


s: "Then tell us of the partners in thy guilt;


s: Under the tar?"--"I parted," he replied,


s: "But now from one, who sojourn'd not far thence;


s: Nor hook nor talon then should scare me more."--.


s: Then, darting forth a prong, seiz'd on his arm,


s: Would next have caught, whence angrily their chief,


s: Turning on all sides round, with threat'ning brow


s: Restrain'd them.  When their strife a little ceas'd,


s: Of him, who yet was gazing on his wound,


s: "Who was the spirit, from whom by evil hap


s: Parting, as thou has told, thou cam'st to shore?"--


s: And us'd them so that they commend him well.


s: Money he took, and them at large dismiss'd.


s: Committed to his keeping, play'd the part


s: Of barterer to the height:  with him doth herd


s: Sardinia is a theme, whereof their tongue


s: That other, how he grins!  More would I say,


s: But tremble lest he mean to maul me sore."


s: Their captain then to Farfarello turning,


s: Who roll'd his moony eyes in act to strike,


s: Rebuk'd him thus: "Off! cursed bird!  Avaunt!"--


s: Quaking with dread resum'd, "or Tuscan spirits


s: Or Lombard, I will cause them to appear.


s: Meantime let these ill talons bate their fury,


s: So that no vengeance they may fear from them,


s: And I, remaining in this self-same place,


s: Will for myself but one, make sev'n appear,


s: When my shrill whistle shall be heard; for so


s: Then wagg'd the head and spake: "Hear his device,


s: Mischievous as he is, to plunge him down."


s: Whereto he thus, who fail'd not in rich store


s: Of nice-wove toils; "Mischief forsooth extreme,


s: But thus, the rest gainsaying, him bespake:


s: "If thou do cast thee down, I not on foot


s: Will chase thee, but above the pitch will beat


s: My plumes.  Quit we the vantage ground, and let


s: The bank be as a shield, that we may see


s: Now, reader, of new sport expect to hear!


s: They each one turn'd his eyes to the' other shore,


s: He first, who was the hardest to persuade.


s: The spirit of Navarre chose well his time,


s: Planted his feet on land, and at one leap


s: Them quick resentment stung, but him the most,


s: Who was the cause of failure; in pursuit


s: He therefore sped, exclaiming; "Thou art caught."


s: But little it avail'd: terror outstripp'd


s: His following flight: the other plung'd beneath,


s: And he with upward pinion rais'd his breast:


s: E'en thus the water-fowl, when she perceives


s: The falcon near, dives instant down, while he


s: Enrag'd and spent retires.  That mockery


s: After him, with desire of strife inflam'd;


s: And, for the barterer had 'scap'd, so turn'd


s: In grapple close they join'd; but the' other prov'd


s: And in the boiling lake both fell.  The heat


s: Was umpire soon between them, but in vain


s: To lift themselves they strove, so fast were glued


s: Their pennons.  Barbariccia, as the rest,


s: That chance lamenting, four in flight dispatch'd


s: From the' other coast, with all their weapons arm'd.


s: They, to their post on each side speedily


s: Descending, stretch'd their hooks toward the fiends,


s: Who flounder'd, inly burning from their scars:


s: And we departing left them to that broil.


s: One first, the other following his steps,


s: As minor friars journeying on their road.


s: The present fray had turn'd my thoughts to muse


s: What fate unto the mouse and frog befell.


s: For language hath not sounds more like in sense,


s: And as one thought bursts from another forth,


s: For thus I reason'd: "These through us have been


s: So foil'd, with loss and mock'ry so complete,


s: As needs must sting them sore.  If anger then


s: Be to their evil will conjoin'd, more fell


s: They shall pursue us, than the savage hound


s: Snatches the leveret, panting 'twixt his jaws."


s: On end with terror, and look'd eager back.


s: Thyself and me thou hide not, much I dread


s: He answer'd: "Were I form'd of leaded glass,


s: That from within.  This moment came thy thoughts


s: And count'nance similar, so that from both


s: I one design have fram'd.  If the right coast


s: Incline so much, that we may thence descend


s: He had not spoke his purpose to the end,


s: When I from far beheld them with spread wings


s: Caught me, ev'n as a mother that from sleep


s: Is by the noise arous'd, and near her sees


s: The climbing fires, who snatches up her babe


s: And flies ne'er pausing, careful more of him


s: Clings round her limbs.  Down from the jutting beach


s: Supine he cast him, to that pendent rock,


s: Which closes on one part the other chasm.


s: Adown the tube to turn a landmill's wheel,


s: When nearest it approaches to the spokes,


s: Reach'd to the lowest of the bed beneath,


s: When over us the steep they reach'd; but fear


s: In him was none; for that high Providence,


s: Which plac'd them ministers of the fifth foss,


s: Power of departing thence took from them all.


s: There in the depth we saw a painted tribe,


s: Faint in appearance and o'ercome with toil.


s: Caps had they on, with hoods, that fell low down


s: Before their eyes, in fashion like to those


s: Worn by the monks in Cologne.  Their outside


s: Was overlaid with gold, dazzling to view,


s: But leaden all within, and of such weight,


s: That Frederick's compar'd to these were straw.


s: We yet once more with them together turn'd


s: To leftward, on their dismal moan intent.


s: But by the weight oppress'd, so slowly came


s: Was chang'd at every movement of the step.


s: Whence I my guide address'd: "See that thou find


s: Some spirit, whose name may by his deeds be known,


s: And to that end look round thee as thou go'st."


s: Then one, who understood the Tuscan voice,


s: Cried after us aloud: "Hold in your feet,


s: Ye who so swiftly speed through the dusk air.


s: Perchance from me thou shalt obtain thy wish."


s: "Pause, and then onward at their pace proceed."


s: I staid, and saw two Spirits in whose look


s: Soon as arriv'd, they with an eye askance


s: Perus'd me, but spake not: then turning each


s: To other thus conferring said: "This one


s: Seems, by the action of his throat, alive.


s: And, be they dead, what privilege allows


s: They walk unmantled by the cumbrous stole?"


s: Disdain not to instruct us who thou art."


s: "By Arno's pleasant stream," I thus replied,


s: but who are ye, from whom such mighty grief,


s: As now I witness, courseth down your cheeks?


s: What torment breaks forth in this bitter woe?"


s: "Our bonnets gleaming bright with orange hue,"


s: One of them answer'd, "are so leaden gross,


s: That with their weight they make the balances


s: To crack beneath them.  Joyous friars we were,


s: To reconcile their strifes.  How there we sped,


s: But there brake off, for one had caught my eye,


s: Fix'd to a cross with three stakes on the ground:


s: He, when he saw me, writh'd himself, throughout


s: Distorted, ruffling with deep sighs his beard.


s: Thus spake: "That pierced spirit, whom intent


s: Thou view'st, was he who gave the Pharisees


s: Counsel, that it were fitting for one man


s: Transverse; nor any passes, but him first


s: Behoves make feeling trial how each weighs.


s: In straits like this along the foss are plac'd


s: He next his words address'd: "We pray ye tell,


s: We both may issue hence, without constraint


s: On the dark angels, that compell'd they come


s: To lead us from this depth."  He thus replied:


s: "Nearer than thou dost hope, there is a rock


s: From the next circle moving, which o'ersteps


s: Each vale of horror, save that here his cope


s: Is shatter'd.  By the ruin ye may mount:


s: For on the side it slants, and most the height


s: Rises below."  With head bent down awhile


s: My leader stood, then spake: "He warn'd us ill,


s: Who yonder hangs the sinners on his hook."


s: And the father of lies!'"  When he had spoke,


s: My leader with large strides proceeded on,


s: Somewhat disturb'd with anger in his look.


s: I therefore left the spirits heavy laden,


s: And following, his beloved footsteps mark'd.


s: IN the year's early nonage, when the sun


s: And now towards equal day the nights recede,


s: Her dazzling sister's image, but not long


s: The village hind, whom fails his wintry store,


s: And looking out beholds the plain around


s: All whiten'd, whence impatiently he smites


s: His thighs, and to his hut returning in,


s: There paces to and fro, wailing his lot,


s: Then comes he forth again, and feels new hope


s: Spring in his bosom, finding e'en thus soon


s: The world hath chang'd its count'nance, grasps his crook,


s: And forth to pasture drives his little flock:


s: That ill was cur'd; for at the fallen bridge


s: Arriving, towards me with a look as sweet,


s: He turn'd him back, as that I first beheld


s: At the steep mountain's foot.  Regarding well


s: The ruin, and some counsel first maintain'd


s: With his own thought, he open'd wide his arm


s: And took me up.  As one, who, while he works,


s: Computes his labour's issue, that he seems


s: Still to foresee the' effect, so lifting me


s: Said he, "but first make proof, if it be such


s: As will sustain thee."  For one capp'd with lead


s: This were no journey.  Scarcely he, though light,


s: And I, though onward push'd from crag to crag,


s: Could mount.  And if the precinct of this coast


s: Were not less ample than the last, for him


s: I know not, but my strength had surely fail'd.


s: The site of every valley hence requires,


s: That one side upward slope, the other fall.


s: At length the point of our descent we reach'd


s: From the last flag: soon as to that arriv'd,


s: So was the breath exhausted from my lungs,


s: I could no further, but did seat me there.


s: "Now needs thy best of man;" so spake my guide:


s: "For not on downy plumes, nor under shade


s: Without which whosoe'er consumes his days


s: Leaveth such vestige of himself on earth,


s: Thou therefore rise: vanish thy weariness


s: By the mind's effort, in each struggle form'd


s: To vanquish, if she suffer not the weight


s: Of her corporeal frame to crush her down.


s: From these to have escap'd sufficeth not.


s: If well thou note me, profit by my words."


s: I straightway rose, and show'd myself less spent


s: Than I in truth did feel me.  "On," I cried,


s: "For I am stout and fearless."  Up the rock


s: Our way we held, more rugged than before,


s: Narrower and steeper far to climb.  From talk


s: I ceas'd not, as we journey'd, so to seem


s: Least faint; whereat a voice from the other foss


s: Did issue forth, for utt'rance suited ill.


s: Though on the arch that crosses there I stood,


s: What were the words I knew not, but who spake


s: Seem'd mov'd in anger.  Down I stoop'd to look,


s: But my quick eye might reach not to the depth


s: For shrouding darkness; wherefore thus I spake:


s: "To the next circle, Teacher, bend thy steps,


s: And from the wall dismount we; for as hence


s: Beneath, and naught discern."--"I answer not,"


s: Said he, "but by the deed.  To fair request


s: We from the bridge's head descended, where


s: To the eighth mound it joins, and then the chasm


s: Of serpents terrible, so strange of shape


s: And hideous, that remembrance in my veins


s: Yet shrinks the vital current.  Of her sands


s: Cenchris and Amphisboena, plagues so dire


s: Or in such numbers swarming ne'er she shew'd,


s: Ran naked spirits wing'd with horrid fear,


s: Nor hope had they of crevice where to hide,


s: Or heliotrope to charm them out of view.


s: With serpents were their hands behind them bound,


s: Which through their reins infix'd the tail and head


s: Twisted in folds before.  And lo! on one


s: And, where the neck is on the shoulders tied,


s: Transpierc'd him.  Far more quickly than e'er pen


s: Wrote O or I, he kindled, burn'd, and chang'd


s: To ashes, all pour'd out upon the earth.


s: When there dissolv'd he lay, the dust again


s: Uproll'd spontaneous, and the self-same form


s: The' Arabian Phoenix, when five hundred years


s: Have well nigh circled, dies, and springs forthwith


s: Renascent.  Blade nor herb throughout his life


s: He tastes, but tears of frankincense alone


s: And myrrh his funeral shroud.  As one that falls,


s: He knows not how, by force demoniac dragg'd


s: To earth, or through obstruction fettering up


s: Who, risen from his trance, gazeth around,


s: He hath endur'd, and wildly staring sighs;


s: So stood aghast the sinner when he rose.


s: Oh! how severe God's judgment, that deals out


s: Such blows in stormy vengeance!  Who he was


s: My teacher next inquir'd, and thus in few


s: To this dire gullet.  Me the beastial life


s: And not the human pleas'd, mule that I was,


s: I then to Virgil: "Bid him stir not hence,


s: And ask what crime did thrust him hither: once


s: The sinner heard and feign'd not, but towards me


s: His mind directing and his face, wherein


s: Was dismal shame depictur'd, thus he spake:


s: "It grieves me more to have been caught by thee


s: In this sad plight, which thou beholdest, than


s: What thou inquirest.  I am doom'd thus low


s: And with the guilt another falsely charged.


s: But that thou mayst not joy to see me thus,


s: So as thou e'er shalt 'scape this darksome realm


s: Open thine ears and hear what I forebode.


s: Then Florence changeth citizens and laws.


s: From Valdimagra, drawn by wrathful Mars,


s: And sharp and eager driveth on the storm


s: With arrowy hurtling o'er Piceno's field,


s: Whence suddenly the cloud shall burst, and strike


s: Each helpless Bianco prostrate to the ground.


s: This have I told, that grief may rend thy heart."


s: WHEN he had spoke, the sinner rais'd his hands


s: Pointed in mockery, and cried: "Take them, God!


s: I level them at thee!"  From that day forth


s: The serpents were my friends; for round his neck


s: One of then rolling twisted, as it said,


s: "Be silent, tongue!"  Another to his arms


s: So close, it took from them the power to move.


s: To turn thee into ashes, cumb'ring earth


s: Thou hast outdone thy seed?  I did not mark,


s: Through all the gloomy circles of the' abyss,


s: Spirit, that swell'd so proudly 'gainst his God,


s: Not him, who headlong fell from Thebes.  He fled,


s: Nor utter'd more; and after him there came


s: A centaur full of fury, shouting, "Where


s: Where is the caitiff?"  On Maremma's marsh


s: Swarm not the serpent tribe, as on his haunch


s: They swarm'd, to where the human face begins.


s: With open wings, a dragon breathing fire


s: He, from his brethren parted, here must tread


s: A different journey, for his fraudful theft


s: Of the great herd, that near him stall'd; whence found


s: His felon deeds their end, beneath the mace


s: Of stout Alcides, that perchance laid on


s: A hundred blows, and not the tenth was felt."


s: While yet he spake, the centaur sped away:


s: And under us three spirits came, of whom


s: Nor I nor he was ware, till they exclaim'd;


s: "Say who are ye?"  We then brake off discourse,


s: Intent on these alone.  I knew them not;


s: But, as it chanceth oft, befell, that one


s: Had need to name another.  "Where," said he,


s: "Doth Cianfa lurk?"  I, for a sign my guide


s: Should stand attentive, plac'd against my lips


s: The witness of mine eyes.  But as I looked


s: Toward them, lo! a serpent with six feet


s: Springs forth on one, and fastens full upon him:


s: His midmost grasp'd the belly, a forefoot


s: Seiz'd on each arm (while deep in either cheek


s: He flesh'd his fangs); the hinder on the thighs


s: Were spread, 'twixt which the tail inserted curl'd


s: Upon the reins behind.  Ivy ne'er clasp'd


s: A dodder'd oak, as round the other's limbs


s: The hideous monster intertwin'd his own.


s: Then, as they both had been of burning wax,


s: That which was either now was seen no more.


s: Thus up the shrinking paper, ere it burns,


s: A brown tint glides, not turning yet to black,


s: And the clean white expires.  The other two


s: Look'd on exclaiming: "Ah, how dost thou change,


s: Agnello!  See!  Thou art nor double now,


s: "Nor only one."  The two heads now became


s: One, and two figures blended in one form


s: Appear'd, where both were lost.  Of the four lengths


s: Two arms were made: the belly and the chest


s: The thighs and legs into such members chang'd,


s: As never eye hath seen.  Of former shape


s: All trace was vanish'd.  Two yet neither seem'd


s: Of the fierce dog-star, that lays bare the fields,


s: Shifting from brake to brake, the lizard seems


s: A flash of lightning, if he thwart the road,


s: Approaching seem'd, an adder all on fire,


s: As the dark pepper-grain, livid and swart.


s: In that part, whence our life is nourish'd first,


s: One he transpierc'd; then down before him fell


s: Stretch'd out.  The pierced spirit look'd on him


s: But spake not; yea stood motionless and yawn'd,


s: As if by sleep or fev'rous fit assail'd.


s: He ey'd the serpent, and the serpent him.


s: One from the wound, the other from the mouth


s: Breath'd a thick smoke, whose vap'ry columns join'd.


s: Nor thy disastrous fate, Sabellus! tell,


s: Him chang'd, and her into a fountain clear,


s: Two natures thus transmuted did he sing,


s: Wherein both shapes were ready to assume


s: The other's substance.  They in mutual guise


s: So answer'd, that the serpent split his train


s: Divided to a fork, and the pierc'd spirit


s: Drew close his steps together, legs and thighs


s: Compacted, that no sign of juncture soon


s: The figure which the spirit lost, its skin


s: The shoulders next I mark'd, that ent'ring join'd


s: The monster's arm-pits, whose two shorter feet


s: So lengthen'd, as the other's dwindling shrunk.


s: That part that man conceals, which in the wretch


s: Was cleft in twain.  While both the shadowy smoke


s: Th' excrescent pile on one, peeling it off


s: One upright rose, and prone the other fell.


s: Not yet their glaring and malignant lamps


s: Were shifted, though each feature chang'd beneath.


s: Of him who stood erect, the mounting face


s: Retreated towards the temples, and what there


s: Superfluous matter came, shot out in ears


s: From the smooth cheeks, the rest, not backward dragg'd,


s: Of its excess did shape the nose; and swell'd


s: He, on the earth who lay, meanwhile extends


s: His sharpen'd visage, and draws down the ears


s: Into the head, as doth the slug his horns.


s: For utt'rance, severs; and the other's fork


s: Closing unites.  That done the smoke was laid.


s: The soul, transform'd into the brute, glides off,


s: The other talking sputters; but soon turn'd


s: His new-grown shoulders on him, and in few


s: Crawling, as I have done, speed Buoso now!"


s: Th' unsteady ballast of the seventh hold:


s: And here if aught my tongue have swerv'd, events


s: So strange may be its warrant.  O'er mine eyes


s: Confusion hung, and on my thoughts amaze.


s: Yet 'scap'd they not so covertly, but well


s: Of the three first that came, who chang'd not: thou,


s: The other's fate, Gaville, still dost rue.


s: Hast thriven, that o'er land and sea thy wings


s: Thou beatest, and thy name spreads over hell!


s: Among the plund'rers such the three I found


s: Thy citizens, whence shame to me thy son,


s: And no proud honour to thyself redounds.


s: But if our minds, when dreaming near the dawn,


s: Are of the truth presageful, thou ere long


s: Shalt feel what Prato, (not to say the rest)


s: Would fain might come upon thee; and that chance


s: Were in good time, if it befell thee now.


s: Would so it were, since it must needs befall!


s: For as time wears me, I shall grieve the more.


s: We from the depth departed; and my guide


s: Remounting scal'd the flinty steps, which late


s: We downward trac'd, and drew me up the steep.


s: Among the crags and splinters of the rock,


s: Sped not our feet without the help of hands.


s: Then sorrow seiz'd me, which e'en now revives,


s: As my thought turns again to what I saw,


s: And, more than I am wont, I rein and curb


s: The powers of nature in me, lest they run


s: Where Virtue guides not; that if aught of good


s: My gentle star, or something better gave me,


s: As in that season, when the sun least veils


s: His face that lightens all, what time the fly


s: Gives way to the shrill gnat, the peasant then


s: Upon some cliff reclin'd, beneath him sees


s: Fire-flies innumerous spangling o'er the vale,


s: Vineyard or tilth, where his day-labour lies:


s: With flames so numberless throughout its space


s: Shone the eighth chasm, apparent, when the depth


s: Was to my view expos'd. As he, whose wrongs


s: Rais'd their steep flight for heav'n; his eyes meanwhile,


s: Straining pursu'd them, till the flame alone


s: E'en thus along the gulf moves every flame,


s: And grasp'd a flinty mass, or else had fall'n,