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DANTE ALIGHIERI.
DANTE'S INFERNO
TRANSLATED BY
THE REV. HENRY I^RANCIS GARY, M.A.
FROM THE ORIGINAL OF
DANTE ALIGHIERI
AND ILLUSTRATED WITH THE DESIGNS OF
M. GUST AVE DORE
NEW EDITION.
NEW YORK
CASSELL PUBLISHING COMPANY
104 & 106 FOURTH AVENUE
LIFE OF DANTE.
DANTE, a name abbreviated, as was the custom in those days, from Durante or Durando, was of a very ancient Florentine family.
Dante was born in Florence, May, 1265. His mother's name was Bella, but of what family is no longer known. His father he had the misfortune to lose in his childhood ; but by the advice of his surviving rela- tions, and with the assistance of an able preceptor, Brunetto Latini, he applied himself closely to polite literature and other liberal studies, at the same time that he omitted no pursuit necessary for the accomplishment of a manly character, and mixed with the youth of his age in all honorable and noble exercises.
In the twenty-fourth year of his age he was present at the memorable battle of Campaldino, where he served in the foremost troop of cavalry, and was exposed to imminent danger. In the following year Dante took part in another engagement between his countrymen and the citizens of Pisa, from whom they took the castle of Caprona.
From what the poet has told us in his treatise entitled the " Vita Nuova," we learn that he was a lover long before he was a soldier, and that his passion for the Beatrice whom he has immortalized commenced when she was at the beginning and he near the end of his ninth year. Their first meeting was at a banquet in the house of Folco Portinari, her father ; and the impres- sion then made on the susceptible and constant heart of Dante was not obliterated by her death, which happened after an interval of sixteen years.
But neither war nor love prevented Dante from gratifying the earnest desire which he had of knowledge and mental improvement. By Benvenuto da Imola, one of the earliest of his commentators, it is stated that he studied in his youth at the universities of Bologna and Padua, as well as in that of his native city, and devoted himself to the pursuit of natural and moral phil- osophy. Francesco da Buti, another of his commentators in the fourteenth century, asserts that he entered the order of the Frati Minori, but laid aside the habit before he was professed.
In his own city, domestic troubles, and yet more severe public calamities, awaited him. In 1291 he was induced, by the solicitation of his friends, to console himself for the loss of Beatrice by a matrimonial connection with Gemma, a lady of the noble family of the Donati, by whom he had a numerous offspring. But the violence of her temper proved a source of the
V
vi LIFE OF DANTE.
bitterest suffering to him. It is not improbable that political animosity might have had some share in these dissensions ; for his wife was a kinswoman of Corso Donati, one of the most formidable as he was one of the most inveterate of his opponents.
In 300 he was chosen chief of the Priors, who at that time possessed the supreme authority in the state ; his colleagues being Palmieri degli Altoviti and Neri di Jacopo degli Alberti. From this exaltation our poet dated the cause of all his subsequent misfortunes in life.
In order to show the occasion of Dante's exile, it may be necessary to enter more particularly into the state of parties at Florence. The city, which had been disturbed by many divisions between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, at length remained in the power of the former ; but after some time these were again split into two factions. This perverse occurrence originated with the inhabitants of Pistoia, who, from an unhappy quarrel between two powerful families in that city, were all separated into parties known by those denom- inations. With the intention of composing their differences, the principals on each side were summoned to the city of Florence ; but this measure, instead of remedying the evil, only contributed to increase its virulence, by communicating it to the people of Florence themselves. For the contending parties were so far from being brought to a reconciliation, that each contrived to gain fresh partisans among the Florentines, with whom many of them were closely connected by the ties of blood and friendship ; and who entered into the dispute with such acrimony and eagerness, that the whole city was soon engaged either on one part or the other. It was not long before they passed, by the usual gradations, from contumely to violence. The factions were now known by the names of the Neri and the Bianci, the former generally siding with the Guelphs or adherents of the Papal power, the latter with the Ghibellines, or those who supported the authority of the Emperor. The Neri assembled secretly in the Church of the Holy Trinity, and determined on interceding with Pope Boniface VIII. to send Charles of Valois to pacify and reform the city. No sooner did this resolution come to the knowledge of the Bianci, than, struck with apprehension at the consequences of such a measure, they took arms, and repaired to the Priors, demanding of them the punishment of their adversaries, for having thus entered into private deliberations concerning the state, which they represented to have been done with the view of expelling them from the city. Those who had met, being alarmed in their turn, had also recourse to arms, and made their complaints to the Priors. Accusing their opponents of having armed themselves without any previous public discussion, and affirming that, under various pretexts, they had sought to drive them out of their country, they demanded that they might be punished as disturbers of the public tranquillity.
LIFE OF DANTE. vii
The dread and danger became general, when, by the advice of Dante, the Priors called in the multitude to their protection and assistance, and then proceeded to banish the principals of the two factions, who were these : Corso Donati, Geri Spini, Giachonotto de' Pazzi, Rosso della Tosa, and others of the Neri party, who were exiled to the Castello della Pieve, in Perugia ; and of the Bianchi party, who were banished to Serrazana, Gentile and Torrigiano de Cerchi, Guido Cavalcanti, Baschiera della Tosa, Baldinaccio Adimari, Naldo, son of Lottino Gherardini, and others. On this occasion Dante was accused of favoring the Bianchi, though he appears to have conducted himself with impartiality ; and the deliberation held by the Neri for intro- ducing Charles of Valois might, perhaps, have justified him in treating that party with greater rigor. The suspicion against him was increased, when those whom he was accused of favoring were soon after allowed to return from their banishment, while the sentence passed upon the other faction still remained in full force. To this Dante replied that when those who had been sent to Serrazana were recalled, he was no longer in office ; and that their return had been permitted on account of the death of Guido Cavalcanti, which was attributed to the unwholesome air of the place. The partiality which had been shown, however, afforded a pretext to the Pope for dispatching Charles of Valois to Florence, by whose influence a great reverse was soon produced in the public affairs ; the ex-citizens being restored to their place, and the whole of the Bianchi party driven into exile. At this juncture Dante was not in Florence, but at Rome, whether he had a short time before been sent ambassador to the Pope, with the offer of a voluntary return to peace and amity among the citizens. His enemies had now an opportunity of revenge, and, during his absence on this pacific mission, proceeded to pass an iniquitous decree of banishment against him and Palmieri Altoviti ; and at the same time confiscated his possessions, which, indeed, had been previously given up to pillage.
On hearing the tidings of his ruin, Dante instantly quitted Rome, and passed with all possible expedition to Sienna. Here, being more fully apprised of the extent of the calamity, for which he could see no remedy, he came to the desperate resolution of joining himself to the other exiles. His first meeting with them was at a consultation which they had at Gorgonza, a small castle subject to the jurisdiction of Arezzo, in which city it was finally, after a long deliberation, resolved that they should take up their station. Hither they accordingly repaired in a numerous body, made the Count Alessandro da Romena their leader, and appointed a council of twelve, of which number Dante was one. In the year 1304, having been joined by a very strong force, which was not only furnished them by Arezzo, but sent from Bologna and Pistoia, they made a sudden attack on the city of Florence, gained possession
viii LIFE OF DANTE.
of one of the gates, and conquered part of the territory, but were finally compelled to retreat without retaining any of the advantages they had acquired. Disappointed in this attempt to reinstate himself in his country, Dante quitted Arezzo ; and his course is, for the most part, afterwards to be traced only by notices casually dropped in his own writings, or discovered in documents, which either chance or the zeal of antiquaries may have brought to light.
In the service of his last patron, Guido da Polenta, in whom he seems to have met with a more congenial mind than in any of the former, his talents were grate- fully exerted, and his affections interested but to deeply ; for having been sent by Guido on an embassy to the Venetians, and not being able even to obtain an audience, on account of the rancorous animosity with which they regarded that prince, Dante returned to Ravenna so overwhelmed with disappointment and grief, that he was seized by an illness that terminated fatally, either in July or September, 132 1. Guido testified his sorrow and respect by the sumptuousness of his obsequies, and by .his intention to erect a monument, which he did not live to complete. His countrymen showed, too late, that they knew the value of what they had lost. At the beginning of the next century, their posterity marked their regret by entreating that the immortal remains of their illustrous citizen might be restored to therq, and deposited among the tombs of their fathers. But the people of Ravenna were unwilling to part with the sad and honorable memory of their own hospitality. No better success attended the subsequent negotiations of the Florentines for the same purpose, though renewed under the auspices of Leo X., and conducted through the powerful mediation of Michael Angelo.
The sepulchre designed and commenced by Guido da Polenta, was, in 1483, erected by Bernardo Bembo. A yet more magnificent memorial was raised so lately as the year 1770, by the Cardinal Gonzaga.
His children consisted of one daughter and five sons, two of whom, Pietro and Jacopo, inherited some of their father's abilities.
His daughter Beatrice became a nun in the convent of S. Stefano dell' Uliva, at Ravenna ; and, among the entries of expenditure by the Florentine Republic, appears a present of ten golden florins sent to her in 1350, by the hands of Boccaccio, from the state.
It is but justice to the wife of Dante not to omit what Boccaccio relates of her : that after the banishment of her husband, she secured some share of his property from the popular fury, under the name of her dowry ; that out of this she contrived to support their little family with exemplary discretion ; and that she even removed from them the pressure of poverty, by such indus- trious efforts as in her former afilue.nce she had never been called on to exert. Who does not regret, that with qualities so estimable, she wanted the sweet- ness of temper necessary for riveting the affections of her husband ?
THE VISION OF DANTE.
CANTO I.
ARGUMENT.
The writer, having lost his way in a gloomy forest, and being hindered by certain wild beasts from ascend- ing a mountain, is met by Virgil, who promises to show him the punishments of Hell, and afterwards of Purgatory ; and that he shall then be conducted by Beatrice into Paradise. He follows the Roman poet.
I N the midway of this our mortal Hfe, -*^ I found me in a gloomy wood, astray Gone from the path direct : and e'en to tell, It were no easy task, how savage wild That forest, how robust and rough its growth. Which to remember only, my dismay Renews, in bitterness not far from death. Yet, to discourse of what there good befell, All else will I relate discover'd there.
How first I enter'd it I scarce can say. Such sleepy dullness in that instant weigh'd My senses down, when the true path I left ; But when a mountain's foot I reach'd, where closed The valley that had pierced my heart with dread, I look'd aloft, and saw his shoulders broad* Already vested with that planet's beam. Who leads all wanderers safe through every way.
Then was a little respite to the fear, That in my heart's recesses deep had lain All of that night, so pitifully past : And as a man, with difficult short breath,
lO THE VISION. 22-57.
Forespent with toiling, 'scaped from sea to shore, Turns to the perilous wide waste, and stands At gaze ; e'en so my spirit, that yet fail'd. Struggling with terror, turn'd to view the straits That none hath past and lived. My weary frame After short pause re-comforted, again I journey'd on over that lonely steep, The hinder foot still firmer. Scarce the ascent Began, when, lo ! a panther, nimble, light, And cover'd with a speckled skin, appear'd ; Nor, when it saw me, vanish'd ; rather strove To check my onward going ; that ofttimes. With purpose to retrace my steps, I turn'd.
The hour was morning's prime, and on his way Aloft the sun ascended with those stars That with him rose when Love divine first moved Those its fair works ; so that with joyous hope All things conspired to fill me, the gay skin Of that swift animal, the matin dawn. And the sweet season. Soon that joy was chased. And by new dread succeeded, when in view A lion came, 'gainst me as it appear'd. With his head held aloft, and hunger-mad. That e'en the air was fear-struck. A she-wolf Was at his heels, who in her leanness seem'd Full of all wants, and many a land hath made Disconsolate ere now. She with such fear O'erwhelm'd me, at the sight of her appall'd. That of the height all hope I lost. As one Who, with his gain elated, sees the time When all unwares is gone, he inwardly Mourns with heart-griping anguish ; such was I, Haunted by that fell beast, never at peace, Who coming o'er against me, by degrees Impell'd me where the sun in silence rests.
While to the lower space with backward step
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In the midway of this our mortal life, I found me in a gloomy wood, astray.
Cattio I,, lines I, 3.
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58-95. HELL.— CANTO L ii
I fell, my ken discern'd the form of one
Whose voice seem'd faint through long disuse of speech.
When him in that great desert I espied,
" Have mercy on me," cried I out aloud,
" Spirit ! or living man ! whate'er thou b^e."
He answered : " Now not man, man once I was, And born of Lombard parents, Mantuans both By country, when the power of Julius yet Was scarcely firm. At Rome my life was past, Beneath the mild Augustus, in the time Of fabled deities and false. A bard Was I, and made Anchises' upright son The subject of my song, who came from Troy, When the flames prey'd on Ilium's haughty towers. But thou, say wherefore to such perils past Return'st thou ? wherefore not this pleasant mount Ascendest, cause and source of all delight ? " " And art thou then that Virgil, that well-spring. From which such copious floods of eloquence '
Have issued ? " I with front abash'd replied. " Glory and light of all the tuneful train ! May it avail me, that I long with zeal Have sought thy volume, and with love immense Have conn'd it o'er. My master thou, and guide ! Thou he from whom alone I have derived That style, which for its beauty into fame Exalts me. See the beast, from whom I fled. Oh, save me from her, thou illustrious sage ! For every vein and pulse throughout my frame She hath made tremble." He, soon as he saw That I was weeping, answer'd, " Thou must needs Another way pursue, if thou would'st 'scape From out that savage wilderness. This beast, At whom thou criest, her way will suffer none To pass, and no less hindrance makes than death: So bad and so accursed in her kind. That never sated is her ravenous will, Still after food more craving than before.
12 THE VISION. 96-132.
To many an animal in wedlock vile She fastens, and shall yet to many more, Until that greyhound come, who shall destroy Her with sharp pain. He will not life support By earth nor its base metals, but by love. Wisdom, and virtue ; and his land shall be The land 'twixt either Feltro. In his might Shall safety to Italia's plains arise. For whose realm, fair Camilla, virgin pure, Nisus, Euryalus, and Turnus fell. 'He, with incessant chase, through every town Shall worry, until he to hell at length Restore her, thence by envy first let loose. I, for thy profit pondering, now devise That thou mayst follow me ; and I, thy guide, Will lead thee hence through an eternal space. Where thou shalt hear despairing shrieks, and see ' Spirits of old tormented, who invoke A second death ; and those next view, who dwell Content in fire, for that they hope to come. Whene'er the time may be, among the blest, Into whose regions if thou then desire To ascend, a spirit worthier than I Must lead thee, in whose charge, when I depart. Thou shalt be left: for that Almighty King, Who reigns above, a rebel to his law Adjudges me ; and therefore hath decreed That, to his city, none through me shall come. He in all parts hath sway ; there rules, there holds His citadel and throne. Oh, happy those. Whom there he chooses ! " I to him in few : " Bard ! by that God, whom thou didst not adore, I do beseech thee (that this ill and worse I may escape) to lead me where thou saidst. That I St. Peter's gate may view, and those Who, as thou tell's^are in such dismal plight." Onward he moved, I close his steps pursued.
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A lion came, 'gainst me as it appeared, With his head held aloft, and hunger-mad.
Canie I., lines 43, 44,
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He soon as he saw That I was weeping, answer'd.
Canto I. , lines 87,
CANTO II.
ARGUMENT.
After the invocation, whicli poets are used to prefix to their works, he shows that, on a consideration of his own strength, he doubted whether it sufficed for the journey proposed to him, but that, being comforted by Virgil, he at last took courage, and followed him as his guide and master.
\TOW was the day departing, and the air, ■ ^ Embrown'd with -shadows, from their toils released All animals on earth ; and I alone Prepared myself the conflict to sustain. Both of sad pity, and that perilous road, Which my unerring memory shall retrace.
0 Muses ! Oh, high genius ! now vouchsafe Your aid. Oh, mind ! that all I saw hast kept Safe in a written record, here thy worth
And eminent endowments come to proof
1 thus began •: " Bard ! thou who art my guide, Consider well, if virtue be in me
Sufficient, ere to this high enterprise Thou trust me. Thou hast told that Silvius' sire, Yet clothed in corruptible flesh, among The immortal tribes had entrance, and was there Sensibly present. Yet if heaven's great Lord, Almighty foe to ill, such favor show'd In contemplation of the high effect. Both what and who from him should issue forth, It seems in reason's judgment well deserved ; Sith he of Rome and of Rome's empire wide, In heaven's empyreal height was chosen sire : Both which, if truth be spoken, were ordain'd And 'stablished for the holy place, where sits Who to great Peter's sacred chair succeeds.
13
14 THE VISION. 27-62.
He from this journey, in thy song renown'd,
Learn'd things, that to his victory gave rise
And to the Papal robe. In after-times
The chosen vessel also travell'd there,
To bring us back assurance in that faith
Which is the entrance to salvation's way.
But I, why should I there presume ? or who
Permits it ? not ^neas I, nor Paul.
Myself I deem not worthy, and none else
Will deem me. I, if on this voyage then
I venture, fear it will in folly end.
Thou, who art wise, better my meaning know'st.
Than I can speak." As one, who unresolves
What he hath late resolved, and with new thoughts
Changes his purpose from his first intent
Removed ; e'en such was I on that dun coast,
Wasting in thought my enterprise, at first
So eagerly embraced. " If right thy words
I scan," replied that shade magnanimous,
" Thy soul is by vile fear assail'd, which oft
So overcasts a man that he recoils
From noblest resolutions, like a beast
At some false semblance in the twilight gloom.
That from this terror thou mayst free thyself,
I will instruct thee why I came, and what
I heard in that same instant, when for thee
Grief touch'd me first, I was among the tribe,
Who rest suspended, when a dame, so blest
And lovely I besought her to command,
Call'd me ; her eyes were brighter than the star
Of day ; and she, with gentle voice and soft.
Angelically tuned, her speech address'd :
' Oh, courteous shade of Mantua ! thou whose fame
Yet lives, and shall live long as Nature lasts !
A friend, not of my fortune but myself.
On the wide desert in his road has met
63-98- HELL.—CANTO II.
Hindrance so great, that he through fear has turn'd.
Now much I dread lest he past help have stray'd,
And I be risen too late for his relief,
From what in heaven of him I heard. Speed now,
And by thy eloquent persuasive tongue,
And by all means for his deliverance meet.
Assist him. So to me will comfort spring.
I, who now bid thee on this errand forth.
Am Beatrice ; from a place I come
Re-visited with joy. Love brought me thence,
Who prompts my speech. When in my Master's sight
I stand, thy praise to him I oft will tell.'
" She then was silent, and I thus began : ' O Lady ! by whose influence alone Mankind excels whatever is contain'd Within that heaven which hath the smallest orb. So thy command delights me, that to obey. If it were done already, would seem late. No need hast thou further to speak thy will : Yet tell the reason, why thou art not loth To leave that ample space, where to return Thou burnest, for this center here beneath.'
" She then : ' Since thou so deeply wouldst inquire, I will instruct thee briefly why no dread Hinders my entrance here. Those things alone Are to be fear'd whence evil may proceed ; None else, for none are terrible beside. I am so framed by God, thanks to his grace I That any sufferance of your misery Touches me not, nor flame of that fierce fire Assails me. In high heaven a blessed dame Resides, who mourns with such effectual grief That hindrance, which I send thee to remove. That God's stern judgment to her will inclines. To Lucia calling, her she thus bespake : " Now doth thy faithful servant need thy aid.
15
1 6 THE VISION. 99-134-
And I commend him to thee." At her word ,
Sped Lucia, cf all cruelty the foe,
And coming to the place, where I abode
Seated with Rachel, her of ancient days.
She thus address'd me: "Thou true praise of God !
Beatrice ! why is not thy succor lent
To him, who so much loved thee, as to leave
For thy sake all the multitude admires ?
Dost thou not hear how pitiful his wail,
Nor mark the death, which in the torrent flood.
Swollen mightier than a sea, him struggling holds ? "
Ne'er among men did any with such speed
Haste to their profit, flee from their annoy.
As, when these words were spoken, I came here,
Down from my blessed seat, trusting the force
Of thy pure eloquence, which thee, and all
Who well have mark'd it, into honor brings.'
" When she had ended, her bright beaming eyes Tearful she turn'd aside; whereat I felt Redoubled zeal to serve thee. As she will'd. Thus am I come : I saved thee from the beast, Who thy near way across the goodly mount Prevented. What is this comes o'er thee then? Why, why dost thou hang back ? why in thy breast Harbor vile fear? why hast not courage there, And noble daring ; since three maids, so blest. Thy safety plan, e'en in the court of heaven ; And so much certain good my words forbode ? "
As florets, by the frosty air of night Bent down and closed, when day has blanch'd their leaves, Rise all unfolded on their spiry stems ; So was my fainting vigor new restored, And to my heart such kindly courage ran, That I as one undaunted soon replied: " Oh, full of pity she, who undertook My succor! and thou kind, who didst perform
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Canio I., line 132.
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Now was the day departing.
Canio //., line i.
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I3S-I4I. HELL.— CANTO IL i;
So soon her true behest! With such desire Thou hast disposed me to renew my voyage, That my first purpose fully is resumed. Lead on : one only will is in us both. Thou art my guide, my master thou, and lord."
So spake I ; and when he had onward moved, I enter'd on the deep and woody way.
CANTO III.
ARGUMENT.
Dante, following Virgil, comes to the gate of Hell ; where, after having read the dreadful words that are written thereon, they both enter. Here, as he understands from Virgil, those were punished who had passed their time (for living it could not be called) in a state of apathy and indifference both to good and evil. Then pursuing their way, they arrive at the river Acheron ; and there find the old ferryman Charon, who takes the spirits over to the opposite shore ; which as soon as Dante reaches, he is seized with terror, and falls into a trance.
THROUGH me you pass into the city of woe ; Through me you pass into eternal pain : Through me among the people lost for aye. Justice the founder of my fabric moved : ■ To rear me was the task of power divine, Supremest wisdom and primeval love. Before me things create were none, save things Eternal, and eternal I endure. All hope abandon, ye who enter here."
Such characters, in color dim, I mark'd Over a portal's lofty arch inscribed. Whereat I thus : " Master, these words import Hard meaning." He as one prepared replied : "Here thou must all distrust behind thee leave; Here be vile fear extinguish'd. We are come Where I have told thee we shall see the souls To misery doom'd, who intellectual good Have lost." And when his hand he had stretch'd forth To mine, with pleasant looks, whence I was cheer'd, Into that secret place he led me on.
Here sighs, with lamentations and loud moans, Resounded through the air pierced by no star, That e'en I wept at entering. Various tongues, Horrible languages, outcries of woe,
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I, who now bid thee on this errand forth, Am Beatrice.
Canto II., lines 70, 71.
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25-60. HELL.— CANTO IIL 19
Accents of anger, voices deep and hoarse,
With hands together smote that swell'd the sounds,
Made up a tumult, that for ever whirls
Round through that air with solid darkness stain'd.
Like to the sand that in the whirlwind flies.
I then, with error yet encompassed, cried,
" Oh, master ! what is this I hear ? wliat race
Are these, who seem so overcome with woe ? "
He thus to me : " This miserable fate Suffer the wretched souls of those who lived Without or praise or blame, with that ill band Of angels mix'd, who nor rebellious proved, Nor yet were true to God, but for themselves Were only. From his bounds Heaven drove them forth, Not to impair his luster ; nor the depth Of Hell receives them, lest the accursed tribe Should glory thence with exultation vain."
I then : " Master ! what doth aggrieve them thus, That they lament so loud?" He straight replied:
" That will I tell thee briefly. These of death
No hope may entertain ; and their blind life
So meanly passes, that all other lots
They envy. Fame of them the world hath none.
Nor suffers ; mercy and justice scorn them both.
Speak not of them, but look, and pass them by." And I, who straightway look'd, beheld a flag,
Which whirling ran around so rapidly,
That it no pause obtain'd : and following came .
Such a long train of spirits, I should ne'er
Have thought that death so many had despoil'd. When some of these I recognized, I saw
And knew the shade of him, who to base fear
Yielding, abjured his high estate. Forthwith
I understood, for certain, this the tribe
Of those ill spirits both to God displeasing
And to his foes. These wretches who ne'er lived,
20 THE VISION. 61-96-
Went on in nakedness, and sorely stung By wasps and hornets, which bedew'd their cheeks With blood, that, mix'd with tears, dropp'd to their feet. And by disgustful worms was gather'd there.
Then looking further onwards, I beheld A throng upon the shore of a great stream : Whereat I thus: "Sir! grant me now to know Whom here we view, and whence impell'd they seem So eager to pass o'er, as I discern Through the blear light ? " He thus to me in few : " This shalt thou know, soon as our steps arrive Beside the woful tide of Acheron."
Then with eyes downward cast, and fill'd with shame. Fearing my words offensive to his ear. Till we had reach'd the river, I from speech Abstain'd. And, lo ! toward us in a bark Comes on an old man, hoary white with eld. Crying, " Woe to you, wicked spirits ! hope not Ever to see the sky again. I come To take you to the other shore across. Into eternal darkness, there to dwell In fierce heat and in ice. And thou, who there Standest, live spirit ! get thee hence, and leave These who are dead." But soon as he beheld I left them not, " By other way, " said he, " By other haven shalt thou come to shore, Not by this passage ; thee a nimbler boat Must carry. " Then to him thus spake my guide : " Charon ! thyself torment not : so 'tis will'd. Where will and power are one: ask thou no more."
Straightway in silence fell the shaggy cheeks Of him, the boatman o'er the livid lake. Around whose eyes glared wheeling flames. Meanwhile Those spirits, faint and naked, color changed. And gnash'd their teeth, soon as the cruel words They heard. God and their parents they blasphemed,
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Canto III., lines 76-78.
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97-126. HELL.— CANTO IIL ' 21
The human kind, the place, the time, and seed, That did engender them and give them birth.
Then all together sorely wailing drew To the curst strand, that every man must pass Who fears not God. Charon, demoniac form. With eyes of burning coal, collects them all, Beckoning, and each, that lingers, with his oar Strikes. As fall off the light autumnal leaves, One still another following, till the bough Strews all its honors on the earth beneath; E'en like the manner Adam's evil brood Cast themselves, one by one, down from the shore, Each at a beck, as falcon at his call.
Thus go they over through the umber'd wave; And ever they on the opposite bank Be landed, on this side another throng Still gathers. " Son, " thus spake the courteous guide, " Those who die subject to the wrath of God All here together come from every clime. And to o'erpass the river are not loth : For so Heaven's justice goads them on, that fear Is turned into desire. Hence ne'er hath past Good spirit. If of thee Charon complain. Now mayst thou know the import of his words."
This said, the gloomy region trembling shook So terribly, that yet with clammy dews Fear chills my brow. The sad earth gave a blast. That, lightning, shot forth a vermilion flame, Which all my senses conquer'd quite, and I Down dropp'd, as one with sudden slumber seized.
CANTO IV.
ARGUMENT.
The Poet, being roused by a clap of thunder, and following his guide onwards, descends into Limbo, which is the first circle of Hell, where he finds the souls of those who, although they have lived virtuously, and have not to suffer for great sins, nevertheless, through lack of baptism, merit not the bliss of Paradise. Hence he is led on by Virgil to descend into the second circle.
OROKE the deep slumber in my brain a crash
-*— ' Of heavy thunder, that I shook myself,
As one by main force roused. Risen upright,
My rested eyes I moved around, and search'd,
With fixed ken, to know what place it was
Wherein I stood. For certain, on the brink
I found me of the lamentable vale,
The dread abyss, that joins a thundrous sound
Of plaints innumerable. Dark and deep.
And thick with clouds o'erspread, mine eye in vain
Explored its bottom, nor could aught discern.
" Now let us to the blind world there beneath Descend " ; the bard began, all pale of look : " I go the first, and thou shalt follow next.
Then I, his alter'd hue perceiving, thus : " How may I speed, if thou yieldest to dread. Who still art wont to comfort me in doubt?"
He then : " The anguish of that race below With pity stains my cheek, which thou for fear Mistakest. Let us on. Our length of way Urges to haste." Onward, this said, he moved ; And entering, led, me with him, on the bounds Of the first circle- that surrounds the abyss.
Here, as mine ear could note, no plaint was heard Except of sighs, that made the eternal air
22
26-61. HELL.— CANTO IV. 23
Tremble, not caused by tortures, but of grief
Felt by those multitudes, many and vast.
Of men, women, and infants. Then to me
The gentle guide : " Inquirest thou not what spirits
Are these which thou beholdest ? Ere thou pass
Farther, I would thou know, that these of sin
Were blameless; and if aught they merited,
It profits not, since baptism was not theirs,
The portal to thy faith. If they before
The Gospel lived, they served not God aright ;
And among such am I. For these defects.
And for no other evil, we are lost ;
Only so far afflicted, that we live
Desiring without hope." Sore grief assail'd
My heart at hearing this, for well I knew
Suspended in that Limbo many a soul
Of mighty worth. " Oh, tell me, sire revered !
Tell me, my master ! " I began through wish
Of full assurance in that holy faith
Which vanquishes all error ; " say, did e'er
Any, or through his own or other's merit,
Come forth from thence, who afterward was blest ? "
Piercing the secret import of my speech. He answer'd : " I was new to that estate, When I beheld a puissant one arrive Amongst us, with victorious trophy crown'd. He forth the shade of our first parent drew, Abel, his child, and Noah righteous man. Of Moses lawgiver for faith approved. Of patriarch Abraham, and David king, Israel with his sire and with his sons, Nor without Rachel whom so hard he won, And others many more, whom he to bliss Exalted. Before these, be thou assured. No spirit of human kind was ever saved."
We, while he spake, ceased not our onward road.
24 ' THE VISION. 62-97.
Still passing through the wood ; for so I name Those spirits thick beset. We were not far On this side from the summit, when I kenn'd A flame, that o'er the darken'd hemisphere Prevailing shined. Yet we a little space Were distant, not so far but I in part Discovered that a tribe in honor high That place possess'd. " O thou, who every art And science valuest ! who are these, that boast Such honor, separate from all the rest ? "
He answer'd : " The renown of their great names, That echoes through the world above, acquires Favor in heaven, which holds them thus advanced." Meantime a voice I heard : " Honor the bard Sublime ! his shade returns, that left us late ! " No sooner ceased the sound, than I beheld Four mighty spirits, toward us bend their steps. Of semblance neither sorrowful nor glad.
When thus my master kind began : " Mark him. Who in his right hand bears that falchion keen, The other three preceding, as their lord. This is that Homer, of all bards supreme : Flaccus, the next, in satire's vein excelling ; The third is Naso ; Lucan is the last. Because they all that appellation own. With which the voice singly accosted me, Honoring they greet me thus, and well they judge."
So I beheld united the bright school Of him ■ the monarch of sublimest song. That o'er the others like an eagle soars.
When they together short discourse had held. They turned to me with salutation kind Beckoning me ; at which my master smiled : Nor was this all ; but greater honor still They gave me, for they made me of their tribe ; And I was sixth amid so learn'd a band.
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So I beheld united the bright school Of him the monarch of sublimest song, That o'er the others Une an eagle soars.
Canio IV. , lines 89-91.
98-133- HELL.— CANTO IV. 25
Far as the luminous beacon on we pass'd, Speaking of matters then befitting well To speak, now fitter left untold. At foot Of a magnificent castle we arrived,, Seven times with lofty walls begirt, and round Defended by a pleasant stream. O'er this As o'er dry land we pass'd. Next, through seven gates, I with those sages enter'd, and we came Into a mead with lively verdure fresh.
There dwelt a race, who slow their eyes around Majestically moved, and in their port Bore eminent authority ; they spake Seldom, but all their words were tuneful sweet.
*We to one side retired, into a place Open, and bright, and lofty, whence each one Stood manifest to view. Incontinent, There on the green enamel of the plain Were shown me the great spirits, by whose sight I am exalted in my own esteem.
Electra there I saw accompanied By many, among whom Hector I knew, Anchises' pious son, and with hawk's eye Caesar all armed, and by Camilla there Penthesilea. On the other side. Old King Latinus seated by his child Lavinia, and that Brutus I beheld Who Tarquin chased, Lucretia, Cato's wife Marcia, with Julia and Cornelia there ; And sole apart retired, the Soldan fierce.
Then when a little more I raised my brow, I spied the master of the sapient throng. Seated amid the philosophic train. Him all admire, all pay him reverence due. Tiiere Socrates and Plato both I mark'd Nearest to him in rank, Democritus, Who sets the world at chance, Diogenes,
26 THE VISION. 134-148-
With Heraclitus, and Empedocles, And Anaxagoras, and Thales sage, Zeno, and Dioscorides well read In Nature's secret lore. Orpheus I mark'd And Linus, Tully and moral Seneca, Euclid and Ptolemy, Hippocrates, Galenus, Avicen, and him who made That commentary vast, Averroes.
Of all to speak at full were vain attempt ; For my wide theme so urges, that ofttimes My words fall short of what bechanced. In two The six associates part. Another way My sage guide leads me, from that air serene, Into a climate ever vexed with storms : And to a part I come, where no light shines.
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Canto v., lines 32, 33.
CANTO. V.
ARGUMENT.
Coming into the second circle of Hell, Dante at the entrance beholds Minos the infernal Judge, by whom he is admonished to beware how he enters those regions. Here he witnesses the punishment of carnal sinners, who are tost about ceaselessly in the dark air by the most furious winds. Amongst these, he meets with Francesca of Rimini, through pity at whose sad tale he falls fainting to the ground.
pROM the first circle I descended thus
^ Down to the second, which, a lesser space
Embracing, so much more of grief contains.
Provoking bitter moans. There Minos stands,
Grinning with ghastly feature; he, of all
Who enter, strict examining the crimes.
Gives sentence, and dismisses them beneath,
According as he foldeth him around :
For when before him comes the ill-fated soul.
It all confesses ; and that judge severe
Of sins, considering what place in hell
Suits the trangression, with his tail so oft
Himself encircles, as degrees beneath
He dooms it to descend. Before him stand
Always a numerous throng ; and in his turn
Each one to judgment passing, speaks, and hears
His fate, thence downward to his dwelling hurl'd.
" O thou ! who to this residence of woe Approachest 1 " when he saw me coming, cried Minos, relinquishing his dread employ, " Look how thou enter here ; beware in whom Thou place thy trust ; let not the entrance broad Deceive thee to thy harm." To him my guide. " Wherefore exclaimest ? Hmder not his way
27
28 THE VISION. 25-60.
By destiny appointed ; so 'tis will'd,
Where will and power are one. Ask thou no more."
Now 'gin the rueful wailings to be heard. Now am I come where many a plaining voice Smites on mine ear. Into a place I came Where light was silent all Bellowing there groan'd A noise, as of a sea in tempest torn By warring winds. The stormy blast of hell With restless fury drives the spirits on, Whirl'd round and dashed amain with sore annoy. When they arrive before the ruinous sweep, There shrieks are heard, there lamentations, moans. And blasphemies 'gainst the good Power in heaven.
I understood, that to this torment sad The carnal sinners are condemn'd, in whom Reason by lust is sway'd. As in large troops And multitudinous, when winter reigns. The starlings on their wings are borne abroad ; So bear the tyrannous gust those evil souls. On this side and on that, above, below, It drives them : hope of rest to solace them Is none nor e'en of milder pang. As cranes, Chanting their dolorous notes, traverse the sky, Stretch'd out in long array ; so I beheld Spirits, who came loud wailing, hurried on By their dire doom. Then I : " Instructor ! who Are these, by the black air so scourged ? " — " The first 'Mong those, of whom thou question'st," he replied, " O'er many tongues was empress. She in vice Of luxury was so shameless, that she made Liking be lawful by promulged decree, To clear the blame she had herself incurr'd. This is Semiramis, of whom 'tis • writ, That she succeeded Ninus her espoused ; And held the land, which now the Soldan rules. The next in amorous fury slew herself.
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Canto v., lines 72-74.
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61-96. HELL.— CANTO V. 29
And to Sicheus' ashes broke her faith : Then follows Cleopatra lustful queen."
There mark'd I Helen, for whose sake so long The time was fraught with evil ; there the great Achilles, who with love fought to the end. Paris I saw, and Tristan ; and beside, A thousand more he show'd me, and by name . \ Pointed them out, whom love bereaved of life.
When I had heard my sage instructor name Those dames and knights of antique days, o'erpower'd By pity, well nigh in a maze my mind Was lost ; and I began : " Bard ! willingly I would address those two together coming. Which seem so light before the wind." He thus: " Note thou, when nearer they to us approach. Then by that love which carries them along. Entreat ; and they will come. " Soon as the wind Sway'd them toward us, I thus framed my speech: " Oh, wearied spirits ! come, and hold discourse With us, if by none else restrain'd." As doves By fond desire invited, on wide wings And firm, to their sweet nest returning home, Cleave the air, wafted by their will along ; Thus issued, from that troop where Dido ranks, They, through the ill air speeding : with such force My cry prevail'd, by strong affection urged.
" Oh, gracious creature and benign ! who go'st Visiting, through this element obscure. Us, who the world with bloody stain imbrued ; If, for a friend, the King of all, we own'd, Our prayer to Him should for thy peace arise, Since thou hast pity on our evil plight. Of whatsoe'r to hear or to discourse It pleases thee, that will we hear, of that Freely with the discourse, while e'er the wind. As now, is mute. The land, that gave me birth,
30 THE VISION. 97-132.
Is situate on the coast, where Po descends To rest in ocean with his sequent streams.
" Love, that In gentle heart is quickly learnt, Entangled him by that fair form, from me Ta'en in such cruel sort, as grieves me still : Love, that denial takes from none beloved. Caught me with pleasing him so passing well. That, as thou seest, he yet deserts me not. Love brought us to one death : Ca'ina waits The soul, who spilt our life. " Such were their words ; At hearing which, downward I bent my looks. And held them there so long that the bard cried : " What art thou pondering ? " I in answer thus : " Alas ! by what sweet thoughts, what fond desire Must they at length to that ill pass have reach'd ! "
Then turning, I to them my speech address'd. And thus began: "Francesca! your sad fate Even to tears my grief and pity moves. But tell me ; in the time of your sweet sighs, By what, and how Love granted, that ye know Your yet uncertain wishes ? " She replied : " No greater grief than to remember days Of joy, when misery is at hand. That kens Thy learn'd instructor. Yet so eagerly If thou art bent to know the primal root. From whence our love gat being, I will do As one, who weeps and tells his tale. One day. For our delight we read of Lancelot, How him love thrall'd. Alone we were, and no Suspicion near us. Oft-times by that reading Our eyes were drawn together, and the hue Fled from our alter'd cheek. But at one point Alone we fell. When of that smile we read, The wished smile so rapturously kiss'd By one so deep in love, then he, who ne'er From me shall separate, at once my lips
133-138- HELL.—CANTO V. 3 1
All trembling kiss'd. The book and writer both Were love's purveyors. In its leaves that day We read no more." While thus one spirit spake, The other wail'd so sorely, that heart-struck I, through compassion fainting, seem'd not far From death, and like a corse fell to the ground.
CANTO VI.
ARGUMENT.
' On his recovery, the poet finds himself in the third circle, where the gluttonous are punished. Their torment is, to lie in the mire, under a continual and heavy storm of hail, snow, and discolored water ; Cerberus meanwhile barking over them with his threefold throat, and rending them piecemeal. One of these, who on earth was named Ciacco, foretells the divisions with which Florence is about to be distracted. Dante proposes a question to his guide, who solves it ; and they proceed toward the fourth circle.
|\ /| Y sense reviving, that erewhile had droop'd i V i With pity for the kindred shades, whence grief O'ercame me wholly, straight around I see New torments, new tormented souls, which way Soe'er I move, or turn, or bend my sight. In the third circle I arrive, of showers Ceaseless, accursed, heavy and cold, unchanged For ever, both in kind and in degree. Large hail, discolor'd water, sleety flaw Through the dun midnight air streamed down amain: Stank all the land whereon that tempest fell.
Cerberus, cruel monster, fierce and strange, Through his wide threefold throat, barks as a dog Over the multitude immersed beneath. His eyes' glare crimson, black his unctuous beard, His belly large, and claw'd the hands, with which He tears the spirits, flays them, and their limbs Piecemeal disparts. Howling there spread, as curs, Under the rainy deluge, with one side The other screening, oft they roll them round, A wretched, godless crew. When that great worm Descried us, savage Cerberus, he oped His jaws, and the fangs show'd us ; not a limb Of him but trembled. Then my guide, his palms
32
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Canto v., lines 134, 135.
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Canto v., lines 137, 138.
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25-6o. HELL.— CANTO VL 33
Expanding on the ground, thence fill'd with earth Raised them, and cast it in his ravenous maw. E'en as a dog, that yelling bays for food . His keeper, when the morsel comes, lets fall His fury, bent alone with eager haste To swallow it; so dropp'd the loathsome cheeks Of demon Cerberus, who thundering stuns The spirits, that they for deafness wish in vain.
We, o'er the shade thrown prostrate by the brunt Of the heavy tempest passing, set our feet Upon their emptiness, that substance sgem'd.
They all along the earth extended lay, Save one, that sudden raised himself to sit. Soon as that way he saw us pass. " Oh, thou ! " He cried, "who through the infernal shades art led. Own, if again thou know'st me. Thou wast framed Or ere my frame was broken." I replied : "The anguish thou endurest perchance so takes Thy form from my remembrance, that it seems As if I saw thee never. But inform Me who thou art, that in a place so sad Art set, and in such torment, that although Other be greater, none disgusteth more." He thus in answer to my words rejoin'd : " Thy city, heap'd with, envy to the brim. Aye, that the measure overflows its bounds, Held me in brighter days. Ye citizens Were wont to name me Ciacco. For the sin Of gluttony, damned vice, beneath this rain, E'en as thou seest, I with fatigue am worn : Nor I sole spirit in this woe : all these Have by like crime incurr'd like punishment."
No more he said, and I my speech resumed: " Ciacco ! thy dire affliction grieves me much, Even to tears. But tell me if thou know'st, What shall at length befall the citizens
34 THE VISION. 61-96.
Of the divided city ; whether any- Just one inhabit there : and tell the cause Whence jarring Discord hath assail'd it thus."
He then : " After long striving they will come To blood ; and the wild party from the woods Will chase the other with much injury forth. Then it behoves that this must fall, within Three solar circles; and the other rise By borrow'd force of one, who under shore Now rests. It shall a long space hold aloof Its forehead, keeping under heavy weight The other opprest, indignant at the load, And grieving sore. The just are two in number, But they neglected. Avarice, envy, pride, Three fatal sparks, have set the hearts of all On fire." Here ceased the lamentable sound ; And I continued thus : " Still would I learn More from thee, further parley still entreat. Of Farinata and Tegghiaio say, They who so well deserved ; of Giacopo, Arrigo, Mosca, and the rest, who bent Their minds on working good. Oh ! tell me where They bide, and to their knowledge let me come. For I am prest with keen desire to hear If heaven's sweet cup, or poisonous drug of hell. Be to their lips assign'd." He answer'd straight : "These are yet blacker spirits. Various crimes Have sunk them deeper in the dark abyss. If thou so far descendest, thou may'st see them. But to the pleasant world, when thou return'st. Of me make mention, I entreat thee, there. No more I tell thee, answer thee no more."
This said, his fixed eyes he turn'd askance, A little eyed me, then bent down his head. And 'midst his blind companions with it fell.
When thus my guide : " No more his bed he leaves,
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, > Canto -V J., lines 24-zb,
Thy city, heap'd with envy to the britn, Aye, that the measure overflows its bounds.
Canto VI., lines 49, 50.
97-117. HELL.— CANTO VL 35
Ere the last angel-trumpet blow. The Power
Adverse to these shall then in glory come,
Each one forthwith to his sad tomb repair,
Resume his fleshly vesture and his form.
And hear the eternal doom re-echoing rend
The vault." So pass'd we through that mixture foul
Of spirits and rain, with tardy steps ; meanwhile
Touching, though slightly, on the life to come.
For thus I question'd : " Shall these tortures, sir,
When the great sentence passes, be increased,
Or mitigated, or as now severe ? "
He then : " Consult thy knowledge ; that decides, That, as each thing to more perfection grows. It feels more sensibly both good and pain. Though ne'er to true perfection may arrive This race accurst, yet nearer then, than now. They shall approach it." Compassing that path. Circuitous we journey'd ; and discourse. Much more than I relate, between us pass'd : Till at the point, whence the steps led below. Arrived, there Plutus, the great foe, we found.
CANTO VII.
ARGUMENT.
In the present canto Dante describes his descent into the fourth circle, at the beginning of which he sees Plutus stationed. Here one lilce doom awaits the prodigal and the avaricious ; which is, to meet in direful conflict, rolling great weights against each other with mutual upbraidings. From hence Virgil takes occasion to show how vain the goods which are committed into the charge of Fortune , and this moves our author to inquire what being that Fortune is, of whom he speaks : which question being resolved, they go down into the fifth circle, where they find the wrathful and gloomy tormented in the Stygian lake. Having made a compass round great part of this lake, they come at last to the base of a lofty tower.
"AH me ! O Satan ! Satan ! " loud exclaim'd ^^*- Plutus, in accent hoarse of wild alarm : And the kind sage, whom no event surprised, To comfort me thus spake : " Let not thy fear Harm thee, for power in him, be sure is none To hinder down this rock thy swift descent." Then to that swollen lip turning, " Peace ! " he cried, " Curst wolf ! thy fury inward on thyself Prey, and consume thee ! Through the dark profound, Not without cause, he passes. So 'tis will'd On high, there where the great Archangel pour'd Heaven's vengeance on the first adulterer proud."
As sails, full spread and bellying with the wind, Drop suddenly collapsed, if the mast split; ' So to the ground down dropped the cruel fiend.
Thus we, descending to the fourth steep ledge, Gain'd on the dismal shore,, that all the woe Hems in of all the universe. Ah me ! Almighty Justice! in what store thou heap'st New pains, new troubles, as I here beheld. Wherefore doth fault of ours bring us to this ?
E'en as a billow, on Charybdis rising, Against encounter'd billow dashing breaks ; Such is the dance this wretched race must lead,
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25-61. HELL.— CANTO VIL 37
Whom more than elsewhere numerous here I found
From one side and the other, with loud voice,
Both roll'd on weights, by main force of their breasts.
Then smote together, and each one forthwith
Roll'd them back voluble, turning again ;
Exclaiming these, " Why holdest thou so fast ? "
Those answering, "And why casteth thou away?"
So, still repeating their despiteful song,
They to the opposite point, on either hand.
Traversed the horrid circle ; then arrived.
Both turn'd them round, and through the middle space
Conflicting met again. At sight whereof
I, stung with grief, thus spake : " Oh, say, my guide !
What race is this. Were these, w4iose heads are shorn,
On our left hand, all separate to the Church ? "
He straight replied : " In their first life, these all In mind were so distorted, that they made. According to due measure, of their wealth No use. This clearly from their words collect. Which they howl forth, at each extremity Arriving of the circle, where their crime Contrary in kind disparts them. To the Church Were separate those, that with no hairy cowls Are crown'd, both popes and cardinals, o'er whom Avarice dominion absolute maintains."
I then ; " 'Mid such as these some needs must be, Whom I shall recognize, that with the blot Of these foul sins were stain'd." He answering thus : " Vain thought conceivest thou. That ignoble life, Which made them vile before, now makes them dark, And to all knowledge indiscernible. For ever they shall meet in this rude shock : These from the tomb with clenched grasp shall rise. Those with close-shaven locks. That ill they gave. And' ill they kept, hath of the beauteous world Deprived, and set them at this strife, which needs No labor'd phrase of mine to set it off
38 THE VISION. 62-98.
Now may'st thou see, my son, how brief, how vain, The goods committed into Fortune's hands, For which the human race keep such a coil ! Not all the gold that is beneath the moon. Or ever hath been, of these toil-worn souls Might purchase rest for one." I thus rejoin'd : " My guide ! of thee this also would I learn ; This Fortune, that thou speak'st of, what it is, Whose talons grasp the blessings of the world."
He thus : " Oh, beings blind ! what ignorance Besets you! Now my judgment hear and mark. He, whose transcendent wisdom passes all. The heavens creating, gave them ruling powers To guide thems so that each part shines to each, Their light in equal distribution pour'd. By similar appointment He ordain'd. Over the world's bright images to rule, Superintendence of a guiding hand And general minister, which, at due time, May change the empty vantages of life, From race to race, from one to other's, blood. Beyond prevention of man's wisest care: Wherefore one nation rises into sway, Another languishes, e'en as her will Decrees, from us conceal'd, as in the grass. The serpent train. Against her nought avails Your utmost wisdom. She with foresight plans, Judges, and carries on her reign, as theirs The other powers divine. Her changes know None interrnission, by necessity She is made swift, so frequent come who claim Succession in her favors. This is she So execrated e'en by those whose debt To her is rather praise: they wrongfully With blame requite her, and with evil word; But she is blessed, and for that recks not : Amidst the other primal beings glad,
99-134. HELL.— CANTO VIL 39
Rolls on her sphere, and in her bliss exults. Now on our way pass we, to heavier woe Descending : for each star is falling now. That nrounted at our entrance, and forbids Too long our tarrying." We the circle cross'd To the next steep, arriving at a well, That boiling pours itself into a fosse Sluiced from its source. Far murkier was the wave Than sablest grain : and we in company Of the inky waters, journeying by their side, Enter'd, through by a different track, beneath. • Into a lake, the Stygian named, expands
The dismal stream, when it has Teach'd the foot Of the grey wither'd cliffs. Intent I stood To gaze, and in the marish sunk descried A miry tribe, all naked, and with looks Betokening rage. They with their hands alone Struck not, but with the head, the breast, the feet Cutting each other piecemeal with their fangs.
The good instructor spake : " Now seest thou, son, The souls of those whom anger overcame. This too for certain know, that underneath The water dwells a multitude, whose sighs Into these bubbles make the surface heave, As thine eye tells thee wheresoe'er it turn. Fix'd in the slime, they say, ' Sad once were we, In the sweet air made gladsome by the sun. Carrying a foul and lazy mist within : Now in these murky settlings are we sad.' Such dolorous strain they gurgle in their throats. But word distinct can utter none." Our route Thus compass'd we, a segment widely stretch'd Between the dry embankment, and the core Of the loath'd pool, turning meanwhile our eyes Downward on those who gulp'd its muddy lees ; Nor stopp'd, till to a tower's low base we came.
CANTO VIII.
ARGUMENT.
A signal having been made from the tower, Phlegyas, the ferryman of the lake, speedily crosses it, and con- veys Virgil and Dante to the other side. On their passage they met with Filippo Argenti, whose fury and torment are described. They then arrive at the city of Dis, the entrance whereto is denied, and the portals closed against them by many demons.
MY theme pursuing I relate, that ere We reach'd the lofty turret's base, our eyes Its height ascended, where we mark'd uphung Two cressets, and another saw from far Return the signal, so remote, that scarce The eye could catch its beam. I, turning round, To the deep source of knowledge, thus inquired : " Say what this means ; and what, that other light In answer set : what agency doth this ? "
" There on the filthy waters," he replied, " E'en now what next awaits us mayst thou see. If the marsh-gendered fog conceal it not."
Never was arrow from the cord dismiss'd That ran its way so nimbly through the air. As a small barque, that through the waves I spied Toward us coming, under the sole sway Of one that ferried it, who cried aloud, " Art thou arrived, fell spirit ? " — " Phlegyas, Phlegyas, This time thou criest in vain,", my lord replied; " No longer shalt thou have us, but while o'er The slimy pool we pass." As one who hears Of some great wrong he hath sustain'd, whereat Inly he pines, so Phlegyas inly pined In his fierce ire. My guide, descending, stepp'd
40
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Soon as both embark'd, Cutting the waves, goes on the apcient prow, More deeply than with others it is wont.
Canto VIII. , lines 27-29.
25-60. HELL.— CANTO VIIL 4^
Into the skiff, and bade me enter next, Close at his side ; nor, till my entrance, seem'd The vessel freighted. Soon as both embark'd, Gutting the waves, goes on the ancient prow, More deeply than with others is its wont.
While we our course o'er the dead channel held, One drench'd in mire before me came, and said, " Who art thou, that thus comest ere thine hour ? " ,
I answer'd, " Though I come, I tarry not : But who art thou, that art become so foul ? "
"One, as thou seest, who mourn," he straight replied.
To which I thus: " In mourning and in woe, Curst spirit ! tarry thou. I know thee well. E'en thus in filth disguised." Then stretch'd he forth Hands to the barque ; whereof my teacher sage Aware, thrusting him back : " Away ! down there To the other dogs ! " then, with his arms my neck Encircling, kiss'd my cheek, and spake : " O soul. Justly disdainful ! blest was she in whom Thou wast conceived. He in the world was one For arrogance noted : to his memory No virtue lends its luster ; even so Here is his shadow furious. There above. How many now hold themselves mighty kings, Who here like swine shall wallow in the mire, Leaving behind them horrible dispraise."
I then : " Master ! him fain would I behold Whelm'd in these dregs, before we quit the lake."
He thus: "Or ever to thy view the shore Be offer'd, satisfied shall be that wish, Which well deserves completion." Scarce his words Were ended, when I saw the miry tribes Set on him with such violence, that yet For that I render thanks to God, and praise. " To Filippo Argenti ! " cried they all : And on himself the moody Florentine
42 THE VISION. 61-96
Turn'd his avenging fangs. Him here we left, Nor speak I of him more. But on mine ear Sudden a sound of lamentation smote, Whereat mine eye unbarr'd I sent abroad.
And thus the good instructor : " Now, my son, Draws near the city, that of Dis is named. With its grave denizens, a mighty throng." '
I thus : " The minarets already, sir ! There, certes, in the valley I descry. Gleaming vermilion, as if they from fire Had issued." He replied : " Eternal fire, That inward burns, shows them with ruddy flame Illumed ; as in this nether hell thou seest."
We came within the fosses deep, that moat This region comfortless. The walls appear'd As they were framed in iron. We had made Wide circuit, ere a place we reach' d where loud The mariner cried vehement, " Go forth : The entrance is here." Upon the gates I spied More than a thousand, who of old from Heaven Were shower'd. With ireful gestures, "Who is this," They cried, " that, without death first felt, goes through The regions of the dead ? " My sapient guide Made sign that he for secret parley wish'd ; Whereat their angry scorn abating, thus They spake : " Come thou alone ; and let him go, Who has so hardily entered this realm. Alone return he by his witless way; If well he know it, let him prove. For thee Here shalt thou tarry, who through clime so dark Hast been his escort." Now bethink thee, reader! What cheer was mine at sound of those curst words. I did believe I never should return.
"Oh, my loved guide! who more than seven times Security hast render'd me, and drawn From peril deep, whereto I stood exposed,
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My teacher sage Aware, thrusting him back : " Away ! down there To the other dogs ! "
Canto VIII., lines 39-41.
•J*J^,T*^
97-128. HELL.— CANTO VIIL 43
Desert me not," I cried, " in this extreme, And, if our onward going be denied. Together trace we bade our steps with speed."
My liege, who thither had conducted me, Replied : " Fear not ; for of our passage none Hath power to disappoint us, by such high Authority permitted. But do thou Expect me here ; meanwhile thy weary spirit Comfort, and feed with kindly hope, assured I will not leave thee in this lower world."
This said, departs the sire benevolent. And quits me. Hesitating I remain At war, 'twixt will and will not, in my thoughts.
I could not hear what terms he offered them, But they conferr'd not long, for all at once Pellmell rush d back within. Closed were the gates, By those our adversaries, on the breast Of my liege lord : excluded, he return'd To me with tardy steps. Upon the ground His eyes were bent, and from his brow erased All confidence, while thus in sighs he spake : " Who hath denied me these abodes of woe ? " Then thus to rhe : " That I am anger'd, think No ground of terror : in this trial I Shall vanquish, use what arts they may within For hindrance. This their insolence, not new, Erewhile at gate less secret they display'd, Which still is without bolt; upon its arch Thou saw'st the deadly scroll : and even now, On this side of its entrance, down the steep, Passing the circles, unescorted, comes One whose strong might can open us this land."
CANTO IX.
ARGUMENT.
After some hindrances, and having seen the hellish furies and other monsters, the poet, by the help of an angel, enters the city of Dis, wherein he discovers that the heretics are punished in tombs burning with intense fire : and he, together with Virgil, passes onward between the sepulchers and the walls of the city.
T^HE hue, which coward dread on my pale cheeks -■■ Imprinted when I saw my guide turn back, Chased that from his which newly they had worn, And inwardly restrain'd it. He, as one Who listens, stood attentive: for his eye Not far could lead him through the sable air, And the thick-gathering cloud. " It yet behoves We win this fight " ; thus he began : " if not, Such aid to us is offer' d. — '■ Oh ! how long Me seems it, ere the promised help arrive."
I noted, how the sequel of his words Cloked their beginning; for the last he spake Agreed not with the first. But not the less My fear was at his saying; sith I drew To import worse, perchance, than that he held, His mutilated speech. " Doth ever any Into this rueful concave's extreme depth Descend, out of the first degree, whose pain Is deprivation merely of sweet hope ? "
Thus I inquiring. " Rarely," he replied, " It chances, that among us any makes This journey, which I wend. Erewhile, 'tis true, Once came I here beneath, conjured by fell Erictho, sorceress, who compell'd the shades Back to their bodies. No long space my flesh
44
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Canto JX, , line 46.
To the gate He came, and with his wand touch'd it, whereat Open without impediment it flew.
36-62. HELL.— CANTO IX. 45
Was naked of me, when within these walls
She made me enter, to draw forth a spirit
From out of Judas' circle. Lowest place
Is that of all, obscurest, and removed
Furthest from Heaven's all-circling orb. The road
Full well I know: thou therefore rest secure.
That lake, the noisome stench exhaling, round
The city of grief encompasses, which now
We may not enter without rage." Yet more
He added : but I hold it not in mind,
For that mine eye toward the lofty tower
Had drawn me wholly, to its burning top ;
Where, in an instant, I beheld uprisen
At once three hellish furies, stain'd with blood :
In limb and motion feminine they seemed ;
Around them greenest hydras twisting roll'd
Their volumes ; adders and cerastes crept
Instead of hair, and their fierce temples bound.
He, knowing well the miserable hags Who tend the queen of endless woe, thus spake: " Mark thou each dire Erynnis. To the left. This is Megsera ; on the right hand, she Who wails, Alecto ; and Tisiphone r th' midst." This said, in silence he remain'd. Their breast they each one clawing tore ; themselves Smote with their palms, and such thrill clamor raised That to the bard I clung, suspicion-bound. " Hasten Medusa : so to adamant Him shall we change " ; all looking down exclaim'd : " E'en when by Theseus' might assail'd, we took No ill revenge." Turn thyself round, and keep Thy countenance hid ; for if the Gorgon dire Be shown, and thou shouldst view it, thy return Upwards would be forever lost. This said, Himself, my gentle master, turn'd me round ; Nor trusted he my hands, but with his own
46 THE VISION. 62- 97.
He also hid me. Ye of intellect
Sound and entire, mark well the lore conceal'd
Under close texture of the mystic strain.
And now there came o'er the perturbed waves Loud-crashing, terrible, a sound that made Either shore tremble, as if of a wind Impetuous, from conflicting vapors sprung. That 'gainst some forest driving all his might, Plucks off the branches, beats them down, and hurls Afar; then, onward passing, proudly sweeps His whirlwind rage, while beasts and shepherds fly.
Mine eyes he loosed, and spake : " And novv^ direct Thy visual nerve along that ancient foam. There, thickest where the smoke ascends." As frogs Before their foe the serpent, through the wave Ply swiftly all, till at the ground each one Lies on a heap ; more than a thousand spirits Destroy'd, so saw I fleeing before one Who pass'd with unwet feet the Stygian sound. He, from his face removing the gross air. Oft his left hand forth stretch'd, and seem'd alone By that annoyance wearied. I perceived That he was sent from Heaven ; and to my guide Turn'd me, who signal made, that I should stand Quiet, and bend to him. Ah me ! how full Of noble anger seem'd he. To the gate He came, and with his wand touch'd it, whereat Open without impediment it flew.
"Outcasts of heaven! Oh, abject race, and scorn'd!" Began he, on the horrid grunsel standing, " Whence doth this wild excess of insolence Lodge in you ? wherefore kick you 'gainst that will Ne'er frustrate of its end, and which so oft Hath laid on you enforcement of your pangs ? What profits, at the fates to butt the horn ? Your Cerberus, if ye remember, hence
98-.I3I HELL.— CANTO IX. 47
Bears still, peel'd of their hair, his throat and maw."
This said, he turn'd back o'er the filthy way, And syllable to us spake none ; but wore The semblance of a man by other care Beset, and keenly prest, than -thought of him Who in his presence stands. Then we our steps Toward that territory moved, secure After the hallow'd words. We, unopposed. There enter'd; and, my mind eager to learn What state a fortress like to that might hold, I, soon as enter'd, throw mine eye around. And see, on every part, wide-stretching space. Replete with bitter pain and torment ill.
As where Rhone stagnates on the plains of Aries, Or as at Pola, near Quarnaro's gulf. That closes Italy and laves her bounds. The place is all thick spread with sepulchers ; So was it here, save what in horror here Excell'd: for 'midst the graves were scatter'd flames, . Wherewith intensely all throughout they burn'd. That iron for no craft there hotter needs.
Their lids all hung suspended ; and beneath. From them forth issued lamentable moans. Such as the .sad and tortured well might raise.
I thus : " Master ! say who are these, interr'd Within these vaults, of whom distinct we hear The dolorous sighs." He answer thus return'd : "The arch-heretics are here, accompanied By every sect their followers ; and much more Than thou believest, the tombs are freighted : like With like is buried ; and the monuments Are' different in degrees of heat." This said. He to the right hand turning, on we pass'd Betwixt the afflicted and the ramparts high.
CANTO X.
ARGUMENT.
Dante, having obtained permission from his guide, holds discourse with Farinata degli Uberti and Cavalcante Cavalcanti, who lie in their fiery tombs that are yet open, and not to be closee up till after the last judgment. Farinata predicts the poet's exile from Florence ; and shows him that the condemned have knowledge of future things, but are ignorant of what is at present passing, unless it be revealed by some new comer from heart
NOW by a secret pathway we proceed, Between the walls that hem the region round, And the tormented souls : my master first, I close behind his steps. " Virtue supreme ! " I thus began: "who through these ample orbs In circuit lead'st me, even as thou will'st ; Speak thou, and satisfy my wish. May those Who lie within these sepulchres, be seen ? " Already all the lids are raised, and none O'er them keeps watch." He thus in answer spake : " They shall be closed all, what time they here From Josaphat return'd shall come, and bring Their bodies, which above they now have left, The cemetery on this part obtain. With Epicurus, all his followers. Who with the body make the spirit die. Here therefore satisfaction shall be soon. Both to the question asked, and to the wish Which thou conceal'st in silence." I replied : " I keep not, guide beloved ! from thee my heart Secreted, but to shun vain length of words ; A lesson erewhile taught me by thyself."
" O Tuscan ! thou, who through the city of fire Alive art passing, so discreet of speech:
48
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He answer thus return d •. "The arch-heretics are here, accompanied By every sect their followers."
Cante IX... lines 124-126.
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He, soon as there I stood at the tomb's foot, Eyed me a space ; then in a disdainful mood Address'd me; "Say what ancestors were thine."
€ant^ X. lines 40-4^
2S-60. HELL.— CANTO X. 49
Here, please thee stay awhile. Thy utterance
Declares the place of thy nativity
To be that noble land, with which perchance
I too severely dealt." Sudden that sound
Forth issued from a vault, whereat, in fear,
I somewhat closer to mv leader's side
Approaching, he thus spake : " What dost thou ? Turn :
Lo ! Farinata there, who hath himself
Uplifted : from his girdle upwards, all
Exposed, behold him." On his face was mine
Already fix'd: his breast and forehead there
Erecting, seem'd as in high scorn he held
E'en hell. Between the sepulchres, to him
My guide thrust me, with fearless hands and prompt ;
This warning added : " See thy words be clear."
He, soon as I there stood at the tomb's foot, Eyed me a space ; then in disdainful mood Address'd me : " Say what ancestors were thine."
I, willing to obey him, straight reveal'd The whole, nor kept back aught: whence he, his brow Somewhat uplifting, cried : " Fiercely were they Adverse to me, my party, and the blood From whence I sprang: twice, therefore, I abroad Scatter'd them." "Though driven out, yet they each time From all parts," answer'd I, "return'd; an art Which yours have shown they are not skill'd to learn."
Then, peering forth from the unclosed jaw, Rose from his side a shade, high as the chin. Leaning, methought, upon its knees upraised. It look'd around, as eager to explore If there were other with me ; but perceiving That fond imagination quench'd, with tears Thus spake : " If thou through this blind prison go'st, Led by thy lofty genius and profound. Where is my son ? and wherefore not with thee ? "
I straight replied : " Not of myself I come ;
50 THE VISION. 61-96.
By him, who there expects me, through this cHme Conducted, whom perchance Guido thy son Had in contempt." Already had his words And mode of punishment read me his name, Whence I so' fully answer'd. He at once Exclaim'd, up starting, " How ! said'st thou, he had? No longer lives he ? Strikes not on his eye The blessed daylight ? " Then, of some delay I made ere my reply, aware, down fell Supine, nor after forth appear'd he more.
Meanwhile the other, great of sOul, near whom I yet was station'd, changed not countenance stern. Nor moved the neck, nor bent his ribbed side. " And if," continuing the first discourse, " They in this art," he cried, " small skill have shown ; That doth torment me more e'en than this bed. But not yet fifty times shall be relumed Her aspect, who reigns here queen of this realm, Ere thou shalt know the full weight of that art. So to the pleasant world mayst thou return. As thou shalt tell me why, in all their laws. Against my kin this people is so fell."
" The slaughter and great havoc," I replied, " That color'd Arbia's flood with crimson stain — ■ To these impute, that in our hallow' d dome Such orisons ascend." Sighing he shook The head, then thus resumed : " In that affray I stood not singly, nor, without just cause, Assuredly, should with the rest have stirr'd ; But singly there I stood, when, by consent Of all, Florence had to the ground been razed, The one who openly forbade the deed."
" So may thy lineage find at last repose," I thus adjured him, " as thou solve this knot. Which now involves my mind. If right I hear, Ye seem to view beforehand that which time
97-132. HELL.— CANTO X. 51
Leads with him, of the p;esent uninform'd."
"We view, as one tvho hath an evil sight,"
He answer'd, " plainly, objects far remote ;
So much of his. large splendor yet imparts
The Almighty Ruler: but when they approach,
Or actually exist, our intellect
Then wholly fails ; nor of your human state.
Except what others bring us, know we aught.
Hence therefore mayst thou understand, that all
Our knowledge in that instant shall expire,
When on futurity the portals close."
Then conscious of my fault, and by remorse
Smitten, I added thus : " Now shalt thou say
To him there fallen, that his offspring still
Is to the living join'd ; and bid him know,
That if from answer, silent, I abstain'd,
'Twas that my thought was occupied, intent
Upon that error, which thy help hath solved." But now my master summoning me back
I heard, and with more eager haste besought
The spirit to inform me, who with him
Partook his lot. He answer thus return'd :
" More than a thousand with me here are laid.
Within is Frederick, second of that name,
And the Lord Cardinal ; and of the rest
I speak not." He, this said, from sight withdrew.
But I my steps toward the ancient bard
Reverting, ruminated on the words
Betokening me such ill. Onward he moved.
And thus, in going, question'd: "Whence the amaze
That holds thy senses wrapt ? " I satisfied
The inquiry, and the sage enjoin'd me straight :
"Let thy safe memory store what thou hast heard
To thee importing harm ; and note thou this,"
With his raised finger bidding me take heed,
''When thou shalt stand before her gracious beam,
52 THE VISION. 133-138-
Whose bright eye all surveys, she of thy life The future tenor will to thee unfold."
Forthwith he to the left hand turn'd his feet: We left the wall, and towards the middle space Went by a path that to a valley strikes, Which e'en thus high exhaled its noisome steam.
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From the profound abyss, behind the lid Of a great monument we stood retired.
Canto XI., lines 6, 7.
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And there At point of the disparted ridge lay stretch'd The infamy of Crete, detested brood Of the feign'd heifer.
Canto XII!,. lines 11-14.
CANTO XI.
ARGUMENT.
Dante arrives at the verge of a rocky precipice which encloses the seventh circle, where he sees the sepulchre of Anastasiiis the heretic ; behind the lid of which pausing a little, to make himself capable by degrees of enduring the fetid smell that steamed upward from the abyss, he is instructed by Virgil concerning the manner in which the three following circles are disposed, and what description of sinners is punished in each. He then inquires the reason why the carnal, the gluttonous, the avaricious and prodigal, the wrathful and gloomy, suffer not their punish, ments within the city of Dis. He ne.xt asks how the crime of usury is an offense against God ; and at length the two poets go toward the place from whence a passage leads down to the seventh circle.
UPON the utmost verge of a high bank, By craggy rocks environ'd round, we came. Where woes beneath, more cruel yet, were stow'd; And here, to shun the horrible excess Of fetid exhalation upward cast From the profound abyss, behind the lid Of a great monument we stood retired, Whereon this scroll I mark'd : " I have in charge Pope Anastasius, whom Photinus drew From the right path." — " Ere our descent, behoves We make delay, that somewhat first the sense, To the dire breath accustom'd, afterward Regard it not." My master thus ; to whom Answering I spake" "Some compensation find. That the time pass not wholly lost." He then ; " Lo ! how my thoughts e'en to thy wishes tend. My son, within these rocks," he thus began, " Are three close circles in gradation placed, As these which now thou leavest. Each one is full Of spirits accurst ; but that the sight alone Hereafter may suffice thee, listen how And for what cause in durance they abide. "Of all malicious act abhorr'd in Heaven,
53
54 THE VISION. 24-59
The end is injury ; and all such end
Either by force or fraud works other's woe.
But fraud, because of man peculiar evil,
To God is more displeasing ; and beneath,
The fraudulent are therefore doom'd to endure
Severer pang. The violent occupy
All the first circle; and because, to force.
Three persons are obnoxious, in three rounds.
Each within other separate, is it framed.
To God, his neighbor, and himself, by man
Force may be offer'd ; to himself I say.
And his possessions, as thou soon shalt hear
At full. Death, violent death, and painful wounds
Upon his neighbor he inflicts ; and wastes,
By devastation, pillage, and the flames.
His substance. Slayers, and each one that smites
In malice, plunderers, and all robbers, hence
The torment undergo of the first round,
In diflerent herds. Man can do violence
To himself and his own blessings : and for this.
He in the second round must aye deplore
With unavailing penitence his crime.
Whoe'er deprives himself of life and light,
In reckless lavishment his talent wastes,
And sorrows there where he should dwell in joy.
To God may force be offer'd, in the heart
Denying and blaspheming his high power.
And Nature with her kindly law contemning.
And thence the inmost round marks with its seal
Sodom, and Cahors, and all such as speak
Contemptuously of the Godhead in their hearts.
" Fraud, that in every conscience leaves a sting, May be by man employ'd on one, whose trust He wins, or on another who withholds Strict confidence. Seems as the latter way Broke but the bond of love which Nature makes.
60-95. HELL.— CANTO XL 55
Whence in the second circle have their nest, Dissimulation, witchcraft, flatteries, Theft, falsehood, simony, all who seduce To lust, or set their honesty at pawn, With such vile scum as these. The other way Forgets both Nature's general love, and that Which thereto added afterward gives birth To special faith. Whence in the lesser circle, Point of the universe, dread seat of Dis, The traitor is eternally consumed."
I thus : " Instructor, clearly thy discourse Proceeds, distinguishing the hideous chasm And its inhabitants with skill exact. But tell me this : they of the dull, fat pool, Whom the rain beats, or whom the tempest drives, ■Or who with tongues so fierce conflicting meet, Wherefore within the city fire-illumed Are not these punish'd, if God's wrath be on them ? And if it be not, wherefore in such guise Are they condemn'd ? " He answer thus return'd : " Wherefore in dotage wanders thus thy mind, Not so accustom'd ? or what other thoughts Possess it ? Dwell not in thy memory The words, wherein thy ethic page describes Three dispositions averse to Heaven's wfll, • Incontinence, malice, and mad brutishness, And how incontinence the least offends God, and least guilt incurs ? If well thou note This judgment, and remember who they are, Without these walls to vain repentance doom'd, Thou shalt discern why they apart are placed From these fell spirits, and less wreakful pours Justice divine on them its vengeance down."
" Oh, sun ! who healest all imperfect sight. Thou so content'st me, when thou solvest my doubt, That ignorance not less than knowledge charms.
56 THE VISION. 96-121.
Yet somewhat turn thee back," I in these words Continued, " where thou said'st, that usury Offends celestial Goodness ; and this knot Perplex'd unravel." He thus made reply: " Philosophy, to an attentive ear. Clearly points out, not in one part alone. How imitative Nature takes her course From the celestial mind, and from its art: And where her laws the Stagirite unfolds, Not many leaves scann'd o'er, observing well Thou shalt discover, that your art on her Obsequious follows, as the learner treads In his instructor's step ; so that your art Deserves the name of second in descent From God. These two, if thou recall to mind Creation's holy book, from the beginning Were the right source of life and excellence To human kind. But in another path The usurer walks ; and Nature in herself And in her follower thus he sets at nought. Placing elsewhere his hope. But follow now My steps on forward journey bent ; for now The Pisces play with undulating glance Along the horizon, and the Wain lies all O'er the northwest; and onward there a space Is our steep passage down the rocky height."
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Can.'if XII., lines ^8, 59.
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CANTO XII.
ARGUMENT.
Descending by a very rugged way into the seventh circle, where the violent are punished, Dante and his leader find it guarded by ti\^ Minotaur ; whose fury being pacified by Virgil, they step downwards from crag to crag ; till drawing near the bottom, they descry a river of blood, wherein are tormented such as have committed violence against their neighbor. At these, when they strive to emerge from the blood, a troop of Centaurs, running along the side of the river, aim their arrows ; and three of their band opposing our travelers at the foot of the steep, Virgil prevails so far, that one consents to carry them both across the stream ; and on their passage Dante is informed by him of the course of the river, and of those that are punished therein.
T^HE place, where to descend the precipice
••■ We came, was rough as Alp ; and on its verge Such object lay, as every eye would shun. As is that ruin, which Adice's stream On this side Trento struck, shouldering the wave, Or loosed by earthquake or for lack of prop ; For from the mountain's summit, whence it moved To the low level, so the headlong rock Is shiver'd, that some passage it might give To him who from above would pass ; e'en such Into the chasm was that descent : and there At point of the disparted ridge lay stretch'd The infamy of Crete, detested brood Of the feign'd heifer : and at sight of us It gnaw'd itself, as one with rage distract. To him my guide exclaim'd : " Perchance thou deem'st The King of Athens here, who, in the world Above, thy. death contrived. Monster ! avaunt ! He comes not tutor'd by thy sister's art, But to behold your torments is he come."
Like to a bull, that with impetuous spring Darts, at the moment when the fatal blow Hath struck him but unable to proceed
57
58 THE VISION. 24-59-
Plunges on either side ; so saw I plunge
The Minotaur ; whereat the sage exclaim'd :
" Run to the passage ! while he storms, 'tis well
That thou descend." Thus down our road we took
Through those dilapidated crags, that oft
Moved underneath my feet, to weight like theirs
Unused. I pondering went, and thus he spake :
" Perhaps thy thoughts are of this ruin'd steep,
Guarded by the brute violence, which I
Have vanquished now. Know then, that when I erst
Hither descended to the nether hell,
This rock was not yet fallen. But past doubt
(If well I mark), not long ere He arrived.
Who carried off from Dis the mighty spoil
Of the highest circle, then through all its bounds
Such trembling seized the deep concave and foul,
I thought the universe was thrill'd with love.
Whereby, there are who deem, the world hath oft
Been into chaos turn'd : and in that point.
Here, and elsewhere, that old rock toppled down.
But fix thine eyes beneath : the river of blood
Approaches, in the which all those are steep 'd,
Who have by violence injur'd." Oh, blind lust!
Oh, foolish wrath ! who so dost goad us on
In the brief life, and in the eternal then
Thus miserably o'erwhelm us. I beheld.
An ample fosse, that in a bow was bent.
As circling all the plain ; for so my guide
Had told. Between it and the rampart's base,
On trail ran Centaurs, with keen arrows arm'd,
As to the chase they on the earth were wont.
At seeing us descend they each one stood ; And issuing from the troop, three sped with bows And missile weapons chosen first ; of whom One cried from far : " Say, to what pain ye come Condemn'd, who down this steep have journey'd. Speak
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Here the brute Harpies make their nest.
Canto XIII., line II.
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And straight the trunk exclaimed, " Why pluck'st thou me ?"
Canto XIII., line 34.
60-9S. HELL.— CANTO XII. 59
From whence ye stand, or else the bow I draw-
To whom my guide : " Our answer shall be made
To Chiron, there, when nearer him we come.
Ill was thy mind, thus ever quick and rash."
Then me he touch'd, and spake : " Nessus is this,
Who for the fair Deianira died.
And wrought himself revenge for his own fate'.
He in the midst, that on his breast looks down,
Is the great Chiron who Achilles nursed ;
That other, Pholus, prone to wrath." Around
The fosse these go by thousands, aiming shafts
At whatsoever spirit dares emerge
From out the blood, more than his guilt allows. We to those beasts, that rapid strode along.
Drew near ; when Chiron took an arrow forth,
And with the notch push'd back his shaggy beard
To the cheek-bone, then, his great mouth to view
Exposing, to his fellows thus exclaim'd :
" Are ye aware, that he who comes behind
Moves what he touches? The feet of the dead
Are not so wont." My trusty guide, who now
Stood near his breast, where the two natures join,
Thus made reply : " He is indeed alive.
And solitary so must needs by me
Be shown the gloomy vale, thereto induced
By strict necessity, not by delight.
She left her joyful harpings in the sky.
Who this new office to my care consign'd.
He is no robber, no dark spirit I.
But by that virtue, which empowers my step
To tread so wild a path, grant us, I pray,
One of thy band, whom we may trust secure,
Who to the ford may lead us, and convey
Across, him mounted on his back ; for he
Is not a spirit that may walk the air."
Then on his right breast turning, Chiron thus
6o THE VISION. 96-131-
To Nessus spake : " Return, and be their guide.
And if you chance to cross another troop,
Command them keep aloof." Onward we moved,
The faithful escort by our side, along
The border of the crimson-seething flood,
Whence, from those steep'd within, loud shrieks arose.
Some there I mark'd, as high as to their brow Immersed, of whom the mighty Centaur thus : " These are the souls of tyrants, who were given To blood and rapine. Here they wail aloud Their merciless wrongs. Here Alexander dwells. And Dionysius fell, who many a year Of woe wrought for fair Sicily. That brow, Whereon the hair so jetty clustering hangs, Is Azzolino ; that with flaxen locks Obizzo of Este, in the world destroy'd By his foul step-son." To the bard revered I turn'd me round, and thus he spake : " Let him Be to thee now first leader, me but next To him in rank." Then further on a space The Centaur passed, near some, who at the throat Were extant from the wave ; and, showing us A spirit by itself apart retired, Exclaim'd : " He in God's bosom smote the heart. Which yet is honor'd on the bank of Thames."
A race I next espied who held the head. And even all the bust, above the stream. 'Midst these I many a face remember'd well. Thus shallow more and more the blood became, So that at last it but imbrued the feet ; And there our passage lay athwart the fosse.
"As ever on this side the boiling wave Thou seest diminishing," the Centaur said, " So on the other, be thou well assured, It lower still and lower sinks its bed, Till in that part it re-uniting join.
132 — 140.
HELL.— CANTO XIL 61
Where 'tis the lot of tyranny to mourn.
There Heaven's stern justice lays chastising hand'
On' Attila, who was the scourge of earth,
On Sextus and on Pyrrhus, and extracts
Tears ever by the seething flood unlock'd
From the Rinieri, of Corneto this,
Pazzo the other named, who fill'd the ways
With violence and war." This said, he turn'd,
And quitting us, alone re-pass'd the ford.
CANTO XIII.
ARGUMENT.
Still in the seventh circle, Dante enters its second compartment, which contains both those who have done violence on their own persons and those who have violently consumed their goods ; the first changed into rough and knotted trees whereon the harpies build their nests, the latter chased and torn by black female mastiffs. Among the former, Piero delle Vigne is one, who tells him the cause of his having committed suicide, and moreover in what manner the souls are transformed into those trunks. Of the latter crew he recognizes Lano, a Siennese, and Gia- como, a Paduan ; and lastly, a Florentine, who had hung himself from his own roof, speaks to him of the calamities of his countrymen.
'CRE Nessus yet had reach'd the other bank,
^ We enter'd on a forest, where no track
Of steps had worn a way. Not verdant there
The foHage, but of dusky hue ; not hght
The boughs and tapering, but with knares deform'd
And matted thick: fruits there were none, but thorns
Instead, with venom fill'd. Less sharp than these,
Less intricate the brakes, wherein abide
Those animals, that hate the cultured fields.
Betwixt Corneto and Cecina's stream.
Here the brute Harpies make their nest, the same Who from the Strophades the Trojan band Drove with dire boding of their future woe. Broad are their pennons, of the human form Their neck and countenance, arm'd with talons keen The feet, and the huge belly fledge with wings. These sit and wail on the drear mystic wood.
The kind instructor in these words began: " Ere further thou proceed, know thou art now r th' second round, and shalt be, till thou come Upon the horrid sand : look therefore well Around thee, and such things thou shalt behold, As would my speech discredit." On all sides
62
24-59- HELL.— CANTO XIIL 63
I heard sad plainings breathe, and none could see From whom they might have issued. In amaze Fast bound I stood He, as it seem'd, beheved That I had thought so many voices came From some amid those thickets close conceal'd, And thus his speech resumed : " If thou lop off A single twig from one of those ill plants, The thought thou hast conceived will vanish quite."
Thereat a little stretching forth my hand, From a great wilding gathered I a branch. And straight the trunk exclaim'd, " Why pluck'st thou me ? " Then, as the dark blood trickled down its side, These words it added : " Wherefore tear'st me thus ? Is there no touch of mercy in thy breast ? Men once were we, that how are rooted here. Thy hand might well have spared us, had we been The souls of serpents." As a brand yet green, That burning at one end from the other sends A groaning sound, and hisses with the wind That forces out its way, so burst at once Forth from the broken splinter words and blood.
I, letting fall the bough, remain'd as one Assail'd by terror ; and the sage replied : " If he, O injured spirit ! could have believed What he hath seen but in my verse described, He never against thee had stretch'd his hand. But I, because the thing surpass'd belief. Prompted him to this deed, which even now Myself I rue. But tell me who thou wast ; That, for this wrong to do thee some amends, In the upper world (for thither to return Is granted him) thy fame he may revive." " That pleasant word of thine," the trunk replied, " Hath so inveigled me, that I from speech Cannot refrain, wherein if I indulge A little longer, in the snare detain'd.
64 THE VISION. 60-95.
Count it not grievous. I it was, who held
Both keys to Frederick's heart, and turn'd the wards,
Opening and shutting, with a skill so sweet,
That besides me, into his inmost breast
Scarce any other could admittance find.
The faith I bore to my high charge was such,
It cost me the life-blood that warm'd my veins.
The harlot, who ne'er turn'd her gloating eyes
From Caesar's household, common vice and pest
Of courts, 'gainst me inflamed^ the minds of all ;
And to Augustus they so spread the flame.
That my glad honors changed to bitter woes.
My soul, disdainful and di^usted, sought
Refuge in death from scorn, and I became,
Just as I was, unjust toward myself j
By the new roots, which fix this stem, I swear.
That never faith I broke to my liege lord.
Who merited such honor ; and of you.
If any to the world indeed return,
Clear he from wrong my memory, that lies
Yet prostrate under envy's cruel blow."
First somewhat pausing, till the mournful words Were ended, then to me the bard began : " Lose not the time ; but speak, and of him ask. If more thou wish to learn." Whence I replied " Question thou him again of whatso'er Will, as thou think'st, content me ; for no power Have I to ask, such pity is at my heart."
He thus resumed : " So may he do for thee Freely what thou entreatest, as thou yet Be pleas'd, imprison'd spirit ! to declare. How in these gnarled joints the soul is tied ; And whether any ever from such frame Be loosen'd, if thou canst, that also tell."
Thereat the trunk breathed hard, and the wind soon Changed into sounds articulate like these:
96-131. HELL.— CANTO XIIL 65
" Briefly ye shall be answer'd. When departs
The fierce soul from the body, by itself
Thence torn asunder, to the seventh gulf
By Minos doom'd, into the wood it falls,
No place assign'd, but wheresoever chance
Hurls it ; there sprouting as a grain of spelt,
It rises to a sapling, growing thence
A savage plant. The Harpies, on its leaves
Then feeding, cause both pain, and for the pain
A vent to grief We, as the rest, shall come
For our own spoils, yet not so that with them
We may again be clad ; for what a man
Takes from himself it is not just he have.
Here we perforce shall drag them ; and throughout
The dismal glade our bodies shall be hung,
Each on the, wild thorn of his wretched shade."
Attentive yet to listen to the trunk We stood, expecting further speech, when us^ A noise surprised ; as when a man perceives The wild boar and the hunt approach his place Of station'd watch, who of the beasts and boughs Loud rustling round him hears. And lo ! there came Two naked, torn wi|h briers, in headlong flight. That they before them broke each fan o' th' wood. " Haste now," the foremost cried, " how haste thee, death ! " The other, as seem'd, impatient of delay. Exclaiming, " Lano ! not so bent for speed Thy sinews, in the lists of Toppo's field." And then, for that perchance no longer breath Sufficed him, of himself and of a bush One group he made. Behind him was the wood Full of black female mastiffs, gaunt and fleet, As greyhounds that have newly slipt the leash. On him, who squatted down, they stuck their fangs, And having rent him piecemeal bore away The tortured limbs. ^ My guide then seized my hand,
66 THE VISION. 132-152-
And led me to the thicket, which in vain
Mourn'd through its bleeding wounds : " O Giacomo
Of Sant' Andrea ! what avails it thee,"
It cried, "that of me thou hast made thy screen!
For thy ill life, what blame on me recoils ? "
When o'er it he had paused, my master spake; " Say, who was thou, that at so many points Breathest out with blood thy lamentable speech ?
He answer'd : " Oh, ye spirits ! arrived in time To spy the shameful havoc that from me My leaves have sever'd thus, gather them up, And at the foot of their sad parent-tree Carefully lay them. In that city I dwelt. Who for the Baptist her first patron changed. Whence he for this shall cease not with his art To work' her woe : and if there still remain'd not On Arno's passage some faint glimpse of him. Those citizens, who rear'd once more her walls Upon the ashes left by Attila, Had labor'd without profit of their toil. I slung the fatal noose from my own roof."
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Unceasing was the play of wretched hands, Now this, now that way glancing, to shake off The heat, still falling fresh
CANTO XIV.
ARGUMENT.
They arrive at the beginning of the third of those compartments into which this seventh circle is divided. It is a plain of dry and hot sand, where three kinds of violence are punished ; namely, against God, against Nature, and against Art ; and those who have thus sinned are tormented by flakes of fire, which are eternally showering down upon them. Among the violent against God is found Capaneus, whose blasphemies they hear. Next, turning to the left along the forest of self-slayers, and having journeyed a little onwards, they meet with a streamlet of blood that issues from the forest and traverses the sandy plain. Here Virgil speaks to our poet of a huge ancient statue that stands within Mount Ida in Crete, from a fissure in which statue there is a dripping of tears, from which the said streamlet, together with the three other infernal rivers, are formed.
SOON as the charity of native land Wrought in my bosom, I the scatter'd leaves Collected, and to him restored, who now Was hoarse with utterance. To the limit thence We came, which from the third the second round Divides, and where of justice is display'd Contrivance horrible. Things then first seen Clearlier to manifest, I tell how next A plain we reach'd, that from its sterile bed Each plant repell'd. The mournful wood waves round Its garland on all sides, as round the wood Spreads the sad fosse. There, on the very edge. Our steps we stay'd. It was an area wide Of arid sand and thick, resembling most The soil that erst by Cato's foot was trod.
Vengeance of heaven ! Oh! how shouldst thou be fear' d By all, who read what here mine eyes beheld.
Of naked spirits many a flock I saw, All weeping piteously, to different laws Subjected ; for on the earth some lay supine. Some crouching close were seated, others paced Incessantly round ; the latter tribe
67
68 THE VISION. 23-58.
More numerous, those fewer who beneath The torment lay, but louder in their grief.
O'er all the sand fell slowly wafting down Dilated flakes of fire, as flakes of snow On Alpine summit, when the wind is hush'd. As, in the torrid Indian clime, the son Of Ammon saw, upon his warrior band Descending, solid flames, that to the ground Come down ; whence he bethought him with his troop To trample on the soil ; for easier thus The vapor was extinguish'd, while alone: So fell the eternal fiery flood, wherewith The marie glowed underneath, as under stove The viands, daubly to augment the pain. Unceasing was the play of wretched hands. Now this, now that Avay glancing, to shake off The heat, still falling fresh. I thus began : " Instructor ! thou who all things overcomest, Except the hardy demons that rush'd forth To stop our entrance at the gate, say who Is yon huge spirit, that, as seems, heeds not The burning, but lies writhen in proud scorn, As by the sultry tempest immatured ? "
Straight he himself, who was aware I ask'd My guide of him, exclaim'd : " Such as I was When living, dead such now I am. If Jove Weary his workman out, from whom in ire He snatch'd the lightnings, that at my last day Transfix'd me ; if the rest he weary out, At their black smithy laboring by turns, In Mongibello, while he cries aloud, ' Help, help, good Mulciber ! ' as erst he cried In the Phlegraean warfare ; and the bolts Launch he, full aim'd at me, with all his might ; He never should enjoy a sweet revenge."
Then thus my guide, in accent higher raised
59-94. HELL.— CANTO XIV. 69
Than I before had heard him : " Capaneiis ! Thou art more punish'd, in that this thy pride Lives not unquench'd : no torment, save thy rage, Were to thy fury proportion'd full."
Next turning round to me, with milder lip He spake : " This of the seven kings was one, Who girt the Theban walls with siege, and held, As still he seems to hold, God in disdain, And sets his high omnipotence at nought. But, as I told him, his despiteful mood Is ornament well suits the breast that wears it. Follow me now ; and look thou set not yet Thy foot in the hot sand, but to the wood Keep ever close." Silently on we pass'd To where there gushes from the forest's bound A little brook, whose crimson'd wave yet lifts My hair with horror. As the rill, that runs From Bulicame, to be portion'd out Among the sinful women ; so ran this Down through the sand ; its bottom and each bank Stone-built, and either margin at its side, Whereon I straight perceived our passage lay.
" Of all that I have shown thee, since that gate We enter'd first, whose threshold is to none Denied, nought else so worthy of regard,- As is this river, has thine eye discern'd. O'er which the flaming volley all is quench'd."
So spake the guide ; and I him thence besought, That having given me appetite to know. The food he too would give, that hunger craved.
" In midst of ocean," forthwith he began, "A desolate country lies, which Crete is named. Under whose monarch, in old times, the world Lived pure and chaste. A mountain rises there, Call'd Ida, joyous once with leaves and streams. Deserted now like a forbidden thing.
70 THE VISION. 95-130-
It was the spot which Rhea, Saturn's spouse, Chose for the secret cradle of her son ; And better to conceal him, drown'd in shouts His infant cries. Within the mount, upright An ancient form there stands, and huge, that turns His shoulders towards Damiata ; and at Rome, As in his mirror, looks. Of finest gold His head is shaped, pure silver at the breast And arms, thenCe to the middle is of brass. And downward all beneath well-temper'd steel, Save the right foot of potter's clay, on which Than on the other more erect he stands. Each part, except the gold, is sent throughout; And from the fissure tears distill, which join'd Penetrate to that cave. They in their course Thus far precipitated down the rock. Form Acheron, and Styx, and Phlegethon ; Then by this straiten'd channel passing hence Beneath, e'en to the lowest depth of all. Form there Cocytus, of whose lake (thyself Shalt see it) I here give thee no account."
Then I to him : " If from our world this sluice Be thus derived ; wherefore to us but now Appears it at this edge ? " He straight replied : " The place, thou know'st, is round : and though great part Thou have already past, still to the left Descending to, the nethermost, not yet Hast thou the circuit made of the whole orb. Wherefore, if aught of new to us appear, , It needs not bring up wonder in thy looks."
Then I again inquired : " Where flow the streams Of Phlegethon and Lethe? for of one Thou tell'st not; and the other, of that shower. Thou say'st, is form'd." He answer thus return'd : "Doubtless .thy questions all \yell pleased I hear. Yet the red seething wave might have resolved
131-138. HELL.— CANTO XIV. 71
One thou proposest. Lethe thou shalt see, But not within this hollow, in the place Whether, to lave themselves, the spirits go. Whose blame hath been by penitence removed." He added : " Time is now we quit the wood. Look thou my steps pursue : the margins give Safe passage, unimpeded by the flames ; For over them all vapor is extinct."
CANTO XV.
ARGUMENT.
Taking their way upon one of the mounds by which the streamlet, spoken of in the last canto, was embanked, and having gone so far as they could no longer have discerned the forest if they had turned round to look for it, they meet a troop of spirits that come along the sand by the side of the pier. These are they who have done violence to Nature ; and amongst them Dante distinguishes Brunetto Latini, who had been formerly his master ; with whom, turning a little backward, he holds a discourse which occupies the remainder of this canto.
ONE of the solid margins bears us now Envelop'd in the mist, that, from the stream Arising, hovers o'er, and saves from fire Both piers and water. As the Flemings rear Their mound, 'twixt Ghent and Bruges, to chase back The ocean, fearing his tumultuous tide ■ That drives toward them ; or the Paduans theirs Along the Brenta, to defend their towns And castles, ere the genial warmth be felt On Chiarentana's top ; such were the mounds, So framed, though not in height or bulk to these Made equal, by the master, whosoe'er He was, that raised them here. We from the wood Were now so far removed, that turning round I might not have discern'd it, when we met A troop of spirits, who came beside the pier.
They each one eyed us, as at eventide One eyes another under a new moon ; And toward us sharpen'd their sight, as keen As an old tailor at his needle's eye.
Thus narrowly explored by all the tribe, I was agnized of one, who by the skirt Caught me, and cried, "What wonder have we here?"
And I, when he to me outstretch'd his arm, 72
2S-60. HELL.— CANTO XV. 73
Intently fix'd my ken on his parch'd looks,
That-, although smirch'd with fire, they hinder'd not
But I remember'd him ; and towards his face
My head inclining, answer'd : " Ser Brunetto !
And are ye here?" He thus to me: "My son!
Oh, let it not displease thee, if Brunetto
Latini but a little space with thee
Turn back, and leave his fellows to proceed."
I thus to him replied : " Much as I can, I thereto pray thee ; and if thou be willing That I here seat me with thee, I consent ; His leave, with whom I journey, first obtain'd.".
" Oh, son ! " said he, " whoever of this throng One instant stops, lies then a hundred years, No fan to ventilate him, when the fire Smites sorest. Pass thou therefore on. I close Will at thy garments walk, and then rejoin My troop, who go mourning their endless doom."
I dared not from the path descend to tread On equal ground with him, but held my head Bent down, as one who walks in reverent guise.
" What chance or destiny," thus he began, " Ere the last day, conducts thee here below ? And who is this that shows to thee the way ? "
" There up aloft," I answer'd, " in the life Serene, I wander'd in a valley lost. Before mine age had to its fullness reach'd. But yester-morn I left it : then once more Into that vale returning, him I met ; And by this path homeward he leads me back."
" If thou," he answer'd, " follow but thy star, Thou canst not miss at last a glorious haven ; Unless in fairer days my judgment err'd. And if my fate so early had not chanced. Seeing the heavens thus bounteous to thee, I Had gladly given thee comfort in thy work.
74 THE VISION. 61-96.
But that ungrateful and malignant race,
Who in old times came down from Fesole,
Ay and .still smack of their rough mountain-flint,
Will for their good deeds show thee enmity.
Nor wonder ; for amongst ill-savor'd crabs
It suits riot the sweet fig-tree lay her fruit.
Old fame reports them in the world for blind, •
Covetous, envious, proud. Look to it well :
Take heed thou cleanse thee of their ways. For thee,
Thy fortune hath such honor in reserve, ~
That thou by either party shalt be craved
With hunger keen : but be the fresh herb far
From the goat's tooth. The herd of Fesole
May of themselves make litter, not touch the plant,
If any such yet spring on their rank bed.
In" which the holy seed revives, transmitted
From those true Romans, who still there remain'd.
When it was made the nest of so much ill."
" Were all my wish fulfilled," I straight replied, " Though from the confines of man's nature yet Hadst not been driven forth ; for in my mind Is fix'd, and now strikes full upon my heart. The dear, benign, paternal image, such As thine was, when so lately thou didst teach me The way for man to win eternity : And how I prized the lesson, it behoves. That, long as life endures, my tongue should speak. What of my fate thou tell'st, that write I down ; And, with another text to comment on, For her I keep it, the celestial dame. Who will know all, if I to her arrive. This only would I have thee clearly note : That, so my conscience have no plea against me, Do Fortune as she list, I stand prepared. Not new or strange such earnest to mine ear. Speed Fortune then her wheel, as likes her best ;
97-126. HELL.— CANTO XV. 75
The clown his mattock; all things have the;ir course."
Whereat my sapient guide upon his right Turn'd himself back, then looked at me, and spake : " He listens to good purpose who takes note."
I not the less still on my way proceed, Discoursing with Brunette, and inquire Who are most known and chief among his tribe.
" To know of some is well " ; he thus replied, " But of the rest may best beseem. Time would not serve us for report so long. In brief I tell thee, that all these were clerks. Men of great learning and no less renown. By one same sin polluted in the world. With them is Priscian ; and Accorso's son, Francesco, herds among that wretched throng ; And, if the wish of so impure a blotch Possess'd thee, him thou also mightst have seen, Why by the servants' servant was transferr'd From Arno's seat to Bacchiglione, where His ill-strain'd nerves he left. I more would add. But must from further speech and onward way Alike desist ; for yonder I behold A mist new risen on the sandy plain. A company, with whom I may not sort. Approaches. I commend my Treasure to thee. Wherein I yet survive ; my sole request."
This said, he turn'd, and seemed as one of those Who o'er Verona's champaign try their speed For the green mantle ; and of them he seem'd Not he who loses but who gains the prize.
CANTO XVI.
ARGUMENT.
Journeying along the pier, which crosses the sand, they are now so near the end of it as to hear the noise of the stream faUing into the eighth circle, when they meet the spirits of three military men ; who judging Dante, from his dress, to be a countryman of theirs, entreat him to stop. He complies, and speaks with them. The two poets then reach the place where the water descends, being the termination of this third compartment in the seventh circle ; and here Virgil having thrown down into the hollow a cord, wherewith Dante was girt, they behold at that signal a monstrous and horrible figure come swimming up to them.
NOW came I where the water's din was heard, As down it fell into the other round, Resounding like the hum of swarming bees : When forth together issued from a troop. That pass'd beneath the fierce tormenting storm. Three spirits, running swift. They towards us came. And each one cried aloud, " Oh ! do thou stay, Whom, by the fashion of thy garb, we deem To be some inmate of our evil land."
Ah me ! what wounds I mark'd upon their limbs. Recent and old, inflicted by the flames. E'en the remembrance of them grieves me yet.
Attentive to their cry, my teacher paused, And turn'd to me his visage, and then spake : " Wait now : our courtesy these merit well ; And were 't not for the nature of the place, Whence glide the fiery darts, I should have said. That haste had better suited thee than them."
They, when we stopp'd, resumed their ancient wail, And, soon as they had reach'd us, all the three Whirl'd round together in one restless wheel. As naked champions, smear'd with slippery oil. Are wont, intent, to watch their place of hold
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Canto XVII , line 7.
24-60. HELL.— CANTO XVL ']^
And vantage, ere in closer strife they meet ; Thus each one, as he wheel'd, his countenance At me directed, so that opposite The neck moved ever to the twinkling feet.
" If woe of this unsound and dreary waste," Thus one began, " added to our sad cheer Thus peel'd with flame, do call forth scorn on us And our entreaties, let our great renown Incline thee to inform us who thou art, That dost imprint, with living feet unharm'd. The soil of Hell. He, in whose track thou seest My steps pursuing, naked though he be And reft of all, was of more high estate Than thou believest; grandchild of the chaste Gualdrada, him they Guidoguerra call'd, Who in his lifetime many a noble act Achieved, both by his wisdom, and his sword. • The other, next to me that beats the sand, Is Aldobrandi, name deserving well. In the upper world, of honor ; and myself. Who in this torment do partake with them, Am Rusticucci, whom, past doubt, my wife. Of savage temper, more than aught beside Hath to this evil brought." If from the fire I had been shelter'd, down amidst them straight I then had cast me ; nor my guide, I deem. Would have restrain'd my going : but that fear Of the dire burning vanquish'd the desire. Which made me eager of their wish'd embrace.
I then began : " Not scorn, but grief much more, Such as long time alone can cure, your doom Fix'd deep within me, soon as this my lord Spake words, whose tenor taught me to expect That such a race, as ye are, was at hand. I am a countrymen of yours, who still Affectionate have utter'd, and have heard Your deeds and names renown'd. Leaving the gall.
78 THE VISION. 61-97.
For the sweet fruit I go, that a sure guide Hath promised to me. But behoves, that far As to the center first I downward tend."
" So may long space thy spirit guide thy limbs," He answer straight return'd ; " and so thy fame Shine bright when thou art gone, as thou shalt tell. If courtesy and valor, as they wont, Dwell in our city, or have vanish' d clean : For one amidst us late condemn'd to wail, Borsiere, yonder walking with his peers. Grieves us no little by the news he brings."
"An upstart multitude and sudden gains, Pride and excess, O Florence ! have in thee Engender'd, so that now in tears thou mourn'st ! "
Thus cried I, with my face uprais'd, and they All three, who for an answer took my words, Look'd at each other, as men look when truth Comes to their ear. " If at so little cost," They all at once rejoin'd, "thou satisfy Others who question thee, oh happy thou ! Gifted with words so apt to speak thy thought. Wherefore, if thou escape this darksome clime. Returning to behold the radiant stars When- thou with pleasure shalt retrace the past. See that of us thou speak among mankind."
This said, they broke the circle, and so swift Fled, that as pinions seem'd their nimble feet.
Not in so short a time might one have said " Amen," as they had vanish'd. Straight my guide Pursued his track. I followed : and small space Had we past onward, when the water's sound Was now so near at hand, that we had scarce Heard one another's speech for the loud din.
E'en as the river, that first holds its course Unmingled from the Mount of Vesulo, On the left side of Apennine, toward The east, where Acquacheta higher up
8-134. HELL.— CANTO XVL 79
They call, ere it descend into the vale, At Forli, by that name no longer known. Rebellows o'er Saint Benedict, roll'd on From the Alpine summit down a precipice, Where space enough to lodge a thousand spreads ; Thus downward from a craggy steep we found That this dark wave resounded, roaring loud. So that the ear its clamor soon had stunn'd.
I had a cord that braced my girdle round, Wherewith I erst had thought fast bound to take The painted leopard. This when I had all Unloosen'd from me (so my master bade) I gather'd up, and stretch'd it forth to him. Then to the right he turn'd, and from the brink Standing few paces distant, cast it down Into the deep abyss. " And somewhat strange," Thus to myself I spake, " signal so strange," Betokens, which my guide with earnest eye Thus follows." Ah! what caution must men use With those who look not at the deed alone. But spy into the thoughts with subtle skill.
" Quickly shall come," he said, " what I expect : Thine eye discover quickly that, whereof Thy thought is dreaming." Ever to that truth, Which but the semblance of a falsehood wears, A man, if possible, should bar his lip ; Since, although blameless, he incurs reproach. But silence here were vain ; and by these notes, Which now I sing, reader, I swear to thee. So may they favor find to latest times ! That through the gross and murky air I spied A shape come swimming up, that might have quell' d The stoutest heart with wonder ; in such guise As one returns, who hath been down to loose An anchor grappled fast against some rock,^ Or to aught else that in the salt wave lies. Who, upward springing, close draws in his feet.
CANTO XVII.
ARGUMENT.
The monster Geryon is described ; to whom while Virgil is speaking in order that he may carry them both down to the next circle, Dante, by permission, goes a little further along the edge of the void, to descry the third species of sinners contained in this compartment, namely, those who have done violence to Art ; and then returning to his master, they both descend, seated on the back of Geryon.
O ! the fell monster with the deadly sting,
Who passes mountains, breaks through fenced walls And firm embattled spears, and with his filth Taints all the world." Thus me my guide address'd, And beckon'd him, that he should come to shore, Near to the stony causeway's utmost edge.
Forthwith that image vile of Fraud appear'd, His head and upper part exposed on land. But laid not on the shore his bestial train. Flis face the semblance of a just man's wore. So kind and gracious was its outward cheer ; The rest was serpent ^11 : two shaggy claws Reach'd to the arm-pits ; and the back and breast, And either side, were painted o'er with nodes And orbits. Colors variegated more Nor Turks nor Tartars e'er on cloth of state With interchangeable embroidery wove. Nor spread Arachne o'er her curious loom. As oft-times a light skiff, moor'd to the shore, Stands part in water, part upon the land ; Or, as where dwells the greedy German boor. The beaver settles, watching for his prey ; So on the rim, that fenced the sand with rock, Sat perch'd the fiend of evil. In the void Glancing, his tail upturned its venomous fork,
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With sting like scorpion's arm'd. Then thus my guide: " Now need our way must turn few steps apart, Far as to that ill beast, who couches there."
Thereat, toward the right our downward course We shaped, and better to escape the flame And burning marie, ten paces on the verge Proceeded. Soon as we to him arrive, A little further on mine eye beholds A tribe of spirits, seated on the sand Near to the void. Forthwith my master spake : " That to the full thy knowledge may extend Of all this round contains, go now, and mark The mien these wear : but hold not long discourse. Till thou returnest, I with him meantime Will parley, that to us he may vouchsafe The aid of his strong shoulders." Thus alone. Yet forward on the extremity I paced Of that seventh circle, where the mournful tribe Were seated. At the eyes forth gush'd their pangs. Against the vapors and the torrid soil Alternately their shifting hands they plied. Thus use the dogs in summer still to ply Their jaws and feet by turns, when bitten sore By gnats or flies, or gadflies swarming round.
Noting the visages of some, who lay Beneath the pelting of that dolorous fire. One of them all I knew not ; but perceived. That pendant from his neck each bore a pouch With colors and with emblems various mark'd. On which it seem'd as if their eye did feed.
And when, amongst them, looking round I came, A yellow purse I saw with azure wrought. That wore a lion's countenance and port. Then, still my sight pursuing its career. Another I beheld, than blood more red, A goose display of whiter wing than curd.
82 THE VISION. 62-97.
And one who bore a fat and azure swine
Pictured on his white scrip, address'd me thus :
" What dost thou in this deep ? Go now and know,
Since yet thou hvest, that my neighbor here
VitaHano on my left shall sit.
A Paduan with these Florentines am I.
Oft-times they thunder in mine ears, exclaiming,
' Oh ! haste that noble knight, he who the pouch
With the three goats will bring.' " This said, he writhed
The mouth, and loll'd the tongue out, like an ox
That licks his nostrils. I, lest longer stay
He ill might brook, who bade me stay not long,
Backward my steps from those sad spirits turn'd.
My guide already seated on the haunch Of the fierce animal I found ; and thus He me encouraged. " Be thou stout : be bold. Down such a steep flight must we now descend. Mount thou before : for, that no power the tail May have to harm thee, I will be i' th' midst."
As one, who hath an ague fit so near, His nails already are turn'd blue, and he Quivers all o'er, if he but eye the shade ; Such was my cheer at hearing of his words. But shame soon interposed her threat, who makes The servant bold in presence of his lord.
I settled me upon those shoulders huge. And would have said, but that the words to aid My purpose came not, " Look thou clasp me firm."
But he whose succor then not first I proved, Soon as I mounted, in his arms aloft. Embracing, held me up ; and thus he spake : " Geryon ! now move thee : be thy wheeling gyres Of ample circuit, easy thy descent. Think on the unusual burden thou sustain'st."
As a small vessel, backening out from land, Her station quits ; so thence the monster loosed,
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■Canto XVII., lines \\b, 117.
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Canio KVIII., lines iw-132.
98-132. HELL.— CANTO XVH. 83
And, when he felt himself at large, turn'd round There, where the breast has been, his forked tail. Thus, like an eel, outstretch'd at length he steer'd, Gathering the air up with retractile claws.
Not greater was the dread when Phaeton The reins let drop at random', whence high heaven, Whereof signs yet appear, was wrapt in flames ; Nor when ill-fated Icarus perceived By liquefaction of the scalded wax, The trusted pennons loosen'd from his loins. His sire exclaiming loud, " 111 way thou keep'st," Than was my dread, when round me on each part The air I view'd, and other object none Save the fell beast. He, slowly sailing, wheels His downward motion, unobserved of me. But that the wind, arising to my face, Breathes on me from below. Now on our right I heard the cataract beneath us leap With hideous crash ; whence bending down to explore New terror I conceived at the steep plunge ; For flames I saw, and wailings smote mine ear: So that, all trembling, close I crouch'd my limbs, And then distinguished, unperceived before. By the dread torments that on every side Drew nearer, how our downward course we wound.
As falcon, that hath long been on the wing, But lure nor bird hath seen, while in despair The falconer cries,' " Ah me ! thou stoop'st to earth," Wearied descends, whence nimbly he arose In many an airy wheel, and 'lighting sits At distance from his lord in angry mood; So Geryon 'lighting places us on foot Low down at base of the deep-furrow'd rock, And of his burden there discharged, forthwith Sprang forward, like an arrow from the string.
CANTO XVIII.
ARGUMENT.
The poet describes the situation and form of the eighth circle, divided into ten gulfs, which contain as many different descriptions of fraudulent sinners ; but in the present canto he treats only of two sorts : the first is of those who, either for their own pleasure or for that of another, have seduced any woman from her duty ; and these are scourged of demons in the first gulf : the other sort is of flatterers, who in the second gulf are condemned to remain immersed in filth.
'T'HERE is a place within the depths of Hell
•■• Call'd Malebolge, all of rock dark-stain'd With hue ferruginous, e'en as the steep That round it circled winds. Right in the midst Of that abominable region yawns A spacious gulf profound, whereof the frame Due time shall tell. The circle, that remains. Throughout its round, between the gulf and base Of the high craggy banks, successive forms Ten bastions, in its hollow bottom raised.
As where, to guard the walls, full many a fosse Begirds some stately castle^ sure defense Affording to the space within ; so here Were modell'd these : and as like fortresses, E'en from their threshold to the brink without. Are flank'd with bridges ; from the rock's low base Thus flinty paths advanced, that 'cross the moles And dikes struck onward far as to the gulf. That in one bound collected cuts them off. Such was the place, wherein we found ourselves From Geryon's back dislodged. The bard to left Held on his way, and I behind him moved.
On our right hand new misery I saw, New pains, new executioners of wrath,
84
25-60. • HELL.— CANTO XVIIL 85
That swarming peopled the first chasm. Below
Were naked sinners. Hitherward they came,
Meeting our faces, from the middle point ;
With us beyond, but with a larger stride.
E'en thus the Romans, when the year returns
Of Jubilee, with better speed to rid
The thronging multitudes, their means devise
For such as pass the bridge ; that on one side
All front toward the castle, and approach
Saint Peter's fane, on the other towards the mount.
Each diverse way, along the grisly rock, Horn'd demons I beheld, with lashes huge, That on their back unmercifully smote. Ah ! how they made them bound at the first stripe ! None for the second waited, nor the third.
Meantime, as on I pass'd, one met my sight. Whom soon as view'd, " Of him," cried I, " not yet Mine eye hath had his fill." I therefore stay'd My feet to scan him, and the teacher kind Paused with me, and consented I should walk Backward a space ; and the tormented spirit, Who thought to hide him, bent his visage down. But it avail'd him nought ; for I exclaim'd : " Thou who doth cast thine eye upon the ground, Unless thy features do belie thee much, Venedico art thou, But what brings thee Into this bitter seasoning ? " He replied : " Unwillingly I answer to thy words. But thy clear speech, that to my mind recalls The world I once inhabited, constrains me. Know then 'twas I who led fair Ghisola To do the Marquis' will, however fame The shameful tale have bruited. Nor alone Bologna hither sendeth me to mourn. Rather with us the place is so o'erthrong'd. That not so many tongues this day are taught,
^6 THE VISION. 61-96.
Betwixt the Reno and Savena's stream, To answer Sipa in their country's phrase. And if of that securer proof thou need, Remember but our craving thirst for gold."
Him speaking thus, a demon with his thong Struck, and exclaim'd, "Away, corrupter! here Women are none for sale." Forthwith I join'd My escort, and few paces thence we carne To where a rock forth issued from the bank. That easily ascended, to the right Upon its splinter turning, we depart From those eternal barriers. When arrived Where, underneath, the gaping arch lets pass The scourged souls. " Pause here," the teacher said, "And let those others miserable now Strike on thy ken ; faces not yet beheld, For that together they with us have walk'd."
From the old bridge we eyed the pack, who came From the other side toward us, like' the rest. Excoriate from the lash. My gentle guide, By me unquestion'd, thus his speech resumed : "Behold that lofty shade, who this way tends, And seems too woe-begone to drop a tear. How yet the regal aspect he retains ! Jason is he, whose skill and prowess won The ram from Colchos. To the Lemnian isle His passage thither led him, when those bold And pitiless women had slain all their males. There he with tokens and fair witching words Hypsipyle beguiled, a virgin young. Who first had all the rest herself beguiled. Impregnated, he left her there forlorn. Such is the guilt condemns him to this pain. Here too Medea's injuries are avenged. All bear him company, who like deceit To his have practised. And thus much to know
97-133- HELL— CANTO XVIIL 87
Of the first vale suffice thee, and of those Whom its keen torments urge." Now had we come Where, crossing the next pier, the straiten'd path Bestrides its shoulders to another arch.
Hence, in the second chasm we heard the ghosts. Who gibber in low melancholy sounds. With wide-stretch'd nostrils snort, and on themselves Smite with their, palms. Upon the banks a scurf. From the foul steam condensed, encrusting hung. That held sharp combat with the sight and smell.
So hollow is the depth, that from no part, Save on the summit of the rocky span, Could I distinguish aught. Thus far we came ; And thence I saw, within the fosse below, A crowd immersed in ordure, that appear'd Draff of the human body. There beneath Searching with eye inquisitive, I mark'd One with his head so grimed, 'twere hard to deem If he were clerk or layman. Loud he cried : " Why greedily thus bendest more on me. Than on these other filthy ones, thy ken ? "
" Because, if true my memory," I replied, ] " I heretofore have seen thee with dry locks ; And thou Alessio art, of Lucca sprung. Therefore than all the rest I scan thee more."
Then beating on his brain, these words he spake: " Me thus low down my flatteries have sunk, Wherewith I ne'er enough could glut my tongue."
My leader thus : " A little further stretch Thy face, that thou the visage well mayst note Of that besotted, sluttish courtesan. Who there doth rend her with defiled nails. Now crouching down, now risen on her feet. Thais is this, the harlot, whose false lip Answer'd her doting paramour that ask'd, * Thankest me much ! ' — ' Say rather, wondrously,' And, seeing this, here satiate be our view."
CANTO XIX.
ARGUMENT.
They come to the third gulf, wherein are punished those who have been guilty of simony. These are fixed with the head downwards in certain apertures, so that no more of them than the legs appears without, and on the soles of their feet are seen burning flames. Dante is taken down by his guide into the bottom of the gulf ; and there finds Pope Nicholas V., whose evil deeds, together with those of other pontiffs, are bitterly reprehended. Vir- gil then carries him up again to the arch, which affords them a passage over the following gulf.
\ A /^-^ ^^ ^'^^^i Simon Magus ! woe to you,
' ' His wretclied followers ! who the things of God, Which should be wedded unto goodness, them, Rapacious as ye are, do prostitute For gold and silver in adultery. Now must the trumpet sound for you, since yours Is the third chasm. Upon the following vault We now had mounted, where the rock impends Directly o'er the center of the fosse.
Wisdom Supreme ! how wonderful the art. Which thou dost manifest in heaven, in earth. And in the evil world, how just a meed Allotting by thy virtue unto all.
I saw the livid stone, throughout the sides And in its bottom full of apertures. All equal in their width, and circular each. Nor ample less nor larger they appear'd Than in Saint John's fair dome of me beloved. Those framed to hold the pure baptismal streams, One of the which I brake, some few years past, To save a whelming infant: and be this A seal to undeceive whoever doubts The motive of my deed. From out the mouth Of every one emerged a sinner's feet.
25-61. HELL.— CANTO XIX. 89
And of the legs high upward as the calf. The rest beneath was hid. On either foot The soles were burning ; whence the flexile joints Glanced with such violent motion, as had snapt Asunder cords or twisted withes. As flame, Feeding on unctuous matter, glides along The surface, scarcely touching where it moves ; So here, from heel to point, glided the flames.
" Master ! say who is he, than all the rest Glancing in fiercer agony, on whom A ruddier flame doth prey ? " I thus inquired.
" If thou be willing," he replied, " that I Carry thee down, where least the slope bank falls, He of himself shall tell thee, and his wrongs."
I then : " As pleases thee, to me is best. Thou art my lord ; and know'st that ne'er I quit Thy will : what silence hides, that knowest thou."
Thereat on the fourth pier we came, we turn'd, And on our left descended to the depth, A narrow strait, and perforated close. Nor from his side my leader set me down. Till to his oriflce he brought, whose limb Quivering express'd his pang. " Whoe'er thou art. Sad spirit ! thus reversed, and as a stake Driven in the soil," I in these words began ; " If thou be able, utter forth thy voice."
There stood I like the friar, that doth shrive A wretch for murder doom'd, who, e'en when fix'd, Calleth him back, whence death awhile delays.
He shouted: "Ha! already standest there? Already standest there, O Boniface ! By many a year the writing play'd me false. So early dost thou surfeit with the wealth. For which thou fearedst not in guile to take The lovely lady, and then mangle her ? "
I felt as those who, piercing not the drift Of answer made them, stand as if exposed
90 , THE VISION. 62-98.
In mockery, nor knowing what to reply ; When Virgil thus admonish'd : " Tell him quick, ' I am not he, not he whom thou believest,' "
And I, as was enjoin'd me, straight replied.
That heard, the spirit all did wrench his feet. And, sighing, next in woful accent spake : " What then of me requiwest ? If to know So much imports thee, who I am, that thou Hast therefore down the bank descended, learn That in the mighty mantle I was robed, And of a she-bear was indeed the son. So eager to advance my whelps, that there My having in my purse above I stow'd, And here myself Under my head are dragg'd The rest, my predecessors in the guilt Of simony. Stretch'd at their length, they lie Along an opening in the rock. 'Midst them I also low shall fall, soon as he comes. For whom I took thee, when so hastily I question'd. But already longer time Hath past, since my soles kindled, and I thus Upturn'd have stood, than is his doom to stand Planted with fiery feet. For after him One yet of deeds more ugly shall arrive, From forth the west, a shepherd without law, Fated to cover both his form and mine. He a new Jason shall be call'd, of whom In Maccabees we read ; and favor such As to that priest his king indulgent show'd. Shall be of France's monarch shown to him."
I know not if I here too far presumed. But in this strain I answer'd : " Tell me now What treasures from Saint Peter at the first Our Lord demanded, when he put the keys Into his charge ? Surely he asked no more But ' Follow me ! " Nor Peter, nor the rest, Or gold or silver from Matthias took.
''i^'}^<
There stood I like the friar that doth shrive A wretch for murder doom'd.
Canto XIX., lines 51, 52.
99-135. HELL.— CANTO XIX. 9^
When . lots were cast upon the forfeit place
Of the condemned soul. Abide thou then ;
Thy punishment of right is merited :
And look thou well to that ill-gotten coin,
Which against Charles thy hardihood inspired.
If reverence of the keys restrain'd me not,
Which thou in happier time didst hold, I yet
Severer speech might use. Your avarice
O'ercasts the world with mourning, under foot
Treading the good, and raising bad men up,
Of shepherds like to you, the Evangelist
Was ware, . when her, who sits upon the waves,
With kings in filthy whoredom he beheld ;
She who with seven heads tower' d at her birth.
And from ten horns her proof of glory drew.
Long as her spouse in virtue took delight.
Of gold and silver ye have made your god,
Differing wherein from the idolater.
But that he worships one, a hundred ye ?
Ah, Constantine ! to how much ill gave birth,
Not thy conversation, but that plenteous dower.
Which the first wealthy Father gain'd from thee."
Meanwhile, as thus I sung, he, whether wrath Or conscience smote him, violent upsprang Spinning on either sole. I do believe My teacher well was pleased, with so composed A lip he listen'd ever to the sound Of the true words I utter'd. In both arms He caught, and to his bosom lifting me. Upward retraced the way of his descent.
Nor weary of his weight, he press'd me close Till to the summit of the rock we came. Our passage from the fourth to the fifth pier. His cherish'd burden there gently he placed Upon the rugged rock and steep, a path Not easy for the clambering goat to mount.
Thence to my view another vale appear'd.
CANTO XX.
ARGUMENT.
The poet relates the punishment of such as presumed, while living, to predict future events. It is to have their faces reversed and set the contrary way on their limbs, so that, being deprived of the power to see before them, they are constrained ever to walk backwards. Among these Virgil points out to him Amphiaraiis, Tiresias, Aruns, and Manto (from the mention of whom he takes occasion to speak of the origin of Mantua), together with several othersi who had practised the arts of divination and astrology.
A ND now the verse proceeds to torments new, "^*- Fit argument of this the twentieth strain Of the first song, whose awful theme records The spirits whelm'd in woe. Earnest I look'd Into the depth, that open'd to my view, Moisten'd with tear and anguish, and beheld A tribe, that came along the hollow vale. In silence weeping: such their step as walk Quires, chanting solemn litanies, on earth.
As on them more direct mine eye descends, Each wondrously seem'd to be reversed At the neck-bone, so that the countenance Was from the reins averted ; and because None might before him look, they were compell'd To advance with backward gait. Thus one perhaps Hath been by force of palsy clean transposed, But I ne'er saw it nor believe it so.
Now, reader! think within thyself, so God Fruit of thy reading give thee! how I long Could keep my visage dry, when I beheld Near me our form distorted in such guise. That on the hinder parts fallen from the face The tears down-streaming roll'd. Against a rock I leant and wept, so that my guide exclaim'd,
92
2S-60. HELL.— CANTO XX. 93
" What ! and art thou, too, witless as the rest ?
Here pity most doth show herself alive,
When she is dead. What guilt exceedeth his,
Who with Heaven's judgment in his passion strives ?
Raise up thy head, raise up, and see the man
Before whose eyes earth gaped in Thebes when all
Cried out ' Amphiaratis, whither rushest ?
Why leavest thou the war ? ' He not the less
Fell ruining far as to Minos down.
Whose grapple none eludes. Lo! how he makes
The breast his shoulders ; and who once too far
Before him wish'd to see, now backward looks
And treads reverse his path. Tiresias note,
Who semblance changed, when woman he became
Of male, through every limb transform'd ; and then
Once more behoved him with his rod to strike
The two entwining serpents, ere the plumes.
That mark'd the better sex, might shoot again.
"Aruns, with rere his belly facing, comes. On Luni's mountains 'midst the marbles white. Where delves Carrara's hind, who wons beneath, A cavern was his dwelling, whence the stars And main sea wide in boundless view he held.
" The next, whose loosen'd tresses overspread Her bosom, which thou seest not (for each hair On that side grows) was Manto, she who search'd Through many regions, and at length her seat Fix'd in my native land: whence a short space My words detain thy audience. When her sire From life departed, and in servitude The city dedicate to Bacchus mourn'd, Long time she went a wanderer through the world. Aloft in Italy's delightful land A lake there lies, at foot of that proud Alp That o'er the Tyrol locks Germania in. Its name Benacus, from whose ample breast
94 THE VISION. 61-96.
A thousand springs, methinks, and more, between
Camonica and Garda, issuing forth,
Water the Apennine. There is a spot
At midway of that lake, where he who bears
Of Trento's flock the pastoral staff, with him
Of Brescia, and the Veronese, might each
Passing that way his benediction give.
A garrison of goodly site and strong
Peschiera stands, to awe with front opposed
The Bergamese and Brescian, whence the shore
More slope each way descends. There, whatsoe'er
Benacus' bosom holds not, tumbling o'er
Down falls, and winds a river flood beneath
Through the green pastures. Soon as in his course
The stream makes- head, Benacus then no more
They call the name, but Mincius, till at last ■
Reaching Governo, into Po he falls.
Not far his course hath run, when a wide flat
It finds, which overstretching as a marsh
It covers, pestilent in summer oft.
Hence journeying, the savage maiden saw
Midst of the fen a territory waste
And naked of inhabitants. To shun
All human converse, here she with her slaves.
Plying her arts, remain'd, and liv'd, and left
Her body tenantless. Thenceforth the tribes.
Who round were scatter'd, gathering to that place.
Assembled ; for its strength was great, enclosed
On all parts by the fen. On those dead bones
They rear'd themselves a city, for her sake
Calling it Mantua, who first chose the spot.
Nor ask'd another omen for the name;
Wherein more numerous the people dwelt.
Ere Casalodi's madness by deceit
Was wrong'd of Pinamonte. If thou hear
Henceforth another origin assign'd
97-128. HELL.— CANTO XX. 95
Of that my country, I forewarn thee now, ' That falsehood none beguile thee of the truth."
I answer'd, " Teacher, I conclude thy words So certain, that all else shall be to me As embers lacking life. But now of these, Who here proceed, instruct me, if thou see Any that merit more especial note. For thereon is my mind alone intent."
He straight replied: "That spirit from whose cheek The beard sweeps o'er his shoulders brown, what time Graecia was emptied of her males, that scarce The cradles were supplied, the seer was he In Aulis, who with Calchas gave the sign When first to cut the cable. Him they named Eurypilus : so sings my magic strain. In which majestic measure well thou know'st. Who know'st it all. That other, round the loins So slender of his shape, was Michael Scot, Practiced in every slight of magic wile.
" Guido Bonatti see : Asdente mark, Who now were willing he had tended still The thread and cordwain, and too late repents.
"See next the wretches, who the needle left. The shuttle and the spindle, and became Diviners : baneful witcheries they wrought With images and herbs. But onward now: For now doth Cain with fork of thorns confine On either hemisphere, touching the wave Beneath the towers of Seville. Yesternight The moon was round. Thou mayst remember well : For she good service did thee in the gloom Of the deep wood." This said, both onward moved.
CANTO XXL
ARGUMENT.
Still in the eighth circle, which bears the name of Malebolge, they look down from the bridge that passes over its fifth gulf, upon the barterers or public peculators, These are plunged in a lake of boiling pitch, and guarded by demons, to whom Virgil, leaving Dante apart, presents himself ; and license being obtained to pass onward, both pursue their way.
''T^HUS we from bridge to bridge, with other talk, -*■ The which my drama cares not to rehearse, Pass'd on ; and to the summit reaching, stood To view another gap, within the round Of Malebolge, other bootless pangs.
Marvelous darkness shadow'd o'er the place.
In the Venetians' arsenal as boils Through wintry months tenacious pitch, to smear Their unsound vessels ; for the inclement time Seafaring men restrains, and in that while His barque one builds anew, another stops The ribs of his that hath made many a voyage, One hammers at the prow, one at the poop, This shapeth oars, that other cables twirls. The mizen one repairs, and mainsail rent; So, not by force of fire but art divine, Boil'd here a glutinous thick mass, that round Limed all the shore beneath. I that beheld. But therein nought distinguish'd, save the bubbles Raised by the boiling, and one mighty swell Heave, and by turns subsiding fall. While there I fix'd my ken below, " Mark ! mark ! " my guide Exclaiming, drew me towards him from the place
96
24-59. HELL.— CANTO XXL 97
Wherein I stood. I turn'd myself, as one Impatient to behold that which beheld He needs must shun, whom sudden fear unmans. That he in flight delays not for the view. Behind me I discern'd a devil black. That running up advanced along the rock. Ah ! what fierce cruelty his look bespake. In act how bitter did he seem, with wings Buoyant outstretch'd and feet of nimblest tread. His shoulder, proudly eminent and sharp. Was with a sinner charged : by either haunch He held him, the foot's sinew griping fast.
" Ye of our bridge ! " he cried, " keen-talon'd fiends j Lo ! one of Santa Zita's elders. Him Whelm ye beneath, while I return for more. That land hath store of such. All men are there, Except Bonturo, barterers ; of ' no ' For lucre there an 'ay' is quickly made."
Him dashing down, o'er the rough rock he turn'd Nor ever after thief a master loosed Sped with like eager haste. The other sank, And forthwith writhing to the surface rose. But those dark demons, shrouded by the bridge. Cried, " Here the hallow'd visage saves not : here Is other swimming than in Serchio's wave, Wherefore, if thou desire we rend thee not. Take heed thou mount not o'er the pitch." This said, They grappled him with more than hundred hooks. And shouted, "Cover'd thou must sport thee here; So, if thou canst, in secret mayst thou filch." E'en thus the 'cook bestirs him, with his grooms. To thrust the flesh into the caldron down With flesh-hooks, that it float not on the top.
Me then my guide bespake : " Lest they descry That thou art here, behind a craggy rock Bend low and screen thee : and whate'er of force
98 THE VISION. 60-95.
Be offer'd me, or insult, fear thou not ; For I am well advised, who have been erst In the like fray." Beyond the bridge's head Therewith he pass'd ; and reaching the sixth pier, Behoved him then a forehead terror-proof.
With storm and fury, as when dogs rush forth Upon the poor man's back, who suddenly From whence he standeth makes his suit ; so rushed Those from beneath the arch, and against him Their weapons all they pointed. He, aloud : " Be none of you outrageous : ere your tine Dare seize me, come forth from amongst you one, Who having heard my words, decide he then If he shall tear these limbs." They shouted loud " Go, Malacoda ! " Whereat one advanced. The others standing firm, and as he came, " What may this turn avail him ? " he exclaim'd.
" Believest thou, Malacoda ! I had come Thus far from all your skirmishing secure," My teacher answer'd, "without will divine And destiny propitious ? Pass we then ; For so Heaven's pleasure is, that I should lead Another through this savage wilderness."
Forthwith so fell his pride, that he let drop The instrument of torture at his feet, And to the rest exclaim'd, "We have no power To strike him." Then to my guide : " Oh, thou ! Who on the bridge among the crags dost sit Low crouching, safely now to me return."
I rose, and towards him moved with speed; the fiends Meantime all forward drew: me terror seized. Lest they should break the compact they had made. Thus issuing from Caprona, once I saw The infantry, dreading lest his covenant The foe should break ; so close he hemmed them round.
I to my leader's side adhered, mine eyes
I t I
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bjo
u X
1)
1)
96-131. HELL.— CANTO XXL 99
With fixed and motionless observance bent
On their unkindly visage. They, their hooks
Protruding, one the other thus bespake :
" Wilt thou I touch him on the hip ? " To whom
Was answer'd, " Even so ; nor miss thy aim."
But he who was in conference with my guide, Turn'd rapid round ; and thus the demon spake : " Stay, stay thee, Scarmiglione ! " Then to us He added : " Further footing to your step This rock affords not, shiver'd to the base Of the sixth arch. But would ye still proceed, Up by this cavern go : not distant far, Another rock will yield you passage safe. Yesterday, later by five hours than now. Twelve hundred threescore years and six had fill'd The circuit of their course, since here the way Was broken. Thitherward I straight dispatch Certain of these my scouts, who shall espy If any on the surface bask. With them Go ye ; for ye shall find them nothing fell. Come Alichino, forth," with that he cried, "And Calcabrina, and Cagnazzo thou! The troop of ten let Barbariccia lead. With Libicocco, Draghinazzo haste, Fang'd Ciriatto, Graffiacane fierce. And Farfarello, and mad Rubicant. Search ye around the bubbling tar. For these In safety lead them, where the other crag Uninterrupted traverses the dens."
I then: "Oh, master! what a sight is there. Ah ! without escort, journey we alone, Which, if thou know the way, I covet not. Unless thy prudence fail thee, dost not mark How they do gnarl upon us, and their scowl Threatens us present tortures ? " He replied : " I charge thee, fear not : let them, as they will,
lOO THE VISION. 132-137.
Gnarl on : 'tis but in token of their spite Against the souls who mourn in torment steep'd."
To leftward o'er the pier they turn'd ; but each Had first between his teeth prest close the tongue, Toward their leader for a signal looking, Which he with sound obscene triumphant gave.
CANTO XXII.
ARGUMENT.
Virgil and Dante proceed, accompanied by the demons, and see other sinners of the same description in the same gulf. The device of Ciampolo, one of these, to escape from the demons, who had laid hold on him.
IT hath been heretofore my chance to see Horsemen with martial order shifting camp, To onset sallying, or in muster ranged, Or in retreat sometimes outstretch'd for flight : Light-armed squadrons and fleet foragers Scouring thy plains, Arezzo ! have I seen And clashing tournaments, and tilting jousts. Now with the sound of trumpets, now of bells, Tabors, or signals made from castled heights. And with inventions multiform, our own. Or introduced from foreign land; but ne'er To such a strange recorder I beheld. In evolution moving, horse nor foot. Nor ship, that tack'd by sign from land or star.
With the ten demons on our way we went ; Ah, fearful company ! but in the church With saints, with gluttons at the tavern's mess.
Still earnest on the pitch I gazed, to mark All things whate'er the chasm contain'd, and those Who burn'd within. As dolphins that, in sign To mariners, heave high their arched backs, That thence forewarn' d they may advise to save Their threaten'd vessel ; so, at intervals. To ease the pain, his back some sinner show'd, ■ Then hid more nimbly than the lightning-glance.
E'en as the frogs, that of a watery moat
I02 THE VISION. 27-62.
Stand at the brink, with the jaws only out, Their feet and of the trunk all else conceal'd. Thus on each part the sinners stood ; but soon As Barbariccia was at hand, so they Drew bach under the wave. I saw, and yet My heart doth stagger, one, that waited thus, As it befalls that oft one frog remains. While the next springs away : and Grafhacan, Who of the fiends was nearest, grappling seized His clotted locks, and dragg'd him sprawling up, That he appear'd to me an otter. Each Already by their names I knew, so well When they were chosen I observed, and mark'd How one the other call'd. " O Rubicant ! See that his hide thou with thy talons flay," Shouted together all the cursed crew.
Then I : " Inform thee, master ! if thou may, What wretched soul is this, on whom their hands His foes have laid." My leader to his side Approach'd, and whence he came inquired ; to whom Was answer'd thus : " Born in Navarre's domain, My mother placed me in a lord's retinue ; For she had borne me to a losel vile, A spendthrift of his substance and himself The good king Thibault after that I served : To peculating here my thoughts were turn'd. Whereof I give account in this dire heat."
Straight Ciriatto, from whose mouth a tusk Issued on either side, as from a boar, Ripp'd him with one of these. 'Twixt evil claws The mouse had fallen: but Barbariccia cried. Seizing him with both arms : " Stand thou apart. While I do fix him on my prong transpierced." Then added, turning to my guide his face, " Inquire of him if more thou wish to learn Ere he again be rent." My leader thus :
63-98. HELL.— CANTO XXIL 103
"Then tell us of the partners of thy guilt;
Knowest thou any sprung of Latian land
Under the tar ? " "I parted," he replied,
"But now from one, who sojourn' d not far thence;
So were I under shelter now with him,
Nor hook nor talon then should scare me more."
" Too long we suffer," Libicocco cried ; Then, darting forth a prong, seized on his arm. And mangled bore away the sinewy part. Him Draghinazzo by his thighs beneath Would next have caught ; whence angrily their chief, Turning on all sides round, with threatening brow Restrain'd them. When their strife a little ceased. Of him, who yet was gazing on his wound, My teacher thus without delay inquired : "Who was the spirit, from whom by evil hap Parting, as thou hast told, thou camest to shore ? "
" It was the fair Gomita," he rejoin'd, " He of Gallura, vessel of all guile. Who had his master's enemies in hand. And used them so that they commend him well. Money he took, and them at large dismiss'd ; So he reports ; and in each other charge Committed to his keeping play'd the part Of barterer to the height. With him doth herd The chief of Logodoro, Michael Zanche. Sardinia is a theme whereof their tongue Is never weary. Out ! alas ! behold That other, how he grins. More would I say, But tremble lest he mean to maul me sore."
Their captain then to Farfarello turning. Who roll'd his moony eyes in act to strike. Rebuked him thus : " Off, cursed bird ! avaunt ! "
" If ye desire to see or hear," he thus Quaking with dread resumed, "or Tuscan spirits Or Lombard, I will cause them to appear.
I04 THE VISION. 99-134-
Meantime, let these ill talons bate their fury, So that no vengeance they may fear from them, And I, remaining in this self-same place. Will, for myself but one, make seven appear, When my shrill whistle shall be heard ; for so Our custon is to call each other up."
Cagnazzo at that word deriding grinn'd. Then wagg'd the head and spake : " Hear his device, Mischievous as he is, to plunge him down."
Whereto he thus, who fail'd not in rich store Of nice-wove toils : " Mischief, forsooth, extreme ! Meant only to procure myself more woe."
No longer Alichino then refrain'd, But thus, the rest gainsaying, him bespake : " If thou do cast thee down, I not on foot Will chase thee, but above the pitch will beat My plumes. Quit we the vantage ground, and let The bank be as a shield ; that we may see, If singly thou prevail against us all."
Now, reader, of new sport expect to hear.
They each one turn'd his eyes to the other shore. He first, who was the hardest to persuade. The spirit of Navarre chose well his time, Planted his feet on land, and at one leap Escaping, disappointed their resolve.
Them quick resentment stung, but him the most Who was the cause of failure : in pursuit He therefore sped, exclaiming, " Thou art caught."
But little it avail'd ; terror outstripp'd His following flight ; the other plunged beneath, And he with upward pinion raised his breast : E'en thus the water-fowl, when she perceives The falcon near, dives instant down, while he Enraged and spent retires. That mockery In Calcabrina fury stirr'd, who flew After him, with desire of strife inflamed;
I3S-I48. HELL.— CANTO XXIL 105
And, for the barterer had 'scaped, so turn'd
His talons on his comrade. ■ O'er the dyke
In grapple close they join'd ; but the other proved
A goshawk able to rend well his foe ;
And in the boiling lake both fell. The heat
Was umpire soon between them ; but in vain
To lift themselves they strove, so fast were glued
Their pennons. Barbariccia, as the rest,
That chance lamenting, four in flight dispatch'd
From the other coast, with all their weapons arm'd.
They to their post on each side speedily
Descending, stretch'd their hooks toward the fiends,
Who flounder' d, inly burning from their scars :
And we departing left them to that broil.
CANTO XXIII.
ARGUMENT.
The enraged demons pursue Dante, but he is preserved from them by Virgil. On reaching the sixth gulf, he beholds the punishment of the hypocrites ; which is, to pace continually round the gulf under the pressure of caps and hoods that are gilt on the outside, but leaden within. He is addressed by two of these, Catalano and Loderingo, knights of Saint Mary, otherwise called Joyous Friars of Bologna. Caiaphas is seen fixed to a cross on the ground and lies so stretched along the way, that all tread on him in passing.
N silence and in solitude we went,
One first, the other following his steps, As minor ft-iars journeying on their road.
The present ft-ay had turn'd my thoughts to muse Upon old JEsop's fable, where he told What fate unto the mouse and frog befell ; For language hath not sounds more like in sense, Than are these chances, if the origin And end of each be heedfully compared. And as one thought bursts from another forth. So afterward from that another sprang, Which added doubly to my former fear. For thus I reason'd : " These through us have been So foil'd, with loss and mockery so complete. As needs must sting them sore. If anger then Be to their evil will conjoin'd, more fell They shall pursue us, than the savage hound - Snatches the leveret panting 'twixt his jaws."
Already I perceived my hair stand all On end with terror, and look'd eager back.
" Teacher," I thus began, " if speedily Thyself and me thou hide not, much I dread Those evil talons. Even now behind They urge us : quick imagination works
io6
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But the other proved A goshawk able to rend well his foe ; And in the boiling lake both fell.
Canto XXII., lines lyi-xyi-
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Scarcely had his feet Reached to the lowest of the bed beneath, When over us the steep they reach'd.
Canio XXIII., lines 52-54-
2S-60. HELL.— CANTO XXIII. 107
So forcibly, that I already feel them."
He answer'd : " Were I formed of leaded glass, I should not sooner draw unto myself Thy outward image, than I now imprint That from within. This moment came thy thoughts Presented before mine, with similar act And countenance similar, so that from both I one design have framed. If the right coast Incline so much, that we may thence descend Into the other chasm, we shall escape Secure from this imagined pursuit."
He had not spoke "his purpose to the end, When I from far beheld them with spread wings Approach to take us. Suddenly my guide Caught me, even as a mother that from sleep Is by the noise aroused, and near her sees The climbing fires, who snatches up her babe • And flies ne'er pausing, careful more of him Than of herself, that but a single vest Clings round her limbs. Down from the jutting beach Supine he cast him to that pendent rock. Which closes on one part the other chasm.
Never ran water with such hurrying pace Adown the tube to turn a land-mill's wheel, When nearest it approaches to the spokes. As then along that edge my master ran. Carrying me in his bosom, as a child, Not a companion. Scarcely had his feet Reach'd to the lowest of the bed beneath, When over us the steep they reach'd : but fear In him was none ; for that high Providence, Which placed them ministers of the fifth fosse, Power of departing thence took from them all.
There in the depth we saw a painted tribe, Who paced with tardy steps around, and wept, Faint in appearance and o'ercome with toil.
io8 THE VISION. 61-96.
Caps had they on, with hoods, that fell . low down Before their eyes, in fashion like to those Worn by the monks in Cologne. Their outside Was overlaid with gold, dazzling to view. But leaden all within, and of such w^eight, That Frederick's compared to these were straw. Oh, everlasting wearisome attire !
We yet once more with them together turn'd To leftward, on their dismal moan intent. But by the weight opprest, so slowly came The fainting people, that our company Was changed, at every movement of the step.
Whence I my guide address'd : " See that thou find Some spirit, whose name may by his deeds be known ; And to that end look round thee as thou go'st."
Then one, who understood the Tuscan voice, Cried after us aloud : " Hold in ' your feet. Ye who so swiftly speed through the dusk air. Perchance from me thou shalt obtain thy wish."
Whereat my leader, turning, me bespake : " Pause, and then onward at their pace proceed."
I stayed, and saw two spirits in whose look Impatient eagerness of mind was mark'd To overtake me ; but the load they bare And narrow path retarded their approach.
Soon as arrived, they with an eye askance Perused me, but spake not : then turning, each To other thus conferring said : " This one Seems, by the action of his throat, alive ; And, be they dead, what privilege allows They walk unmantled by the cumbrous stole ? "
Then thus to me : Tuscan, who visitest The college of the mourning hypocrites. Disdain not to instruct us who thou art."
" By Arno's pleasant stream," I thus replied, " In -the great city I was bred and grew,
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" Tuscan, who visitest The college of the mourning hypocrites, Disdain not to instruct us who thou art."
Canio XXIII. , lines 92-94.
" That pierced spirit, whom intent Thou vievv'st, was he who gave the Pharisees Counsel, that it were fitting for one man To suffer for tlie people."
Can/0 XXIII., lines 117-120.
97— .'32. HELL.— CANTO XXIH. 109
And wear the body I have never worn. But who are ye, from whom such mighty grief, As now I witness, courseth down your cheeks ? What torment breaks forth in this bitter woe ? "
" Our bonnets gleaming white with orange hue," . One of them answer'd, " are so leaden gross, That with their weight they make the. balances To crack beneath them. Joyous friars we were, Bologna's natives ; Catalano I, He Loderingo named ; and by thy land Together taken, as men used to take A single and indifferent arbiter. To reconcile their strifes. How there we sped, Gardingo's vicinage can best declare."
"Oh, friars!" I began, "your miseries "
But there brake off, for one had caught mine eye, Fix'd to a cross with three stakes on the ground : He, when he saw me, writhed himself, throughout Distorted, ruffling with deep sighs his beard. And Catalano, who thereof was 'ware. Thus spake : " That pierced spirit, whom intent Thou view'st, was he who gave the Pharisees ' Counsel, that it were fitting for one man To suffer for the people. He doth lie Transverse ; nor any passes, but him first Behoves make feeling trial how each weighs. In straits like this along the fosse are placed The father of his consort, and the rest Partakers in that council, seed of ill And sorrow to the Jews." I noted then, How Virgil gazed with wonder upon him. Thus abjectly extended on the cross In banishment eternal. To the friar He next his words addressed : " We pray ye tell, If so be lawful, whether on our right Lies any opening in the rock, whereby
no THE VISION. 133—151.
We both may issue hence, without constraint On the dark angels, that compell'd they come To lead us from this depth." He thus replied : " Nearer than thou dost hope, there is a rock From the great circle moving, which o'ersteps Each vale of horror, save that here his cope Is shatter'd. By. the ruin ye may mount : For on the side it slants, and most the height Rises below." With head bent down awhile My leader stood ; then spake : " He warn'd us ill, Who yonder hangs the sinners on his hook."
To whom the friar : "At Bologna erst I many vices of the devil heard ; Among the rest was said, 'He is a liar. And the father of lies ! ' " When he had spoke, My leader with large strides proceeded on. Somewhat disturb'd with anger in his look.
I therefore left the spirits heavy laden. And, following, his beloved footsteps mark'd.
CANTO XXIV.
ARGUMENT.
Under the escort of his faithful master, Dante, not without difficulty, makes his way out of the sixth gulf, and in the seventh sees the robbers tormented by venomous and pestilent serpents. The soul of Vanni Fucci, who had pillaged the sacristy of Saint James in Pistoia, predicts some calamities that impended over that city, and over the Florentines.
IN the year's early nonage, when the sun
-*■ Tempers his tresses in Aquarius' urn,
And now towards equal day the nights recede ;
Whenas the rime upon the earth puts on
Her dazzling sister's image, but not long
Her milder sway endures ; then riseth up
The village hind, whom fails his wintry store,
And looking out beholds the plain around
All whiten'd ; whence impatiently he smites
His thighs, and to his hut returning in,
There paces to and fro, wailing his lot.
As a discomfited and helpless man ;
Then comes he forth again, and feels new hope
Spring in his bosom, finding e'en thus soon
The world hath changed its countenance, grasps his crook,
And forth to pasture drives his little flock :
So me my guide dishearten'd, when I saw
His troubled forehead ; and so speedily
That ill was cured ; for at the fallen bridge
Arriving, towards me with a look as sweet.
He turn'd him back, as that I first beheld
At the steep mountain's foot. Regarding well
The ruin, and some counsel first maintain'd
With his own thought, he open'd wide his arm
And took me up. As one, who, while he works,
112 THE VISION. 26-61.
Computes his labor's issue, that he seems Still to foresee the effect ; so lifting me Up to the summit of one peak, he fix'd His eye upon another. " Grapple that," Said he, " but first make proof, if it be such As will sustain thee." For one capt with lead , This were no journey. Scarcely he, though light. And I, though onward push'd from crag to crag. Could mount. And if the precinct of this coast Were not less ample than the last, for him • I know not, but my strength had surely fail'd. But Malebolge all toward the mouth Inclining of the nethermost abyss. The site of every valley hence requires. That one side upward slope, the other fall.
At length the point from whence the utmost stone Juts down, we reach'd ; soon as to that arrived, So was the breath exhausted from my lungs I could no further, but did seat me there.
"Now needs thy best of man"; so spake my guide: " For not on downy plumes, nor under shade Of canopy reposing, fame is won ; Without which whosoe'er consumes his days, Leaveth such vestige of himself on earth. As smoke in air, or foam upon the wave. Thou therefore rise : vanquish thy weariness By the mind's effort, in each struggle form'd To vanquish, if she suffer not the weight Of her corporeal frame to crush her down. A longer ladder yet remains to scale. From these to have escaped sufficeth not. If well thou note me, profit by my words."
I straightway rose, and show'd myself less spent Than I in truth did feel me. " On," I cried, "For I am stout and. fearless." Up the rock Our way we held, more rugged than before.
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Amid this dread exuberance of woe Ran naked spirits wing'd with horrid fear,
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The other two Look'd on, exclaiming, "Ah! how dost thou change, Agnello ! "
62-97. HELL.— CANTO XXIV.- 113
Narrower, and steeper far to climb. From talk I ceased not, as we journey'd, so to seem Least faint ; whereat a voice from the other fosse Did issue forth, for utterance suited ill. Though on the arch that crosses where I stood. What were the words I knew not, but who spake Seem'd moved in anger. Down I stooped to look; But my quick eye might reach not to the depth For shrouding darkness ; wherefore thus I spake : "To the next circle, teacher, bend thy steps, And from this wall dismount we ; for as hence I hear and understand not, so I see Beneath, and nought discern." " I answer not," Said he, "but by the deed. To fair request Silent performance maketh best return."
We from the bridge's head descended, where To the eighth mound it joins ; and then, the chasm Opening to view, I saw a crowd within Of serpents terrible, so strange of shape And hideous, that remembrance in my veins Yet shrinks the vital current. Of her sands Let Libya vaunt no more: if Jaculus, Pereas and Chelyder be her brood, Cenchris and Amphisbaena, plagues so dire Or in such numbers swarming ne'er she show'd. Not with all Ethiopia, and whate'er Above the Erythraean sea is spawn'd.
Amid this dread exuberance of woe Ran naked spirits wing'd with horrid fear,