Dante’s Inferno - Onemore Library

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Dante’sInfernoDanteAlighieri

TranslatedbyRev.HenryFrancisCary

IlustratedbyGustaveDoré

CassellandCompany,London,1892

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CANTOI

INthemidwayofthisourmortallife,Ifoundmeinagloomywood,astrayGonefromthepathdirect:ande’entotellItwerenoeasytask,howsavagewildThatforest,howrobustandroughitsgrowth,Whichtorememberonly,mydismayRenews,inbitternessnotfarfromdeath.Yettodiscourseofwhattheregoodbefell,AllelsewillIrelatediscover’dthere.HowfirstIenter’ditIscarcecansay,Suchsleepydullnessinthatinstantweigh’dMysensesdown,whenthetruepathIleft,

Butwhenamountain’sfootIreach’d,whereclos’dThevalley,thathadpierc’dmyheartwithdread,Ilook’daloft,andsawhisshouldersbroadAlreadyvestedwiththatplanet’sbeam,Wholeadsallwandererssafethrougheveryway.

Thenwasalittlerespitetothefear,Thatinmyheart’srecessesdeephadlain,Allofthatnight,sopitifullypass’d:Andasaman,withdifficultshortbreath,Forespentwithtoiling,‘scap’dfromseatoshore,Turnstotheperilouswidewaste,andstandsAtgaze;e’ensomyspirit,thatyetfail’dStrugglingwithterror,turn’dtoviewthestraits,Thatnonehathpass’dandliv’d.MywearyframeAftershortpauserecomforted,againIjourney’donoverthatlonelysteep,

Thehinderfootstillfirmer.ScarcetheascentBegan,when,lo!apanther,nimble,light,

Andcover’dwithaspeckledskin,appear’d,Nor,whenitsawme,vanish’d,ratherstroveTocheckmyonwardgoing;thatofttimesWithpurposetoretracemystepsIturn’d.

Thehourwasmorning’sprime,andonhiswayAloftthesunascendedwiththosestars,Thatwithhimrose,whenLovedivinefirstmov’dThoseitsfairworks:sothatwithjoyoushopeAllthingsconspir’dtofillme,thegayskinOfthatswiftanimal,thematindawnAndthesweetseason.Soonthatjoywaschas’d,Andbynewdreadsucceeded,wheninviewAlioncame,‘gainstme,asitappear’d,

Withhisheadheldaloftandhunger-mad,Thate’entheairwasfear-struck.Ashe-wolfWasathisheels,whoinherleannessseem’dFullofallwants,andmanyalandhathmadeDisconsolateerenow.ShewithsuchfearO’erwhelmedme,atthesightofherappall’d,ThatoftheheightallhopeIlost.Asone,Whowithhisgainelated,seesthetimeWhenallunwaresisgone,heinwardlyMournswithheart-gripinganguish;suchwasI,Hauntedbythatfellbeast,neveratpeace,Whocomingo’eragainstme,bydegreesImpell’dmewherethesuninsilencerests.

WhiletothelowerspacewithbackwardstepIfell,mykendiscern’dtheformoneofone,Whosevoiceseem’dfaintthroughlongdisuseofspeech.WhenhiminthatgreatdesertIespied,“Havemercyonme!”criedIoutaloud,“Spirit!orlivingman!whate’erthoube!”

Heanswer’d:“Nownotman,manonceIwas,AndbornofLombardparents,MantuanabothBycountry,whenthepowerofJuliusyetWasscarcelyfirm.AtRomemylifewaspastBeneaththemildAugustus,inthetimeOffableddeitiesandfalse.AbardWasI,andmadeAnchises’uprightsonThesubjectofmysong,whocamefromTroy,Whentheflamesprey’donIlium’shaughtytowers.Butthou,saywhereforetosuchperilspastReturn’stthou?whereforenotthispleasantmountAscendest,causeandsourceofalldelight?”“AndartthouthenthatVirgil,thatwell-spring,FromwhichsuchcopiousfloodsofeloquenceHaveissued?”Iwithfrontabash’dreplied.“Gloryandlightofallthetunefultrain!MayitavailmethatIlongwithzealHavesoughtthyvolume,andwithloveimmenseHaveconn’dito’er.Mymasterthouandguide!ThouhefromwhomaloneIhavederiv’dThatstyle,whichforitsbeautyintofameExaltsme.Seethebeast,fromwhomIfled.Osavemefromher,thouillustrioussage!

“ForeveryveinandpulsethroughoutmyframeShehathmadetremble.”He,soonashesawThatIwasweeping,answer’d,“ThoumustneedsAnotherwaypursue,ifthouwouldst‘scapeFromoutthatsavagewilderness.Thisbeast,Atwhomthoucriest,herwaywillsuffernoneTopass,andnolesshindrancemakesthandeath:Sobadandsoaccursedinherkind,Thatneversatedisherravenouswill,Stillafterfoodmorecravingthanbefore.TomanyananimalinwedlockvileShefastens,andshallyettomanymore,Untilthatgreyhoundcome,whoshalldestroyHerwithsharppain.HewillnotlifesupportByearthnoritsbasemetals,butbylove,Wisdom,andvirtue,andhislandshallbe

Theland‘twixteitherFeltro.InhismightShallsafetytoItalia’splainsarise,Forwhosefairrealm,Camilla,virginpure,Nisus,Euryalus,andTurnusfell.HewithincessantchasethrougheverytownShallworry,untilhetohellatlengthRestoreher,thencebyenvyfirstletloose.Iforthyprofitpond’ringnowdevise,Thatthoumaystfollowme,andIthyguideWillleadtheehencethroughaneternalspace,Wherethoushaltheardespairingshrieks,andseeSpiritsofoldtormented,whoinvokeAseconddeath;andthosenextview,whodwellContentinfire,forthattheyhopetocome,Whene’erthetimemaybe,amongtheblest,IntowhoseregionsifthouthendesireT’ascend,aspiritworthierthanIMustleadthee,inwhosecharge,whenIdepart,Thoushaltbeleft:forthatAlmightyKing,Whoreignsabove,arebeltohislaw,Adjudgesme,andthereforehathdecreed,Thattohiscitynonethroughmeshouldcome.Heinallpartshathsway;thererules,thereholdsHiscitadelandthrone.Ohappythose,Whomtherehechooses!”Itohiminfew:“Bard!bythatGod,whomthoudidstnotadore,Idobeseechthee(thatthisillandworseImayescape)toleadme,wherethousaidst,ThatISaintPeter’sgatemayview,andthoseWhoasthoutell’st,areinsuchdismalplight.”

Onwardhemov’d,Iclosehisstepspursu’d.

CANTOII

NOWwasthedaydeparting,andtheair,Imbrown’dwithshadows,fromtheirtoilsreleas’dAllanimalsonearth;andIalonePrepar’dmyselftheconflicttosustain,Bothofsadpity,andthatperilousroad,Whichmyunerringmemoryshallretrace.

OMuses!Ohighgenius!nowvouchsafeYouraid!Omind!thatallIsawhastkeptSafeinawrittenrecord,herethyworth

Andeminentendowmentscometoproof.

Ithusbegan:“Bard!thouwhoartmyguide,Considerwell,ifvirtuebeinmeSufficient,eretothishighenterpriseThoutrustme.ThouhasttoldthatSilvius’sire,Yetcloth’dincorruptibleflesh,amongTh’immortaltribeshadentrance,andwasthereSensiblepresent.Yetifheaven’sgreatLord,Almightyfoetoill,suchfavourshew’d,Incontemplationofthehigheffect,Bothwhatandwhofromhimshouldissueforth,Itseemsinreason’sjudgmentwelldeserv’d:SithheofRome,andofRome’sempirewide,Inheaven’sempyrealheightwaschosensire:Bothwhich,iftruthbespoken,wereordain’dAnd‘stablish’dfortheholyplace,wheresitsWhotogreatPeter’ssacredchairsucceeds.Hefromthisjourney,inthysongrenown’d,Learn’dthings,thattohisvictorygaveriseAndtothepapalrobe.Inafter-timesThechosenvesselalsotravel’dthere,Tobringusbackassuranceinthatfaith,Whichistheentrancetosalvation’sway.ButI,whyshouldItherepresume?orwhoPermitsit?notAeneasInorPaul.MyselfIdeemnotworthy,andnoneelseWilldeemme.I,ifonthisvoyagethenIventure,fearitwillinfollyend.Thou,whoartwise,bettermymeaningknow’st,ThanIcanspeak.”Asone,whounresolvesWhathehathlateresolv’d,andwithnewthoughtsChangeshispurpose,fromhisfirstintentRemov’d;e’ensuchwasIonthatduncoast,Wastinginthoughtmyenterprise,atfirstSoeagerlyembrac’d.“IfrightthywordsIscan,”repliedthatshademagnanimous,“Thysoulisbyvilefearassail’d,whichoftSoovercastsaman,thatherecoilsFromnoblestresolution,likeabeastAtsomefalsesemblanceinthetwilightgloom.Thatfromthisterrorthoumaystfreethyself,IwillinstructtheewhyIcame,andwhatIheardinthatsameinstant,whenfortheeGrieftouch’dmefirst.Iwasamongthetribe,Whorestsuspended,whenadame,soblest

Andlovely,Ibesoughthertocommand,Call’dme;hereyeswerebrighterthanthestarOfday;andshewithgentlevoiceandsoftAngelicallytun’dherspeechaddress’d:“OcourteousshadeofMantua!thouwhosefameYetlives,andshalllivelongasnaturelasts!Afriend,notofmyfortunebutmyself,OnthewidedesertinhisroadhasmetHindrancesogreat,thathethroughfearhasturn’d.NowmuchIdreadlesthepasthelphavestray’d,AndIberis’ntoolateforhisrelief,FromwhatinheavenofhimIheard.Speednow,Andbythyeloquentpersuasivetongue,Andbyallmeansforhisdeliverancemeet,Assisthim.Sotomewillcomfortspring.IwhonowbidtheeonthiserrandforthAmBeatrice;fromaplaceIcome.

(Note:Beatrice.Iusethisword,asitispronouncedintheItalian,asconsistingoffoursyllables,ofwhichthethirdisalongone.)Revisitedwithjoy.Lovebroughtmethence,Whopromptsmyspeech.WheninmyMaster’ssightIstand,thypraisetohimIoftwilltell.”

Shethenwassilent,andIthusbegan:“OLady!bywhoseinfluencealone,Mankindexcelswhateveriscontain’dWithinthatheavenwhichhaththesmallestorb,Sothycommanddelightsme,thattoobey,Ifitweredonealready,wouldseemlate.Noneedhastthoufarthertospeakthywill;Yettellthereason,whythouartnotlothToleavethatamplespace,wheretoreturnThouburnest,forthiscentreherebeneath.”

Shethen:“Sincethousodeeplywouldstinquire,Iwillinstructtheebriefly,whynodreadHindersmyentrancehere.ThosethingsaloneAretobefear’d,whenceevilmayproceed,Noneelse,fornoneareterriblebeside.Iamsofram’dbyGod,thankstohisgrace!Thatanysuff’ranceofyourmiseryTouchesmenot,norflameofthatfiercefireAssailsme.InhighheavenablesseddameBesides,whomournswithsucheffectualgriefThathindrance,whichIsendtheetoremove,ThatGod’ssternjudgmenttoherwillinclines.”ToLuciacalling,hershethusbespake:“NowdoththyfaithfulservantneedthyaidAndIcommendhimtothee.”AtherwordSpedLucia,ofallcrueltythefoe,Andcomingtotheplace,whereIabodeSeatedwithRachel,herofancientdays,Shethusaddress’dme:“ThoutruepraiseofGod!Beatrice!whyisnotthysuccourlentTohim,whosomuchlov’dthee,astoleaveForthysakeallthemultitudeadmires?Dostthounothearhowpitifulhiswail,Normarkthedeath,whichinthetorrentflood,Swolnmightierthanasea,himstrugglingholds?”Ne’eramongmendidanywithsuchspeedHastetotheirprofit,fleefromtheirannoy,

Aswhenthesewordswerespoken,Icamehere,Downfrommyblessedseat,trustingtheforceOfthypureeloquence,whichthee,andallWhowellhavemark’dit,intohonourbrings.”

“Whenshehadended,herbrightbeamingeyesTearfulsheturn’daside;whereatIfeltRedoubledzealtoservethee.Asshewill’d,ThusamIcome:Isav’dtheefromthebeast,WhothynearwayacrossthegoodlymountPrevented.Whatisthiscomeso’ertheethen?Why,whydostthouhangback?whyinthybreastHarbourvilefear?whyhastnotcouragethereAndnobledaring?SincethreemaidssoblestThysafetyplan,e’eninthecourtofheaven;Andsomuchcertaingoodmywordsforebode.”

Asflorets,bythefrostyairofnightBentdownandclos’d,whendayhasblanch’dtheirleaves,Riseallunfoldedontheirspirystems;Sowasmyfaintingvigournewrestor’d,Andtomyheartsuchkindlycourageran,ThatIasoneundauntedsoonreplied:“Ofullofpityshe,whoundertookMysuccour!andthoukindwhodidstperformSosoonhertruebehest!WithsuchdesireThouhastdispos’dmetorenewmyvoyage,Thatmyfirstpurposefullyisresum’d.Leadon:oneonlywillisinusboth.Thouartmyguide,mymasterthou,andlord.”

SospakeI;andwhenhehadonwardmov’d,Ienter’donthedeepandwoodyway.

CANTOIII

“THROUGHmeyoupassintothecityofwoe:Throughmeyoupassintoeternalpain:Throughmeamongthepeoplelostforaye.Justicethefounderofmyfabricmov’d:Torearmewasthetaskofpowerdivine,Supremestwisdom,andprimevallove.Beforemethingscreatewerenone,savethingsEternal,andeternalIendure.

“Allhopeabandonyewhoenterhere.”

SuchcharactersincolourdimImark’dOveraportal’sloftyarchinscrib’d:WhereatIthus:“Master,thesewordsimportHardmeaning.”Heasoneprepar’dreplied:“Herethoumustalldistrustbehindtheeleave;Herebevilefearextinguish’d.Wearecome

WhereIhavetoldtheeweshallseethesoulsTomiserydoom’d,whointellectualgoodHavelost.”Andwhenhishandhehadstretch’dforthTomine,withpleasantlooks,whenceIwascheer’d,Intothatsecretplaceheledmeon.

HeresighswithlamentationsandloudmoansResoundedthroughtheairpierc’dbynostar,Thate’enIweptatentering.Varioustongues,Horriblelanguages,outcriesofwoe,Accentsofanger,voicesdeepandhoarse,Withhandstogethersmotethatswell’dthesounds,Madeupatumult,thatforeverwhirlsRoundthroughthatairwithsoliddarknessstain’d,Liketothesandthatinthewhirlwindflies.

Ithen,witherroryetencompass’d,cried:“Omaster!WhatisthisIhear?WhatraceArethese,whoseemsoovercomewithwoe?”

Hethustome:“ThismiserablefateSufferthewretchedsoulsofthose,wholiv’dWithoutorpraiseorblame,withthatillbandOfangelsmix’d,whonorrebelliousprov’dNoryetweretruetoGod,butforthemselvesWereonly.FromhisboundsHeavendrovethemforth,Nottoimpairhislustre,northedepthOfHellreceivesthem,lestth’accursedtribeShouldglorythencewithexultationvain.”

Ithen:“Master!whatdothaggrievethemthus,Thattheylamentsoloud?”Hestraightreplied:“ThatwillItelltheebriefly.TheseofdeathNohopemayentertain:andtheirblindlifeSomeanlypasses,thatallotherlotsTheyenvy.Fameofthemtheworldhathnone,Norsuffers;mercyandjusticescornthemboth.Speaknotofthem,butlook,andpassthemby.”

AndI,whostraightwaylook’d,beheldaflag,Whichwhirlingranaroundsorapidly,Thatitnopauseobtain’d:andfollowingcameSuchalongtrainofspirits,Ishouldne’erHavethought,thatdeathsomanyhaddespoil’d.

WhensomeoftheseIrecogniz’d,Isaw

Andknewtheshadeofhim,whotobasefearYielding,abjur’dhishighestate.ForthwithIunderstoodforcertainthisthetribeOfthoseillspiritsbothtoGoddispleasingAndtohisfoes.Thesewretches,whone’erlived,Wentoninnakedness,andsorelystungBywaspsandhornets,whichbedew’dtheircheeksWithblood,thatmix’dwithtearsdropp’dtotheirfeet,Andbydisgustfulwormswasgather’dthere.

ThenlookingfartheronwardsIbeheldAthrongupontheshoreofagreatstream:WhereatIthus:“Sir!grantmenowtoknowWhomhereweview,andwhenceimpell’dtheyseemSoeagertopasso’er,asIdiscernThroughtheblearlight?”Hethustomeinfew:“Thisshaltthouknow,soonasourstepsarriveBesidethewoefultideofAcheron.”

Thenwitheyesdownwardcastandfill’dwithshame,Fearingmywordsoffensivetohisear,Tillwehadreach’dtheriver,IfromspeechAbstain’d.Andlo!towardusinabarkComesonanoldmanhoarywhitewitheld,

Crying,“Woetoyouwickedspirits!hopenotEvertoseetheskyagain.IcomeTotakeyoutotheothershoreacross,Intoeternaldarkness,theretodwellInfierceheatandinice.Andthou,whothereStandest,livespirit!gettheehence,andleaveThesewhoaredead.”ButsoonashebeheldIleftthemnot,“Byotherway,”saidhe,“Byotherhavenshaltthoucometoshore,Notbythispassage;theeanimblerboatMustcarry.”Thentohimthusspakemyguide:“Charon!thyselftormentnot:so‘tiswill’d,Wherewillandpowerareone:askthounomore.”

StraightwayinsilencefelltheshaggycheeksOfhimtheboatmano’erthelividlake,Aroundwhoseeyesglar’dwheelingflames.MeanwhileThosespirits,faintandnaked,colorchang’d,

Andgnash’dtheirteeth,soonasthecruelwordsTheyheard.Godandtheirparentstheyblasphem’d,Thehumankind,theplace,thetime,andseedThatdidengenderthemandgivethembirth.

ThenalltogethersorelywailingdrewTothecurs’dstrand,thateverymanmustpassWhofearsnotGod.Charon,demoniacform,Witheyesofburningcoal,collectsthemall,Beck’ning,andeach,thatlingers,withhisoarStrikes.Asfalloffthelightautumnalleaves,Onestillanotherfollowing,tilltheboughStrewsallitshonoursontheearthbeneath;

E’eninlikemannerAdam’sevilbroodCastthemselvesonebyonedownfromtheshore,Eachatabeck,asfalconathiscall.

Thusgotheyoverthroughtheumber’dwave,AndevertheyontheopposingbankBelanded,onthissideanotherthrong

Stillgathers.“Son,”thusspakethecourteousguide,“Those,whodiesubjecttothewrathofGod,Allheretogethercomefromeveryclime,Andtoo’erpasstheriverarenotloth:Forsoheaven’sjusticegoadsthemon,thatfearIsturn’dintodesire.Hencene’erhathpastGoodspirit.IfoftheeCharoncomplain,Nowmaystthouknowtheimportofhiswords.”

Thissaid,thegloomyregiontremblingshookSoterribly,thatyetwithclammydewsFearchillsmybrow.Thesadearthgaveablast,That,lightening,shotforthavermilionflame,Whichallmysensesconquer’dquite,andIDowndropp’d,asonewithsuddenslumberseiz’d.

CANTOIV

BROKEthedeepslumberinmybrainacrashOfheavythunder,thatIshookmyself,Asonebymainforcerous’d.Risenupright,MyrestedeyesImov’daround,andsearch’dWithfixedkentoknowwhatplaceitwas,WhereinIstood.ForcertainonthebrinkIfoundmeofthelamentablevale,Thedreadabyss,thatjoinsathund’roussoundOfplaintsinnumerable.Darkanddeep,Andthickwithcloudso’erspread,mineeyeinvainExplor’ditsbottom,norcouldaughtdiscern.

“NowletustotheblindworldtherebeneathDescend;”thebardbeganallpaleoflook:“Igothefirst,andthoushaltfollownext.”

ThenIhisalter’dhueperceiving,thus:“HowmayIspeed,ifthouyieldesttodread,Whostillartwonttocomfortmeindoubt?”

Hethen:“TheanguishofthatracebelowWithpitystainsmycheek,whichthouforfearMistakest.Letuson.OurlengthofwayUrgestohaste.”Onward,thissaid,hemov’d;Andent’ringledmewithhimontheboundsOfthefirstcircle,thatsurroundsth’abyss.Here,asmineearcouldnote,noplaintwasheardExceptofsighs,thatmadeth’eternalairTremble,notcaus’dbytortures,butfromgriefFeltbythosemultitudes,manyandvast,Ofmen,women,andinfants.ThentomeThegentleguide:“Inquir’stthounotwhatspiritsArethese,whichthoubeholdest?ErethoupassFarther,Iwouldthouknow,thattheseofsinWereblameless;andifaughttheymerited,Itprofitsnot,sincebaptismwasnottheirs,Theportaltothyfaith.IftheybeforeTheGospelliv’d,theyserv’dnotGodaright;AndamongsuchamI.Forthesedefects,Andfornootherevil,wearelost;

“Onlysofarafflicted,thatweliveDesiringwithouthope.”Sogriefassail’dMyheartathearingthis,forwellIknewSuspendedinthatLimbomanyasoulOfmightyworth.“Otellme,sirerever’d!Tellme,mymaster!”IbeganthroughwishOffullassuranceinthatholyfaith,Whichvanquishesallerror;“say,dide’erAny,orthroughhisownorother’smerit,Comeforthfromthence,whomafterwardwasblest?”

Piercingthesecretpurportofmyspeech,Heanswer’d:“Iwasnewtothatestate,WhenIbeheldapuissantonearriveAmongstus,withvictorioustrophycrown’d.Heforththeshadeofourfirstparentdrew,Abelhischild,andNoahrighteousman,OfMoseslawgiverforfaithapprov’d,OfpatriarchAbraham,andDavidking,Israelwithhissireandwithhissons,NorwithoutRachelwhomsohardhewon,

Andothersmanymore,whomhetoblissExalted.Beforethese,bethouassur’d,Nospiritofhumankindwaseversav’d.”

We,whilehespake,ceas’dnotouronwardroad,Stillpassingthroughthewood;forsoInameThosespiritsthickbeset.WewerenotfarOnthissidefromthesummit,whenIkenn’dAflame,thato’erthedarken’dhemispherePrevailingshin’d.YetwealittlespaceWeredistant,notsofarbutIinpartDiscover’d,thatatribeinhonourhighThatplacepossess’d.“Othou,whoeveryartAndsciencevalu’st!whoarethese,thatboastSuchhonour,separatefromalltherest?”

Heanswer’d:“TherenownoftheirgreatnamesThatechoesthroughyourworldabove,acquiresFavourinheaven,whichholdsthemthusadvanc’d.”MeantimeavoiceIheard:“HonourthebardSublime!hisshadereturnsthatleftuslate!”Nosoonerceas’dthesound,thanIbeheldFourmightyspiritstowardusbendtheirsteps,Ofsemblanceneithersorrowfulnorglad.

Whenthusmymasterkindbegan:“Markhim,Whoinhisrighthandbearsthatfalchionkeen,Theotherthreepreceding,astheirlord.ThisisthatHomer,ofallbardssupreme:Flaccusthenextinsatire’sveinexcelling;ThethirdisNaso;Lucanisthelast.Becausetheyallthatappellationown,Withwhichthevoicesinglyaccostedme,Honouringtheygreetmethus,andwelltheyjudge.”

SoIbeheldunitedthebrightschoolOfhimthemonarchofsublimestsong,Thato’ertheotherslikeaneaglesoars.Whentheytogethershortdiscoursehadheld,Theyturn’dtome,withsalutationkindBeck’ningme;atthewhichmymastersmil’d:Norwasthisall;butgreaterhonourstillTheygaveme,fortheymademeoftheirtribe;AndIwassixthamidsolearn’daband.

Farastheluminousbeacononwepass’dSpeakingofmatters,thenbefittingwellTospeak,nowfitterleftuntold.AtfootOfamagnificentcastlewearriv’d,Seventimeswithloftywallsbegirt,androundDefendedbyapleasantstream.O’erthisAso’erdrylandwepass’d.Nextthroughsevengates

Iwiththosesagesenter’d,andwecameIntoameadwithlivelyverdurefresh.

Theredweltarace,whoslowtheireyesaroundMajesticallymov’d,andintheirportBoreeminentauthority;theyspakeSeldom,butalltheirwordsweretunefulsweet.

Wetoonesideretir’d,intoaplaceOpenandbrightandlofty,whenceeachoneStoodmanifesttoview.IncontinentThereonthegreenenameloftheplainWereshownmethegreatspirits,bywhosesightIamexaltedinmyownesteem.

ElectrathereIsawaccompaniedBymany,amongwhomHectorIknew,Anchises’piousson,andwithhawk’seyeCaesarallarm’d,andbyCamillatherePenthesilea.OntheothersideOldKingLatinus,seatedbyhischildLavinia,andthatBrutusIbeheld,WhoTarquinchas’d,Lucretia,Cato’swifeMarcia,withJuliaandCorneliathere;Andsoleapartretir’d,theSoldanfierce.

ThenwhenalittlemoreIrais’dmybrow,Ispiedthemasterofthesapientthrong,Seatedamidthephilosophictrain.Himalladmire,allpayhimrev’rencedue.ThereSocratesandPlatobothImark’d,Nearesttohiminrank;Democritus,Whosetstheworldatchance,Diogenes,WithHeraclitus,andEmpedocles,AndAnaxagoras,andThalessage,Zeno,andDioscorideswellreadInnature’ssecretlore.OrpheusImark’dAndLinus,TullyandmoralSeneca,EuclidandPtolemy,Hippocrates,Galenus,Avicen,andhimwhomadeThatcommentaryvast,Averroes.

Ofalltospeakatfullwerevainattempt;Formywidethemesourges,thatofttimesMywordsfallshortofwhatbechanc’d.IntwoThesixassociatespart.Anotherway

Mysageguideleadsme,fromthatairserene,Intoaclimateevervex’dwithstorms:AndtoapartIcomewherenolightshines.

CANTOV

FROMthefirstcircleIdescendedthusDowntothesecond,which,alesserspaceEmbracing,somuchmoreofgriefcontainsProvokingbittermoans.There,MinosstandsGrinningwithghastlyfeature:he,ofallWhoenter,strictexaminingthecrimes,

Givessentence,anddismissesthembeneath,Accordingashefoldethhimaround:Forwhenbeforehimcomesth’illfatedsoul,Itallconfesses;andthatjudgesevereOfsins,consideringwhatplaceinhellSuitsthetransgression,withhistailsooftHimselfencircles,asdegreesbeneathHedoomsittodescend.BeforehimstandAlwaysanum’rousthrong;andinhisturn

Eachonetojudgmentpassing,speaks,andhearsHisfate,thencedownwardtohisdwellinghurl’d.

“Othou!whotothisresidenceofwoeApproachest?”whenhesawmecoming,criedMinos,relinquishinghisdreademploy,“Lookhowthouenterhere;bewareinwhomThouplacethytrust;letnottheentrancebroadDeceivetheetothyharm.”Tohimmyguide:“Whereforeexclaimest?HindernothiswayBydestinyappointed;so‘tiswill’dWherewillandpowerareone.Askthounomore.”

Now‘gintheruefulwailingstobeheard.NowamIcomewheremanyaplainingvoiceSmitesonmineear.IntoaplaceIcameWherelightwassilentall.Bellowingtheregroan’dAnoiseasofaseaintempesttornBywarringwinds.ThestormyblastofhellWithrestlessfurydrivesthespiritsonWhirl’droundanddash’damainwithsoreannoy.

Whentheyarrivebeforetheruinoussweep,Thereshrieksareheard,therelamentations,moans,Andblasphemies‘gainstthegoodPowerinheaven.

IunderstoodthattothistormentsadThecarnalsinnersarecondemn’d,inwhomReasonbylustissway’d.AsinlargetroopsAndmultitudinous,whenwinterreigns,Thestarlingsontheirwingsareborneabroad;Sobearsthetyrannousgustthoseevilsouls.Onthissideandonthat,above,below,Itdrivesthem:hopeofresttosolacethemIsnone,nore’enofmilderpang.Ascranes,Chantingtheirdol’rousnotes,traversethesky,Stretch’doutinlongarray:soIbeheldSpirits,whocameloudwailing,hurriedonBytheirdiredoom.ThenI:“Instructor!whoArethese,bytheblackairsoscourg’d?”—“Thefirst

‘Mongthose,ofwhomthouquestion’st,”hereplied,“O’ermanytongueswasempress.SheinviceOfluxurywassoshameless,thatshemadeLikingbelawfulbypromulg’ddecree,Tocleartheblameshehadherselfincurr’d.ThisisSemiramis,ofwhom‘tiswrit,ThatshesucceededNinusherespous’d;Andheldtheland,whichnowtheSoldanrules.Thenextinamorousfuryslewherself,AndtoSicheus’ashesbrokeherfaith:ThenfollowsCleopatra,lustfulqueen.”

Theremark’dIHelen,forwhosesakesolongThetimewasfraughtwithevil;therethegreatAchilles,whowithlovefoughttotheend.ParisIsaw,andTristan;andbesideAthousandmoreheshow’dme,andbynamePointedthemout,whomlovebereav’doflife.

WhenIhadheardmysageinstructornameThosedamesandknightsofantiquedays,o’erpower’dBypity,well-nighinamazemymindWaslost;andIbegan:“Bard!willinglyIwouldaddressthosetwotogethercoming,Whichseemsolightbeforethewind.”Hethus:“Notethou,whennearertheytousapproach.

“Thenbythatlovewhichcarriesthemalong,Entreat;andtheywillcome.”SoonasthewindSway’dthemtowardus,Ithusfram’dmyspeech:“Oweariedspirits!come,andholddiscourseWithus,ifbynoneelserestrain’d.”AsdovesByfonddesireinvited,onwidewingsAndfirm,totheirsweetnestreturninghome,Cleavetheair,waftedbytheirwillalong;Thusissu’dfromthattroop,whereDidoranks,Theythroughtheillairspeeding;withsuchforceMycryprevail’dbystrongaffectionurg’d.

“Ograciouscreatureandbenign!whogo’stVisiting,throughthiselementobscure,Us,whotheworldwithbloodystainimbru’d;IfforafriendtheKingofallweown’d,Ourpray’rtohimshouldforthypeacearise,Sincethouhastpityonourevilplight.

Ofwhatsoe’ertohearortodiscourseItpleasesthee,thatwillwehear,ofthatFreelywiththeediscourse,whilee’erthewind,Asnow,ismute.Theland,thatgavemebirth,Issituateonthecoast,wherePodescendsTorestinoceanwithhissequentstreams.

“Love,thatingentleheartisquicklylearnt,Entangledhimbythatfairform,frommeTa’eninsuchcruelsort,asgrievesmestill:Love,thatdenialtakesfromnonebelov’d,Caughtmewithpleasinghimsopassingwell,That,asthousee’st,heyetdesertsmenot.

“Lovebroughtustoonedeath:CainawaitsThesoul,whospiltourlife.”Suchweretheirwords;AthearingwhichdownwardIbentmylooks,Andheldthemtheresolong,thatthebardcried:“Whatartthoupond’ring?”Iinanswerthus:“Alas!bywhatsweetthoughts,whatfonddesireMusttheyatlengthtothatillpasshavereach’d!”

Thenturning,Itothemmyspeechaddress’d.Andthusbegan:“Francesca!yoursadfateEventotearsmygriefandpitymoves.Buttellme;inthetimeofyoursweetsighs,Bywhat,andhowlovegranted,thatyeknewYouryetuncertainwishes?”Shereplied:“NogreatergriefthantorememberdaysOfjoy,whenmis’ryisathand!ThatkensThylearn’dinstructor.YetsoeagerlyIfthouartbenttoknowtheprimalroot,Fromwhenceourlovegatbeing,Iwilldo,Asone,whoweepsandtellshistale.OnedayForourdelightwereadofLancelot,Howhimlovethrall’d.Alonewewere,andnoSuspicionnearus.OfttimesbythatreadingOureyesweredrawntogether,andthehueFledfromouralter’dcheek.ButatonepointAlonewefell.Whenofthatsmileweread,Thewishedsmile,rapturouslykiss’dByonesodeepinlove,thenhe,whone’erFrommeshallseparate,atoncemylipsAlltremblingkiss’d.ThebookandwriterbothWerelove’spurveyors.InitsleavesthatdayWereadnomore.”Whilethusonespiritspake,Theotherwail’dsosorely,thatheartstruckIthroughcompassionfainting,seem’dnotfarFromdeath,andlikeacorpsefelltotheground.

CANTOVI

MYsensereviving,thaterewhilehaddroop’dWithpityforthekindredshades,whencegriefO’ercamemewholly,straightaroundIseeNewtorments,newtormentedsouls,whichwaySoe’erImove,orturn,orbendmysight.InthethirdcircleIarrive,ofshow’rsCeaseless,accursed,heavy,andcold,unchang’dForever,bothinkindandindegree.Largehail,discolour’dwater,sleetyflawThroughthedunmidnightairstream’ddownamain:Stankallthelandwhereonthattempestfell.

Cerberus,cruelmonster,fierceandstrange,ThroughhiswidethreefoldthroatbarksasadogOverthemultitudeimmers’dbeneath.Hiseyesglarecrimson,blackhisunctuousbeard,Hisbellylarge,andclaw’dthehands,withwhichHetearsthespirits,flaysthem,andtheirlimbsPiecemealdisparts.Howlingtherespread,ascurs,Undertherainydeluge,withonesideTheotherscreening,ofttheyrollthemround,Awretched,godlesscrew.WhenthatgreatwormDescriedus,savageCerberus,heop’dHisjaws,andthefangsshow’dus;notalimbOfhimbuttrembled.Thenmyguide,hispalmsExpandingontheground,thencefilledwithearthRais’dthem,andcastitinhisravenousmaw.

E’enasadog,thatyellingbaysforfoodHiskeeper,whenthemorselcomes,letsfallHisfury,bentalonewitheagerhasteToswallowit;sodropp’dtheloathsomecheeksOfdemonCerberus,whothund’ringstunsThespirits,thattheyfordeafnesswishinvain.

We,o’ertheshadesthrownprostratebythebruntOftheheavytempestpassing,setourfeetUpontheiremptiness,thatsubstanceseem’d.

TheyallalongtheearthextendedlaySaveone,thatsuddenrais’dhimselftosit,Soonasthatwayhesawuspass.“Othou!”Hecried,“whothroughtheinfernalshadesartled,Own,ifagainthouknow’stme.Thouwastfram’dOreremyframewasbroken.”Ireplied:“Theanguishthouendur’stperchancesotakesThyformfrommyremembrance,thatitseemsAsifIsawtheenever.ButinformMewhothouart,thatinaplacesosadArtset,andinsuchtorment,thatalthoughOtherbegreater,moredisgustfulnoneCanbeimagin’d.”Heinanswerthus:

“Thycityheap’dwithenvytothebrim,Aythatthemeasureoverflowsitsbounds,Heldmeinbrighterdays.YecitizensWerewonttonamemeCiacco.ForthesinOfglutt’ny,damnedvice,beneaththisrain,E’enasthousee’st,Iwithfatigueamworn;NorIsolespiritinthiswoe:alltheseHavebylikecrimeincurr’dlikepunishment.”

Nomorehesaid,andImyspeechresum’d:“Ciacco!thydireafflictiongrievesmemuch,Eventotears.Buttellme,ifthouknow’st,WhatshallatlengthbefallthecitizensOfthedividedcity;whetheranyjustoneInhabitthere:andtellmeofthecause,Whencejarringdiscordhathassail’ditthus?”

Hethen:“AfterlongstrivingtheywillcomeToblood;andthewildpartyfromthewoods

Willchasetheotherwithmuchinjuryforth.Thenitbehoves,thatthismustfall,withinThreesolarcircles;andtheotherriseByborrow’dforceofone,whoundershoreNowrests.ItshallalongspaceholdaloofItsforehead,keepingunderheavyweightTheotheroppress’d,indignantattheload,Andgrievingsore.Thejustaretwoinnumber,Buttheyneglected.Av’rice,envy,pride,Threefatalsparks,havesettheheartsofallOnfire.”Hereceas’dthelamentablesound;AndIcontinu’dthus:“StillwouldIlearnMorefromthee,fartherparleystillentreat.OfFarinataandTegghiaiosay,Theywhosowelldeserv’d,ofGiacopo,Arrigo,Mosca,andtherest,whobentTheirmindsonworkinggood.Oh!tellmewhereTheybide,andtotheirknowledgeletmecome.ForIampress’dwithkeendesiretohear,Ifheaven’ssweetcuporpoisonousdrugofhellBetotheirlipassign’d.”Heanswer’dstraight:“Theseareyetblackerspirits.VariouscrimesHavesunkthemdeeperinthedarkabyss.Ifthousofardescendest,thoumaystseethem.Buttothepleasantworldwhenthoureturn’st,Ofmemakemention,Ientreatthee,there.NomoreItellthee,answertheenomore.”

Thissaid,hisfixedeyesheturn’daskance,Alittleey’dme,thenbentdownhishead,And‘midsthisblindcompanionswithitfell.

Whenthusmyguide:“Nomorehisbedheleaves,Erethelastangel-trumpetblow.ThePowerAdversetotheseshalltheninglorycome,Eachoneforthwithtohissadtombrepair,Resumehisfleshlyvestureandhisform,Andheartheeternaldoomre-echoingrendThevault.”Sopass’dwethroughthatmixturefoulOfspiritsandrain,withtardysteps;meanwhileTouching,thoughslightly,onthelifetocome.ForthusIquestion’d:“Shallthesetortures,Sir!Whenthegreatsentencepasses,beincreas’d,Ormitigated,orasnowsevere?”

Hethen:“Consultthyknowledge;thatdecides

Thataseachthingtomoreperfectiongrows,Itfeelsmoresensiblybothgoodandpain.Thoughne’ertotrueperfectionmayarriveThisraceaccurs’d,yetnearerthenthannowTheyshallapproachit.”CompassingthatpathCircuitouswejourneyed,anddiscourseMuchmorethanIrelatebetweenuspass’d:Tillatthepoint,wherethestepsledbelow,Arriv’d,therePlutus,thegreatfoe,wefound.

CANTOVII

“AHme!OSatan!Satan!”loudexclaim’dPlutus,inaccenthoarseofwildalarm:Andthekindsage,whomnoeventsurpris’d,Tocomfortmethusspake:“LetnotthyfearHarmthee,forpowerinhim,besure,isnoneTohinderdownthisrockthysafedescent.”Thentothatswornlipturning,“Peace!”hecried,

“Curs’dwolf!thyfuryinwardonthyselfPrey,andconsumethee!ThroughthedarkprofoundNotwithoutcausehepasses.So‘tiswill’dOnhigh,therewherethegreatArchangelpour’dHeav’n’svengeanceonthefirstadultererproud.”

AssailsfullspreadandbellyingwiththewindDropsuddenlycollaps’d,ifthemastsplit;

Sotothegrounddowndropp’dthecruelfiend.

Thuswe,descendingtothefourthsteepledge,Gain’donthedismalshore,thatallthewoeHemsinofalltheuniverse.Ahme!AlmightyJustice!inwhatstorethouheap’stNewpains,newtroubles,asIherebeheld!Whereforedothfaultofoursbringustothis?

E’enasabillow,onCharybdisrising,Againstencounter’dbillowdashingbreaks;Suchisthedancethiswretchedracemustlead,WhommorethanelsewherenumeroushereIfound,Fromonesideandtheother,withloudvoice,Bothroll’donweightsbymainforgeoftheirbreasts,Thensmotetogether,andeachoneforthwithRoll’dthembackvoluble,turningagain,Exclaimingthese,“Whyholdestthousofast?”Thoseanswering,“Andwhycastestthouaway?”Sostillrepeatingtheirdespitefulsong,TheytotheoppositepointoneitherhandTravers’dthehorridcircle:thenarriv’d,Bothturn’dthemround,andthroughthemiddlespaceConflictingmetagain.AtsightwhereofI,stungwithgrief,thusspake:“Osay,myguide!Whatraceisthis?Werethese,whoseheadsareshorn,Onourlefthand,allsep’ratetothechurch?”

Hestraightreplied:“IntheirfirstlifetheseallInmindweresodistorted,thattheymade,Accordingtoduemeasure,oftheirwealth,Nouse.Thisclearlyfromtheirwordscollect,Whichtheyhowlforth,ateachextremityArrivingofthecircle,wheretheircrimeContraryinkinddispartsthem.TothechurchWereseparatethose,thatwithnohairycowlsArecrown’d,bothPopesandCardinals,o’erwhomAv’ricedominionabsolutemaintains.”

Ithen:“Midsuchasthesesomeneedsmustbe,WhomIshallrecognize,thatwiththeblotOfthesefoulsinswerestain’d.”Heansweringthus:“Vainthoughtconceiv’stthou.Thatignoblelife,Whichmadethemvilebefore,nowmakesthemdark,Andtoallknowledgeindiscernible.Forevertheyshallmeetinthisrudeshock:

Thesefromthetombwithclenchedgraspshallrise,Thosewithclose-shavenlocks.Thatilltheygave,Andilltheykept,hathofthebeauteousworldDepriv’d,andsetthematthisstrife,whichneedsNolabour’dphraseofminetosetitoff.Nowmay’stthousee,myson!howbrief,howvain,Thegoodscommittedintofortune’shands,Forwhichthehumanracekeepsuchacoil!Notallthegold,thatisbeneaththemoon,Oreverhathbeen,ofthesetoil-wornsoulsMightpurchaserestforone.”Ithusrejoin’d:

“Myguide!oftheethisalsowouldIlearn;Thisfortune,thatthouspeak’stof,whatitis,Whosetalonsgrasptheblessingsoftheworld?”

Hethus:“Obeingsblind!whatignoranceBesetsyou?Nowmyjudgmenthearandmark.He,whosetranscendentwisdompassesall,

Theheavenscreating,gavethemrulingpowersToguidethem,sothateachpartshinestoeach,Theirlightinequaldistributionpour’d.Bysimilarappointmentheordain’dOvertheworld’sbrightimagestoruleSuperintendenceofaguidinghandAndgeneralminister,whichatduetimeMaychangetheemptyvantagesoflifeFromracetorace,fromonetoother’sblood,Beyondpreventionofman’swisestcare:Whereforeonenationrisesintosway,Anotherlanguishes,e’enasherwillDecrees,fromusconceal’d,asinthegrassTheserpenttrain.AgainsthernoughtavailsYourutmostwisdom.Shewithforesightplans,Judges,andcarriesonherreign,astheirsTheotherpowersdivine.HerchangesknowNoneintermission:bynecessitySheismadeswift,sofrequentcomewhoclaimSuccessioninherfavours.Thisisshe,Soexecratede’enbythose,whosedebtToherisratherpraise;theywrongfullyWithblamerequiteher,andwithevilword;Butsheisblessed,andforthatrecksnot:AmidsttheotherprimalbeingsgladRollsonhersphere,andinherblissexults.Nowonourwaypasswe,toheavierwoeDescending:foreachstarisfallingnow,Thatmountedatourentrance,andforbidsToolongourtarrying.”Wethecirclecross’dTothenextsteep,arrivingatawell,ThatboilingpoursitselfdowntoafossSluic’dfromitssource.FarmurkierwasthewaveThansablestgrain:andweincompanyOftheinkywaters,journeyingbytheirside,Enter’d,thoughbyadifferenttrack,beneath.Intoalake,theStygiannam’d,expandsThedismalstream,whenithathreach’dthefootOfthegreywither’dcliffs.IntentIstoodTogaze,andinthemarishsunkdescriedAmirytribe,allnaked,andwithlooksBetok’ningrage.TheywiththeirhandsaloneStrucknot,butwiththehead,thebreast,thefeet,Cuttingeachotherpiecemealwiththeirfangs.

Thegoodinstructorspake;“Nowseestthou,son!Thesoulsofthose,whomangerovercame.Thistooforcertainknow,thatunderneathThewaterdwellsamultitude,whosesighsIntothesebubblesmakethesurfaceheave,Asthineeyetellstheewheresoe’eritturn.Fix’dintheslimetheysay:‘SadoncewereweInthesweetairmadegladsomebythesun,Carryingafoulandlazymistwithin:Nowinthesemurkysettlingsarewesad.’Suchdolorousstraintheygurgleintheirthroats.Butworddistinctcanutternone.”OurrouteThuscompass’dwe,asegmentwidelystretch’dBetweenthedryembankment,andthecoreOftheloath’dpool,turningmeanwhileoureyesDownwardonthosewhogulp’ditsmuddylees;Norstopp’d,tilltoatower’slowbasewecame.

CANTOVIII

MYthemepursuing,IrelatethatereWereach’dtheloftyturret’sbase,oureyesItsheightascended,wheretwocressetshungWemark’d,andfromafaranotherlightReturnthesignal,soremote,thatscarceTheeyecouldcatchitsbeam.IturningroundTothedeepsourceofknowledge,thusinquir’d:“Saywhatthismeans?andwhatthatotherlightInanswerset?whatagencydoththis?”

“Thereonthefilthywaters,”hereplied,“E’ennowwhatnextawaitsusmaystthousee,Ifthemarsh-gender’dfogconcealitnot.”

Neverwasarrowfromthecorddismiss’d,Thatranitswaysonimblythroughtheair,Asasmallbark,thatthroughthewavesIspiedTowarduscoming,underthesoleswayOfonethatferriedit,whocriedaloud:“Artthouarriv’d,fellspirit?”—“Phlegyas,Phlegyas,Thistimethoucriestinvain,”mylordreplied;“Nolongershaltthouhaveus,butwhileo’erTheslimypoolwepass.”AsonewhohearsOfsomegreatwronghehathsustain’d,whereatInlyhepines;soPhlegyasinlypin’dInhisfierceire.Myguidedescendingstepp’dIntotheskiff,andbademeenternextCloseathisside;nortillmyentranceseem’dThevesselfreighted.Soonasbothembark’d,Cuttingthewaves,goesontheancientprow,Moredeeplythanwithothersitiswont.

Whileweourcourseo’erthedeadchannelheld.Onedrench’dinmirebeforemecame,andsaid;“Whoartthou,thatthoucomesterethinehour?”

Ianswer’d:“ThoughIcome,Itarrynot;Butwhoartthou,thatartbecomesofoul?”

“One,asthouseest,whomourn:”hestraightreplied.

TowhichIthus:“Inmourningandinwoe,Curs’dspirit!tarrythou.Iknowtheewell,E’enthusinfilthdisguis’d.”Thenstretch’dheforthHandstothebark;whereofmyteachersageAware,thrustinghimback:“Away!downthere,

“Totheotherdogs!”then,withhisarmsmyneckEncircling,kiss’dmycheek,andspake:“OsoulJustlydisdainful!blestwassheinwhomThouwasconceiv’d!HeintheworldwasoneForarrogancenoted;tohismemoryNovirtuelendsitslustre;evensoHereishisshadowfurious.ThereaboveHowmanynowholdthemselvesmightykingsWhoherelikeswineshallwallowinthemire,Leavingbehindthemhorribledispraise!”

Ithen:“Master!himfainwouldIbeholdWhelm’dinthesedregs,beforewequitthelake.”

Hethus:“OrevertothyviewtheshoreBeoffer’d,satisfiedshallbethatwish,Whichwelldeservescompletion.”ScarcehiswordsWereended,whenIsawthemirytribes

Setonhimwithsuchviolence,thatyetForthatrenderIthankstoGodandpraise“ToFilippoArgenti:”criedtheyall:AndonhimselfthemoodyFlorentineTurn’dhisavengingfangs.Himhereweleft,NorspeakIofhimmore.ButonmineearSuddenasoundoflamentationsmote,Whereatmineeyeunbarr’dIsentabroad.

Andthusthegoodinstructor:“Now,myson!Drawsnearthecity,thatofDisisnam’d,Withitsgravedenizens,amightythrong.”

Ithus:“Theminaretsalready,Sir!TherecertesinthevalleyIdescry,Gleamingvermilion,asiftheyfromfireHadissu’d.”Hereplied:“Eternalfire,Thatinwardburns,showsthemwithruddyflameIllum’d;asinthisnetherhellthouseest.”

Wecamewithinthefossesdeep,thatmoatThisregioncomfortless.Thewallsappear’dAstheywerefram’dofiron.WehadmadeWidecircuit,ereaplacewereach’d,whereloudThemarinercriedvehement:“Goforth!Theentranceishere!”UponthegatesIspiedMorethanathousand,whoofoldfromheavenWerehurl’d.Withirefulgestures,“Whoisthis,”Theycried,“thatwithoutdeathfirstfelt,goesthroughTheregionsofthedead?”MysapientguideMadesignthatheforsecretparleywish’d;Whereattheirangryscornabating,thusTheyspake:“Comethoualone;andlethimgoWhohathsohardilyenter’dthisrealm.Alonereturnhebyhiswitlessway;Ifwellheknowit,lethimprove.Forthee,Hereshaltthoutarry,whothroughclimesodarkHastbeenhisescort.”Nowbethinkthee,reader!Whatcheerwasmineatsoundofthosecurs’dwords.IdidbelieveInevershouldreturn.

“Omylov’dguide!whomorethanseventimesSecurityhastrender’dme,anddrawnFromperildeep,wheretoIstoodexpos’d,Desertmenot,”Icried,“inthisextreme.Andifouronwardgoingbedenied,

Togethertracewebackourstepswithspeed.”

Myliege,whothitherhadconductedme,Replied:“Fearnot:forofourpassagenoneHathpowertodisappointus,bysuchhighAuthoritypermitted.ButdothouExpectmehere;meanwhilethyweariedspiritComfort,andfeedwithkindlyhope,assur’dIwillnotleavetheeinthislowerworld.”

Thissaid,departsthesirebenevolent,Andquitsme.HesitatingIremainAtwar‘twixtwillandwillnotinmythoughts.

Icouldnothearwhattermsheoffer’dthem,Buttheyconferr’dnotlong,forallatonceTotrialfledwithin.Clos’dwerethegatesBythoseouradversariesonthebreastOfmyliegelord:excludedhereturn’dTomewithtardysteps.Upontheground

Hiseyeswerebent,andfromhisbroweras’dAllconfidence,whilethuswithsighshespake:“Whohathdeniedmetheseabodesofwoe?”Thenthustome:“ThatIamanger’d,thinkNogroundofterror:inthistrialIShallvanquish,usewhatartstheymaywithinForhindrance.Thistheirinsolence,notnew,Erewhileatgatelesssecrettheydisplay’d,Whichstilliswithoutbolt;uponitsarchThousaw’stthedeadlyscroll:andevennowOnthissideofitsentrance,downthesteep,Passingthecircles,unescorted,comesOnewhosestrongmightcanopenusthisland.”

CANTOIX

THEhue,whichcowarddreadonmypalecheeksImprinted,whenIsawmyguideturnback,Chas’dthatfromhiswhichnewlytheyhadworn,Andinwardlyrestrain’dit.He,asoneWholistens,stoodattentive:forhiseyeNotfarcouldleadhimthroughthesableair,Andthethick-gath’ringcloud.“ItyetbehoovesWewinthisfight”—thushebegan—“ifnot—Suchaidtousisoffer’d.—Oh,howlongMeseemsit,erethepromis’dhelparrive!”

Inoted,howthesequelofhiswordsClok’dtheirbeginning;forthelasthespakeAgreednotwiththefirst.ButnotthelessMyfearwasathissaying;sithIdrewToimportworseperchance,thanthatheheld,Hismutilatedspeech.“DotheveranyIntothisruefulconcave’sextremedepthDescend,outofthefirstdegree,whosepainIsdeprivationmerelyofsweethope?”

ThusIinquiring.“Rarely,”hereplied,“Itchances,thatamongusanymakesThisjourney,whichIwend.Erewhile‘tistrueOncecameIherebeneath,conjur’dbyfellErictho,sorceress,whocompell’dtheshadesBacktotheirbodies.NolongspacemyfleshWasnakedofme,whenwithinthesewallsShemademeenter,todrawforthaspiritFromoutofJudas’circle.LowestplaceIsthatofall,obscurest,andremov’dFarthestfromheav’n’sall-circlingorb.TheroadFullwellIknow:thouthereforerestsecure.Thatlake,thenoisomestenchexhaling,roundThecity’ofgriefencompasses,whichnowWemaynotenterwithoutrage.”YetmoreHeadded:butIholditnotinmind,ForthatmineeyetowardtheloftytowerHaddrawnmewholly,toitsburningtop.WhereinaninstantIbehelduprisenAtoncethreehellishfuriesstain’dwithblood:

Inlimbandmotionfemininetheyseem’d;Aroundthemgreenesthydrastwistingroll’dTheirvolumes;addersandcerastescreptInsteadofhair,andtheirfiercetemplesbound.

HeknowingwellthemiserablehagsWhotendthequeenofendlesswoe,thusspake:

“MarkthoueachdireErinnys.TotheleftThisisMegaera;ontherighthandshe,Whowails,Alecto;andTisiphoneI’th’midst.”Thissaid,insilenceheremain’dTheirbreasttheyeachoneclawingtore;themselvesSmotewiththeirpalms,andsuchshrillclamourrais’d,ThattothebardIclung,suspicion-bound.

“HastenMedusa:sotoadamantHimshallwechange;”alllookingdownexclaim’d.“E’enwhenbyTheseus’mightassail’d,wetookNoillrevenge.”“Turnthyselfround,andkeepThycount’nancehid;foriftheGorgondireBeshown,andthoushouldstviewit,thyreturnUpwardswouldbeforeverlost.”Thissaid,Himselfmygentlemasterturn’dmeround,Nortrustedhemyhands,butwithhisownHealsohidme.YeofintellectSoundandentire,markwelltheloreconceal’dUnderclosetextureofthemysticstrain!

Andnowtherecameo’ertheperturbedwavesLoud-crashing,terrible,asoundthatmadeEithershoretremble,asifofawindImpetuous,fromconflictingvapourssprung,That‘gainstsomeforestdrivingallitsmight,Plucksoffthebranches,beatsthemdownandhurlsAfar;thenonwardpassingproudlysweepsItswhirlwindrage,whilebeastsandshepherdsfly.

Mineeyesheloos’d,andspake:“AndnowdirectThyvisualnervealongthatancientfoam,There,thickestwherethesmokeascends.”AsfrogsBeforetheirfoetheserpent,throughthewavePlyswiftlyall,tillatthegroundeachoneLiesonaheap;morethanathousandspiritsDestroy’d,sosawIfleeingbeforeoneWhopass’dwithunwetfeettheStygiansound.He,fromhisfaceremovingthegrossair,Ofthislefthandforthstretch’d,andseem’daloneBythatannoyancewearied.Iperceiv’dThathewassentfromheav’n,andtomyguideTurn’dme,whosignalmadethatIshouldstandQuiet,andbendtohim.Ahme!howfullOfnobleangerseem’dhe!TothegateHecame,andwithhiswandtouch’dit,whereatOpenwithoutimpedimentitflew.

“Outcastsofheav’n!Oabjectraceandscorn’d!”Beganheonthehorridgrunselstanding,“WhencedoththiswildexcessofinsolenceLodgeinyou?whereforekickyou‘gainstthatwillNe’erfrustrateofitsend,andwhichsooftHathlaidonyouenforcementofyourpangs?Whatprofitsatthefaystobutthehorn?YourCerberus,ifyeremember,henceBearsstill,peel’doftheirhair,histhroatandmaw.”

Thissaid,heturn’dbacko’erthefilthyway,Andsyllabletousspakenone,butworeThesemblanceofamanbyothercareBeset,andkeenlypress’d,thanthoughtofhimWhoinhispresencestands.ThenweourstepsTowardthatterritorymov’d,secureAfterthehallow’dwords.Weunoppos’dThereenter’d;andmymindeagertolearnWhatstateafortressliketothatmighthold,Isoonasenter’dthrowmineeyearound,Andseeoneverypartwide-stretchingspaceRepletewithbitterpainandtormentill.

AswhereRhonestagnatesontheplainsofArles,OrasatPola,nearQuarnaro’sgulf,ThatclosesItalyandlavesherbounds,Theplaceisallthickspreadwithsepulchres;Sowasithere,savewhatinhorrorhereExcell’d:for‘midstthegraveswerescatteredflames,Wherewithintenselyallthroughouttheyburn’d,Thatironfornocrafttherehotterneeds.

Theirlidsallhungsuspended,andbeneathFromthemforthissu’dlamentablemoans,Suchasthesadandtortur’dwellmightraise.

Ithus:“Master!saywhoarethese,interr’dWithinthesevaults,ofwhomdistinctwehearThedoloroussighs?”Heanswerthusreturn’d:

“Thearch-hereticsarehere,accompaniedByeverysecttheirfollowers;andmuchmore,Thanthoubelievest,tombsarefreighted:likeWithlikeisburied;andthemonumentsAredifferentindegreesofheat.”Thissaid,Hetotherighthandturning,onwepass’dBetwixttheafflictedandtherampartshigh.

CANTOX

NOWbyasecretpathwayweproceed,Betweenthewalls,thathemtheregionround,Andthetormentedsouls:mymasterfirst,Iclosebehindhissteps.“Virtuesupreme!”Ithusbegan;“whothroughtheseampleorbsIncircuitlead’stme,evenasthouwill’st,Speakthou,andsatisfymywish.Maythose,Wholiewithinthesesepulchres,beseen?Alreadyallthelidsarerais’d,andnoneO’erthemkeepswatch.”Hethusinanswerspake“Theyshallbeclosedall,what-timetheyhereFromJosaphatreturn’dshallcome,andbringTheirbodies,whichabovetheynowhaveleft.ThecemeteryonthispartobtainWithEpicurusallhisfollowers,Whowiththebodymakethespiritdie.HerethereforesatisfactionshallbesoonBothtothequestionask’d,andtothewish,Whichthouconceal’stinsilence.”Ireplied:“Ikeepnot,guidebelov’d!fromtheemyheartSecreted,buttoshunvainlengthofwords,Alessonerewhiletaughtmebythyself.”

“OTuscan!thouwhothroughthecityoffireAliveartpassing,sodiscreetofspeech!Herepleasetheestayawhile.ThyutteranceDeclarestheplaceofthynativityTobethatnobleland,withwhichperchanceItooseverelydealt.”SuddenthatsoundForthissu’dfromavault,whereatinfearIsomewhatclosertomyleader’ssideApproaching,hethusspake:“Whatdostthou?Turn.Lo,Farinata,there!whohathhimselfUplifted:fromhisgirdleupwardsallExpos’dbeholdhim.”OnhisfacewasmineAlreadyfix’d;hisbreastandforeheadthereErecting,seem’dasinhighscornheheldE’enhell.BetweenthesepulchrestohimMyguidethrustmewithfearlesshandsandprompt,Thiswarningadded:“Seethywordsbeclear!”

He,soonasthereIstoodatthetomb’sfoot,Ey’dmeaspace,thenindisdainfulmoodAddress’dme:“Say,whatancestorswerethine?”

I,willingtoobeyhim,straightreveal’dThewhole,norkeptbackaught:whencehe,hisbrowSomewhatuplifting,cried:“FiercelyweretheyAdversetome,myparty,andthebloodFromwhenceIsprang:twicethereforeIabroadScatter’dthem.”“Thoughdriv’nout,yettheyeachtimeFromallparts,”answer’dI,“return’d;anartWhichyourshaveshown,theyarenotskill’dtolearn.”

Then,peeringforthfromtheunclosedjaw,Rosefromhissideashade,highasthechin,Leaning,methought,uponitskneesuprais’d.Itlook’daround,aseagertoexploreIftherewereotherwithme;butperceivingThatfondimaginationquench’d,withtearsThusspake:“Ifthouthroughthisblindprisongo’st.Ledbythyloftygeniusandprofound,Whereismyson?andwhereforenotwiththee?”

Istraightreplied:“NotofmyselfIcome,Byhim,whothereexpectsme,throughthisclimeConducted,whomperchanceGuidothysonHadincontempt.”AlreadyhadhiswordsAndmodeofpunishmentreadmehisname,WhenceIsofullyanswer’d.HeatonceExclaim’d,upstarting,“How!said’stthouheHAD?Nolongerliveshe?StrikesnotonhiseyeTheblesseddaylight?”ThenofsomedelayImadeeremyreplyaware,downfellSupine,notafterforthappear’dhemore.

Meanwhiletheother,greatofsoul,nearwhomIyetwasstation’d,chang’dnotcount’nancestern,Normov’dtheneck,norbenthisribbedside.“Andif,”continuingthefirstdiscourse,“Theyinthisart,”hecried,“smallskillhaveshown,Thatdothtormentmemoree’enthanthisbed.Butnotyetfiftytimesshallberelum’dHeraspect,whoreignshereQueenofthisrealm,Erethoushaltknowthefullweightofthatart.Sotothepleasantworldmaystthoureturn,Asthoushalttellme,whyinalltheirlaws,Againstmykinthispeopleissofell?”

“Theslaughterandgreathavoc,”Ireplied,“Thatcolour’dArbia’sfloodwithcrimsonstain—Totheseimpute,thatinourhallow’ddomeSuchorisonsascend.”SighingheshookThehead,thenthusresum’d:“InthataffrayIstoodnotsingly,norwithoutjustcauseAssuredlyshouldwiththeresthavestirr’d;ButsinglythereIstood,whenbyconsentOfall,Florencehadtothegroundbeenraz’d,Theonewhoopenlyforbadthedeed.”

“Somaythylineagefindatlastrepose,”Ithusadjur’dhim,“asthousolvethisknot,Whichnowinvolvesmymind.IfrightIhear,Yeseemtoviewbeforehand,thatwhichtimeLeadswithhim,ofthepresentuninform’d.”

“Weview,asonewhohathanevilsight,”Heanswer’d,“plainly,objectsfarremote:SomuchofhislargespendouryetimpartsTheAlmightyRuler;butwhentheyapproachOractuallyexist,ourintellectThenwhollyfails,norofyourhumanstateExceptwhatothersbringusknowweaught.Hencethereforemaystthouunderstand,thatallOurknowledgeinthatinstantshallexpire,Whenonfuturitytheportalsclose.”

Thenconsciousofmyfault,andbyremorseSmitten,Iaddedthus:“NowshaltthousayTohimtherefallen,thathisoffspringstillIstothelivingjoin’d;andbidhimknow,ThatiffromanswersilentIabstain’d,‘TwasthatmythoughtwasoccupiedintentUponthaterror,whichthyhelphathsolv’d.”

ButnowmymastersummoningmebackIheard,andwithmoreeagerhastebesoughtThespirittoinformme,whowithhimPartookhislot.Heanswerthusreturn’d:

“MorethanathousandwithmeherearelaidWithinisFrederick,secondofthatname,AndtheLordCardinal,andoftherestIspeaknot.”He,thissaid,fromsightwithdrew.ButImystepstowardstheancientbardReverting,ruminatedonthewordsBetokeningmesuchill.Onwardhemov’d,Andthusingoingquestion’d:“WhencetheamazeThatholdsthysenseswrapt?”IsatisfiedTheinquiry,andthesageenjoin’dmestraight:“LetthysafememorystorewhatthouhastheardTotheeimportingharm;andnotethouthis,”Withhisrais’dfingerbiddingmetakeheed,

“Whenthoushaltstandbeforehergraciousbeam,Whosebrighteyeallsurveys,sheofthylife

Thefuturetenourwilltotheeunfold.”

Forthwithhetothelefthandturn’dhisfeet:Weleftthewall,andtow’rdsthemiddlespaceWentbyapath,thattoavalleystrikes;Whiche’enthushighexhal’ditsnoisomesteam.

CANTOXI

UPONtheutmostvergeofahighbank,Bycraggyrocksenviron’dround,wecame,Wherewoesbeneathmorecruelyetwerestow’d:AndheretoshunthehorribleexcessOffetidexhalation,upwardcastFromtheprofoundabyss,behindthelidOfagreatmonumentwestoodretir’d,

WhereonthisscrollImark’d:“IhaveinchargePopeAnastasius,whomPhotinusdrew

Fromtherightpath.—EreourdescentbehoovesWemakedelay,thatsomewhatfirstthesense,Tothedirebreathaccustom’d,afterwardRegarditnot.”Mymasterthus;towhomAnsweringIspake:“SomecompensationfindThatthetimepastnotwhollylost.”Hethen:“Lo!howmythoughtse’entothywishestend!Myson!withintheserocks,”hethusbegan,“Arethreeclosecirclesingradationplac’d,Asthesewhichnowthouleav’st.EachoneisfullOfspiritsaccurs’d;butthatthesightaloneHereaftermaysufficethee,listenhowAndforwhatcauseindurancetheyabide.

“Ofallmaliciousactabhorr’dinheaven,Theendisinjury;andallsuchendEitherbyforceorfraudworksother’swoeButfraud,becauseofmanpeculiarevil,ToGodismoredispleasing;andbeneathThefraudulentarethereforedoom’dto’endureSevererpang.TheviolentoccupyAllthefirstcircle;andbecausetoforceThreepersonsareobnoxious,inthreeroundsEachwithinothersep’rateisitfram’d.ToGod,hisneighbour,andhimself,bymanForcemaybeoffer’d;tohimselfIsayAndhispossessions,asthousoonshalthearAtfull.Death,violentdeath,andpainfulwoundsUponhisneighbourheinflicts;andwastesBydevastation,pillage,andtheflames,Hissubstance.Slayers,andeachonethatsmitesInmalice,plund’rers,andallrobbers,henceThetormentundergoofthefirstroundIndifferentherds.MancandoviolenceTohimselfandhisownblessings:andforthisHeinthesecondroundmustayedeploreWithunavailingpenitencehiscrime,Whoe’erdepriveshimselfoflifeandlight,Inrecklesslavishmenthistalentwastes,Andsorrowstherewhereheshoulddwellinjoy.ToGodmayforcebeoffer’d,intheheartDenyingandblaspheminghishighpower,Andnaturewithherkindlylawcontemning.AndthencetheinmostroundmarkswithitssealSodomandCahors,andallsuchasspeakContemptuouslyoftheGodheadintheirhearts.

“Fraud,thatineveryconscienceleavesasting,Maybebymanemploy’donone,whosetrustHewins,oronanotherwhowithholdsStrictconfidence.SeemsasthelatterwayBrokebutthebondoflovewhichNaturemakes.WhenceinthesecondcirclehavetheirnestDissimulation,witchcraft,flatteries,Theft,falsehood,simony,allwhoseduceTolust,orsettheirhonestyatpawn,Withsuchvilescumasthese.TheotherwayForgetsbothNature’sgenerallove,andthatWhichtheretoaddedafterwardsgivesbirthTospecialfaith.Whenceinthelessercircle,Pointoftheuniverse,dreadseatofDis,Thetraitoriseternallyconsum’d.”

Ithus:“Instructor,clearlythydiscourseProceeds,distinguishingthehideouschasmAnditsinhabitantswithskillexact.Buttellmethis:theyofthedull,fatpool,Whomtherainbeats,orwhomthetempestdrives,Orwhowithtonguessofierceconflictingmeet,Whereforewithinthecityfire-illum’dArenotthesepunish’d,ifGod’swrathbeonthem?Andifitbenot,whereforeinsuchguiseAretheycondemned?”Heanswerthusreturn’d:“Whereforeindotagewandersthusthymind,Notsoaccustom’d?orwhatotherthoughtsPossessit?DwellnotinthymemoryThewords,whereinthyethicpagedescribesThreedispositionsadversetoHeav’n’swill,Incont’nence,malice,andmadbrutishness,AndhowincontinencetheleastoffendsGod,andleastguiltincurs?IfwellthounoteThisjudgment,andrememberwhotheyare,Withoutthesewallstovainrepentancedoom’d,Thoushaltdiscernwhytheyapartareplac’dFromthesefellspirits,andlesswreakfulpoursJusticedivineonthemitsvengeancedown.”

“OSun!whohealestallimperfectsight,Thousocontent’stme,whenthousolv’stmydoubt,Thatignorancenotlessthanknowledgecharms.Yetsomewhatturntheeback,”IinthesewordsContinu’d,“wherethousaidst,thatusury

OffendscelestialGoodness;andthisknotPerplex’dunravel.”Hethusmadereply:“Philosophy,toanattentiveear,Clearlypointsout,notinonepartalone,HowimitativenaturetakeshercourseFromthecelestialmindandfromitsart:AndwhereherlawstheStagyriteunfolds,Notmanyleavesscann’do’er,observingwellThoushaltdiscover,thatyourartonherObsequiousfollows,asthelearnertreadsInhisinstructor’sstep,sothatyourartDeservesthenameofsecondindescentFromGod.Thesetwo,ifthourecalltomindCreation’sholybook,fromthebeginningWeretherightsourceoflifeandexcellenceTohumankind.ButinanotherpathTheusurerwalks;andNatureinherselfAndinherfollowerthushesetsatnought,Placingelsewherehishope.ButfollownowMystepsonforwardjourneybent;fornowThePiscesplaywithundulatingglanceAlongthehorizon,andtheWainliesallO’erthenorth-west;andonwardthereaspaceIsoursteeppassagedowntherockyheight.”

CANTOXII

THEplacewheretodescendtheprecipiceWecame,wasroughasAlp,andonitsvergeSuchobjectlay,aseveryeyewouldshun.

Asisthatruin,whichAdice’sstreamOnthissideTrentostruck,should’ringthewave,Orloos’dbyearthquakeorforlackofprop;Forfromthemountain’ssummit,whenceitmov’dTothelowlevel,sotheheadlongrockIsshiver’d,thatsomepassageitmightgiveTohimwhofromabovewouldpass;e’ensuchIntothechasmwasthatdescent:andthereAtpointofthedispartedridgelaystretch’dTheinfamyofCrete,detestedbroodOfthefeign’dheifer:andatsightofusItgnaw’ditself,asonewithragedistract.

Tohimmyguideexclaim’d:“Perchancethoudeem’stTheKingofAthenshere,who,intheworldAbove,thydeathcontriv’d.Monster!avaunt!Hecomesnottutor’dbythysister’sart,Buttobeholdyourtormentsishecome.”

Liketoabull,thatwithimpetuousspringDarts,atthemomentwhenthefatalblowHathstruckhim,butunabletoproceedPlungesoneitherside;sosawIplungeTheMinotaur;whereatthesageexclaim’d:“Runtothepassage!whilehestorms,‘tiswellThatthoudescend.”ThusdownourroadwetookThroughthosedilapidatedcrags,thatoftMov’dunderneathmyfeet,toweightliketheirsUnus’d.Ipond’ringwent,andthushespake:

“Perhapsthythoughtsareofthisruin’dsteep,Guardedbythebruteviolence,whichIHavevanquish’dnow.Knowthen,thatwhenIerstHitherdescendedtothenetherhell,Thisrockwasnotyetfallen.Butpastdoubt(IfwellImark)notlongereHearrived,WhocarriedofffromDisthemightyspoilOfthehighestcircle,thenthroughallitsboundsSuchtremblingseiz’dthedeepconcaveandfoul,Ithoughttheuniversewasthrill’dwithlove,Whereby,therearewhodeem,theworldhathoftBeenintochaosturn’d:andinthatpoint,Here,andelsewhere,thatoldrocktoppleddown.Butfixthineeyesbeneath:theriverofbloodApproaches,inthewhichallthosearesteep’d,Whohavebyviolenceinjur’d.”Oblindlust!Ofoolishwrath!whosodostgoadusonInthebrieflife,andintheeternalthenThusmiserablyo’erwhelmus.IbeheldAnamplefoss,thatinabowwasbent,Ascirclingalltheplain;forsomyguideHadtold.Betweenitandtherampart’sbaseOntrailranCentaurs,withkeenarrowsarm’d,Astothechasetheyontheearthwerewont.

Atseeingusdescendtheyeachonestood;Andissuingfromthetroop,threespedwithbowsAndmissileweaponschosenfirst;ofwhomOnecriedfromfar:“SaytowhatpainyecomeCondemn’d,whodownthissteephavejournied?SpeakFromwhenceyestand,orelsethebowIdraw.”

Towhommyguide:“OuranswershallbemadeToChiron,there,whennearerhimwecome.Illwasthymind,thuseverquickandrash.”

Thenmehetouch’d,andspake:“Nessusisthis,WhoforthefairDeianiradied,Andwroughthimselfrevengeforhisownfate.Heinthemidst,thatonhisbreastlooksdown,IsthegreatChironwhoAchillesnurs’d;ThatotherPholus,pronetowrath.”AroundThefossthesegobythousands,aimingshaftsAtwhatsoeverspiritdaresemergeFromouttheblood,morethanhisguiltallows.

Wetothosebeasts,thatrapidstrodealong,Drewnear,whenChirontookanarrowforth,Andwiththenotchpush’dbackhisshaggybeardTothecheek-bone,thenhisgreatmouthtoviewExposing,tohisfellowsthusexclaim’d:“Areyeaware,thathewhocomesbehindMoveswhathetouches?ThefeetofthedeadArenotsowont.”Mytrustyguide,whonowStoodnearhisbreast,wherethetwonaturesjoin,Thusmadereply:“Heisindeedalive,AndsolitarysomustneedsbymeBeshownthegloomyvale,theretoinduc’dBystrictnecessity,notbydelight.Sheleftherjoyfulharpingsinthesky,Whothisnewofficetomycareconsign’d.Heisnorobber,nodarkspiritI.Butbythatvirtue,whichempowersmystepTotreatsowildapath,grantus,Ipray,Oneofthyband,whomwemaytrustsecure,Whotothefordmayleadus,andconveyAcross,himmountedonhisback;forheIsnotaspiritthatmaywalktheair.”

Thenonhisrightbreastturning,ChironthusToNessusspake:“Return,andbetheirguide.Andifyechancetocrossanothertroop,Commandthemkeepaloof.”Onwardwemov’d,Thefaithfulescortbyourside,alongTheborderofthecrimson-seethingflood,Whencefromthosesteep’dwithinloudshrieksarose.

SomethereImark’d,ashighastotheirbrowImmers’d,ofwhomthemightyCentaurthus:“Thesearethesoulsoftyrants,whoweregivenTobloodandrapine.HeretheywailaloudTheirmercilesswrongs.HereAlexanderdwells,AndDionysiusfell,whomanyayearOfwoewroughtforfairSicily.ThatbrowWhereonthehairsojettyclust’ringhangs,IsAzzolino;thatwithflaxenlocksObizzo’ofEste,intheworlddestroy’dByhisfoulstep-son.”Tothebardrever’dIturnedmeround,andthushespake;“LethimBetotheenowfirstleader,mebutnextTohiminrank.”ThenfartheronaspaceTheCentaurpaus’d,nearsome,whoatthethroatWereextantfromthewave;andshowingusAspiritbyitselfapartretir’d,Exclaim’d:“HeinGod’sbosomsmotetheheart,Whichyetishonour’donthebankofThames.”

AraceInextespied,whoheldthehead,Andevenallthebustabovethestream.‘MidsttheseImanyafaceremember’dwell.Thusshallowmoreandmorethebloodbecame,Sothatatlastitbutimbru’dthefeet;Andthereourpassagelayathwartthefoss.

“AseveronthissidetheboilingwaveThouseestdiminishing,”theCentaursaid,“Soontheother,bethouwellassur’d,Itlowerstillandlowersinksitsbed,Tillinthatpartitreunitingjoin,Where‘tisthelotoftyrannytomourn.ThereHeav’n’ssternjusticelayschastisinghandOnAttila,whowasthescourgeofearth,OnSextus,andonPyrrhus,andextractsTearseverbytheseethingfloodunlock’dFromtheRinieri,ofCornetothis,

Pazzotheothernam’d,whofill’dthewaysWithviolenceandwar.”Thissaid,heturn’d,Andquittingus,alonerepass’dtheford.

CANTOXIII

ERENessusyethadreach’dtheotherbank,Weenter’donaforest,wherenotrackOfstepshadwornaway.NotverdantthereThefoliage,butofduskyhue;notlightTheboughsandtapering,butwithknaresdeform’dAndmattedthick:fruitstherewerenone,butthornsInstead,withvenomfill’d.Lesssharpthanthese,Lessintricatethebrakes,whereinabideThoseanimals,thathatethecultur’dfields,BetwixtCornetoandCecina’sstream.

HerethebruteHarpiesmaketheirnest,thesameWhofromtheStrophadestheTrojanbandDrovewithdirebodingoftheirfuturewoe.Broadaretheirpennons,ofthehumanformTheirneckandcount’nance,arm’dwithtalonskeenThefeet,andthehugebellyfledgewithwingsThesesitandwailonthedrearmysticwood.

Thekindinstructorinthesewordsbegan:“Erefartherthouproceed,knowthouartnowI’th’secondround,andshaltbe,tillthoucomeUponthehorridsand:lookthereforewellAroundthee,andsuchthingsthoushaltbehold,Aswouldmyspeechdiscredit.”OnallsidesIheardsadplainingsbreathe,andnonecouldseeFromwhomtheymighthaveissu’d.InamazeFastboundIstood.He,asitseem’d,believ’d,

ThatIhadthoughtsomanyvoicescameFromsomeamidthosethicketscloseconceal’d,Andthushisspeechresum’d:“IfthoulopoffAsingletwigfromoneofthoseillplants,Thethoughtthouhastconceiv’dshallvanishquite.”

Thereatalittlestretchingforthmyhand,Fromagreatwildinggather’dIabranch,Andstraightthetrunkexclaim’d:“Whypluck’stthoume?”

Thenasthedarkbloodtrickleddownitsside,Thesewordsitadded:“Whereforetear’stmethus?Istherenotouchofmercyinthybreast?Menoncewerewe,thatnowarerootedhere.Thyhandmightwellhavespar’dus,hadwebeenThesoulsofserpents.”Asabrandyetgreen,ThatburningatoneendfromtheothersendsAgroaningsound,andhisseswiththewindThatforcesoutitsway,soburstatonce,Forthfromthebrokensplinterwordsandblood.

I,lettingfallthebough,remain’dasoneAssail’dbyterror,andthesagereplied:“Ifhe,Oinjur’dspirit!couldhavebeliev’dWhathehathseenbutinmyversedescrib’d,Heneveragainsttheehadstretch’dhishand.ButI,becausethethingsurpass’dbelief,Promptedhimtothisdeed,whichevennowMyselfIrue.Buttellme,whothouwast;That,forthiswrongtodotheesomeamends,Intheupperworld(forthithertoreturnIsgrantedhim)thyfamehemayrevive.”

“Thatpleasantwordofthine,”thetrunkreplied“Hathsoinveigledme,thatIfromspeechCannotrefrain,whereinifIindulgeAlittlelonger,inthesnaredetain’d,Countitnotgrievous.Iitwas,whoheldBothkeystoFrederick’sheart,andturn’dthewards,Openingandshutting,withaskillsosweet,Thatbesidesme,intohisinmostbreastScarceanyothercouldadmittancefind.ThefaithIboretomyhighchargewassuch,Itcostmethelife-bloodthatwarm’dmyveins.Theharlot,whone’erturn’dhergloatingeyesFromCaesar’shousehold,commonviceandpestOfcourts,‘gainstmeinflam’dthemindsofall;AndtoAugustustheysospreadtheflame,Thatmygladhonourschang’dtobitterwoes.Mysoul,disdainfulanddisgusted,soughtRefugeindeathfromscorn,andIbecame,JustasIwas,unjusttowardmyself.Bythenewroots,whichfixthisstem,Iswear,ThatneverfaithIbroketomyliegelord,Whomeritedsuchhonour;andofyou,Ifanytotheworldindeedreturn,Clearhefromwrongmymemory,thatliesYetprostrateunderenvy’scruelblow.”

Firstsomewhatpausing,tillthemournfulwordsWereended,thentomethebardbegan:“Losenotthetime;butspeakandofhimask,Ifmorethouwishtolearn.”WhenceIreplied:“Questionthouhimagainofwhatsoe’erWill,asthouthink’st,contentme;fornopowerHaveItoask,suchpity’isatmyheart.”

Hethusresum’d;“SomayhedofortheeFreelywhatthouentreatest,asthouyetBepleas’d,imprison’dSpirit!todeclare,Howinthesegnarledjointsthesoulistied;AndwhetheranyeverfromsuchframeBeloosen’d,ifthoucanst,thatalsotell.”

Thereatthetrunkbreath’dhard,andthewindsoonChang’dintosoundsarticulatelikethese;

Brieflyyeshallbeanswer’d.“WhendepartsThefiercesoulfromthebody,byitselfThencetornasunder,totheseventhgulfByMinosdoom’d,intothewooditfalls,Noplaceassign’d,butwheresoeverchanceHurlsit,theresprouting,asagrainofspelt,Itrisestoasapling,growingthenceAsavageplant.TheHarpies,onitsleavesThenfeeding,causebothpainandforthepainAventtogrief.We,astherest,shallcomeForourownspoils,yetnotsothatwiththemWemayagainbeclad;forwhatamanTakesfromhimselfitisnotjusthehave.Hereweperforceshalldragthem;andthroughoutThedismalgladeourbodiesshallbehung,Eachonthewildthornofhiswretchedshade.”

AttentiveyettolistentothetrunkWestood,expectingfartherspeech,whenusAnoisesurpris’d,aswhenamanperceivesThewildboarandthehuntapproachhisplaceOfstation’dwatch,whoofthebeastsandboughsLoudrustlingroundhimhears.Andlo!therecameTwonaked,tornwithbriers,inheadlongflight,Thattheybeforethembrokeeachfano’th’wood.“Hastenow,”theforemostcried,“nowhastetheedeath!”

Theother,asseem’d,impatientofdelayExclaiming,“Lano!notsobentforspeedThysinews,inthelistsofToppo’sfield.”Andthen,forthatperchancenolongerbreathSuffic’dhim,ofhimselfandofabushOnegrouphemade.BehindthemwasthewoodFullofblackfemalemastiffs,gauntandfleet,Asgreyhoundsthathavenewlyslipp’dtheleash.Onhim,whosquatteddown,theystucktheirfangs,AndhavingrenthimpiecemealboreawayThetortur’dlimbs.Myguidethenseiz’dmyhand,Andledmetothethicket,whichinvainMourn’dthroughitsbleedingwounds:“OGiacomoOfSant’Andrea!whatavailsitthee,”Itcried,“thatofmethouhastmadethyscreen?Forthyilllifewhatblameonmerecoils?”

Wheno’erithehadpaus’d,mymasterspake:“Saywhowastthou,thatatsomanypointsBreath’stoutwithbloodthylamentablespeech?”

Heanswer’d:“Oh,yespirits:arriv’dintimeTospytheshamefulhavoc,thatfrommeMyleaveshathsever’dthus,gatherthemup,Andatthefootoftheirsadparent-tree

Carefullylaythem.Inthatcity’Idwelt,WhofortheBaptistherfirstpatronchang’d,WhenceheforthisshallceasenotwithhisartToworkherwoe:andiftherestillremain’dnotOnArno’spassagesomefaintglimpseofhim,Thosecitizens,whorear’doncemoreherwallsUpontheashesleftbyAttila,Hadlabour’dwithoutprofitoftheirtoil.Islungthefatalnoosefrommyownroof.”

CANTOXIV

SOONasthecharityofnativelandWroughtinmybosom,Ithescatter’dleavesCollected,andtohimrestor’d,whonowWashoarsewithutt’rance.TothelimitthenceWecame,whichfromthethirdthesecondroundDivides,andwhereofjusticeisdisplay’dContrivancehorrible.ThingsthenfirstseenClearliertomanifest,ItellhownextAplainwereach’d,thatfromitssterilebedEachplantrepell’d.ThemournfulwoodwavesroundItsgarlandonallsides,asroundthewoodSpreadsthesadfoss.There,ontheveryedge,Ourstepswestay’d.ItwasanareawideOfaridsandandthick,resemblingmostThesoilthaterstbyCato’sfootwastrod.

VengeanceofHeav’n!Oh!howshouldstthoubefear’dByall,whoreadwhatheremyeyesbeheld!

OfnakedspiritsmanyaflockIsaw,Allweepingpiteously,todifferentlawsSubjected:forontheearthsomelaysupine,Somecrouchingclosewereseated,otherspac’dIncessantlyaround;thelattertribe,Morenumerous,thosefewerwhobeneathThetormentlay,butlouderintheirgrief.

O’erallthesandfellslowlywaftingdownDilatedflakesoffire,asflakesofsnowOnAlpinesummit,whenthewindishush’d.AsinthetorridIndianclime,thesonOfAmmonsawuponhiswarriorbandDescending,solidflames,thattothegroundCamedown:whencehebethoughthimwithhistroopTotrampleonthesoil;foreasierthusThevapourwasextinguish’d,whilealone;Sofelltheeternalfieryflood,wherewithThemarbleglow’dunderneath,asunderstoveTheviands,doublytoaugmentthepain.

Unceasingwastheplayofwretchedhands,Nowthis,nowthatwayglancing,toshakeoffTheheat,stillfallingfresh.Ithusbegan:“Instructor!thouwhoallthingsovercom’st,Exceptthehardydemons,thatrush’dforthTostopourentranceatthegate,saywhoIsyonhugespirit,that,asseems,heedsnotTheburning,butlieswritheninproudscorn,Asbythesultrytempestimmatur’d?”

Straighthehimself,whowasawareIask’dMyguideofhim,exclaim’d:“SuchasIwasWhenliving,deadsuchnowIam.IfJoveWearyhisworkmanout,fromwhominireHesnatch’dthelightnings,thatatmylastdayTransfix’dme,iftherestbewearyoutAttheirblacksmithylabouringbyturnsInMongibello,whilehecriesaloud;“Help,help,goodMulciber!”asersthecriedInthePhlegraeanwarfare,andtheboltsLaunchhefullaim’datmewithallhismight,

Henevershouldenjoyasweetrevenge.”

Thenthusmyguide,inaccenthigherrais’dThanIbeforehadheardhim:“Capaneus!Thouartmorepunish’d,inthatthisthyprideLivesyetunquench’d:notorrent,savethyrage,Weretothyfurypainproportion’dfull.”

NextturningroundtomewithmilderlipHespake:“Thisofthesevenkingswasone,WhogirttheThebanwallswithsiege,andheld,Asstillheseemstohold,Godindisdain,Andsetshishighomnipotenceatnought.But,asItoldhim,hisdespitefulmoodIsornamentwellsuitsthebreastthatwearsit.Followmenow;andlookthousetnotyetThyfootinthehotsand,buttothewoodKeepeverclose.”Silentlyonwepass’dTowheretheregushesfromtheforest’sboundAlittlebrook,whosecrimson’dwaveyetliftsMyhairwithhorror.Astherill,thatrunsFromBulicame,tobeportion’doutAmongthesinfulwomen;soranthisDownthroughthesand,itsbottomandeachbankStone-built,andeithermarginatitsside,WhereonIstraightperceiv’dourpassagelay.

“OfallthatIhaveshownthee,sincethatgateWeenter’dfirst,whosethresholdistononeDenied,noughtelsesoworthyofregard,Asisthisriver,hasthineeyediscern’d,O’erwhichtheflamingvolleyallisquench’d.”

Sospakemyguide;andIhimthencebesought,Thathavinggiv’nmeappetitetoknow,Thefoodhetoowouldgive,thathungercrav’d.

“Inmidstofocean,”forthwithhebegan,“Adesolatecountrylies,whichCreteisnam’d,UnderwhosemonarchinoldtimestheworldLiv’dpureandchaste.Amountainrisesthere,Call’dIda,joyousoncewithleavesandstreams,Desertednowlikeaforbiddenthing.ItwasthespotwhichRhea,Saturn’sspouse,Choseforthesecretcradleofherson;Andbettertoconcealhim,drown’dinshouts

Hisinfantcries.Withinthemount,uprightAnancientformtherestandsandhuge,thatturnsHisshoulderstowardsDamiata,andatRomeAsinhismirrorlooks.OffinestgoldHisheadisshap’d,puresilverarethebreastAndarms;thencetothemiddleisofbrass.Anddownwardallbeneathwell-temper’dsteel,Savetherightfootofpotter’sclay,onwhichThanontheothermoreerecthestands,Eachpartexceptthegold,isrentthroughout;Andfromthefissuretearsdistil,whichjoin’dPenetratetothatcave.TheyintheircourseThusfarprecipitateddowntherockFormAcheron,andStyx,andPhlegethon;Thenbythisstraiten’dchannelpassinghenceBeneath,e’entothelowestdepthofall,FormthereCocytus,ofwhoselake(thyselfShallseeit)Iheregivetheenoaccount.”

ThenItohim:“IffromourworldthissluiceBethusderiv’d;whereforetousbutnowAppearsitatthisedge?”Hestraightreplied:“Theplace,thouknow’st,isround;andthoughgreatpartThouhavealreadypass’d,stilltotheleftDescendingtothenethermost,notyetHastthouthecircuitmadeofthewholeorb.Whereforeifaughtofnewtousappear,Itneedsnotbringupwonderinthylooks.”

ThenIagaininquir’d:“WhereflowthestreamsOfPhlegethonandLethe?forofoneThoutell’stnot,andtheotherofthatshower,Thousay’st,isform’d.”Heanswerthusreturn’d:“Doubtlessthyquestionsallwellpleas’dIhear.Yettheredseethingwavemighthaveresolv’dOnethouproposest.Lethethoushaltsee,Butnotwithinthishollow,intheplace,Whithertolavethemselvesthespiritsgo,Whoseblamehathbeenbypenitenceremov’d.”Headded:“Timeisnowwequitthewood.Lookthoumystepspursue:themarginsgiveSafepassage,unimpededbytheflames;Foroverthemallvapourisextinct.”

CANTOXV

OneofthesolidmarginsbearsusnowEnvelop’dinthemist,thatfromthestreamArising,hoverso’er,andsavesfromfireBothpiersandwater.AstheFlemingsrearTheirmound,‘twixtGhentandBruges,tochasebackTheocean,fearinghistumultuoustideThatdrivestowardthem,orthePaduanstheirsAlongtheBrenta,todefendtheirtownsAndcastles,erethegenialwarmthbefeltOnChiarentana’stop;suchwerethemounds,Sofram’d,thoughnotinheightorbulktotheseMadeequal,bythemaster,whosoe’erHewas,thatrais’dthemhere.WefromthewoodWerenotsofarremov’d,thatturningroundImightnothavediscern’dit,whenwemetAtroopofspirits,whocamebesidethepier.

Theyeachoneey’dus,asateventideOneeyesanotherunderanewmoon,Andtowardussharpen’dtheirsightaskeen,Asanoldtailorathisneedle’seye.

Thusnarrowlyexplor’dbyallthetribe,Iwasagniz’dofone,whobytheskirtCaughtme,andcried,“Whatwonderhavewehere!”

AndI,whenhetomeoutstretch’dhisarm,Intentlyfix’dmykenonhisparch’dlooks,Thatalthoughsmirch’dwithfire,theyhinder’dnotButIremember’dhim;andtowardshisfaceMyhandinclining,answer’d:“Sir!Brunetto!

“Andartthouhere?”Hethustome:“Myson!Ohletitnotdispleasethee,ifBrunettoLatinibutalittlespacewiththeeTurnback,andleavehisfellowstoproceed.”

Ithustohimreplied:“MuchasIcan,Itheretopraythee;andifthoubewilling,ThatIhereseatmewiththee,Iconsent;Hisleave,withwhomIjourney,firstobtain’d.”

“Oson!”saidhe,“whoeverofthisthrongOneinstantstops,liesthenahundredyears,Nofantoventilatehim,whenthefireSmitessorest.Passthouthereforeon.IcloseWillatthygarmentswalk,andthenrejoinMytroop,whogomourningtheirendlessdoom.”

Idar’dnotfromthepathdescendtotreadOnequalgroundwithhim,butheldmyheadBentdown,asonewhowalksinreverentguise.

“Whatchanceordestiny,”thushebegan,“Erethelastdayconductstheeherebelow?Andwhoisthis,thatshowstotheetheway?”

“Thereupaloft,”Ianswer’d,“inthelifeSerene,Iwander’dinavalleylost,Beforemineagehadtoitsfullnessreach’d.Butyester-mornIleftit:thenoncemoreIntothatvalereturning,himImet;Andbythispathhomewardheleadsmeback.”

“Ifthou,”heanswer’d,“followbutthystar,Thoucanstnotmissatlastaglorioushaven:Unlessinfairerdaysmyjudgmenterr’d.Andifmyfatesoearlyhadnotchanc’d,Seeingtheheav’nsthusbounteoustothee,IHadgladlygiv’ntheecomfortinthywork.Butthatungratefulandmalignantrace,WhoinoldtimescamedownfromFesole,Ayandstillsmackoftheirroughmountain-flint,Willforthygooddeedsshewtheeenmity.Norwonder;foramongstill-savour’dcrabsItsuitsnotthesweetfig-treelayherfruit.Oldfamereportsthemintheworldforblind,Covetous,envious,proud.Looktoitwell:Takeheedthoucleansetheeoftheirways.FortheeThyfortunehathsuchhonourinreserve,Thatthoubyeitherpartyshaltbecrav’dWithhungerkeen:butbethefreshherbfarFromthegoat’stooth.TheherdofFesoleMayofthemselvesmakelitter,nottouchtheplant,Ifanysuchyetspringontheirrankbed,Inwhichtheholyseedrevives,transmittedFromthosetrueRomans,whostillthereremain’d,Whenitwasmadethenestofsomuchill.”

“Wereallmywishfulfill’d,”Istraightreplied,“Thoufromtheconfinesofman’snatureyetHadstnotbeendrivenforth;forinmymindIsfix’d,andnowstrikesfulluponmyheartThedear,benign,paternalimage,suchAsthinewas,whensolatelythoudidstteachmeThewayformantowineternity;AndhowIpriz’dthelesson,itbehooves,That,longaslifeendures,mytongueshouldspeak,Whatofmyfatethoutell’st,thatwriteIdown:AndwithanothertexttocommentonForherIkeepit,thecelestialdame,Whowillknowall,ifItoherarrive.

ThisonlywouldIhavetheeclearlynote:Thatsomyconsciencehavenopleaagainstme;Dofortuneasshelist,Istandprepar’d.Notneworstrangesuchearnesttomineear.Speedfortunethenherwheel,aslikesherbest,Theclownhismattock;allthingshavetheircourse.”

ThereatmysapientguideuponhisrightTurn’dhimselfback,thenlook’datmeandspake:“Helistenstogoodpurposewhotakesnote.”

Inotthelessstillonmywayproceed,DiscoursingwithBrunetto,andinquireWhoaremostknownandchiefamonghistribe.

“Toknowofsomeiswell;”thushereplied,“Butoftherestsilencemaybestbeseem.Timewouldnotserveusforreportsolong.InbriefItellthee,thatallthesewereclerks,Menofgreatlearningandnolessrenown,Byonesamesinpollutedintheworld.WiththemisPriscian,andAccorso’ssonFrancescoherdsamongthatwretchedthrong:And,ifthewishofsoimpureablotchPossess’dthee,himthoualsomight’sthaveseen,Whobytheservants’servantwastransferr’dFromArno’sseattoBacchiglione,whereHisill-strain’dnervesheleft.Imorewouldadd,ButmustfromfartherspeechandonwardwayAlikedesist,foryonderIbeholdAmistnew-risenonthesandyplain.Acompany,withwhomImaynotsort,Approaches.IcommendmyTREASUREtothee,WhereinIyetsurvive;mysolerequest.”

Thissaidheturn’d,andseem’dasoneofthose,Whoo’erVerona’schampaintrytheirspeedForthegreenmantle,andofthemheseem’d,Nothewholosesbutwhogainstheprize.

CANTOXVI

NOWcameIwherethewater’sdinwasheard,Asdownitfellintotheotherround,Resoundinglikethehumofswarmingbees:Whenforthtogetherissu’dfromatroop,Thatpass’dbeneaththefiercetormentingstorm,Threespirits,runningswift.Theytowardsuscame,Andeachonecriedaloud,“Ohdothoustay!WhombythefashionofthygarbwedeemTobesomeinmateofourevilland.”

Ahme!whatwoundsImark’dupontheirlimbs,Recentandold,inflictedbytheflames!E’entheremembranceofthemgrievesmeyet.

Attentivetotheircrymyteacherpaus’d,Andturn’dtomehisvisage,andthenspake;“Waitnow!ourcourtesythesemeritwell:Andwere‘tnotforthenatureoftheplace,Whenceglidethefierydarts,Ishouldhavesaid,Thathastehadbettersuitedtheethanthem.”

They,whenwestopp’d,resum’dtheirancientwail,Andsoonastheyhadreach’dus,allthethreeWhirl’droundtogetherinonerestlesswheel.Asnakedchampions,smear’dwithslipperyoil,ArewontintenttowatchtheirplaceofholdAndvantage,ereincloserstrifetheymeet;Thuseachone,ashewheel’d,hiscountenanceAtmedirected,sothatoppositeTheneckmov’devertothetwinklingfeet.

“Ifmiseryofthisdrearwilderness,”Thusonebegan,“addedtooursadcheerAnddestitute,docallforthscornonusAndourentreaties,letourgreatrenownInclinetheetoinformuswhothouart,Thatdostimprintwithlivingfeetunharm’dThesoilofHell.He,inwhosetrackthousee’stMystepspursuing,nakedthoughhebeAndreftofall,wasofmorehighestateThanthoubelievest;grandchildofthechaste

Gualdrada,himtheyGuidoguerracall’d,WhoinhislifetimemanyanobleactAchiev’d,bothbyhiswisdomandhissword.Theother,nexttomethatbeatsthesand,IsAldobrandi,namedeservingwell,Intheupperworld,ofhonour;andmyselfWhointhistormentdopartakewiththem,AmRusticucci,whom,pastdoubt,mywifeOfsavagetemper,morethanaughtbesideHathtothisevilbrought.”IffromthefireIhadbeenshelter’d,downamidstthemstraightIthenhadcastme,normyguide,Ideem,Wouldhaverestrain’dmygoing;butthatfearOfthedireburningvanquish’dthedesire,Whichmademeeageroftheirwish’dembrace.

Ithenbegan:“Notscorn,butgriefmuchmore,Suchaslongtimealonecancure,yourdoomFix’ddeepwithinme,soonasthismylordSpakewords,whosetenourtaughtmetoexpectThatsucharace,asyeare,wasathand.Iamacountrymanofyours,whostillAffectionatehaveutter’d,andhaveheardYourdeedsandnamesrenown’d.LeavingthegallForthesweetfruitIgo,thatasureguideHathpromis’dtome.Butbehooves,thatfarAstothecentrefirstIdownwardtend.”

“Somaylongspacethyspiritguidethylimbs,”Heanswerstraightreturn’d;“andsothyfameShinebright,whenthouartgone;asthoushalttell,Ifcourtesyandvalour,astheywont,Dwellinourcity,orhavevanish’dclean?Foroneamidstuslatecondemn’dtowail,Borsiere,yonderwalkingwithhispeers,Grievesusnolittlebythenewshebrings.”

“Anupstartmultitudeandsuddengains,Prideandexcess,OFlorence!haveintheeEngender’d,sothatnowintearsthoumourn’st!”ThuscriedIwithmyfaceuprais’d,andtheyAllthree,whoforananswertookmywords,Look’dateachother,asmenlookwhentruthComestotheirear.“Ifthouatothertimes,”Theyallatoncerejoin’d,“soeasilySatisfythose,whoquestion,happythou,

Giftedwithwords,soapttospeakthythought!Whereforeifthouescapethisdarksomeclime,Returningtobeholdtheradiantstars,Whenthouwithpleasureshaltretracethepast,Seethatofusthouspeakamongmankind.”

Thissaid,theybrokethecircle,andsoswiftFled,thataspinionsseem’dtheirnimblefeet.

Notinsoshortatimemightonehavesaid“Amen,”astheyhadvanish’d.StraightmyguidePursu’dhistrack.Ifollow’d;andsmallspaceHadwepass’donward,whenthewater’ssoundWasnowsonearathand,thatwehadscarceHeardoneanother’sspeechforthelouddin.

E’enastheriver,thatholdsonitscourseUnmingled,fromthemountofVesulo,OntheleftsideofApennine,towardTheeast,whichAcquachetahigherupTheycall,ereitdescendintothevale,AtForlibythatnamenolongerknown,Rebellowso’erSaintBenedict,roll’donFromtheAlpinesummitdownaprecipice,Wherespaceenoughtolodgeathousandspreads;Thusdownwardfromacraggysteepwefound,Thatthisdarkwaveresounded,roaringloud,Sothattheearitsclamoursoonhadstunn’d.

Ihadacordthatbrac’dmygirdleround,WherewithIersthadthoughtfastboundtotakeThepaintedleopard.ThiswhenIhadallUnloosen’dfromme(somymasterbade)Igather’dup,andstretch’ditforthtohim.Thentotherightheturn’d,andfromthebrinkStandingfewpacesdistant,castitdownIntothedeepabyss.“Andsomewhatstrange,”ThustomyselfIspake,“signalsostrangeBetokens,whichmyguidewithearnesteyeThusfollows.”Ah!whatcautionmustmenuseWiththosewholooknotatthedeedalone,Butspyintothethoughtswithsubtleskill!

“Quicklyshallcome,”hesaid,“whatIexpect,Thineeyediscoverquickly,thatwhereofThythoughtisdreaming.”Evertothattruth,

Whichbutthesemblanceofafalsehoodwears,Aman,ifpossible,shouldbarhislip;Since,althoughblameless,heincursreproach.Butsilenceherewerevain;andbythesenotesWhichnowIsing,reader!Isweartothee,Somaytheyfavourfindtolatesttimes!ThatthroughthegrossandmurkyairIspiedAshapecomeswimmingup,thatmighthavequell’dThestoutestheartwithwonder,insuchguiseAsonereturns,whohathbeendowntolooseAnanchorgrappledfastagainstsomerock,Ortoaughtelsethatinthesaltwavelies,Whoupwardspringingclosedrawsinhisfeet.

CANTOXVII

“LO!thefellmonsterwiththedeadlysting!Whopassesmountains,breaksthroughfencedwallsAndfirmembattledspears,andwithhisfilthTaintsalltheworld!”Thusmemyguideaddress’d,Andbeckon’dhim,thatheshouldcometoshore,Neartothestonycauseway’sutmostedge.

Forthwiththatimagevileoffraudappear’d,Hisheadandupperpartexpos’donland,

Butlaidnotontheshorehisbestialtrain.Hisfacethesemblanceofajustman’swore,Sokindandgraciouswasitsoutwardcheer;Therestwasserpentall:twoshaggyclawsReach’dtothearmpits,andthebackandbreast,Andeitherside,werepaintedo’erwithnodesAndorbits.ColoursvariegatedmoreNorTurksnorTartarse’eronclothofstateWithinterchangeableembroiderywove,NorspreadArachneo’erhercuriousloom.Asofttimesalightskiff,moor’dtotheshore,Standspartinwater,partupontheland;Or,aswheredwellsthegreedyGermanboor,Thebeaversettleswatchingforhisprey;Soontherim,thatfenc’dthesandwithrock,Satperch’dthefiendofevil.InthevoidGlancing,histailupturn’ditsvenomousfork,Withstinglikescorpion’sarm’d.Thenthusmyguide:“Nowneedourwaymustturnfewstepsapart,Farastothatillbeast,whocouchesthere.”

ThereattowardtherightourdownwardcourseWeshap’d,and,bettertoescapetheflameAndburningmarle,tenpacesonthevergeProceeded.Soonaswetohimarrive,AlittlefurtheronmineeyebeholdsAtribeofspirits,seatedonthesandNearthewidechasm.Forthwithmymasterspake:“ThattothefullthyknowledgemayextendOfallthisroundcontains,gonow,andmarkThemienthesewear:butholdnotlongdiscourse.Tillthoureturnest,IwithhimmeantimeWillparley,thattoushemayvouchsafeTheaidofhisstrongshoulders.”ThusaloneYetforwardontheextremityIpac’dOfthatseventhcircle,wherethemournfultribeWereseated.Attheeyesforthgush’dtheirpangs.AgainstthevapoursandthetorridsoilAlternatelytheirshiftinghandstheyplied.ThususethedogsinsummerstilltoplyTheirjawsandfeetbyturns,whenbittensoreBygnats,orflies,orgadfliesswarminground.

Notingthevisagesofsome,wholayBeneaththepeltingofthatdolorousfire,OneofthemallIknewnot;butperceiv’d,

ThatpendentfromhisneckeachboreapouchWithcoloursandwithemblemsvariousmark’d,Onwhichitseem’dasiftheireyedidfeed.

AndwhenamongstthemlookingroundIcame,AyellowpurseIsawwithazurewrought,Thatworealion’scountenanceandport.Thenstillmysightpursuingitscareer,AnotherIbeheld,thanbloodmorered.Agoosedisplayofwhiterwingthancurd.Andone,whoboreafatandazureswinePictur’donhiswhitescrip,addressedmethus:“Whatdostthouinthisdeep?Gonowandknow,Sinceyetthoulivest,thatmyneighbourhereVitalianoonmyleftshallsit.APaduanwiththeseFlorentinesamI.Ofttimestheythunderinmineears,exclaiming‘Ohastethatnobleknight!hewhothepouchWiththethreebeakswillbring!’”Thissaid,hewrith’dThemouth,andloll’dthetongueout,likeanoxThatlickshisnostrils.I,lestlongerstayHeillmightbrook,whobademestaynotlong,Backwardmystepsfromthosesadspiritsturn’d.

MyguidealreadyseatedonthehaunchOfthefierceanimalIfound;andthusHemeencourag’d.“Bethoustout;bebold.Downsuchasteepflightmustwenowdescend!Mountthoubefore:forthatnopowerthetailMayhavetoharmthee,Iwillbei’th’midst.”

Asone,whohathanaguefitsonear,Hisnailsalreadyareturn’dblue,andheQuiversallo’er,ifhebuteyetheshade;Suchwasmycheerathearingofhiswords.Butshamesooninterpos’dherthreat,whomakesTheservantboldinpresenceofhislord.

Isettledmeuponthoseshouldershuge,Andwouldhavesaid,butthatthewordstoaidMypurposecamenot,“Lookthouclaspmefirm!”

ButhewhosesuccourthennotfirstIprov’d,SoonasImounted,inhisarmsaloft,Embracing,heldmeup,andthushespake:“Geryon!nowmovethee!bethywheelinggyres

Ofamplecircuit,easythydescent.Thinkonth’unusualburdenthousustain’st.”

Asasmallvessel,back’ningoutfromland,Herstationquits;sothencethemonsterloos’d,Andwhenhefelthimselfatlarge,turn’droundTherewherethebreasthadbeen,hisforkedtail.Thus,likeaneel,outstretch’datlengthhesteer’d,Gath’ringtheairupwithretractileclaws.

NotgreaterwasthedreadwhenPhaetonThereinsletdropatrandom,whencehighheaven,Whereofsignsyetappear,waswraptinflames;Norwhenill-fatedIcarusperceiv’d,Byliquefactionofthescaldedwax,Thetrustedpennonsloosen’dfromhisloins,Hissireexclaimingloud,“Illwaythoukeep’st!”Thanwasmydread,whenroundmeoneachpartTheairIview’d,andotherobjectnoneSavethefellbeast.Heslowlysailing,wheelsHisdownwardmotion,unobserv’dofme,Butthatthewind,arisingtomyface,Breathesonmefrombelow.NowonourrightIheardthecataractbeneathusleapWithhideouscrash;whencebendingdownto’explore,NewterrorIconceiv’datthesteepplunge:

ForflamesIsaw,andwailingssmotemineear:SothatalltremblingcloseIcrouch’dmylimbs,Andthendistinguish’d,unperceiv’dbefore,BythedreadtormentsthatoneverysideDrewnearer,howourdownwardcoursewewound.

Asfalcon,thathathlongbeenonthewing,Butlurenorbirdhathseen,whileindespairThefalconercries,“Ahme!thoustoop’sttoearth!”Wearieddescends,andswiftlydowntheskyInmanyanorbitwheels,thenlightingsitsAtdistancefromhislordinangrymood;SoGeryonlightingplacesusonfootLowdownatbaseofthedeep-furrow’drock,And,ofhisburdentheredischarg’d,forthwithSprangforward,likeanarrowfromthestring.

CANTOXVIII

THEREisaplacewithinthedepthsofhellCall’dMalebolge,allofrockdark-stain’dWithhueferruginous,e’enasthesteepThatrounditcirclingwinds.RightinthemidstOfthatabominableregion,yawnsAspaciousgulfprofound,whereoftheframeDuetimeshalltell.Thecircle,thatremains,Throughoutitsround,betweenthegulfandbaseOfthehighcraggybanks,successiveformsTentrenches,initshollowbottomsunk.

Aswheretoguardthewalls,fullmanyafossBegirdssomestatelycastle,suredefenceAffordingtothespacewithin,sohereWeremodel’dthese;andaslikefortressesE’enfromtheirthresholdtothebrinkwithout,Areflank’dwithbridges;fromtherock’slowbaseThusflintypathsadvanc’d,that‘crossthemolesAnddikes,struckonwardfarastothegulf,Thatinoneboundcollectedcutsthemoff.Suchwastheplace,whereinwefoundourselvesFromGeryon’sbackdislodg’d.ThebardtoleftHeldonhisway,andIbehindhimmov’d.

OnourrighthandnewmiseryIsaw,Newpains,newexecutionersofwrath,Thatswarmingpeopledthefirstchasm.BelowWerenakedsinners.Hitherwardtheycame,Meetingourfacesfromthemiddlepoint,Withusbeyondbutwithalargerstride.E’enthustheRomans,whentheyearreturnsOfJubilee,withbetterspeedtoridThethrongingmultitudes,theirmeansdeviseForsuchaspassthebridge;thatononesideAllfronttowardthecastle,andapproachSaintPeter’sfane,onth’othertowardsthemount.

Eachdiverswayalongthegrislyrock,Horn’ddemonsIbeheld,withlasheshuge,Thatontheirbackunmercifullysmote.Ah!howtheymadethemboundatthefirststripe!

Noneforthesecondwaitednorthethird.

MeantimeasonIpass’d,onemetmysightWhomsoonasview’d;“Ofhim,”criedI,“notyetMineeyehathhadhisfill.”WithfixedgazeIthereforescann’dhim.StraighttheteacherkindPaus’dwithme,andconsentedIshouldwalkBackwardaspace,andthetormentedspirit,Whothoughttohidehim,benthisvisagedown.Butitavail’dhimnought;forIexclaim’d:“Thouwhodostcastthyeyeupontheground,Unlessthyfeaturesdobelietheemuch,Venedicoartthou.ButwhatbringstheeIntothisbitterseas’ning?”Hereplied:“UnwillinglyIanswertothywords.Butthyclearspeech,thattomymindrecallsTheworldIonceinhabited,constrainsme.Knowthen‘twasIwholedfairGhisolaTodotheMarquis’will,howeverfameTheshamefultalehavebruited.Noralone

BolognahithersendethmetomournRatherwithustheplaceissoo’erthrong’dThatnotsomanytonguesthisdayaretaught,BetwixttheRenoandSavena’sstream,ToanswerSIPAintheircountry’sphrase.Andifofthatsecurerproofthouneed,Rememberbutourcravingthirstforgold.”

Himspeakingthus,ademonwithhisthongStruck,andexclaim’d,“Away!corrupter!hereWomenarenoneforsale.”ForthwithIjoin’dMyescort,andfewpacesthencewecameTowherearockforthissuedfromthebank.Thateasilyascended,totherightUponitssplinterturning,wedepartFromthoseeternalbarriers.Whenarriv’d,WhereunderneaththegapingarchletspassThescourgedsouls:“Pausehere,”theteachersaid,“Andlettheseothersmiserable,nowStrikeonthyken,facesnotyetbeheld,Forthattogethertheywithushavewalk’d.”

Fromtheoldbridgeweey’dthepack,whocameFromth’othersidetowardsus,liketherest,Excoriatefromthelash.Mygentleguide,Bymeunquestion’d,thushisspeechresum’d:“Beholdthatloftyshade,whothiswaytends,Andseemstoowoe-begonetodropatear.Howyettheregalaspectheretains!Jasonishe,whoseskillandprowesswonTheramfromColchos.TotheLemnianisleHispassagethitherledhim,whenthoseboldAndpitilesswomenhadslainalltheirmales.TherehewithtokensandfairwitchingwordsHypsipylebeguil’d,avirginyoung,Whofirsthadalltherestherselfbeguil’d.Impregnatedheleftherthereforlorn.Suchistheguiltcondemnshimtothispain.HeretooMedea’sinj’riesareavenged.Allbearhimcompany,wholikedeceitTohishavepractis’d.AndthusmuchtoknowOfthefirstvalesufficethee,andofthoseWhomitskeentormentsurge.”NowhadwecomeWhere,crossingthenextpier,thestraighten’dpathBestridesitsshoulderstoanotherarch.

Henceinthesecondchasmweheardtheghosts,Whojibberinlowmelancholysounds,Withwide-stretch’dnostrilssnort,andonthemselvesSmitewiththeirpalms.UponthebanksascurfFromthefoulsteamcondens’d,encrustinghung,Thatheldsharpcombatwiththesightandsmell.

Sohollowisthedepth,thatfromnopart,Saveonthesummitoftherockyspan,CouldIdistinguishaught.Thusfarwecame;AndthenceIsaw,withinthefossbelow,Acrowdimmers’dinordure,thatappear’dDraffofthehumanbody.TherebeneathSearchingwitheyeinquisitive,Imark’dOnewithhisheadsogrim’d,‘twerehardtodeem,Ifhewereclerkorlayman.Loudhecried:“Whygreedilythusbendestmoreonme,Thanontheseotherfilthyones,thyken?”

“Becauseiftruemymem’ry,”Ireplied,“Iheretoforehaveseentheewithdrylocks,AndthouAlessioartofLuccasprung.ThereforethanalltherestIscantheemore.”

Thenbeatingonhisbrainthesewordshespake:“Methuslowdownmyflatterieshavesunk,WherewithIne’erenoughcouldglutmytongue.”

Myleaderthus:“AlittlefurtherstretchThyface,thatthouthevisagewellmaystnoteOfthatbesotted,sluttishcourtezan,Whotheredothrendherwithdefilednails,Nowcrouchingdown,nowrisenonherfeet.

“Thaisisthis,theharlot,whosefalselipAnswer’dherdotingparamourthatask’d,‘Thankestmemuch!’—‘Sayratherwondrously,’Andseeingthisheresatiatebeourview.”

CANTOXIX

WOEtothee,SimonMagus!woetoyou,Hiswretchedfollowers!whothethingsofGod,Whichshouldbeweddeduntogoodness,them,Rapaciousasyeare,doprostituteForgoldandsilverinadultery!Nowmustthetrumpetsoundforyou,sinceyoursIsthethirdchasm.UponthefollowingvaultWenowhadmounted,wheretherockimpendsDirectlyo’erthecentreofthefoss.

WisdomSupreme!howwonderfultheart,Whichthoudostmanifestinheaven,inearth,Andintheevilworld,howjustameedAllottingbythyvirtueuntoall!

Isawthelividstone,throughoutthesidesAndinitsbottomfullofapertures,Allequalintheirwidth,andcirculareach,Noramplelessnorlargertheyappear’dThaninSaintJohn’sfairdomeofmebelov’dThosefram’dtoholdthepurebaptismalstreams,OneofthewhichIbrake,somefewyearspast,Tosaveawhelminginfant;andbethisAsealtoundeceivewhoeverdoubtsThemotiveofmydeed.FromoutthemouthOfeveryone,emerg’dasinner’sfeetAndofthelegshighupwardasthecalfTherestbeneathwashid.OneitherfootThesoleswereburning,whencetheflexilejointsGlanc’dwithsuchviolentmotion,ashadsnaptAsundercordsortwistedwiths.Asflame,Feedingonunctuousmatter,glidesalongThesurface,scarcelytouchingwhereitmoves;Sohere,fromheeltopoint,glidedtheflames.

“Master!saywhoishe,thanalltherestGlancinginfierceragony,onwhomAruddierflamedothprey?”Ithusinquir’d.

“Ifthoubewilling,”hereplied,“thatICarrytheedown,whereleasttheslopebankfalls,

Heofhimselfshalltelltheeandhiswrongs.”

Ithen:“Aspleasestheetomeisbest.Thouartmylord;andknow’stthatne’erIquitThywill:whatsilencehidesthatknowestthou.”Thereatonthefourthpierwecame,weturn’d,Andonourleftdescendedtothedepth,Anarrowstraitandperforatedclose.Norfromhissidemyleadersetmedown,Tilltohisorificehebrought,whoselimbQuiv’ringexpress’dhispang.“Whoe’erthouart,Sadspirit!thusrevers’d,andasastakeDriv’ninthesoil!”Iinthesewordsbegan,“Ifthoubeable,utterforththyvoice.”

TherestoodIlikethefriar,thatdothshriveAwretchformurderdoom’d,whoe’enwhenfix’d,Callethhimback,whencedeathawhiledelays.

Heshouted:“Ha!alreadystandestthere?Alreadystandestthere,OBoniface!Bymanyayearthewritingplay’dmefalse.Soearlydostthousurfeitwiththewealth,ForwhichthoufearedstnotinguiletotakeThelovelylady,andthenmangleher?”

Ifeltasthosewho,piercingnotthedriftOfanswermadethem,standasifexpos’dInmockery,norknowwhattoreply,WhenVirgilthusadmonish’d:“Tellhimquick,Iamnothe,nothe,whomthoubeliev’st.”

AndI,aswasenjoin’dme,straightreplied.

Thatheard,thespiritalldidwrenchhisfeet,Andsighingnextinwoefulaccentspake:“Whatthenofmerequirest?”“IftoknowSomuchimportsthee,whoIam,thatthouHastthereforedownthebankdescended,learnThatinthemightymantleIwasrob’d,Andofashe-bearwasindeedtheson,Soeagertoadvancemywhelps,thatthereMyhavinginmypurseaboveIstow’d,Andheremyself.Undermyheadaredragg’dTherest,mypredecessorsintheguiltOfsimony.Stretch’dattheirlengththeylieAlonganopeningintherock.‘MidstthemIalsolowshallfall,soonashecomes,ForwhomItookthee,whensohastilyIquestion’d.ButalreadylongertimeHathpass’d,sincemysoulskindled,andIthusUpturn’dhavestood,thanishisdoomtostandPlantedwithfieryfeet.Forafterhim,Oneyetofdeedsmoreuglyshallarrive,Fromforththewest,ashepherdwithoutlaw,Fatedtocoverbothhisformandmine.HeanewJasonshallbecall’d,ofwhomInMaccabeesweread;andfavoursuchAstothatpriesthiskingindulgentshow’d,

ShallbeofFrance’smonarchshowntohim.”

IknownotifIheretoofarpresum’d,ButinthisstrainIanswer’d:“Tellmenow,WhattreasuresfromSt.PeteratthefirstOurLorddemanded,whenheputthekeysIntohischarge?Surelyheask’dnomoreBut,Followme!NorPeternortherestOrgoldorsilverofMatthiastook,WhenlotswerecastupontheforfeitplaceOfthecondemnedsoul.Abidethouthen;Thypunishmentofrightismerited:Andlookthouwelltothatill-gottencoin,WhichagainstCharlesthyhardihoodinspir’d.Ifreverenceofthekeysrestrain’dmenot,Whichthouinhappiertimedidsthold,IyetSevererspeechmightuse.YouravariceO’ercaststheworldwithmourning,underfootTreadingthegood,andraisingbadmenup.Ofshepherds,liketoyou,th’EvangelistWasware,whenher,whositsuponthewaves,Withkingsinfilthywhoredomhebeheld,Shewhowithsevenheadstower’datherbirth,Andfromtenhornsherproofofglorydrew,Longasherspouseinvirtuetookdelight.Ofgoldandsilveryehavemadeyourgod,Diff’ringwhereinfromtheidolater,Buthethatworshipsone,ahundredye?Ah,Constantine!tohowmuchillgavebirth,Notthyconversion,butthatplenteousdower,WhichthefirstwealthyFathergain’dfromthee!”

Meanwhile,asthusIsung,he,whetherwrathOrconsciencesmotehim,violentupsprangSpinningoneithersole.IdobelieveMyteacherwellwaspleas’d,withsocompos’dAlip,helisten’devertothesoundOfthetruewordsIutter’d.InbotharmsHecaught,andtohisbosomliftingmeUpwardretrac’dthewayofhisdescent.

Norwearyofhisweighthepress’dmeclose,Tilltothesummitoftherockwecame,Ourpassagefromthefourthtothefifthpier.Hischerish’dburdentheregentlyheplac’dUpontheruggedrockandsteep,apath

Noteasyfortheclamb’ringgoattomount.

Thencetomyviewanothervaleappear’d

CANTOXX

ANDnowtheverseproceedstotormentsnew,FitargumentofthisthetwentiethstrainOfthefirstsong,whoseawfulthemerecordsThespiritswhelm’dinwoe.EarnestIlook’dIntothedepth,thatopen’dtomyview,Moisten’dwithtearsofanguish,andbeheldAtribe,thatcamealongthehollowvale,Insilenceweeping:suchtheirstepaswalkQuireschantingsolemnlitaniesonearth.

Asonthemmoredirectmineeyedescends,Eachwondrouslyseem’dtoberevers’dAttheneck-bone,sothatthecountenanceWasfromthereinsaverted:andbecauseNonemightbeforehimlook,theywerecompell’dTo’advancewithbackwardgait.ThusoneperhapsHathbeenbyforceofpalsycleantranspos’d,ButIne’ersawitnorbelieveitso.

Now,reader!thinkwithinthyself,soGodFruitofthyreadinggivethee!howIlongCouldkeepmyvisagedry,whenIbeheldNearmeourformdistortedinsuchguise,Thatonthehinderpartsfall’nfromthefaceThetearsdown-streamingroll’d.AgainstarockIleantandwept,sothatmyguideexclaim’d:“What,andartthoutoowitlessastherest?Herepitymostdothshowherselfalive,Whensheisdead.Whatguiltexceedethhis,WhowithHeaven’sjudgmentinhispassionstrives?Raiseupthyhead,raiseup,andseetheman,Beforewhoseeyesearthgap’dinThebes,whenallCriedout,‘Amphiaraus,whitherrushest?‘Whyleavestthouthewar?’HenotthelessFellruiningfarastoMinosdown,Whosegrapplenoneeludes.Lo!howhemakesThebreasthisshoulders,andwhooncetoofarBeforehimwish’dtosee,nowbackwardlooks,Andtreadsreversehispath.Tiresiasnote,Whosemblancechang’d,whenwomanhebecameOfmale,througheverylimbtransform’d,andthen

Oncemorebehov’dhimwithhisrodtostrikeThetwoentwiningserpents,eretheplumes,Thatmark’dthebettersex,mightshootagain.

“Aruns,withmorehisbellyfacing,comes.OnLuni’smountains‘midstthemarbleswhite,WheredelvesCarrara’shind,whowonsbeneath,Acavernwashisdwelling,whencethestarsAndmain-seawideinboundlessviewheheld.

“Thenext,whoseloosen’dtressesoverspreadHerbosom,whichthouseestnot(foreachhairOnthatsidegrows)wasManto,shewhosearch’dThroughmanyregions,andatlengthherseatFix’dinmynativeland,whenceashortspaceMywordsdetainthyaudience.WhenhersireFromlifedeparted,andinservitudeThecitydedicatetoBacchusmourn’d,Longtimeshewentawand’rerthroughtheworld.AloftinItaly’sdelightfullandAlaketherelies,atfootofthatproudAlp,Thato’ertheTyrollocksGermaniain,ItsnameBenacus,whichathousandrills,Methinks,andmore,waterbetweenthevaleCamonicaandGardaandtheheightOfApennineremote.ThereisaspotAtmidwayofthatlake,wherehewhobearsOfTrento’sflockthepast’ralstaff,withhimOfBrescia,andtheVeronese,mighteachPassingthatwayhisbenedictiongive.AgarrisonofgoodlysiteandstrongPeschierastands,toawewithfrontoppos’dTheBergameseandBrescian,whencetheshoreMoreslopeeachwaydescends.There,whatsoev’erBenacus’bosomholdsnot,tumblingo’erDownfalls,andwindsariverfloodbeneathThroughthegreenpastures.SoonasinhiscourseThesteammakeshead,BenacusthennomoreTheycallthename,butMincius,tillatlastReachingGovernointoPohefalls.Notfarhiscoursehathrun,whenawideflatItfinds,whichoverstretchmgasamarshItcovers,pestilentinsummeroft.Hencejourneying,thesavagemaidensaw‘MidstofthefenaterritorywasteAndnakedofinhabitants.Toshun

Allhumanconverse,hereshewithherslavesPlyingherartsremain’d,andliv’d,andleftHerbodytenantless.Thenceforththetribes,Whoroundwerescatter’d,gath’ringtothatplaceAssembled;foritsstrengthwasgreat,enclos’dOnallpartsbythefen.OnthosedeadbonesTheyrear’dthemselvesacity,forhersake,CallingitMantua,whofirstchosethespot,Norask’danotheromenforthename,Whereinmorenumerousthepeopledwelt,EreCasalodi’smadnessbydeceitWaswrong’dofPinamonte.IfthouhearHenceforthanotheroriginassign’dOfthatmycountry,Iforewarntheenow,Thatfalsehoodnonebeguiletheeofthetruth.”

Ianswer’d:“Teacher,IconcludethywordsSocertain,thatallelseshallbetomeAsemberslackinglife.Butnowofthese,Whohereproceed,instructme,ifthouseeAnythatmeritmoreespecialnote.Forthereonismymindaloneintent.”

Hestraightreplied:“Thatspirit,fromwhosecheekThebeardsweepso’erhisshouldersbrown,whattimeGraeciawasemptiedofhermales,thatscarceThecradlesweresupplied,theseerwasheInAulis,whowithCalchasgavethesignWhenfirsttocutthecable.Himtheynam’dEurypilus:sosingsmytragicstrain,Inwhichmajesticmeasurewellthouknow’st,Whoknow’stitall.Thatother,roundtheloinsSoslenderofhisshape,wasMichaelScot,Practis’dinev’ryslightofmagicwile.

“GuidoBonattisee:Asdentemark,Whonowwerewilling,hehadtendedstillThethreadandcordwain;andtoolaterepents.

“Seenextthewretches,whotheneedleleft,Theshuttleandthespindle,andbecameDiviners:banefulwitcheriestheywroughtWithimagesandherbs.Butonwardnow:FornowdothCainwithforkofthornsconfineOneitherhemisphere,touchingthewaveBeneaththetowersofSeville.Yesternight

Themoonwasround.Thoumaystrememberwell:ForshegoodservicedidtheeinthegloomOfthedeepwood.”Thissaid,bothonwardmov’d.

CANTOXXI

THUSwefrombridgetobridge,withothertalk,Thewhichmydramacaresnottorehearse,Pass’don;andtothesummitreaching,stoodToviewanothergap,withintheroundOfMalebolge,otherbootlesspangs.

Marvelousdarknessshadow’do’ertheplace.

IntheVenetians’arsenalasboilsThroughwintrymonthstenaciouspitch,tosmearTheirunsoundvessels;forth’inclementtimeSea-faringmenrestrains,andinthatwhileHisbarkonebuildsanew,anotherstopsTheribsofhis,thathathmademanyavoyage;Onehammersattheprow,oneatthepoop;Thisshapethoars,thatothercablestwirls,Themizenonerepairsandmain-sailrentSonotbyforceoffirebutartdivineBoil’dhereaglutinousthickmass,thatroundLim’dalltheshorebeneath.Ithatbeheld,Butthereinnoughtdistinguish’d,savethesurge,Rais’dbytheboiling,inonemightyswellHeave,andbyturnssubsidingandfall.WhilethereIfix’dmykenbelow,“Mark!mark!”myguideExclaiming,drewmetowardshimfromtheplace,WhereinIstood.Iturn’dmyselfasone,ImpatienttobeholdthatwhichbeheldHeneedsmustshun,whomsuddenfearunmans,Thathehisflightdelaysnotfortheview.BehindmeIdiscern’dadevilblack,Thatrunning,upadvanc’dalongtherock.Ah!whatfiercecrueltyhislookbespake!Inacthowbitterdidheseem,withwingsBuoyantoutstretch’dandfeetofnimblesttread!HisshoulderproudlyeminentandsharpWaswithasinnercharg’d;byeitherhaunchHeheldhim,thefoot’ssinewgripingfast.

“Yeofourbridge!”hecried,“keen-talon’dfiends!Lo!oneofSantaZita’selders!HimWhelmyebeneath,whileIreturnformore.

Thatlandhathstoreofsuch.Allmenarethere,ExceptBonturo,barterers:of‘no’Forlucretherean‘aye’isquicklymade.”

Himdashingdown,o’ertheroughrockheturn’d,Noreverafterthiefamastiffloos’dSpedwithlikeeagerhaste.ThatothersankAndforthwithwrithingtothesurfacerose.Butthosedarkdemons,shroudedbythebridge,Cried“Herethehallow’dvisagesavesnot:hereIsotherswimmingthaninSerchio’swave.Whereforeifthoudesirewerendtheenot,Takeheedthoumountnoto’erthepitch.”Thissaid,Theygrappledhimwithmorethanhundredhooks,Andshouted:“Cover’dthoumustsporttheehere;So,ifthoucanst,insecretmaystthoufilch.”

E’enthusthecookbestirshim,withhisgrooms,TothrustthefleshintothecaldrondownWithflesh-hooks,thatitfloatnotonthetop.

Methenmyguidebespake:“Lesttheydescry,Thatthouarthere,behindacraggyrockBendlowandscreenthee;andwhate’erofforceBeoffer’dme,orinsult,fearthounot:ForIamwelladvis’d,whohavebeenerstInthelikefray.”Beyondthebridge’sheadTherewithhepass’d,andreachingthesixthpier,Behov’dhimthenaforeheadterror-proof.

Withstormandfury,aswhendogsrushforthUponthepoorman’sback,whosuddenlyFromwhencehestandethmakeshissuit;sorush’dThosefrombeneaththearch,andagainsthimTheirweaponsalltheypointed.Healoud:“Benoneofyououtrageous:ereyourtimeDareseizeme,comeforthfromamongstyouone,

“Whohavingheardmywords,decidehethenIfheshallteartheselimbs.”Theyshoutedloud,“Go,Malacoda!”Whereatoneadvanc’d,Theothersstandingfirm,andashecame,“Whatmaythisturnavailhim?”heexclaim’d.

“Believ’stthou,Malacoda!IhadcomeThusfarfromallyourskirmishingsecure,”Myteacheranswered,“withoutwilldivineAnddestinypropitious?PasswethenForsoHeaven’spleasureis,thatIshouldleadAnotherthroughthissavagewilderness.”

Forthwithsofellhispride,thatheletdropTheinstrumentoftortureathisfeet,Andtotherestexclaim’d:“WehavenopowerTostrikehim.”Thentomemyguide:“Othou!WhoonthebridgeamongthecragsdostsitLowcrouching,safelynowtomereturn.”

Irose,andtowardshimmovedwithspeed:thefiendsMeantimeallforwarddrew:meterrorseiz’dLesttheyshouldbreakthecompacttheyhadmade.ThusissuingfromCaprona,onceIsaw

Th’infantrydreading,lesthiscovenantThefoeshouldbreak;soclosehehemm’dthemround.

Itomyleader’ssideadher’d,mineeyesWithfixtandmotionlessobservancebentOntheirunkindlyvisage.TheytheirhooksProtruding,onetheotherthusbespake:“WiltthouItouchhimonthehip?”TowhomWasanswer’d:“Evenso;normissthyaim.”

Buthe,whowasinconf’rencewithmyguide,Turn’drapidround,andthusthedemonspake:“Stay,staythee,Scarmiglione!”ThentousHeadded:“FurtherfootingtoyourstepThisrockaffordsnot,shiver’dtothebaseOfthesixtharch.Butwouldyoustillproceed,Upbythiscaverngo:notdistantfar,Anotherrockwillyieldyoupassagesafe.Yesterday,laterbyfivehoursthannow,Twelvehundredthreescoreyearsandsixhadfill’dThecircuitoftheircourse,sinceherethewayWasbroken.ThitherwardIstraightdispatchCertainofthesemyscouts,whoshallespyIfanyonthesurfacebask.WiththemGoye:foryeshallfindthemnothingfell.ComeAlichinoforth,”withthathecried,“AndCalcabrina,andCagnazzothou!ThetroopoftenletBarbariccialead.WithLibicoccoDraghinazzohaste,Fang’dCiriatto,Grafflacanefierce,AndFarfarello,andmadRubicant.Searchyearoundthebubblingtar.Forthese,Insafetyleadthem,wheretheothercragUninterruptedtraversesthedens.”

Ithen:“Omaster!whatasightisthere!Ah!withoutescort,journeywealone,Which,ifthouknowtheway,Icovetnot.Unlessthyprudencefailthee,dostnotmarkHowtheydognarluponus,andtheirscowlThreatensuspresenttortures?”Hereplied:“Ichargetheefearnot:letthem,astheywill,Gnarlon:‘tisbutintokenoftheirspiteAgainstthesouls,whomournintormentsteep’d.”

Toleftwardo’erthepiertheyturn’d;buteach

Hadfirstbetweenhisteethprestclosethetongue,Towardtheirleaderforasignallooking,Whichhewithsoundobscenetriumphantgave.

CANTOXXII

IThathbeenheretoforemychancetoseeHorsemenwithmartialordershiftingcamp,Toonsetsallying,orinmusterrang’d,Orinretreatsometimesoutstretch’dforflight;Light-armedsquadronsandfleetforagersScouringthyplains,Arezzo!haveIseen,Andclashingtournaments,andtiltingjousts,Nowwiththesoundoftrumpets,nowofbells,Tabors,orsignalsmadefromcastledheights,Andwithinventionsmultiform,ourown,Orintroduc’dfromforeignland;butne’erTosuchastrangerecorderIbeheld,Inevolutionmoving,horsenorfoot,Norship,thattack’dbysignfromlandorstar.

Withthetendemonsonourwaywewent;Ahfearfulcompany!butinthechurchWithsaints,withgluttonsatthetavern’smess.

StillearnestonthepitchIgaz’d,tomarkAllthingswhate’erthechasmcontain’d,andthoseWhoburn’dwithin.Asdolphins,that,insignTomariners,heavehightheirarchedbacks,Thatthenceforewarn’dtheymayadvisetosaveTheirthreaten’dvessels;so,atintervals,Toeasethepainhisbacksomesinnershow’d,Thenhidmorenimblythanthelightningglance.

E’enasthefrogs,thatofawat’rymoatStandatthebrink,withthejawsonlyout,Theirfeetandofthetrunkallelseconcealed,Thusoneachpartthesinnersstood,butsoonAsBarbaricciawasathand,sotheyDrewbackunderthewave.Isaw,andyetMyheartdothstagger,one,thatwaitedthus,Asitbefallsthatoftonefrogremains,Whilethenextspringsaway:andGraffiacan,Whoofthefiendswasnearest,grapplingseiz’dHisclottedlocks,anddragg’dhimsprawlingup,Thatheappear’dtomeanotter.EachAlreadybytheirnamesIknew,sowell

Whentheywerechosen,Iobserv’d,andmark’dHowonetheothercall’d.“ORubicant!Seethathishidethouwiththytalonsflay,”Shoutedtogetherallthecursedcrew.

ThenI:“Informthee,master!ifthoumay,Whatwretchedsoulisthis,onwhomtheirhandHisfoeshavelaid.”MyleadertohissideApproach’d,andwhencehecameinquir’d,towhomWasanswer’dthus:“BorninNavarre’sdomainMymotherplac’dmeinalord’sretinue,Forshehadbornemetoaloselvile,Aspendthriftofhissubstanceandhimself.ThegoodkingThibaultafterthatIserv’d,Topeculatingheremythoughtswereturn’d,WhereofIgiveaccountinthisdireheat.”

StraightCiriatto,fromwhosemouthatuskIssuedoneitherside,asfromaboar,Ripthimwithoneofthese.‘TwixtevilclawsThemousehadfall’n:butBarbaricciacried,Seizinghimwithbotharms:“Standthouapart,WhileIdofixhimonmyprongtranspierc’d.”Thenadded,turningtomyguidehisface,“Inquireofhim,ifmorethouwishtolearn,Ereheagainberent.”Myleaderthus:“Thentellusofthepartnersinthyguilt;KnowestthouanysprungofLatianlandUnderthetar?”—“Iparted,”hereplied,“Butnowfromone,whosojourn’dnotfarthence;SowereIundershelternowwithhim!Norhooknortalonthenshouldscarememore.”—.

“Toolongwesuffer,”Libicoccocried,Then,dartingforthaprong,seiz’donhisarm,Andmangledboreawaythesinewypart.HimDraghinazzobyhisthighsbeneathWouldnexthavecaught,whenceangrilytheirchief,Turningonallsidesround,withthreat’ningbrowRestrain’dthem.Whentheirstrifealittleceas’d,Ofhim,whoyetwasgazingonhiswound,Myteacherthuswithoutdelayinquir’d:“Whowasthespirit,fromwhombyevilhapParting,asthouhastold,thoucam’sttoshore?”—

“ItwasthefriarGomita,”herejoin’d,

“HeofGallura,vesselofallguile,Whohadhismaster’senemiesinhand,Andus’dthemsothattheycommendhimwell.Moneyhetook,andthematlargedismiss’d.Sohereports:andineachotherchargeCommittedtohiskeeping,play’dthepartOfbarterertotheheight:withhimdothherdThechiefofLogodoro,MichelZanche.Sardiniaisatheme,whereoftheirtongueIsneverweary.Out!alas!beholdThatother,howhegrins!MorewouldIsay,Buttremblelesthemeantomaulmesore.”

TheircaptainthentoFarfarelloturning,Whoroll’dhismoonyeyesinacttostrike,Rebuk’dhimthus:“Off!cursedbird!Avaunt!”—

“Ifyedesiretoseeorhear,”hethusQuakingwithdreadresum’d,“orTuscanspiritsOrLombard,Iwillcausethemtoappear.Meantimelettheseilltalonsbatetheirfury,Sothatnovengeancetheymayfearfromthem,AndI,remaininginthisself-sameplace,Willformyselfbutone,makesev’nappear,Whenmyshrillwhistleshallbeheard;forsoOurcustomistocalleachotherup.”

Cagnazzoatthatwordderidinggrinn’d,Thenwagg’dtheheadandspake:“Hearhisdevice,Mischievousasheis,toplungehimdown.”

Wheretohethus,whofail’dnotinrichstoreOfnice-wovetoils;“Mischiefforsoothextreme,Meantonlytoprocuremyselfmorewoe!”

NolongerAlichinothenrefrain’d,Butthus,therestgainsaying,himbespake:“Ifthoudocasttheedown,InotonfootWillchasethee,butabovethepitchwillbeatMyplumes.Quitwethevantageground,andletThebankbeasashield,thatwemayseeIfsinglythouprevailagainstusall.”

Now,reader,ofnewsportexpecttohear!

Theyeachoneturn’dhiseyestotheothershore,

Hefirst,whowasthehardesttopersuade.ThespiritofNavarrechosewellhistime,Plantedhisfeetonland,andatoneleapEscapingdisappointedtheirresolve.

Themquickresentmentstung,buthimthemost,Whowasthecauseoffailure;inpursuitHethereforesped,exclaiming:“Thouartcaught.”

Butlittleitavail’d:terroroutstripp’dHisfollowingflight:theotherplung’dbeneath,Andhewithupwardpinionrais’dhisbreast:E’enthusthewater-fowl,whensheperceivesThefalconnear,divesinstantdown,whileheEnrag’dandspentretires.ThatmockeryInCalcabrinafurystirr’d,whoflewAfterhim,withdesireofstrifeinflam’d;And,forthebartererhad‘scap’d,soturn’dHistalonsonhiscomrade.O’erthedykeIngrappleclosetheyjoin’d;buttheotherprov’d

Agoshawkabletorendwellhisfoe;

Andintheboilinglakebothfell.TheheatWasumpiresoonbetweenthem,butinvainToliftthemselvestheystrove,sofastweregluedTheirpennons.Barbariccia,astherest,Thatchancelamenting,fourinflightdispatch’dFromtheothercoast,withalltheirweaponsarm’d.They,totheirpostoneachsidespeedilyDescending,stretch’dtheirhookstowardthefiends,Whoflounder’d,inlyburningfromtheirscars:Andwedepartingleftthemtothatbroil.

CANTOXXIII

INsilenceandinsolitudewewent,Onefirst,theotherfollowinghissteps,Asminorfriarsjourneyingontheirroad.

Thepresentfrayhadturn’dmythoughtstomuseUponoldAesop’sfable,wherehetoldWhatfateuntothemouseandfrogbefell.Forlanguagehathnotsoundsmorelikeinsense,Thanarethesechances,iftheoriginAndendofeachbeheedfullycompar’d.Andasonethoughtburstsfromanotherforth,Soafterwardfromthatanothersprang,Whichaddeddoublytomyformerfear.ForthusIreason’d:“ThesethroughushavebeenSofoil’d,withlossandmock’rysocomplete,Asneedsmuststingthemsore.IfangerthenBetotheirevilwillconjoin’d,morefellTheyshallpursueus,thanthesavagehoundSnatchestheleveret,panting‘twixthisjaws.”

AlreadyIperceiv’dmyhairstandallOnendwithterror,andlook’deagerback.

“Teacher,”Ithusbegan,“ifspeedilyThyselfandmethouhidenot,muchIdreadThoseeviltalons.EvennowbehindTheyurgeus:quickimaginationworksSoforcibly,thatIalreadyfeelthem.”

Heanswer’d:“WereIform’dofleadedglass,IshouldnotsoonerdrawuntomyselfThyoutwardimage,thanInowimprintThatfromwithin.ThismomentcamethythoughtsPresentedbeforemine,withsimilaractAndcount’nancesimilar,sothatfrombothIonedesignhavefram’d.IftherightcoastInclinesomuch,thatwemaythencedescendIntotheotherchasm,weshallescapeSecurefromthisimaginedpursuit.”

Hehadnotspokehispurposetotheend,

WhenIfromfarbeheldthemwithspreadwingsApproachtotakeus.SuddenlymyguideCaughtme,ev’nasamotherthatfromsleepIsbythenoisearous’d,andnearherseesTheclimbingfires,whosnatchesupherbabeAndfliesne’erpausing,carefulmoreofhimThanofherself,thatbutasinglevestClingsroundherlimbs.DownfromthejuttingbeachSupinehecasthim,tothatpendentrock,Whichclosesononeparttheotherchasm.

NeverranwaterwithsuchhurryingpaceAdownthetubetoturnalandmill’swheel,Whennearestitapproachestothespokes,Asthenalongthatedgemymasterran,Carryingmeinhisbosom,asachild,Notacompanion.ScarcelyhadhisfeetReach’dtothelowestofthebedbeneath,

Whenoverusthesteeptheyreach’d;butfearInhimwasnone;forthathighProvidence,Whichplac’dthemministersofthefifthfoss,Powerofdepartingthencetookfromthemall.

Thereinthedepthwesawapaintedtribe,Whopac’dwithtardystepsaround,andwept,Faintinappearanceando’ercomewithtoil.Capshadtheyon,withhoods,thatfelllowdownBeforetheireyes,infashionliketothoseWornbythemonksinCologne.TheiroutsideWasoverlaidwithgold,dazzlingtoview,Butleadenallwithin,andofsuchweight,ThatFrederick’scompar’dtothesewerestraw.Oh,everlastingwearisomeattire!

Weyetoncemorewiththemtogetherturn’dToleftward,ontheirdismalmoanintent.Butbytheweightoppress’d,soslowlycameThefaintingpeople,thatourcompanyWaschang’dateverymovementofthestep.

WhenceImyguideaddress’d:“SeethatthoufindSomespirit,whosenamemaybyhisdeedsbeknown,Andtothatendlookroundtheeasthougo’st.”

Thenone,whounderstoodtheTuscanvoice,Criedafterusaloud:“Holdinyourfeet,Yewhososwiftlyspeedthroughtheduskair.Perchancefrommethoushaltobtainthywish.”

Whereatmyleader,turning,mebespake:“Pause,andthenonwardattheirpaceproceed.”

Istaid,andsawtwoSpiritsinwhoselookImpatienteagernessofmindwasmark’dToovertakeme;buttheloadtheybareAndnarrowpathretardedtheirapproach.

Soonasarriv’d,theywithaneyeaskancePerus’dme,butspakenot:thenturningeachTootherthusconferringsaid:“Thisone

Seems,bytheactionofhisthroat,alive.And,betheydead,whatprivilegeallowsTheywalkunmantledbythecumbrousstole?”

Thenthustome:“Tuscan,whovisitestThecollegeofthemourninghypocrites,Disdainnottoinstructuswhothouart.”

“ByArno’spleasantstream,”Ithusreplied,“InthegreatcityIwasbredandgrew,AndwearthebodyIhaveeverworn.butwhoareye,fromwhomsuchmightygrief,AsnowIwitness,coursethdownyourcheeks?Whattormentbreaksforthinthisbitterwoe?”“Ourbonnetsgleamingbrightwithorangehue,”Oneofthemanswer’d,“aresoleadengross,ThatwiththeirweighttheymakethebalancesTocrackbeneaththem.Joyousfriarswewere,Bologna’snatives,CatalanoI,

HeLoderingonam’d,andbythylandTogethertaken,asmenusedtotakeAsingleandindifferentarbiter,Toreconciletheirstrifes.Howtherewesped,Gardingo’svicinagecanbestdeclare.”

“Ofriars!”Ibegan,“yourmiseries—”Buttherebrakeoff,foronehadcaughtmyeye,Fix’dtoacrosswiththreestakesontheground:He,whenhesawme,writh’dhimself,throughoutDistorted,rufflingwithdeepsighshisbeard.AndCatalano,whothereofwas‘ware,

Thusspake:“Thatpiercedspirit,whomintent

Thouview’st,washewhogavethePhariseesCounsel,thatitwerefittingforonemanTosufferforthepeople.HedothlieTransverse;noranypasses,buthimfirstBehovesmakefeelingtrialhoweachweighs.Instraitslikethisalongthefossareplac’dThefatherofhisconsort,andtherestPartakersinthatcouncil,seedofillAndsorrowtotheJews.”Inotedthen,HowVirgilgaz’dwithwonderuponhim,ThusabjectlyextendedonthecrossInbanishmenteternal.TothefriarHenexthiswordsaddress’d:“Weprayyetell,Ifsobelawful,whetheronourrightLiesanyopeningintherock,wherebyWebothmayissuehence,withoutconstraintOnthedarkangels,thatcompell’dtheycomeToleadusfromthisdepth.”Hethusreplied:“Nearerthanthoudosthope,thereisarockFromthenextcirclemoving,whicho’erstepsEachvaleofhorror,savethatherehiscopeIsshatter’d.Bytheruinyemaymount:Foronthesideitslants,andmosttheheightRisesbelow.”WithheadbentdownawhileMyleaderstood,thenspake:“Hewarn’dusill,Whoyonderhangsthesinnersonhishook.”

Towhomthefriar:“AtBolognaerstImanyvicesofthedevilheard,Amongtherestwassaid,‘Heisaliar,Andthefatheroflies!’”Whenhehadspoke,Myleaderwithlargestridesproceededon,Somewhatdisturb’dwithangerinhislook.

Ithereforeleftthespiritsheavyladen,Andfollowing,hisbelovedfootstepsmark’d.

CANTOXXIV

INtheyear’searlynonage,whenthesunTempershistressesinAquarius’urn,Andnowtowardsequaldaythenightsrecede,WhenastherimeupontheearthputsonHerdazzlingsister’simage,butnotlongHermilderswayendures,thenrisethupThevillagehind,whomfailshiswintrystore,AndlookingoutbeholdstheplainaroundAllwhiten’d,whenceimpatientlyhesmitesHisthighs,andtohishutreturningin,Therepacestoandfro,wailinghislot,Asadiscomfitedandhelplessman;Thencomesheforthagain,andfeelsnewhopeSpringinhisbosom,findinge’enthussoonTheworldhathchang’ditscount’nance,graspshiscrook,Andforthtopasturedriveshislittleflock:Somemyguidedishearten’dwhenIsawHistroubledforehead,andsospeedilyThatillwascur’d;foratthefallenbridgeArriving,towardsmewithalookassweet,Heturn’dhimback,asthatIfirstbeheldAtthesteepmountain’sfoot.RegardingwellTheruin,andsomecounselfirstmaintain’dWithhisownthought,heopen’dwidehisarmAndtookmeup.Asone,who,whileheworks,Computeshislabour’sissue,thatheseemsStilltoforeseetheeffect,soliftingmeUptothesummitofonepeak,hefix’dHiseyeuponanother.“Grapplethat,”Saidhe,“butfirstmakeproof,ifitbesuchAswillsustainthee.”Foronecapp’dwithleadThiswerenojourney.Scarcelyhe,thoughlight,AndI,thoughonwardpush’dfromcragtocrag,Couldmount.AndiftheprecinctofthiscoastWerenotlessamplethanthelast,forhimIknownot,butmystrengthhadsurelyfail’d.ButMalebolgealltowardthemouthIncliningofthenethermostabyss,Thesiteofeveryvalleyhencerequires,Thatonesideupwardslope,theotherfall.

Atlengththepointofourdescentwereach’dFromthelastflag:soonastothatarriv’d,Sowasthebreathexhaustedfrommylungs,Icouldnofurther,butdidseatmethere.

“Nowneedsthybestofman;”sospakemyguide:“Fornotondownyplumes,norundershadeOfcanopyreposing,fameiswon,Withoutwhichwhosoe’erconsumeshisdaysLeavethsuchvestigeofhimselfonearth,Assmokeinairorfoamuponthewave.Thouthereforerise:vanishthywearinessBythemind’seffort,ineachstruggleform’dTovanquish,ifshesuffernottheweightOfhercorporealframetocrushherdown.Alongerladderyetremainstoscale.Fromthesetohaveescap’dsufficethnot.Ifwellthounoteme,profitbymywords.”

Istraightwayrose,andshow’dmyselflessspentThanIintruthdidfeelme.“On,”Icried,“ForIamstoutandfearless.”UptherockOurwayweheld,moreruggedthanbefore,Narrowerandsteeperfartoclimb.FromtalkIceas’dnot,aswejourney’d,sotoseemLeastfaint;whereatavoicefromtheotherfossDidissueforth,forutt’rancesuitedill.ThoughonthearchthatcrossesthereIstood,WhatwerethewordsIknewnot,butwhospakeSeem’dmov’dinanger.DownIstoop’dtolook,ButmyquickeyemightreachnottothedepthForshroudingdarkness;whereforethusIspake:“Tothenextcircle,Teacher,bendthysteps,Andfromthewalldismountwe;forashenceIhearandunderstandnot,soIseeBeneath,andnaughtdiscern.”—“Ianswernot,”Saidhe,“butbythedeed.TofairrequestSilentperformancemakethbestreturn.”

Wefromthebridge’sheaddescended,whereTotheeighthmounditjoins,andthenthechasmOpeningtoview,IsawacrowdwithinOfserpentsterrible,sostrangeofshapeAndhideous,thatremembranceinmyveinsYetshrinksthevitalcurrent.OfhersandsLetLybiavauntnomore:ifJaculus,

PareasandChelyderbeherbrood,CenchrisandAmphisboena,plaguessodireOrinsuchnumbersswarmingne’ersheshew’d,NotwithallEthiopia,andwhate’erAbovetheErythraeanseaisspawn’d.

AmidthisdreadexuberanceofwoeRannakedspiritswing’dwithhorridfear,Norhopehadtheyofcrevicewheretohide,Orheliotropetocharmthemoutofview.Withserpentsweretheirhandsbehindthembound,Whichthroughtheirreinsinfix’dthetailandheadTwistedinfoldsbefore.Andlo!ononeNeartoourside,dartedanadderup,And,wheretheneckisontheshoulderstied,Transpierc’dhim.Farmorequicklythane’erpenWroteOorI,hekindled,burn’d,andchang’dToashes,allpour’doutupontheearth.Whentheredissolv’dhelay,thedustagain

Uproll’dspontaneous,andtheself-sameformInstantresumed.Somightysagestell,TheArabianPhoenix,whenfivehundredyearsHavewellnighcircled,dies,andspringsforthwithRenascent.BladenorherbthroughouthislifeHetastes,buttearsoffrankincensealoneAndodorousamomum:swathsofnardAndmyrrhhisfuneralshroud.Asonethatfalls,Heknowsnothow,byforcedemoniacdragg’dToearth,orthroughobstructionfetteringupInchainsinvisiblethepowersofman,Who,risenfromhistrance,gazetharound,Bewilder’dwiththemonstrousagonyHehathendur’d,andwildlystaringsighs;Sostoodaghastthesinnerwhenherose.

Oh!howsevereGod’sjudgment,thatdealsoutSuchblowsinstormyvengeance!WhohewasMyteachernextinquir’d,andthusinfewHeanswer’d:“VanniFucciamIcall’d,NotlongsinceraineddownfromTuscanyTothisdiregullet.MethebeastiallifeAndnotthehumanpleas’d,mulethatIwas,WhoinPistoiafoundmyworthyden.”

IthentoVirgil:“Bidhimstirnothence,Andaskwhatcrimedidthrusthimhither:onceAmanIknewhimcholericandbloody.”

Thesinnerheardandfeign’dnot,buttowardsmeHisminddirectingandhisface,whereinWasdismalshamedepictur’d,thushespake:“ItgrievesmemoretohavebeencaughtbytheeInthissadplight,whichthoubeholdest,thanWhenIwastakenfromtheotherlife.IhavenopowerpermittedtodenyWhatthouinquirest.”Iamdoom’dthuslowTodwell,forthatthesacristybymeWasrifledofitsgoodlyornaments,Andwiththeguiltanotherfalselycharged.Butthatthoumaystnotjoytoseemethus,Soasthoue’ershalt‘scapethisdarksomerealmOpenthineearsandhearwhatIforebode.ReftoftheNerifirstPistoiapines,ThenFlorencechangethcitizensandlaws.FromValdimagra,drawnbywrathfulMars,

Avapourrises,wraptinturbidmists,AndsharpandeagerdrivethonthestormWitharrowyhurtlingo’erPiceno’sfield,Whencesuddenlythecloudshallburst,andstrikeEachhelplessBiancoprostratetotheground.ThishaveItold,thatgriefmayrendthyheart.”

CANTOXXV

WHENhehadspoke,thesinnerrais’dhishandsPointedinmockery,andcried:“Takethem,God!Ilevelthematthee!”FromthatdayforthTheserpentsweremyfriends;forroundhisneckOneofthenrollingtwisted,asitsaid,“Besilent,tongue!”AnothertohisarmsUpgliding,tiedthem,rivetingitselfSoclose,ittookfromthemthepowertomove.

Pistoia!AhPistoia!whydostdoubtToturntheeintoashes,cumb’ringearthNolonger,sinceinevilactsofarThouhastoutdonethyseed?Ididnotmark,Throughallthegloomycirclesoftheabyss,Spirit,thatswell’dsoproudly‘gainsthisGod,Nothim,whoheadlongfellfromThebes.Hefled,Norutter’dmore;andafterhimtherecameAcentaurfulloffury,shouting,“WhereWhereisthecaitiff?”OnMaremma’smarshSwarmnottheserpenttribe,asonhishaunchTheyswarm’d,towherethehumanfacebegins.Behindhisheadupontheshoulderslay,Withopenwings,adragonbreathingfireOnwhomsoe’erhemet.Tomemyguide:“Cacusisthis,whounderneaththerockOfAventinespreadoftalakeofblood.He,fromhisbrethrenparted,heremusttreadAdifferentjourney,forhisfraudfultheftOfthegreatherd,thatnearhimstall’d;whencefoundHisfelondeedstheirend,beneaththemaceOfstoutAlcides,thatperchancelaidonAhundredblows,andnotthetenthwasfelt.”

Whileyethespake,thecentaurspedaway:Andunderusthreespiritscame,ofwhomNorInorhewasware,tilltheyexclaim’d;“Saywhoareye?”Wethenbrakeoffdiscourse,Intentonthesealone.Iknewthemnot;But,asitchancethoft,befell,thatoneHadneedtonameanother.“Where,”saidhe,“DothCianfalurk?”I,forasignmyguide

Shouldstandattentive,plac’dagainstmylipsThefingerlifted.If,Oreader!nowThoubenotapttocreditwhatItell,Nomarvel;formyselfdoscarceallowThewitnessofmineeyes.ButasIlookedTowardthem,lo!aserpentwithsixfeetSpringsforthonone,andfastensfulluponhim:Hismidmostgrasp’dthebelly,aforefootSeiz’doneacharm(whiledeepineithercheekHeflesh’dhisfangs);thehinderonthethighsWerespread,‘twixtwhichthetailinsertedcurl’dUponthereinsbehind.Ivyne’erclasp’dAdodder’doak,asroundtheother’slimbsThehideousmonsterintertwin’dhisown.Then,astheybothhadbeenofburningwax,Eachmeltedintoother,minglinghues,Thatwhichwaseithernowwasseennomore.Thusuptheshrinkingpaper,ereitburns,Abrowntintglides,notturningyettoblack,Andthecleanwhiteexpires.TheothertwoLook’donexclaiming:“Ah,howdostthouchange,Agnello!See!Thouartnordoublenow,

“Noronlyone.”ThetwoheadsnowbecameOne,andtwofiguresblendedinoneformAppear’d,wherebothwerelost.OfthefourlengthsTwoarmsweremade:thebellyandthechestThethighsandlegsintosuchmemberschang’d,Asnevereyehathseen.OfformershapeAlltracewasvanish’d.Twoyetneitherseem’dThatimagemiscreate,andsopass’donWithtardysteps.AsunderneaththescourgeOfthefiercedog-star,thatlaysbarethefields,Shiftingfrombraketobrake,thelizardseemsAflashoflightning,ifhethwarttheroad,Sotowardth’entrailsoftheothertwoApproachingseem’d,anadderallonfire,Asthedarkpepper-grain,lividandswart.Inthatpart,whenceourlifeisnourish’dfirst,Onehetranspierc’d;thendownbeforehimfellStretch’dout.Thepiercedspiritlook’donhim

Butspakenot;yeastoodmotionlessandyawn’d,Asifbysleeporfev’rousfitassail’d.Heey’dtheserpent,andtheserpenthim.Onefromthewound,theotherfromthemouthBreath’dathicksmoke,whosevap’rycolumnsjoin’d.

Lucaninmuteattentionnowmayhear,Northydisastrousfate,Sabellus!tell,Norshine,Nasidius!Ovidnowbemute.WhatifinwarblingfictionherecordCadmusandArethusa,toasnakeHimchang’d,andherintoafountainclear,Ienvynot;forneverfacetofaceTwonaturesthustransmuteddidhesing,WhereinbothshapeswerereadytoassumeTheother’ssubstance.TheyinmutualguiseSoanswer’d,thattheserpentsplithistrainDividedtoafork,andthepierc’dspiritDrewclosehisstepstogether,legsandthighsCompacted,thatnosignofjuncturesoonWasvisible:thetaildispartedtookThefigurewhichthespiritlost,itsskinSoft’ning,hisinduratedtoarind.TheshouldersnextImark’d,thatent’ringjoin’dThemonster’sarm-pits,whosetwoshorterfeetSolengthen’d,astheother’sdwindlingshrunk.ThefeetbehindthentwistingupbecameThatpartthatmanconceals,whichinthewretchWascleftintwain.WhileboththeshadowysmokeWithanewcolourveils,andgeneratesTh’excrescentpileonone,peelingitoffFromth’otherbody,lo!uponhisfeetOneuprightrose,andpronetheotherfell.NotyettheirglaringandmalignantlampsWereshifted,thougheachfeaturechang’dbeneath.Ofhimwhostooderect,themountingfaceRetreatedtowardsthetemples,andwhatthereSuperfluousmattercame,shotoutinearsFromthesmoothcheeks,therest,notbackwarddragg’d,Ofitsexcessdidshapethenose;andswell’dIntoduesizeprotuberantthelips.He,ontheearthwholay,meanwhileextendsHissharpen’dvisage,anddrawsdowntheearsIntothehead,asdoththeslughishorns.HistonguecontinuousbeforeandaptForutt’rance,severs;andtheother’sfork

Closingunites.Thatdonethesmokewaslaid.Thesoul,transform’dintothebrute,glidesoff,Hissingalongthevale,andafterhimTheothertalkingsputters;butsoonturn’dHisnew-grownshouldersonhim,andinfewThustoanotherspake:“AlongthispathCrawling,asIhavedone,speedBuosonow!”

SosawIfluctuateinsuccessivechangeTh’unsteadyballastoftheseventhhold:Andhereifaughtmytonguehaveswerv’d,eventsSostrangemaybeitswarrant.O’ermineeyesConfusionhung,andonmythoughtsamaze.

Yet‘scap’dtheynotsocovertly,butwellImark’dSciancato:healoneitwasOfthethreefirstthatcame,whochang’dnot:thou,Theother’sfate,Gaville,stilldostrue.

CANTOXXVI

FLORENCEexult!forthousomightilyHastthriven,thato’erlandandseathywingsThoubeatest,andthynamespreadsoverhell!Amongtheplund’rerssuchthethreeIfoundThycitizens,whenceshametomethyson,Andnoproudhonourtothyselfredounds.

Butifourminds,whendreamingnearthedawn,Areofthetruthpresageful,thouerelongShaltfeelwhatPrato,(nottosaytherest)Wouldfainmightcomeuponthee;andthatchanceWereingoodtime,ifitbefelltheenow.Wouldsoitwere,sinceitmustneedsbefall!Forastimewearsme,Ishallgrievethemore.

Wefromthedepthdeparted;andmyguideRemountingscal’dtheflintysteps,whichlateWedownwardtrac’d,anddrewmeupthesteep.PursuingthusoursolitarywayAmongthecragsandsplintersoftherock,Spednotourfeetwithoutthehelpofhands.

Thensorrowseiz’dme,whiche’ennowrevives,AsmythoughtturnsagaintowhatIsaw,And,morethanIamwont,IreinandcurbThepowersofnatureinme,lesttheyrunWhereVirtueguidesnot;thatifaughtofgoodMygentlestar,orsomethingbettergaveme,Ienvynotmyselfthepreciousboon.

Asinthatseason,whenthesunleastveilsHisfacethatlightensall,whattimetheflyGiveswaytotheshrillgnat,thepeasantthenUponsomecliffreclin’d,beneathhimseesFire-fliesinnumerousspanglingo’erthevale,Vineyardortilth,wherehisday-labourlies:WithflamessonumberlessthroughoutitsspaceShonetheeighthchasm,apparent,whenthedepthWastomyviewexpos’d.Ashe,whosewrongsThebearsaveng’d,atitsdeparturesawElijah’schariot,whenthesteedserect

Rais’dtheirsteepflightforheav’n;hiseyesmeanwhile,Strainingpursu’dthem,tilltheflamealoneUpsoaringlikeamistyspeckhekenn’d;E’enthusalongthegulfmoveseveryflame,Asinnersoenfoldedcloseineach,Thatnoneexhibitstokenofthetheft.

UponthebridgeIforwardbenttolook,Andgrasp’daflintymass,orelsehadfall’n,Thoughpush’dnotfromtheheight.Theguide,whomark’dHowIdidgazeattentive,thusbegan:

“Withintheseardoursarethespirits,eachSwath’dinconfiningfire.”—“Master,thyword,”

Ianswer’d,“hathassur’dme;yetIdeem’dAlreadyofthetruth,alreadywish’dToaskthee,whoisinyonfire,thatcomesSopartedatthesummit,asitseem’dAscendingfromthatfuneralpile,wherelayTheThebanbrothers?”Hereplied:“WithinUlyssesthereandDiomedeendureTheirpenaltortures,thustovengeancenowTogetherhasting,aserewhiletowrath.TheseintheflamewithceaselessgroansdeploreTheambushofthehorse,thatopen’dwideAportalforthatgoodlyseedtopass,Whichsow’dimperialRome;norlesstheguileLamentthey,whenceofherAchilles‘reftDeidamiayetindeathcomplains.Andthereisruedthestratagem,thatTroyOfherPalladiumspoil’d.”—“IftheyhavepowerOfutt’rancefromwithinthesesparks,”saidI,“Omaster!thinkmyprayerathousandfoldInrepetitionurg’d,thatthouvouchsafeTopause,tillherethehornedflamearrive.See,howtowarditwithdesireIbend.”

Hethus:“Thyprayerisworthyofmuchpraise,AndIacceptittherefore:butdothouThytonguerefrain:toquestionthembemine,ForIdivinethywish:andtheyperchance,FortheywereGreeks,mightshundiscoursewiththee.”

Whentheretheflamehadcome,wheretimeandplaceSeem’dfittingtomyguide,hethusbegan:“Oye,whodwelltwospiritsinonefire!IflivingIofyoudidmeritaught,Whate’erthemeasurewereofthatdesert,WhenintheworldmyloftystrainIpour’d,Moveyenoton,tilloneofyouunfoldInwhatclimedeatho’ertookhimself-destroy’d.”

OftheoldflameforthwiththegreaterhornBegantoroll,murmuring,asafireThatlabourswiththewind,thentoandfroWaggingthetop,asatongueutteringsounds,Threwoutitsvoice,andspake:“WhenIescap’dFromCirce,whobeyondacirclingyearHadheldmenearCaieta,byhercharms,ErethusAeneasyethadnam’dtheshore,

Norfondnessformyson,norreverenceOfmyoldfather,norreturnoflove,Thatshouldhavecrown’dPenelopewithjoy,CouldovercomeinmethezealIhadT’exploretheworld,andsearchthewaysoflife,Man’sevilandhisvirtue.ForthIsail’dIntothedeepillimitablemain,Withbutonebark,andthesmallfaithfulbandThatyetcleav’dtome.AsIberiafar,FarasMoroccoeithershoreIsaw,AndtheSardinianandeachislebesideWhichroundthatoceanbathes.TardywithageWereIandmycompanions,whenwecameTothestraitpass,whereHerculesordain’dThebound’riesnottobeo’erstepp’dbyman.ThewallsofSevilletomyrightIleft,OntheotherhandalreadyCeutapast.“Obrothers!”Ibegan,“whotothewestThroughperilswithoutnumbernowhavereach’d,Tothistheshortremainingwatch,thatyetOursenseshavetowake,refusenotproofOftheunpeopledworld,followingthetrackOfPhoebus.Calltomindfromwhencewesprang:Yewerenotform’dtolivethelifeofbrutesButvirtuetopursueandknowledgehigh.”WiththesefewwordsIsharpen’dforthevoyageThemindofmyassociates,thatIthenCouldscarcelyhavewithheldthem.TothedawnOurpoopweturn’d,andforthewitlessflightMadeouroarswings,stillgainingontheleft.Eachstaroftheotherpolenightnowbeheld,Andourssolow,thatfromtheocean-floorItrosenot.Fivetimesre-illum’d,asoftVanish’dthelightfromunderneaththemoonSincethedeepwayweenter’d,whenfromfarAppear’damountaindim,loftiestmethoughtOfallIe’erbeheld.Joyseiz’dusstraight,Butsoontomourningchanged.FromthenewlandAwhirlwindsprung,andatherforemostsideDidstrikethevessel.Thriceitwhirl’dherroundWithallthewaves,thefourthtimeliftedupThepoop,andsanktheprow:sofatedecreed:Andoverustheboomingbillowclos’d.”

CANTOXVII

NOWupwardrosetheflame,andstill’ditslightTospeaknomore,andnowpass’donwithleaveFromthemildpoetgain’d,whenfollowingcameAnother,fromwhosetopasoundconfus’d,Forthissuing,drewoureyesthatwaytolook.

AstheSicilianbull,thatrightfullyHiscriesfirstechoed,whohadshap’ditsmould,Didsorebellow,withthevoiceofhimTormented,thatthebrazenmonsterseem’dPierc’dthroughwithpain;thuswhilenowaytheyfoundNoravenueimmediatethroughtheflame,Intoitslanguageturn’dthedismalwords:Butsoonastheyhadwontheirpassageforth,Upfromthepoint,whichvibratingobey’dTheirmotionatthetongue,thesesoundsweheard:“Othou!towhomInowdirectmyvoice!ThatlatelydidstexclaiminLombardphrase,

‘Departthou,Isolicittheenomore,’ThoughsomewhattardyIperchancearriveLetitnotirktheeheretopauseawhile,Andwithmeparley:lo!itirksnotmeAndyetIburn.Ifbute’ennowthoufallintothisblindworld,fromthatpleasantlandOfLatium,whenceIdrawmysumofguilt,Tellmeifthose,whoinRomagnadwell,Havepeaceorwar.ForofthemountainsthereWasI,betwixtUrbinoandtheheight,WhenceTyberfirstunlockshismightyflood.”

LeaningIlisten’dyetwithheedfulear,When,ashetouch’dmyside,theleaderthus:“Speakthou:heisaLatian.”MyreplyWasready,andIspakewithoutdelay:

“Ospirit!whoarthiddenherebelow!NeverwasthyRomagnawithoutwarInherproudtyrants’bosoms,norisnow:ButopenwarthereleftInone.Thestate,Ravennahathmaintain’dthismanyayear,

Issteadfast.TherePolenta’seaglebroods,AndinhisbroadcircumferenceofplumeO’ershadowsCervia.ThegreentalonsgraspTheland,thatstooderewhiletheproofsolong,Andpil’dinbloodyheapthehostofFrance.

“TheoldmastiffofVerruchioandtheyoung,ThattoreMontagnaintheirwrath,stillmake,Wheretheyarewont,anaugreoftheirfangs.

“Lamone’scityandSanterno’srangeUnderthelionofthesnowylair.Inconstantpartisan!thatchangethsides,Oreversummeryieldstowinter’sfrost.Andshe,whoseflankiswash’dofSavio’swave,As‘twixtthelevelandthesteepshelies,Livesso‘twixttyrantpowerandliberty.

“Nowtellus,Ientreatthee,whoartthou?Benotmorehardthanothers.Intheworld,Somaythynamestillrearitsforeheadhigh.”

Thenroar’dawhilethefire,itssharpen’dpointOneithersidewav’d,andthusbreath’datlast:“IfIdidthink,myanswerweretoone,Whoevercouldreturnuntotheworld,Thisflameshouldrestunshaken.Butsincene’er,Iftruebetoldme,anyfromthisdepthHasfoundhisupwardway,Ianswerthee,Norfearlestinfamyrecordthewords.

“Amanofarmsatfirst,Icloth’dmethenIngoodSaintFrancis’girdle,hopingsoT’havemadeamends.AndcertainlymyhopeHadfail’dnot,butthathe,whomcurseslighton,Thehighpriestagainseduc’dmeintosin.AndhowandwhereforelistenwhileItell.Longasthisspiritmov’dthebonesandpulpMymothergaveme,lessmydeedsbespakeThenatureofthelionthanthefox.AllwaysofwindingsubtletyIknew,Andwithsuchartconducted,thatthesoundReach’dtheworld’slimit.SoonastothatpartOflifeIfoundmecome,wheneachbehovesTolowersailsandgatherinthelines;ThatwhichbeforehadpleasedmethenIrued,

Andtorepentanceandconfessionturn’d;WretchthatIwas!andwellithadbestedme!ThechiefofthenewPhariseesmeantime,WaginghiswarfareneartheLateran,NotwiththeSaracensorJews(hisfoesAllChristianswere,noragainstAcreoneHadfought,nortraffic’dintheSoldan’sland),HehisgreatchargenorsacredministryInhimself,rev’renc’d,norinmethatcord,Whichus’dtomarkwithleannesswhomitgirded.AsinSocrate,ConstantinebesoughtTocurehisleprosySylvester’said,SometocurethefeverofhisprideThismanbesought:mycounseltothatendHeask’d:andIwassilent:forhiswordsSeem’ddrunken:butforthwithhethusresum’d:“Fromthyheartbanishfear:ofalloffenceIhithertoabsolvethee.Inreturn,Teachmemypurposesotoexecute,ThatPenestrinocumberearthnomore.Heav’n,asthouknowest,IhavepowertoshutAndopen:andthekeysarethereforetwain,Thewhichmypredecessormeanlypriz’d.”

Then,yieldingtotheforcefularguments,OfsilenceasmoreperilousIdeem’d,Andanswer’d:“Father!sincethouwashestmeClearofthatguiltwhereinInowmustfall,Largepromisewithperformancescant,besure,Shallmaketheetriumphinthyloftyseat.”

“WhenIwasnumber’dwiththedead,thencameSaintFrancisforme;butacherubdarkHemet,whocried:“‘Wrongmenot;heismine,Andmustbelowtojointhewretchedcrew,Forthedeceitfulcounselwhichhegave.E’ersinceIwatch’dhim,hov’ringathishair,Nopowercantheimpenitentabsolve;Nortorepentandwillatonceconsist,Bycontradictionabsoluteforbid.”Ohmis’ry!howIshookmyself,whenheSeiz’dme,andcried,“Thouhaplythought’stmenotAdisputantinlogicsoexact.”ToMinosdownheboreme,andthejudgeTwin’deighttimesroundhiscallousbackthetail,Whichbitingwithexcessofrage,hespake:

‘Thisisaguiltysoul,thatinthefireMustvanish.’Henceperdition-doom’dIroveApreytoranklingsorrowinthisgarb.”

Whenhehadthusfulfill’dhiswords,theflameIndolourparted,beatingtoandfro,Andwrithingitssharphorn.Weonwardwent,Iandmyleader,upalongtherock,Farasanotherarch,thatoverhangsThefoss,whereinthepenaltyispaidOfthose,wholoadthemwithcommittedsin.

CANTOXXVIII

WHO,e’eninwordsunfetter’d,mightatfullTellofthewoundsandbloodthatnowIsaw,Thoughherepeatedoftthetale?NotongueSovastathemecouldequal,speechandthoughtBothimpotentalike.IfinonebandCollected,stoodthepeopleall,whoe’erPour’donApulia’shappysoiltheirblood,SlainbytheTrojans,andinthatlongwarWhenoftheringsthemeasur’dbootymadeApilesohigh,asRome’shistorianwritesWhoerrsnot,withthemultitude,thatfeltThegrindingforceofGuiscard’sNormansteel,Andthosetherest,whosebonesaregather’dyetAtCeperano,therewheretreacheryBrandedth’Apulianname,orwherebeyondThywalls,OTagliacozzo,withoutarmsTheoldAlardoconquer’d;andhislimbsOneweretoshowtranspierc’d,anotherhisCleanloptaway;aspectaclelikethisWerebutathingofnought,tothehideoussightOftheninthchasm.Arundlet,thathathlostItsmiddleorsidestave,gapesnotsowide,AsoneImark’d,tornfromthechinthroughoutDowntothehinderpassage:‘twixtthelegsDanglinghisentrailshung,themidrifflayOpentoview,andwretchedventricle,Thatturnsth’engluttedalimenttodross.

WhilsteagerlyIfixonhimmygaze,Heey’dme,withhishandslaidhisbreastbare,Andcried;“NowmarkhowIdoripme!lo!

“HowisMohammedmangled!beforemeWalksAliweeping,fromthechinhisfaceClefttotheforelock;andtheothersallWhomherethouseest,whiletheyliv’d,didsowScandalandschism,andthereforethusarerent.Afiendisherebehind,whowithhisswordHacksusthuscruelly,sliveringagainEachofthisream,whenwehavecompastroundThedismalway,forfirstourgashescloseErewerepassbeforehim.ButsaywhoArtthou,thatstandestmusingontherock,HaplysolingeringtodelaythepainSentenc’duponthycrimes?”—“Himdeathnotyet,”Myguiderejoin’d,“hathoverta’en,norsinConductstotorment;but,thathemaymakeFulltrialofyourstate,IwhoamdeadMustthroughthedepthsofhell,fromorbtoorb,Conducthim.Trustmywords,fortheyaretrue.”

Morethanahundredspirits,whenthattheyheard,Stoodinthefosstomarkme,throughamazed,Forgetfuloftheirpangs.“Thou,whoperchanceShaltshortlyviewthesun,thiswarningthouBeartoDolcino:bidhim,ifhewishnotHeresoontofollowme,thatwithgoodstoreOffoodhearmhim,lestimpris’ningsnowsYieldhimavictimtoNovara’spower,Noeasyconquestelse.”Withfootuprais’dForstepping,spakeMohammed,onthegroundThenfix’dittodepart.Anothershade,Pierc’dinthethroat,hisnostrilsmutilateE’enfrombeneaththeeyebrows,andoneearLoptoff,whowiththerestthroughwonderstoodGazing,beforetherestadvanc’d,andbar’dHiswind-pipe,thatwithoutwasallo’ersmear’dWithcrimsonstain.“Othou!”said‘he,“whomsinCondemnsnot,andwhomerst(unlesstoonearResemblancedodeceiveme)IaloftHaveseenonLatianground,callthoutomindPieroofMedicina,ifagainReturning,thoubehold’stthepleasantlandThatfromVercellislopestoMercabo;

“Andthereinstructthetwain,whomFanoboastsHerworthiestsons,GuidoandAngelo,Thatif‘tisgiv’nusheretoscanarightThefuture,theyoutoflife’stenementShallbecastforth,andwhelm’dunderthewavesNeartoCattolica,throughperfidyOfafelltyrant.‘TwixttheCyprianisleAndBalearic,ne’erhathNeptuneseenAninjurysofoul,bypiratesdoneOrArgivecrewofold.Thatone-ey’dtraitor(WhoserealmthereisaspiritherewerefainHiseyehadstilllack’dsightof)themshallbringToconf’rencewithhim,thensoshapehisend,Thattheyshallneednot‘gainstFocara’swindOfferupvownorpray’r.”Iansweringthus:

“Declare,asthoudostwishthatIaboveMaycarrytidingsofthee,whoishe,Inwhomthatsightdothwakesuchsadremembrance?”

Forthwithhelaidhishandonthecheek-boneOfone,hisfellow-spirit,andhisjawsExpanding,cried:“Lo!thisisheIwotof;

Hespeaksnotforhimself:theoutcastthisWhooverwhelm’dthedoubtinCaesar’smind,Affirmingthatdelaytomenprepar’dWaseverharmful.“OhhowterrifiedMethoughtwasCurio,fromwhosethroatwascutThetongue,whichspakethathardyword.ThenoneMaim’dofeachhand,upliftedinthegloomThebleedingstumps,thattheywithgoryspotsSulliedhisface,andcried:‘RemembertheeOfMosca,too,Iwho,alas!exclaim’d,“Thedeedoncedonethereisanend,”thatprov’dAseedofsorrowtotheTuscanrace.”

Iadded:“Ay,anddeathtothineowntribe.”

Whenceheapingwoeonwoehehurriedoff,Asonegrief-stungtomadness.ButIthereStilllinger’dtobeholdthetroop,andsawThings,suchasImayfearwithoutmoreproofTotellof,butthatconsciencemakesmefirm,Thebooncompanion,whoherstrongbreast-plateBucklesonhim,thatfeelsnoguiltwithinAndbidshimonandfearnot.WithoutdoubtIsaw,andyetitseemstopassbeforeme,Aheadlesstrunk,thatevenastherestOfthesadflockpac’donward.BythehairItborethesever’dmember,lantern-wisePendentinhand,whichlook’datusandsaid,

“Woe’sme!”Thespiritlightedthushimself,Andtwotherewereinone,andoneintwo.Howthatmaybeheknowswhoorderethso.

Whenatthebridge’sfootdirecthestood,Hisarmaloftherear’d,thrustingtheheadFullinourview,thatnearerwemighthearThewords,whichthusitutter’d:“NowbeholdThisgrievoustorment,thou,whobreathinggo’stTospythedead;beholdifanyelseBeterribleasthis.AndthatonearthThoumaystbeartidingsofme,knowthatIAmBertrand,heofBorn,whogaveKingJohnThecounselmischievous.FatherandsonIsetatmutualwar.ForAbsalomAndDavidmoredidnotAhitophel,Spurringthemonmaliciouslytostrife.Forpartingthosesocloselyknit,mybrain

Parted,alas!Icarryfromitssource,Thatinthistrunkinhabits.ThusthelawOfretributionfiercelyworksinme.”

CANTOXXIX

SOweremineeyesinebriatewithviewOfthevastmultitude,whomvariouswoundsDisfigur’d,thattheylong’dtostayandweep.

ButVirgilrous’dme:“Whatyetgazeston?WhereforedothfastenyetthysightbelowAmongthemaim’dandmiserableshades?ThouhastnotshewninanychasmbesideThisweakness.Know,ifthouwouldstnumberthem

ThattwoandtwentymilesthevalleywindsItscircuit,andalreadyisthemoonBeneathourfeet:thetimepermittednowIsshort,andmorenotseenremainstosee.”

“Ifthou,”Istraightreplied,“hadstweigh’dthecauseForwhichIlook’d,thouhadstperchanceexcus’dThetarryingstill.”Myleaderpartpursu’dHisway,thewhileIfollow’d,answeringhim,Andaddingthus:“WithinthatcaveIdeem,WhereonsofixedlyIheldmyken,Thereisaspiritdwells,oneofmyblood,Wailingthecrimethatcostshimnowsodear.”

Thenspakemymaster:“LetthysoulnomoreAfflictitselfforhim.DirectelsewhereItsthought,andleavehim.Atthebridge’sfootImark’dhowhedidpointwithmenacinglookAtthee,andheardhimbytheothersnam’dGeriofBello.ThousowhollythenWertbusiedwithhisspirit,whooncerul’dThetowersofHautefort,thatthoulookedstnotThatway,erehewasgone.”—“Oguidebelov’d!Hisviolentdeathyetunaveng’d,”saidI,“Byany,whoarepartnersinhisshame,Madehimcontemptuous:therefore,asIthink,Hepass’dmespeechlessby;anddoingsoHathmadememorecompassionatehisfate.”

Sowediscours’dtowheretherockfirstshow’dTheothervalley,hadmorelightbeenthere,E’entothelowestdepth.SoonaswecameO’erthelastcloisterinthedismalroundsOfMalebolge,andthebrotherhoodWeretoourviewexpos’d,thenmanyadartOfsorelamentassail’dme,headedallWithpointsofthrillingpity,thatIclos’dBothearsagainstthevolleywithminehands.

Aswerethetorment,ifeachlazar-houseOfValdichiana,inthesultrytime‘TwixtJulyandSeptember,withtheisleSardiniaandMaremma’spestilentfen,Hadheap’dtheirmaladiesallinonefossTogether;suchwasherethetorment:direThestench,asissuingsteamsfromfester’dlimbs.

WeontheutmostshoreofthelongrockDescendedstilltoleftward.ThenmysightWasliveliertoexplorethedepth,whereinTheministerofthemostmightyLord,All-searchingJustice,doomstopunishmentTheforgersnotedonherdreadrecord.

MoreruefulwasitnotmethinkstoseeThenationinAeginadroop,whattimeEachlivingthing,e’entothelittleworm,Allfell,sofullofmalicewastheair(Andafterward,asbardsofyorehavetold,

Theancientpeoplewererestor’danewFromseedofemmets)thanwasheretoseeThespirits,thatlanguish’dthroughthemurkyvaleUp-pil’donmanyastack.Confus’dtheylay,Oneo’erthebelly,o’ertheshouldersoneRoll’dofanother;sidelingcrawl’dathirdAlongthedismalpathway.StepbystepWejourney’don,insilencelookingroundAndlist’ningthosediseas’d,whostroveinvainTolifttheirforms.ThentwoImark’d,thatsatPropp’d‘gainsteachother,astwobrazenpansSettoretaintheheat.Fromheadtofoot,Atetterbark’dthemround.NorsawIe’erGroomcurryingsofast,forwhomhislordImpatientwaited,orhimselfperchanceTir’dwithlongwatching,asoftheseeachonePliedquicklyhiskeennails,throughfuriousnessOfne’erabatedpruriency.ThecrustCamedrawnfromunderneathinflakes,likescalesScrap’dfromthebreamorfishofbroadermail.

“Othou,whowiththyfingersrendestoffThycoatofproof,”thusspakemyguidetoone,“Andsometimesmakesttearingpincersofthem,TellmeifanybornofLatianlandBeamongthesewithin:somaythynailsServetheeforeverlastingtothistoil.”

“BothareofLatium,”weepinghereplied,“Whomtortur’dthusthouseest:butwhoartthouThathastinquir’dofus?”Towhommyguide:“Onethatdescendwiththisman,whoyetlives,Fromrocktorock,andshowhimhell’sabyss.”

Thenstartedtheyasunder,andeachturn’dTremblingtowardus,withtherest,whoseearThosewordsredoundingstruck.TomemyliegeAddress’dhim:“Speaktothemwhate’erthoulist.”

AndItherewithbegan:“SomaynotimeFilchyourremembrancefromthethoughtsofmenInth’upperworld,butaftermanysunsSurviveit,asyetellme,whoyeare,Andofwhatraceyecome.Yourpunishment,Unseemlyanddisgustfulinitskind,Deteryounotfromopeningthusmuchtome.”

“Arezzowasmydwelling,”answer’done,“AndmeAlberoofSiennabroughtTodiebyfire;butthat,forwhichIdied,Leadsmenothere.TrueisinsportItoldhim,ThatIhadlearn’dtowingmyflightinair.Andheadmiringmuch,ashewasvoidOfwisdom,will’dmetodeclaretohimThesecretofmineart:andonlyhence,BecauseImadehimnotaDaedalus,Prevail’dononesuppos’dhissiretoburnme.ButMinostothischasmlastoftheten,ForthatIpractis’dalchemyonearth,Hasdoom’dme.Himnosubterfugeeludes.”

ThentothebardIspake:“WaseverraceLightasSienna’s?SurenotFranceherselfCanshowatribesofrivolousandvain.”

Theotherleprousspiritheardmywords,

Andthusreturn’d:“BeStriccafromthischargeExempted,hewhoknewsotemp’ratelyTolayoutfortune’sgifts;andNiccoloWhofirstthespice’scostlyluxuryDiscover’dinthatgarden,wheresuchseedRootsdeepestinthesoil:andbethattroopExempted,withwhomCacciaofAscianoLavish’dhisvineyardsandwide-spreadingwoods,AndhisrarewisdomAbbagliatoshow’dAspectacleforall.ThatthoumaystknowWhosecondstheeagainsttheSienneseThusgladly,bendthiswaythysharpen’dsight,Thatwellmyfacemayanswertothyken;SoshaltthouseeIamCapocchio’sghost,Whoforg’dtransmutedmetalsbythepowerOfalchemy;andifIscantheeright,ThusneedsmustwellrememberhowIapedCreativenaturebymysubtleart.”

CANTOXXX

WHATtimeresentmentburn’dinJuno’sbreastForSemeleagainsttheThebanblood,Asmorethanonceindiremischancewasrued,Suchfatalfrenzyseiz’donAthamas,ThathehisspousebeholdingwithababeLadenoneitherarm,“Spreadout,”hecried,“Themeshes,thatItakethelionessAndtheyounglionsatthepass:”thenforthStretch’dhehismercilesstalons,graspingone,Onehelplessinnocent,Learchusnam’d,Whomswingingdownhedash’duponarock,Andwithherotherburdenself-destroy’dThehaplessmotherplung’d:andwhentheprideOfall-presumingTroyfellfromitsheight,Byfortuneoverwhelm’d,andtheoldkingWithhisrealmperish’d,thendidHecuba,Awretchforlornandcaptive,whenshesawPolyxenafirstslaughter’d,andherson,HerPolydorus,onthewildsea-beachNextmetthemourner’sview,thenreftofsenseDidsherunbarkingevenasadog;Suchmightypowerhadgrieftowrenchhersoul.Betne’ertheFuriesorofThebesorTroyWithsuchfellcrueltywereseen,theirgoadsInfixinginthelimbsofmanorbeast,AsnowtwopaleandnakedghostIsawThatgnarlingwildlyscamper’d,liketheswineExcludedfromhisstye.Onereach’dCapocchio,Andintheneck-jointstickingdeephisfangs,Dragg’dhim,thato’erthesolidpavementrubb’dHisbellystretch’doutprone.Theothershape,HeofArezzo,therelefttrembling,spake;“ThatspriteofairisSchicchi;inlikemoodOfrandommischiefventshestillhisspite.”

TowhomIansw’ring:“Oh!asthoudosthope,Theothermaynotfleshitsjawsonthee,Bepatienttoinformus,whoitis,Ereitspeedhence.”—“ThatistheancientsoulOfwretchedMyrrha,”hereplied,“whoburn’dWithmostunholyflameforherownsire,

“Andafalseshapeassuming,soperform’dThedeedofsin;e’enastheotherthere,Thatonwardpasses,dar’dtocounterfeitDonati’sfeatures,tofeign’dtestamentThesealaffixing,thathimselfmightgain,Forhisownshare,theladyoftheherd.”

Whenvanish’dthetwofuriousshades,onwhomMineeyewasheld,Iturn’ditbacktoviewTheothercursedspirits.OneIsawInfashionlikealute,hadbutthegroinBeensever’d,whereitmeetstheforkedpart.Swolndropsy,disproportioningthelimbsWithill-convertedmoisture,thatthepaunchSuitsnotthevisage,open’dwidehislipsGaspingasinthehecticmanfordrought,Onetowardsthechin,theotherupwardcurl’d.

“Oye,whointhisworldofmisery,WhereforeIknownot,areexemptfrompain,”Thushebegan,“attentivelyregardAdamo’swoe.Whenliving,fullsupplyNe’erlack’dmeofwhatmostIcoveted;Onedropofwaternow,alas!Icrave.Therills,thatglitterdownthegrassyslopesOfCasentino,makingfreshandsoftThebankswherebytheyglidetoArno’sstream,Standeverinmyview;andnotinvain;Formorethepictur’dsemblancedriesmeup,Muchmorethanthedisease,whichmakesthefleshDeserttheseshrivel’dcheeks.Sofromtheplace,WhereItransgress’d,sternjusticeurgingme,Takesmeanstoquickenmoremylab’ringsighs.ThereisRomena,whereIfalsifiedThemetalwiththeBaptist’sformimprest,ForwhichonearthIleftmybodyburnt.ButifIheremightseethesorrowingsoulOfGuido,Alessandro,ortheirbrother,ForBranda’slimpidspringIwouldnotchangeThewelcomesight.Oneise’ennowwithin,Iftrulythemadspiritstell,thatroundArewand’ring.Butwhereinbesteadsmethat?Mylimbsarefetter’d.WereIbutsolight,ThatIeachhundredyearsmightmoveoneinch,Ihadsetforthalreadyonthispath,Seekinghimoutamidsttheshapelesscrew,Althoughelevenmilesitwind,notmoreThanhalfofoneacross.TheybroughtmedownAmongthistribe;induc’dbythemIstamp’dTheflorenswiththreecaratsofalloy.”

“Whoarethatabjectpair,”Inextinquir’d,“ThatcloselyboundingtheeuponthyrightLiesmoking,likeabandinwintersteep’dInthechillstream?”—“WhentothisgulfIdropt,”Heanswer’d,“hereIfoundthem;sincethathourTheyhavenotturn’d,norevershall,Iween,Tilltimehathrunhiscourse.OneisthatdameThefalseaccuseroftheHebrewyouth;Sinontheother,thatfalseGreekfromTroy.Sharpfeverdrainsthereekymoistnessout,Insuchacloudupsteam’d.”Whenthatheheard,One,gall’dperchancetobesodarklynam’d,Withclench’dhandsmotehimonthebracedpaunch,

Thatlikeadrumresounded:butforthwithAdamosmotehimontheface,theblowReturningwithhisarm,thatseem’dashard.

“Thoughmyo’erweightylimbshaveta’enfrommeThepowertomove,”saidhe,“IhaveanarmAtlibertyforsuchemploy.”TowhomWasanswer’d:“Whenthouwentesttothefire,Thouhadstitnotsoreadyatcommand,Thenreadierwhenitcoin’dth’impostorgold.”

Andthusthedropsied:“Ay,nowspeak’stthoutrue.Buttherethougav’stnotsuchtruetestimony,Whenthouwastquestion’dofthetruth,atTroy.”

“IfIspakefalse,thoufalselystamp’dstthecoin,”SaidSinon;“Iamherebutforonefault,Andthouformorethananyimpbeside.”

“Remember,”hereplied,“Operjur’done,Thehorseremember,thatdidteemwithdeath,Andalltheworldbewitnesstothyguilt.”

“Tothine,”return’dtheGreek,“witnessthethirstWhencethytonguecracks,witnessthefluidmound,Rear’dbythybellyupbeforethineeyes,Amasscorrupt.”Towhomthecoinerthus:“ThymouthgapeswideasevertoletpassItsevilsaying.Meifthirstassails,YetIamstuff’dwithmoisture.Thouartparch’d,Painsrackthyhead,nourgingwould’stthouneedTomaketheelapNarcissus’mirrorup.”

Iwasallfix’dtolisten,whenmyguideAdmonish’d:“Nowbeware:alittlemore,AndIdoquarrelwiththee.”Iperceiv’dHowangrilyhespake,andtowardshimturn’dWithshamesopoignant,asremember’dyetConfoundsme.AsamanthatdreamsofharmBefall’nhim,dreamingwishesitadream,Andthatwhichis,desiresasifitwerenot,SuchthenwasI,whowantingpowertospeakWish’dtoexcusemyself,andallthewhileExcus’dme,thoughunweetingthatIdid.

“Moregrievousfaultthanthinehasbeen,lessshame,”

Mymastercried,“mightexpiate.ThereforecastAllsorrowfromthysoul;andifagainChancebringthee,wherelikeconferenceisheld,ThinkIameveratthyside.TohearSuchwranglingisajoyforvulgarminds.”

CANTOXXXI

THEverytongue,whosekeenreproofbeforeHadwoundedme,thateithercheekwasstain’d,Nowminister’dmycure.SohaveIheard,Achillesandhisfather’sjavelincaus’dPainfirst,andthentheboonofhealthrestor’d.

Turningourbackuponthevaleofwoe,Wcross’dth’encircledmoundinsilence.ThereWastwilightdim,thatfarlongthegloomMineeyeadvanc’dnot:butIheardahornSoundedaloud.ThepealitblewhadmadeThethunderfeeble.FollowingitscourseTheadverseway,mystrainedeyeswerebentOnthatonespot.SoterribleablastOrlandoblewnot,whenthatdismalroutO’erthrewthehostofCharlemagne,andquench’dHissaintlywarfare.ThitherwardnotlongMyheadwasrais’d,whenmanyloftytowersMethoughtIspied.“Master,”saidI,“whatlandIsthis?”Heanswer’dstraight:“ToolongaspaceOfinterveningdarknesshasthineeyeTotraverse:thouhastthereforewidelyerr’dInthyimagining.Thitherarriv’dThouwellshaltsee,howdistancecandeludeThesense.Alittlethereforeurgetheeon.”

Thentenderlyhecaughtmebythehand;“Yetknow,”saidhe,“erefartherweadvance,Thatitlessstrangemayseem,thesearenottowers,Butgiants.Inthepittheystandimmers’d,Eachfromhisnaveldownward,roundthebank.”

Aswhenafogdispersethgradually,OurvisiontraceswhatthemistinvolvesCondens’dinair;sopiercingthroughthegrossAndgloomyatmosphere,asmoreandmoreWenear’dtowardthebrink,mineerrorfled,Andfearcameo’erme.AswithcirclingroundOfturrets,Montereggioncrownshiswalls,E’enthustheshore,encompassingth’abyss,Wasturretedwithgiants,halftheirlength

Uprearing,horrible,whomJovefromheav’nYetthreatens,whenhismutt’ringthunderrolls.

OfonealreadyIdescriedtheface,Shoulders,andbreast,andofthebellyhugeGreatpart,andbotharmsdownalonghisribs.

All-teemingnature,whenherplastichandLeftframingofthesemonsters,diddisplayPastdoubtherwisdom,takingfrommadWarSuchslavestodohisbidding;andifsheRepenthernotofth’elephantandwhale,WhoponderswellconfessesherthereinWiserandmorediscreet;forwhenbruteforceAndevilwillareback’dwithsubtlety,Resistancenoneavails.Hisvisageseem’dInlengthandbulk,asdoththepine,thattopsSaintPeter’sRomanfane;andth’otherbonesOflikeproportion,sothatfromaboveThebank,whichgirdledhimbelow,suchheightArosehisstature,thatthreeFriezelandersHadstriv’ninvaintoreachbuttohishair.Fullthirtyamplepalmswasheexpos’dDownwardfromwhenceamanhisgarmentsloops.“Raphelbaiamethsabialmi,”Soshoutedhisfiercelips,whichsweeterhymnsBecamenot;andmyguideaddress’dhimthus:

“Osenselessspirit!letthyhornfortheeInterpret:therewithventthyrage,ifrageOrotherpassionwringthee.Searchthyneck,Thereshaltthoufindthebeltthatbindsiton.Wildspirit!lo,uponthymightybreastWherehangsthebaldrick!”Thentomehespake:“Hedothaccusehimself.Nimrodisthis,ThroughwhoseillcounselintheworldnomoreOnetongueprevails.Butpassweon,norwasteOurwords;forsoeachlanguageistohim,Ashistoothers,understoodbynone.”

Thentotheleftwardturningspedweforth,Andatasling’sthrowfoundanothershadeFarfiercerandmorehuge.IcannotsayWhatmasterhandhadgirthim;butheheldBehindtherightarmfetter’d,andbefore

Theotherwithachain,thatfasten’dhimFromtheneckdown,andfivetimesroundhisformApparentmetthewreathedlinks.“ThisproudoneWouldofhisstrengthagainstalmightyJoveMaketrial,”saidmyguide;“whenceheisthusRequited:Ephialteshimtheycall.

“Greatwashisprowess,whenthegiantsbroughtFearonthegods:thosearms,whichthenhepiled,Nowmoveshenever.”ForthwithIreturn’d:“FainwouldI,if‘twerepossible,mineeyesOfBriareusimmeasurablegain’dExperiencenext.”Heanswer’d:“ThoushaltseeNotfarfromhenceAntaeus,whobothspeaksAndisunfetter’d,whoshallplaceusthereWhereguiltisatitsdepth.FaronwardstandsWhomthouwouldstfainbehold,inchains,andmadeLiketothisspirit,savethatinhislooksMorefellheseems.”Byviolentearthquakerock’dNe’ershookatow’r,soreelingtoitsbase,

AsEphialtes.MorethaneverthenIdreadeddeath,northantheterrormoreHadneeded,ifIhadnotseenthecordsThatheldhimfast.We,straightwayjourneyingon,CametoAntaeus,whofiveellscompleteWithoutthehead,forthissuedfromthecave.

“Othou,whointhefortunatevale,thatmadeGreatScipioheirofglory,whenhisswordDrovebackthetroopofHannibalinflight,WhothenceofolddidstcarryforthyspoilAnhundredlions;andifthouhadstfoughtInthehighconflictonthybrethren’sside,Seemsasmenyetbeliev’d,thatthroughthinearmThesonsofearthhadconquer’d,nowvouchsafeToplaceusdownbeneath,wherenumbingcoldLocksupCocytus.ForcenotthatwecraveOrTityus’helporTyphon’s.HereisoneCangivewhatinthisrealmyecovet.StoopTherefore,norscornfullydistortthylip.HeintheupperworldcanyetbestowRenownonthee,forhedothlive,andlooksForlifeyetlonger,ifbeforethetimeGracecallhimnotuntoherself.”ThusspakeTheteacher.Heinhasteforthstretch’dhishands,Andcaughtmyguide.AlcideswhilomfeltThatgrapplestraighten’dscore.SoonasmyguideHadfeltit,hebespakemethus:“ThiswayThatImayclaspthee;”thensocaughtmeup,Thatwewerebothoneburden.AsappearsThetowerofCarisenda,frombeneathWhereitdothlean,ifchanceapassingcloudSosailacross,thatoppositeithangs,SuchthenAntaeusseem’d,asatmineeaseImark’dhimstooping.IwerefainattimesT’havepass’danotherway.Yetinth’abyss,ThatLuciferwithJudaslowingulfs,lightlyheplac’dus;northereleaningstay’d,Butroseasinabarkthestatelymast.

CANTOXXXII

COULDIcommandroughrhimesandhoarse,tosuitThatholeofsorrow,o’erwhichev’ryrockHisfirmabutmentrears,thenmighttheveinOffancyrisefullspringing:butnotmineSuchmeasures,andwithfalt’ringaweItouchThemightytheme;fortodescribethedepthOfalltheuniverse,isnoemprizeTojestwith,anddemandsatonguenotus’dToinfantbabbling.ButletthemassistMysong,thetunefulmaidens,bywhoseaidAmphionwall’dinThebes,sowiththetruthMyspeechshallbestaccord.Ohill-starr’dfolk,Beyondallotherswretched!whoabideInsuchamansion,asscarcethoughtfindswordsTospeakof,betterhadyehereonearthBeenflocksormountaingoats.AsdownwestoodInthedarkpitbeneaththegiants’feet,Butlowerfarthanthey,andIdidgazeStillontheloftybattlement,avoiceBespokemethus:“Lookhowthouwalkest.TakeGoodheed,thysolesdotreadnotontheheadsOfthypoorbrethren.”ThereuponIturn’d,AndsawbeforeandunderneathmyfeetAlake,whosefrozensurfacelikerseem’dToglassthanwater.NotsothickaveilInwintere’erhathAustrianDanubespreadO’erhisstillcourse,norTanaisfarremoteUnderthechillingsky.Roll’do’erthatmassHadTabernichorPietrapanafall’n,

Note’enitsrimhadcreak’d.AspeepsthefrogCroakingabovethewave,whattimeindreamsThevillagegleaneroftpursueshertoil,So,towheremodestshameappears,thuslowBluepinch’dandshrin’dinicethespiritsstood,Movingtheirteethinshrillnotelikethestork.Hisfaceeachdownwardheld;theirmouththecold,Theireyesexpress’dthedolouroftheirheart.

AspaceIlook’daround,thenatmyfeetSawtwosostrictlyjoin’d,thatoftheirheadTheveryhairsweremingled.“Tellmeye,Whosebosomsthustogetherpress,”saidI,“Whoareye?”Atthatsoundtheirneckstheybent,Andwhentheirlookswerelifteduptome,Straightwaytheireyes,beforeallmoistwithin,Distill’dupontheirlips,andthefrostboundThetearsbetwixtthoseorbsandheldthemthere.Plankuntoplankhathnevercrampclos’dupSostoutly.WhenceliketwoenragedgoatsTheyclash’dtogether;themsuchfuryseiz’d.

Andone,fromwhomthecoldbothearshadreft,Exclaim’d,stilllookingdownward:“Whyonus

Dostspeculatesolong?IfthouwouldstknowWhoarethesetwo,thevalley,whencehiswaveBisenzioslopes,didforitsmasterownTheirsireAlberto,andnexthimthemselves.Theyfromonebodyissued;andthroughoutCainathoumaystsearch,norfindashadeMoreworthyincongealmenttobefix’d,Nothim,whosebreastandshadowArthur’slandAtthatoneblowdissever’d,notFocaccia,Nonotthisspirit,whoseo’erjuttingheadObstructsmyonwardview:heborethenameOfMascheroni:Tuscanifthoube,Wellknowestwhohewas:andtocutshortAllfurtherquestion,inmyformbeholdWhatoncewasCamiccione.IawaitCarlinoheremykinsman,whosedeepguiltShallwashoutmine.”AthousandvisagesThenmark’dI,whichthekeenandeagercoldHadshap’dintoadoggishgrin;whencecreepsAshiv’ringhorroro’erme,atthethoughtOfthosefroreshallows.Whilewejourney’donTowardthemiddle,atwhosepointunitesAllheavysubstance,andItremblingwentThroughthateternalchillness,IknownotIfwillitwereordestiny,orchance,But,passing‘midsttheheads,myfootdidstrikeWithviolentblowagainstthefaceofone.

“Whereforedostbruiseme?”weeping,heexclaim’d,“UnlessthyerrandbesomefreshrevengeForMontaperto,whereforetroublestme?”

Ithus:“Instructor,nowawaitmehere,ThatIthroughhimmayridmeofmydoubt.Thenceforthwhathastethouwilt.”Theteacherpaus’d,AndtothatshadeIspake,whobitterlyStillcurs’dmeinhiswrath.“Whatartthou,speak,Thatrailestthusonothers?”Hereplied:“Nowwhoartthou,thatsmitingothers’cheeksThroughAntenoraroamest,withsuchforceAswerepastsuff’rance,wertthoulivingstill?”

“AndIamliving,tothyjoyperchance,”Wasmyreply,“iffamebedeartothee,ThatwiththerestImaythynameenrol.”

“ThecontraryofwhatIcovetmost,”Saidhe,“thoutender’st:hence;norvexmemore.Illknowestthoutoflatterinthisvale.”

Thenseizingonhishinderscalp,Icried:“Namethee,ornotahairshalltarryhere.”

“Rendallaway,”heanswer’d,“yetforthatIwillnottellnorshowtheewhoIam,Thoughatmyheadthoupluckathousandtimes.”

NowIhadgrasp’dhistresses,andstriptoffMorethanonetuft,hebarking,withhiseyesDrawninanddownward,whenanothercried,“Whatailsthee,Bocca?SoundnotloudenoughThychatt’ringteeth,butthoumustbarkoutright?“Whatdevilwringsthee?”—“Now,”saidI,“bedumb,Accursedtraitor!tothyshameoftheeTruetidingswillIbear.”—“Off,”hereplied,“Tellwhatthoulist;butasthouescapefromhence

Tospeakofhimwhosetonguehathbeensoglib,Forgetnot:herehewailstheFrenchman’sgold.‘HimofDuera,’thoucanstsay,‘Imark’d,Wherethestarv’dsinnerspine.’Ifthoubeask’dWhatothershadewaswiththem,atthysideIsBeccaria,whoseredgorgedistain’dThebitingaxeofFlorence.Fartheron,IfImisdeemnot,Soldanieribides,WithGanellon,andTribaldello,himWhoop’dFaenzawhenthepeopleslept.”

Wenowhadlefthim,passingonourway,WhenIbeheldtwospiritsbytheicePentinonehollow,thattheheadofoneWascowluntotheother;andasbreadIsraven’dupthroughhunger,th’uppermostDidsoapplyhisfangstoth’other’sbrain,Wherethespinejoinsit.NotmorefuriouslyOnMenalippus’templesTydeusgnaw’d,Thanonthatskullandonitsgarbagehe.

“Othouwhoshow’stsobeastlysignofhate‘Gainsthimthouprey’ston,letmehear,”saidI“Thecause,onsuchcondition,thatifrightWarrantthygrievance,knowingwhoyeare,Andwhatthecolourofhissinningwas,Imayrepaytheeintheworldabove,IfthatwherewithIspeakbemoistsolong.”

CANTOXXXIII

HISjawsupliftingfromtheirfellrepast,Thatsinnerwip’dthemonthehairso’th’head,Whichhebehindhadmangled,thenbegan:“Thywillobeying,IcallupafreshSorrowpastcure,whichbuttothinkofwringsMyheart,orereItellon’t.Butifwords,ThatImayutter,shallproveseedtobearFruitofeternalinfamytohim,ThetraitorwhomIgnawat,thouatonceShaltseemespeakandweep.WhothoumaystbeIknownot,norhowherebelowartcome:ButFlorentinethouseemestofatruth,WhenIdohearthee.KnowIwasonearthCountUgolino,andth’ArchbishopheRuggieri.WhyIneighbourhimsoclose,Nowlist.ThatthrougheffectofhisillthoughtsInhimmytrustreposing,Iwasta’enAndaftermurder’d,needisnotItell.Whatthereforethoucanstnothaveheard,thatis,Howcruelwasthemurder,shaltthouhear,Andknowifhehavewrong’dme.AsmallgrateWithinthatmew,whichformysakethenameOffaminebears,whereothersyetmustpine,Alreadythroughitsopeningsev’ralmoonsHadshownme,whenIslepttheevilsleep,Thatfromthefuturetorethecurtainoff.Thisone,methought,asmasterofthesport,RodeforthtochasethegauntwolfandhiswhelpsUntothemountain,whichforbidsthesightOfLuccatothePisan.WithleanbrachsInquisitiveandkeen,beforehimrang’dLanfranchiwithSismondiandGualandi.AftershortcoursethefatherandthesonsSeem’dtir’dandlagging,andmethoughtIsawThesharptusksgoretheirsides.WhenIawokeBeforethedawn,amidtheirsleepIheardMysons(fortheywerewithme)weepandaskForbread.Rightcruelartthou,ifnopangThoufeelatthinkingwhatmyheartforetold;Andifnotnow,whyusethytearstoflow?Nowhadtheywaken’d;andthehourdrewnear

Whentheywerewonttobringusfood;themindOfeachmisgavehimthroughhisdream,andIHeard,atitsoutletunderneathlock’dupThehorribletower:whenceutteringnotawordIlook’duponthevisageofmysons.Iweptnot:soallstoneIfeltwithin.Theywept:andone,mylittleAnslem,cried:‘Thoulookestso!Fatherwhatailsthee?’YetIshednotear,noranswer’dallthatdayNorthenextnight,untilanothersunCameoutupontheworld.WhenafaintbeamHadtoourdolefulprisonmadeitsway,AndinfourcountenancesIdescry’dTheimageofmyown,oneitherhandThroughagonyIbit,andtheywhothoughtIdiditthroughdesireoffeeding,roseO’th’sudden,andcried,‘Father,weshouldgrieveFarless,ifthouwouldsteatofus:thougav’stTheseweedsofmiserablefleshwewear,

Anddothoustripthemofffromusagain.’

Then,nottomakethemsadder,IkeptdownMyspiritinstillness.ThatdayandthenextWeallweresilent.Ah,obdurateearth!Whyopen’dstnotuponus?WhenwecameTothefourthday,thenGeddoatmyfeetOutstretch’ddidflinghim,crying,‘HastnohelpForme,myfather!’Therehedied,ande’enPlainlyasthouseestme,sawIthethreeFallonebyone‘twixtthefifthdayandsixth:

WhenceIbetookmenowgrownblindtogropeOverthemall,andforthreedaysaloudCall’donthemwhoweredead.ThenfastinggotThemasteryofgrief.”Thushavingspoke,

OncemoreuponthewretchedskullhisteethHefasten’d,likeamastiff’s‘gainsttheboneFirmandunyielding.OhthouPisa!shameOfallthepeople,whotheirdwellingmakeInthatfairregion,whereth’ItalianvoiceIsheard,sincethatthyneighboursaresoslackTopunish,fromtheirdeepfoundationsriseCapraiaandGorgona,anddamupThemouthofArno,thateachsoulintheeMayperishinthewaters!WhatiffameReportedthatthycastleswerebetray’dByUgolino,yetnorighthadstthouTostretchhischildrenontherack.Forthem,Brigata,Ugaccione,andthepairOfgentleones,ofwhommysonghathtold,Theirtenderyears,thoumodernThebes!didmakeUncapableofguilt.Onwardwepass’d,Whereothersskarf’dinruggedfoldsoficeNotontheirfeetwereturn’d,buteachrevers’d.

Thereveryweepingsuffersnottoweep;ForattheireyesgriefseekingpassagefindsImpediment,androllinginwardturnsForincreaseofsharpanguish:thefirsttears

Hangcluster’d,andlikecrystalvizorsshow,Underthesocketbrimmingallthecup.

Nowthoughthecoldhadfrommyfacedislodg’dEachfeeling,as‘twerecallous,yetmeseem’dSomebreathofwindIfelt.“Whencecomeththis,”SaidI,“mymaster?IsnotherebelowAllvapourquench’d?”—“‘Thoushaltbespeedily,”Heanswer’d,“wherethineeyeshalltelltheewhenceThecausedescryingofthisairyshower.”

Thencriedoutoneinthechillcrustwhomourn’d:“Osoulssocruel!thatthefarthestpostHathbeenassign’dyou,fromthisfaceremoveTheharden’dveil,thatImayventthegriefImpregnateatmyheart,somelittlespaceEreitcongealagain!”Ithusreplied:“Saywhothouwast,ifthouwouldsthavemineaid;AndifIextricatetheenot,fardownAstothelowesticemayIdescend!”

“ThefriarAlberigo,”answeredhe,“AmI,whofromtheevilgardenpluck’dItsfruitage,andamhererepaid,thedateMorelusciousformyfig.”—“Hah!”Iexclaim’d,“Artthoutoodead!”—“HowintheworldaloftItfarethwithmybody,”answer’dhe,“Iamrightignorant.SuchprivilegeHathPtolomea,thatofttimesthesoulDropshither,erebyAtroposdivorc’d.AndthatthoumaystwipeoutmorewillinglyTheglazedtear-dropsthato’erlaymineeyes,Knowthatthesoul,thatmomentshebetrays,AsIdid,yieldsherbodytoafiendWhoaftermovesandgovernsitatwill,Tillallitstimeberounded;headlongsheFallstothiscistern.AndperchanceaboveDothyetappearthebodyofaghost,Whoherebehindmewinters.Himthouknow’st,Ifthoubutnewlyartarriv’dbelow.Theyearsaremanythathavepass’daway,SincetothisfastnessBrancaDoriacame.”

“Now,”answer’dI,“methinksthoumockestme,ForBrancaDorianeveryethathdied,Butdothallnaturalfunctionsofaman,

Eats,drinks,andsleeps,andputtethraimenton.”

Hethus:“NotyetuntothatupperfossByth’eviltalonsguarded,wherethepitchTenaciousboils,hadMichaelZanchereach’d,WhenthisoneleftademoninhissteadInhisownbody,andofonehiskin,Whowithhimtreacherywrought.ButnowputforthThyhand,andopemineeyes.”Iop’dthemnot.Illmannerswerebestcourtesytohim.

AhGenoese!menperverseineveryway,Witheveryfoulnessstain’d,whyfromtheearthAreyenotcancel’d?SuchanoneofyoursIwithRomagna’sdarkestspiritfound,AsforhisdoingsevennowinsoulIsinCocytusplung’d,andyetdothseemInbodystillaliveupontheearth.

CANTOXXXIV

“THEbannersofHell’sMonarchdocomeforthTowardsus;thereforelook,”sospakemyguide,“Ifthoudiscernhim.”As,whenbreathesacloudHeavyanddense,orwhentheshadesofnightFallonourhemisphere,seemsview’dfromfarAwindmill,whichtheblaststirsbrisklyround,SuchwasthefabricthenmethoughtIsaw,

Toshieldmefromthewind,forthwithIdrewBehindmyguide:nocovertelsewasthere.

NowcameI(andwithfearIbidmystrainRecordthemarvel)wherethesoulswereallWhelm’dunderneath,transparent,asthroughglassPellucidthefrailstem.Somepronewerelaid,Othersstoodupright,thisuponthesoles,Thatonhishead,athirdwithfacetofeetArch’dlikeabow.Whentothepointwecame,Whereatmyguidewaspleas’dthatIshouldseeThecreatureeminentinbeautyonce,Hefrombeforemestepp’dandmademepause.

“Lo!”heexclaim’d,“loDis!andlotheplace,Wherethouhastneedtoarmthyheartwithstrength.”

HowfrozenandhowfaintIthenbecame,Askmenot,reader!forIwriteitnot,Sincewordswouldfailtotelltheeofmystate.Iwasnotdeadnorliving.ThinkthyselfIfquickconceptionworkintheeatall,HowIdidfeel.Thatemperor,whoswaysTherealmofsorrow,atmidbreastfromth’iceStoodforth;andIinstatureammorelikeAgiant,thanthegiantsareinhisarms.Marknowhowgreatthatwholemustbe,whichsuitsWithsuchapart.IfhewerebeautifulAsheishideousnow,andyetdiddareToscowluponhisMaker,wellfromhimMayallourmis’ryflow.Ohwhatasight!Howpassingstrangeitseem’d,whenIdidspyUponhisheadthreefaces:oneinfrontOfhuevermilion,th’othertwowiththisMidwayeachshoulderjoin’dandatthecrest;Theright‘twixtwanandyellowseem’d:theleftTolookon,suchascomefromwhenceoldNile

Stoopstothelowlands.UndereachshotforthTwomightywings,enormousasbecameAbirdsovast.SailsneversuchIsawOutstretch’donthewidesea.Noplumeshadthey,Butwereintexturelikeabat,andtheseHeflapp’di’th’air,thatfromhimissuedstillThreewinds,wherewithCocytustoitsdepthWasfrozen.Atsixeyeshewept:thetearsAdownthreechinsdistill’dwithbloodyfoam.Ateverymouthhisteethasinnerchamp’dBruis’daswithpond’rousengine,sothatthreeWereinthisguisetormented.ButfarmoreThanfromthatgnawing,wastheforemostpang’dBythefiercerending,whenceofttimesthebackWasstriptofallitsskin.“Thatupperspirit,Whohathworsepunishment,”sospakemyguide,“IsJudas,hethathathhisheadwithinAndpliesthefeetwithout.Ofth’othertwo,Whoseheadsareunder,fromthemurkyjawWhohangs,isBrutus:lo!howhedothwritheAndspeaksnot!Th’otherCassius,thatappearsSolargeoflimb.Butnightnowre-ascends,Anditistimeforparting.Allisseen.”

Iclipp’dhimroundtheneck,forsohebade;Andnotingtimeandplace,he,whenthewingsEnoughwereop’d,caughtfasttheshaggysides,Anddownfrompiletopiledescendingstepp’dBetweenthethickfellandthejaggedice.

Soonashereach’dthepoint,whereatthethighUpontheswellingofthehaunchesturns,MyleadertherewithpainandstrugglinghardTurn’droundhishead,wherehisfeetstoodbefore,Andgrappledatthefell,asonewhomounts,Thatintohellmethoughtweturn’dagain.

“Expectthatbysuchstairsasthese,”thusspakeTheteacher,pantinglikeamanforespent,“Wemustdepartfromevilsoextreme.”Thenatarockyopeningissuedforth,Andplac’dmeonabrinktosit,nextjoin’dWithwarystepmyside.Irais’dmineeyes,BelievingthatILucifershouldseeWherehewaslatelyleft,butsawhimnowWithlegsheldupward.Letthegrossersort,

WhoseenotwhatthepointwasIhadpass’d,Bethinkthemifsoretoiloppress’dmethen.

“Arise,”mymastercried,“uponthyfeet.Thewayislong,andmuchuncouththeroad;AndnowwithinonehourandhalfofnoonThesunreturns.”Itwasnopalace-hallLoftyandluminouswhereinwestood,ButnaturaldungeonwhereillfootingwasAndscantsupplyoflight.“Erefromth’abyssIsep’rate,”thuswhenrisenIbegan,“Myguide!vouchsafefewwordstosetmefreeFromerror’sthralldom.Whereisnowtheice?Howstandethheinposturethusrevers’d?AndhowfromevetomorninspacesobriefHaththesunmadehistransit?”HeinfewThusansweringspake:“ThoudeemestthouartstillOnth’othersidethecentre,whereIgrasp’dTh’abhorredworm,thatboreththroughtheworld.Thouwastonth’otherside,solongasIDescended;whenIturn’d,thoudidsto’erpassThatpoint,towhichfromev’rypartisdragg’dAllheavysubstance.Thouartnowarriv’dUnderthehemisphereopposedtothat,Whichthegreatcontinentdothoverspread,Andunderneathwhosecanopyexpir’dTheMan,thatwasbornsinless,andsoliv’d.Thyfeetareplantedonthesmallestsphere,WhoseotheraspectisJudecca.MornHererises,whenthereeveningsets:andhe,Whoseshaggypilewasscal’d,yetstandethfix’d,Asatthefirst.OnthisparthefelldownFromheav’n;andth’earth,hereprominentbefore,Throughfearofhimdidveilherwiththesea,Andtoourhemisphereretir’d.PerchanceToshunhimwasthevacantspacelefthereBywhatoffirmlandonthissideappears,Thatsprangaloof.”Thereisaplacebeneath,FromBelzebubasdistant,asextendsThevaultedtomb,discover’dnotbysight,Butbythesoundofbrooklet,thatdescendsThiswayalongthehollowofarock,Which,asitwindswithnoprecipitouscourse,Thewavehatheaten.BythathiddenwayMyguideandIdidenter,toreturnTothefairworld:andheedlessofrepose

Weclimbed,hefirst,Ifollowinghissteps,Tillonourviewthebeautifullightsofheav’nDawn’dthroughacircularopeninginthecave:Thusissuingweagainbeheldthestars.