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diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d4c49b9 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +# Inferno.doc +This is a personal study resource for Dante's Inferno, including three English translations with some sentence highlighting, a summary, themes, references, and characters found in each canto. + +The literary analysis, commentary, design, and all code for this educational resource are my own original work, though there may include some minor errors or omissions that I overlooked. The project took < a week including re-reading. The foundational English translations are properly attributed to their respective authors. + +Highlighting limited to only cantos 1 & 2, unfortunately being one of the more tedious and boring tasks of the project. Feel free to contribute if you feel like wasting some time :) + +The comparative format of this project was inspired by the approach taken by: https://www.danteinferno.info/translations/index.html
\ No newline at end of file diff --git a/cantos.js b/cantos.js new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f9ac19f --- /dev/null +++ b/cantos.js @@ -0,0 +1,310 @@ +var cantosData = [ + { + "number": 1, + "title": "Canto I", + "subtitle": "The Prologue", + "subtext": "Dante finds himself lost in a dark forest, representing spiritual confusion and sin in his mid age of 35. He attempts to climb a mountain toward the light but is blocked by three beasts: a leopard (lust), a lion (pride), and a she-wolf (avarice). These creatures force him back into the darkness, symbolizing how sin prevents salvation. The shade of Virgil appears to guide him through Hell and Purgatory, as Beatrice will later guide him through Paradise.", + "themes": "Spiritual crisis; Sin; Divine intervention; Guidance; Hope; Despair; Redemption", + "references": "Biblical: the valley of the shadow of death; the hill that Dante embarks and turns away from is a figure of hope in Psalms 24; the three beasts from Jeremiah 5:6.<p>Classical: Virgil as the great Roman poet and symbolically human reason and classical wisdom; the Aeneid.</p><p>Italian politics: the Veltro (Greyhound) prophecy possibly referring to a future saviour figure and geographical location: towns of Feltre and Montefeltro; The wolf representing avarice characterizes the corrupt culture of capitalist Florence.</p>", + "characters": "Dante; The Three Beasts: Leopard, Lion, She-Wolf; Virgil; Beatrice (implied)" + }, + { + "number": 2, + "title": "Canto II", + "subtitle": "Virgil's Arrival and Mission", + "subtext": "Dante feeling unworthy compared to Aeneas and Paul who made similar descents. Virgil reassures him by explaining how Beatrice came to Limbo, sent by the Virgin Mary through Saint Lucy, to ask Virgil to rescue Dante. With the three blessed women, and Virgil as the spiritual guide to Dante's aid, gives Dante courage to begin the journey through Hell.", + "themes": "Divine grace; Intercession; Faith; Unworthiness; Divine calling; Salvation", + "references": "Biblical: Saint Paul's rapture to the third heaven ('Chosen Vessel'); Saint Paul and Aeneas both granted vision of divine glory; Virgin Mary as divine grace; Saint Lucy as illuminating grace;<p>Classical: Aeneas's descent to the underworld in the Aeneid; Silvius as Aeneas's son;</p><p>Italian politics: Rome as divinely ordained seat of Empire and Papacy; 'Greater Peter's follower' referring to papal authority, the holy seat where Peter's successor sits.</p>", + "characters": "Beatrice; Virgin Mary; Saint Lucy" + }, + { + "number": 3, + "title": "Canto III", + "subtitle": "The Gate of Hell and Uncommited", + "subtext": "Dante and Virgil approach the gate of Hell with its famous inscription ending 'Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.' They pass through to find the vestibule filled with cowards who: lived without praise or blame, including one who made 'the great refusal.' These souls run naked, stung by wasps and hornets. At the river Acheron, the ferryman Charon initially refuses to transport the living Dante, but Virgil's divine authority compels him. An earthquake causes Dante to faint.", + "themes": "Divine justice; Moral neutrality as sin; Spiritual cowardice", + "references": "Biblical: Divine Trinity in gate inscription (Power Divine, Highest Wisdom, Primal Love); creation before eternal things;<p>Classical: Charon as ferryman of Acheron;</p><p>Italian politics: Pope Celestine V's abdication as 'the great refusal,' which led to Boniface VIII's rise and Dante's eventual exile.</p>", + "characters": "Charon; Pope Celestine V" + }, + { + "number": 4, + "title": "Canto IV", + "subtitle": "The First Circle. Limbo. Pagans", + "subtext": "Dante awakens in Limbo, the First Circle, where virtuous unbaptized souls dwell in sighs without torment. Virgil explains that Christ's Harrowing of Hell freed Old Testament patriarchs but left the virtuous pagans. Dante meets four great classical poets who welcome him as their sixth member. They visit a noble castle surrounded by seven walls, containing the greatest figures of antiquity - heroes, philosophers, and poets - who live in a perpetual state of noble sadness, desiring but never attaining the vision of God.", + "themes": "Paganism; Virtue without faith; Intellect; Accomplishment; Divine revelation; Legacy; Compassion; Pity", + "references": "Biblical: Christ's Harrowing of Hell; Abraham; Isaac; Jacob called Israel; Moses the lawgiver; King David; Rachel;<p>Classical: the seven walls as the seven liberal arts or four cardinal and three theological virtues; the castle as symbol of philosophy and human wisdom.</p>", + "characters": "Homer; Horace; Ovid; Lucan; Electra; Hector; Aeneas; Caesar; Camilla; Penthesilea; the Latian King; Lavinia; Brutus; Cornelia; Marcia; Julia; Lucretia; Saladin; Aristotle; Plato; Socrates; Democritus; Thales; Diogenes; Empedocles; Zeno; Anaxagoras; Heraclitus; Dioscorides; Tullius; Orpheus; Seneca; Linus; Ptolemy; Euclid; Galen; Hippocrates; Avicenna; Averroes" + }, + { + "number": 5, + "title": "Canto V", + "subtitle": "The Second Circle. Lust. Paolo and Francesca", + "subtext": "In the Second Circle, Minos judges incoming souls by wrapping his tail around himself to indicate their destined circle. Dante and Virgil enter the realm of the lustful, who are eternally swept about by a fierce whirlwind. Among the famous lovers, Dante speaks with Francesca da Rimini, who tells the tragic story of how she and her brother-in-law Paolo fell in love while reading about Lancelot and Guinevere, leading to their discovery and murder by her husband. Dante faints from pity at her tale.", + "themes": "Lust; Salvation; Damnation; Tragedy; Romance; Temptation", + "references": "Biblical: Caïna named after Cain for fratricides;<p>Classical: Minos as judge of the underworld; Semiramis and Ninus; Dido and Sichaeus; Cleopatra; Helen of Troy; Achilles; Paris; the Arthurian romance of Lancelot and Guinevere;</p><p>Italian politics: Francesca from Ravenna (daughter of Guido da Polenta); the political marriage between Rimini and Ravenna families.</p>", + "characters": "Minos; Francesca da Rimini; Paolo Malatesta; Semiramis; Dido; Cleopatra; Helen; Achilles; Paris; Tristram" + }, + { + "number": 6, + "title": "Canto VI", + "subtitle": "The Third Circle. Gluttony. Ciacco", + "subtext": "Dante awakens in the Third Circle where the gluttonous lie in filthy slush under eternal cold rain, hail, and snow. The three-headed dog Cerberus guards them, tearing at the sinners with its claws and teeth. Virgil appeases the beast by throwing mud into its mouths. Dante encounters Ciacco, a Florentine glutton, who prophesies the coming political upheavals in Florence between the Whites and Blacks, and tells of other notable Florentines now suffering in lower circles of Hell.", + "themes": "Gluttony; Prophecy; Corruption; Political discord; Identity", + "references": "Classical: Cerberus as three-headed guardian dog;<p>Italian politics: prophecy of Whites vs Blacks conflict in Florence; the 'rustic party' (Whites) driving out opponents; Boniface VIII's interference; mention of Farinata, Tegghiaio, Rusticucci, Mosca, Arrigo as fallen Florentine nobles.</p>", + "characters": "Cerberus; Ciacco" + }, + { + "number": 7, + "title": "Canto VII", + "subtitle": "The Fourth Circle. Greed", + "subtext": "Plutus guards the Fourth Circle with gibberish words and famously the phrase: 'Pape Satàn, pape Satàn aleppe', but Virgil silences him. Here the avaricious and prodigal are divided into two groups, eternally pushing great weights against each other in opposite directions, clashing and shouting accusations. Virgil explains Fortune as a divine minister who distributes worldly goods according to God's will. They then descend to the Fifth Circle, the marsh of Styx, where the wrathful fight on the surface while the sullen submerged beneath the water.", + "themes": "Divine providence; Avarice; Prodigality; Fortune; Wrath; Sullen", + "references": "Biblical: reference to Saint Michael's victory over rebellious angels;<p>Classical: Plutus as god of riches; Charybdis whirlpool; Fortune as classical goddess (Fortuna) transformed into a divine minister; River Styx;</p><p>Italian politics: criticism of greedy clergy ('clerks'); Pope and cardinals among the avaricious; the 'wolf' as symbol of greed affecting Florence.</p>", + "characters": "Plutus" + }, + { + "number": 8, + "title": "Canto VIII", + "subtitle": "The Fifth Circle. Wrath. Filippo", + "subtext": "Signal flames from a tower guide Phlegyas, the ferryman, to transport Dante and Virgil across the marsh of Styx. During the crossing, they encounter the wrathful Florentine Filippo Argenti, whom Dante treats with unique harshness. They reach the iron walls of Dis, the city of lower Hell, where fallen angels refuse Virgil entry and threaten to separate him from Dante. Despite Virgil's divine authority, the demons slam the gates shut, leaving Virgil momentarily confounded while promising that divine aid will come.", + "themes": "Wrath; Pride; Personal vengeance; Defiance; Authority; Rescue", + "references": "Biblical: reference to Christ's harrowing of Hell and breaking down Hell's gates;<p>Classical: Phlegyas as ferryman (punished for burning Apollo's temple); the city of Dis named after Pluto;</p><p>Italian politics: Filippo Argenti of the Adimari family.</p>", + "characters": "Phlegyas; Filippo Argenti" + }, + { + "number": 9, + "title": "Canto IX", + "subtitle": "The Fifth Circle. City of Dis.", + "subtext": "Virgil shows signs of worry as they face the closed gates of Dis. Three Furies appear on the city walls, calling for Medusa to turn Dante to stone. Virgil covers Dante's eyes for protection. A heavenly messenger arrives, walking on the marsh and opening the gates with a rod, rebuking the demons for their resistance to divine will. The messenger departs, and Dante and Virgil enter Dis to find a vast plain filled with red-hot tombs containing heretics. The city resembles a great cemetery with flaming tombs.", + "themes": "Divine justice; Protection; Evil; Divine grace; Seiging", + "references": "Biblical: heavenly messenger as divine authority; reference to Christ's victory over Hell's gates;<p>Classical: the three Furies (Megaera, Alecto, Tisiphone) as servants of Proserpine; Medusa the Gorgon who turns viewers to stone in Ovid's 'Metamorphoses'; reference to Hercules defeating Cerberus and dragging his chain along the underworld floor; Theseus escaping from the underworld;</p><p>Italian geography: comparison to cemeteries at Arles and Pola on the Istrian peninsula.</p>", + "characters": "Megaera; Alecto; Tisiphone; The Heavenly Messenger (possibly Beatrice); Medusa (implicit)" + }, + { + "number": 10, + "title": "Canto X", + "subtitle": "The Sixth Circle. Heretics. Farinata and Cavalcante.", + "subtext": "Dante and Virgil walk among the flaming tombs of heretics in the city of Dis. The great Ghibelline leader Farinata degli Uberti rises from his and engages Dante in political discussion, revealing his role in saving Florence from destruction after Montaperti. Cavalcante dei Cavalcanti also appears, desperately asking about his son Guido. When Dante's use of past tense suggests Guido may be dead, Cavalcante falls back in despair. Farinata predicts Dante's future exile and explains how the damned can see the future but not the present.", + "themes": "Heresy; Intellect; Pride; Political rivalry; Love; Paternity; Exile", + "references": "Biblical: resurrection and final judgment; valley of Jehoshaphat where the Last Judgement will take place;<p>Classical: Epicurus and denial of soul's immortality;</p><p>Italian politics: Farinata as Ghibelline leader; battle of Montaperti; Dante's family as Guelfs; Council of Empoli where Farinata saved Florence; Frederick II as emperor; Cardinal Ottaviano degli Ubaldini; Guido Cavalcanti's disdain possibly for Virgil; prophecy of Dante's exile within fifty months.</p>", + "characters": "Farinata degli Uberti; Cavalcante dei Cavalcanti" + + }, + { + "number": 11, + "title": "Canto XI", + "subtitle": "The Seventh Circle. The Plan Of Hell.", + "subtext": "At the tomb of Pope Anastasius, Dante and Virgil pause to accustom themselves to the terrible stench rising from lower Hell. Virgil uses this interlude to explain the organization of the remaining circles: the Seventh Circle punishes violence (against neighbors, self, and God), the Eighth Circle punishes simple fraud, and the Ninth Circle punishes treacherous fraud. Virgil clarifies why fraud is considered worse than violence and explains Aristotelian ethics underlying Hell's structure.", + "themes": "Violence; Fraud; Treachery; Contrapasso; Ethics", + "references": "Biblical: Pope Anastasius II as heretic influenced by his friend Photinus; destruction of Sodom as sin against nature; Genesis on human labour and the critique of usury being profiting from money without labour or production (as sin against God and nature);<p>Classical: Aristotelian ethics and the three dispositions to avoid (incontinence, malice, bestiality); Physics of Aristotle on art imitating nature; </p><p>Geography: Cahors (city in southern France) known for money lending and usury;</p><p>Italian Poltics: Usury in 13th century Florence prevalent to Dante's distaste.</p>", + "characters": "Anastasios (Pope Anastasius II)" + }, + { + "number": 12, + "title": "Canto XII", + "subtitle": "The Seventh Circle. Violence - against neighbours. Ring 1. Minotaur.", + "subtext": "Dante and Virgil descend a steep, rocky slope guarded by the Minotaur, whom Virgil provokes with mention of Theseus. They reach the First Ring of the Seventh Circle, where the river Phlegethon boils with the blood of those who committed violence against others. Centaurs patrol the banks, shooting arrows at sinners who try to emerge too far from the blood. The centaur Nessus carries Dante across the river, pointing out various tyrants and murderers immersed to different depths according to their crimes and severity.", + "themes": "Violence; Tyranny; Contrapasso; Divine justice; Humanity", + "references": "Biblical: the earthquake at Christ's crucifixion that shattered Hell's structures;<p>Classical: the Minotaur as guardian; Theseus and Ariadne; the landslip compared to one near Trento on the Adige River; Centaurs as guardians; Chiron as 'most just' centaur; Nessus and his revenge on Hercules; Phlegethon as river of boiling blood;</p><p>Italian politics: Ezzelino da Romano as Ghibelline tyrant; Obizzo d'Este (famous for his tyrannical rule) allegedly murdered by illegitmate son and heir, Azzo; Guy de Montfort's murder of Henry (a cousin of Kind Edward I) in church amidst the election of a pope; various Italian tyrants and brigands like Rinier of Corneto and Rinier (The Mad) Pazzo.</p>", + "characters": "Minotaur; Chiron; Nessus; Pholus; Alexander The Great; Dionysius; Ezzelino da Romano; Obizzo d'Este; Guy de Montfort; Attila; Pyrrhus; Sextus; Rinier of Corneto; Rinier Pazzo" + }, + { + "number": 13, + "title": "Canto XIII", + "subtitle": "The Seventh Circle. Violence - against self. Ring 2. Pier delle Vigne.", + "subtext": "Dante and Virgil enter a dark, twisted forest where the Harpies nest (creatures with the bodies of birds and the faces of women). When Dante breaks a branch, it bleeds and speaks - the souls of suicides transformed into trees. Pier delle Vigne, Frederick II's chancellor, tells how he took his own life after being falsely accused and imprisoned. He explains how suicides become trees and will hang their own bodies on their branches at the Final Judgment. Two naked souls run through the forest pursued by black dogs - these are squanderers who destroyed their substance. One hides in a bush (Jacopo da Sant' Andrea) and is torn apart. An unnamed Florentine suicide speaks of how Florence changed patrons from Mars to John the Baptist.", + "themes": "Suicide; Violence; Contrapasso; Divine justice", + "references": "Biblical: Saint John the Baptist as Florence's patron to which Florence Baptistery is dedicated to; thorn tree alluding to the crucifixion;<p>Classical: Harpies from the Aeneid; Polydorus bleeding from broken branches; Attila's supposed destruction of Florence;</p><p>Italian politics: Pier delle Vigne as Frederick II's chancellor; the scandal of betraying Frederick and the branded disgrace; Lano from Siena at the battle of Pieve del Toppo; Florence's change of patron from Mars to Saint John the Baptist; the statue of Mars on the Old Bridge.</p>", + "characters": "Pier delle Vigne; Arcolano da Squarcia di Riccolfo Maconi (Lano da Siena); Jacopo da Sant' Andrea" + }, + { + "number": 14, + "title": "Canto XIV", + "subtitle": "The Seventh Circle. Violence - against God. Ring 3. Capaneus.", + "subtext": "Dante gathers the scattered leaves for Pier delle Vigne and enters the third ring of the Seventh Circle - a desert of burning sand where flakes of fire rain down eternally. Three groups suffer here: blasphemers 'lay supine', sodomites running endlessly, and usurers crouching, huddled and crying. Dante encounters Capaneus, a defiant blasphemer from the siege of Thebes. Virgil explains the geography of Hell's rivers and tells of the Old Man of Crete, a giant statue whose tears feed all of Hell's waterways except for Lethe, which flows in Purgatory.", + "themes": "Blasphemy; Violence; Sodomy; Usury; Contrapasso; Divine justice", + "references": "Classical: Capaneus as one of Seven Kings sieging Thebes; comparison to Cato crossing Libyan sands; Alexander campaign in India seeing fire fall like snow; Jupiter's thunderbolts and Mount Etna (Mongibello); Vulcan and the Cyclopes; the battle of Phlegra; the Old Man of Crete from Daniel's vision; Saturn's Golden Age; Jupiter (Zeus) hidden from Saturn (Cronus); the ages of gold, silver, and brass; Lethe as river of forgetfulness (in Purgatory).", + "characters": "Capaneus; the Old Man of Crete" + }, + { + "number": 15, + "title": "Canto XV", + "subtitle": "The Seventh Circle. Violence - against Nature. Sodomy.", + "subtext": "Dante and Virgil walk along the stone embankment protecting them from the fiery rain. They encounter a group of sodomites running beneath them on the burning sand. One recognizes Dante - it is Ser Brunetto Latini, Dante's former teacher and mentor. Brunetto prophesies Dante's future troubles and exile, warning him about the envious Florentines descended from Fiesole. He speaks of other clerics and scholars suffering the same punishment, including Priscian, Francesco d'Accorso, and Bishop Andrea de' Mozzi. Brunetto asks Dante to remember his book 'Il Tesoro' before running off like a winner in Verona's race for the green cloth.", + "themes": "Homosexuality; Unnatural; Desire; Contrapasso; Divine justice; Mentorship; Prophecy; Exile; Corruption; Reverence; Condemnation", + "references": "Classical: Paduan embankments; Priscian the great grammarian; comparison to an annual race on the first Sunday of Lent in Verona for the prize of a green cloth;<p>Italian politics: prophecy of Dante's exile; Florentines descended from Fiesole vs Romans; Francesco d'Accorso as professor at Bologna and Oxford; charges of homosexuality was commonly made to intellectuals at the time; Andrea de' Mozzi as Bishop of Florence then transferred to Vicenza by Pope Boniface VIII; clerical corruption; Brunetto's 'Il Tesoro' written in French.</p>", + "characters": "Brunetto Latini; Priscian; Francesco d'Accorso; Andrea de' Mozzi" + }, + { + "number": 16, + "title": "Canto XVI", + "subtitle": "The Seventh Circle. Violence - against Nature. Sodomy continued.", + "subtext": "Three distinguished Florentine sodomites approach in a circular formation, recognizing Dante by his Florentine dress. They are Guido Guerra, Tegghiaio Aldobrandi, and Jacopo Rusticucci - all once honoured citizens. They ask about Florence's current state, and Dante laments the city's corruption by 'upstarts and sudden fortunes'. The spirits approve his harsh judgment. As they reach a great waterfall, Virgil throws Dante's cord into the abyss as a signal, and the monstrous Geryon emerges.", + "themes": "Corruption; Nobility; Honour; Contrapasso; Divine justice", + "references": "Classical: Geryon;<p>Italian politics: Guido Guerra descended from good Gualdrada; Tegghiaio Aldobrandi who advised against Montaperti campaign; Iacopo Rusticucci's unhappy marriage; criticism of Florence's 'upstarts and sudden fortunes'; the cord possibly referring to the Franciscan Order, signifying chastity;</p><p>Geography: the waterfall compared to the Acquacheta (Montone river) and monastery of St. Benedict above Forlì.</p>", + "characters": "Guido Guerra; Tegghiaio Aldobrandi; Jacopo Rusticucci; Guglielmo Borsiere; Geryon" + }, + { + "number": 17, + "title": "Canto XVII", + "subtitle": "The Seventh Circle. Violence - against Art. Usury. Geryon.", + "subtext": "Geryon appears with a human face of righteousness but a serpent's body covered in intricate patterns, representing fraud. While Virgil negotiates with the beast, Dante observes the usurers sitting on the burning sand, each wearing a purse with their family coat of arms around their neck. He recognizes heraldic symbols of the Gianfigliazzi, Ubriachi, and Scrovegni families, and hears prophecy of the arrival of Giovanni Buiamonte. Dante then mounts Geryon behind Virgil for a flight down to the Eighth Circle to lower Hell, comparing his fear to that of Phaëthon and Icarus.", + "themes": "Usury; Fear; Heraldry", + "references": "Biblical: Geryon drawing parallels to Satan, both with deceptive appearances and fester in the lowest levels of Hell;<p>Classical: Geryon as mythical king transformed into a fraud monster; Geryon's nature compared to beaver hunting methods; Arachne the weaver transformed into a spider; Phaëthon losing control of sun's chariot; Icarus falling when wax melts; falcon returning tired to falconer as describing Geryon's departure;</p><p>Italian politics: usurer families identified by coat of arms - Gianfigliazzi (azure lion on gold), Ubriachi (white goose on red), Scrovegni (azure sow on white); Vitaliano as Paduan usurer; Giovanni Buiamonte as 'greatest Florentine usurer' still living; critique of noble families engaging in usury.</p>", + "characters": "Geryon; Vitaliano of Padua; Giovanni Buiamonte" + }, + { + "number": 18, + "title": "Canto XVIII", + "subtitle": "The Eighth Circle - 'Malebolge'. Fraud. First and Second Bolgia. Pimps, Seducers and Flatterers.", + "subtext": "Dante describes Malebolge (Evil Pockets), the Eighth Circle consisting of ten concentric ditches connected by stone bridges. In the first ditch, panders and seducers march in opposite directions, whipped by horned demons. Dante recognizes Venedico Caccianimico, who admits to pimping his sister Ghisola to the Marquis of Este. In the opposite stream walks Jason, who seduced and abandoned both Hypsipyle and Medea. In the second ditch, flatterers are immersed in excrement. Dante encounters Alessio Interminei of Lucca and sees Thais the harlot.", + "themes": "Degeneracy; Seduction; Flattery; Contrapasso; Divine justice; Disgust; Manipulation", + "references": "Classical: Jason and his seduction of Hypsipyle on Lemnos; Jason's theft of Golden Fleece and abandonment of Medea; Thais the prostitute from Terence's Eunuch;<p>Italian politics: comparison to Jubilee crowd management at St. Angelo bridge in Rome by Pope Boniface VIII; Venedico Caccianimico of Bologna pimping his sister to Marquis of Este; Alessio Interminei of Lucca as notorious flatterer; Bologna dialect 'Sipa' for 'Yes'.</p>", + "characters": "Venedico Caccianimico; Jason; Alessio Interminei; Thais" + }, + { + "number": 19, + "title": "Canto XIX", + "subtitle": "The Eighth Circle. Third Bolgia. Simoniacs and Papal Corruption.", + "subtext": "Dante invokes against Simon Magus and enters the third ditch where simoniacs are buried head-first in holes with their feet on fire. One soul burns more intensely - Pope Nicholas III, who mistakes Dante for Boniface VIII arriving early. Nicholas confesses his nepotism and predicts the arrival of Boniface, followed by the even more corrupt Clement V from France. Dante delivers a fierce condemnation of papal corruption, referencing the Donation of Constantine and the Whore of Babylon. Virgil carries Dante up from the ditch, pleased with his pupil's righteous anger.", + "themes": "Simony; Corruption; Prophecy; Nepotism; Avarice; Contrapasso; Divine justice", + "references": "Biblical: Simon Magus trying to buy spiritual power from the Apostles; the Whore of Babylon from Revelation with seven heads and ten horns;<p>Classical: comparison to baptismal fonts in San Giovanni and Dante's anecdote of damaging one in order to save a child's life;</p><p>Italian politics: Pope Nicholas III of Orsini family; assassins and traitors were too buried alive head-first; prophecy of Boniface VIII's death and arrival in 1303; Clement V moving papacy to Avignon; the Donation of Constantine as source of papal temporal power; overarching criticism of papal avarice and nepotism.</p>", + "characters": "Pope Nicholas III; Boniface VIII; Clement V; Simon Magus" + }, + { + "number": 20, + "title": "Canto XX", + "subtitle": "The Eighth Circle. Fourth Bolgia. Soothsayers. Mantua.", + "subtext": "In the fourth ditch, Dante sees soothsayers and diviners walking slowly with their heads twisted backwards, forced to walk blind into the future they once claimed to foresee. Virgil rebukes Dante for showing pity, explaining that here pity is impiety. He identifies various classical and contemporary fortune-tellers, then digresses into a lengthy account of how Mantua was founded by the sorceress Manto, correcting his own earlier version from the Aeneid. Among the diviners are ancient figures like Amphiaraus and Tiresias, and more recent ones like Michael Scott and Guido Bonatti.", + "themes": "Divination; Sorcery; Prophecy; Contrapasso; Divine justice", + "references": "Classical: Amphiaraus swallowed by earth at Thebes; Tiresias changed from man to woman and back; Aruns living in caves near Carrara; Manto daughter of Tiresias; extensive geography of Lake Benaco (Garda) and founding of Mantua; Eurypylus as augur at Troy;<p>Italian politics: Michael Scott as astrologer to Frederick II; Guido Bonatti as astrologer and tiler; Asdente the cobbler-prophet of Parma; Casalodi fooled by Pinamonte in Mantua; various Italian cities and geographical references around Lake Garda.</p>", + "characters": "Amphiaraus; Tiresias; Aruns; Manto; Eurypylus; Michael Scott; Guido Bonatti; Asdente" + }, + { + "number": 21, + "title": "Canto XXI", + "subtitle": "The Eighth Circle. Fifth Bolgia. Barratry.", + "subtext": "Dante and Virgil reach the fifth ditch filled with boiling tar, like the Arsenal of Venice in winter. Corrupt officials (barrators) are immersed in the pitch, guarded by the Malebranche devils who hook and torment any who surface. A devil arrives carrying a magistrate from Lucca, mocking the city's corruption. Virgil negotiates with Malacoda, the chief devil, who lies about a broken bridge and assigns ten demons to escort them. The devils make obscene gestures and sounds as they prepare to march.", + "themes": "Barratry; Deception; Authority; Greed; Evil; Contrapasso; Divine justice", + "references": "Biblical: reference to Saint Zita patron saint of Lucca; the Sacred Countenance (Volto Santo) of Lucca is cried out by a demon;<p>Classical: comparison to Venice Arsenal's in winter where activity is slow, grueling and unproductive;</p><p>Italian politics: corruption in Lucca ('Santa Zita's town'); Bonturo as greatest barrator in Lucca still living; Elder (magistrate) from Lucca thrown into pitch; Dante taking part of a siege at Caprona; implicit criticism of municipal corruption throughout Italy.</p>", + "characters": "Malacoda; ten Malebranche devils (Alichino, Calcabrina, Cagnazzo, Barbariccia, Libicocco, Draghignazzo, Ciriatto, Graffiacane, Farfarello, Rubicante), Martino Bottaio; Bonturo" + }, + { + "number": 22, + "title": "Canto XXII", + "subtitle": "The Eighth Circle. Fifth Bolgia continued. Corrupt Officals (Grafters).", + "subtext": "Dante compares the military procession to various campaigns he witnessed. The demons patrol the pitch while barrators burn in the boiling tar, presenting similar to dolphins or bullfrogs in order to ease their pain. Graffiacane hooks one sinner - a Navarrese who served King Thibault. Under interrogation, he names other corrupt officials: Fra Gomita of Gallura and Don Michael Zanche from Sardinia. The Navarrese tricks the demons by offering to call up more sinners, then escapes by diving into the pitch. Alichino and Calcabrina fight each other and fall into the boiling pitch, leaving Dante and Virgil to escape the chaotic scene.", + "themes": "Trickery; Corruption; Conflict; Contrapasso; Divine justice", + "references": "Classical: dolphins warning of storms; frogs hiding from enemies;<p>Italian politics: Dante's participation in Campaldino; the Navarrese serving King Thibault II of Navarre; Friar Gomita's corruption under Judge Nino Visconti in Gallura; Don Michael Zanche as governing Logodoro district.</p>", + "characters": "Ciampolo (Thibaut II servant); Fra Gomita of Gallura; Don Michael Zanche; Graffiacane; Alichino and Calcabrina; Barbariccia" + }, + { + "number": 23, + "title": "Canto XXIII", + "subtitle": "The Eighth Circle. Sixth Bolgia. Hypocrites.", + "subtext": "Fleeing the angry demons, Virgil carries Dante down into the sixth ditch like a mother saving her child from a fire. Here they find hypocrites walking slowly in lead cloaks, appearing golden outside but weighing them down enormously. Dante meets two Merry Friars from Bologna - Catalano and Loderingo - who were brought to Florence as joint magistrates but proved corrupt. They point out Caiaphas, crucified naked on the ground, bearing the weight of all passing hypocrites trampling. Friar Catalano reveals that all the bridges over this ditch are broken from the earthquake at Christ's death.", + "themes": "Hypocrisy; Spiritual progress; Crucifixion; Contrapasso; Divine justice", + "references": "Biblical: Caiaphas counseling that one man should die for the people; Annas and the Pharisees; the earthquake at Christ's crucifixion breaking Hell's bridges;<p>Classical: Aesop's fable of mouse and frog devoured by kite; comparison to Franciscan habits and German monk robes; Frederick II's supposed leaden torture garments;</p><p>Italian politics: mockery of the Frati Godenti religious order; the two Merry Friars (Catalano and Loderingo) as corrupt Bolognese magistrates in Florence; destruction of Ghibelline houses in Florence; their false peacemaking in 1266.</p>", + "characters": "Catalano; Loderingo; Caiaphas; Annas" + }, + { + "number": 24, + "title": "Canto XXIV", + "subtitle": "The Eighth Circle. Seventh Bolgia. Thieves.", + "subtext": "Dante describes a peasant waking to a snowy setting before cutting to reality with a similar Virgil in distress but swiftly returning to normal. They climb laboriously over the broken rocks to escape the sixth ditch, with Virgil encouraging Dante about future greater climbs. Reaching the seventh ditch, they see thieves tormented by serpents and lizards, undergoing constant, grotesque transformations between human form and ashes, or even fusing with the reptiles. Dante witnesses a sinner burst into flames and then reconstitute from ashes like the phoenix. This is Vanni Fucci of Pistoia, who confesses to stealing from the cathedral treasury and vengefully prophesies political disasters for Dante's White party.", + "themes": "Theft; Transformation; Self; Identity; Prophecy; Vengeance; Contrapasso; Divine justice", + "references": "Classical: the Phoenix dying and being reborn every 500 years;<p>Italian politics: Vanni Fucci as White Guelph of Pistoia; theft from church of San Zeno; prophecy of Whites' defeat - first expelled from Pistoia (May 1301), then from Florence by Blacks with Charles of Valois; Moroello Malaspina as 'vapor from Magra valley'.</p>", + "characters": "Vanni Fucci; the Phoenix" + + }, + { + "number": 25, + "title": "Canto XXV", + "subtitle": "The Eighth Circle. Seventh Bolgia continued.", + "subtext": "Vanni Fucci makes an obscene gesture toward God and is immediately attacked by serpents. The centaur Cacus arrives seeking the 'ribald' but passes on. Three Florentine thieves approach, and Dante witnesses incredible transformations: Cianfa (as a six-footed serpent) merges with Agnello to form a single monstrous being, while a small serpent (Francesco Cavalcanti) exchanges forms completely with Buoso degli Abati. Dante boasts that his transformations surpass those described by Lucan and Ovid. Only Puccio Sciancato remains unchanged throughout these metamorphoses.", + "themes": "Theft; Transformation; Self; Identity; Contrapasso; Divine justice", + "references": "Biblical: making figs (obscene gesture) toward God;<p>Classical: Cacus as centaur-like who stole Hercules' cattle; Lucan's Sabellus and Nasidius transformations; Ovid's Cadmus into serpent and Arethusa into fountain; Dante's claim to surpass classical poets;</p><p>Italian politics: five Florentine noble thieves - Agnello Brunelleschi, Buoso degli Abati, Puccio Sciancato de' Galigai, Cianfa de' Donati, Francesco Cavalcanti; Gaville mourning Francesco's death and subsequent revenge; corruption among Florentine nobility.</p>", + "characters": "Vanni Fucci; Cacus; Agnello Brunelleschi; Cianfa de' Donati; Buoso degli Abati; Francesco Cavalcanti; Puccio Sciancato de' Galigai" + }, + { + "number": 26, + "title": "Canto XXVI", + "subtitle": "The Eighth Circle. Eighth Bolgia. Intellectual Deceit. Ulysses.", + "subtext": "Dante ironically celebrates Florence's fame spreading even through Hell, then prophesies the city's coming disasters. In the eighth ditch, evil counselors are wrapped in flames like fireflies in a valley. Dante sees a divided flame containing Ulysses and Diomedes, punished for the Trojan Horse, stealing the Palladium, and deceiving Deidamia. Ulysses tells of his final voyage: after leaving Circe, he sailed west beyond the Pillars of Hercules with a few loyal companions, reaching the Southern Hemisphere and sighting a great mountain before a whirlwind destroyed his ship.", + "themes": "Intellect; Counsel; Contrapasso; Divine justice", + "references": "Biblical: Book Of Kings; Old Testament prophets; Elijah and Elisha; Elijah's chariot of fire;<p>Classical: Ulysses and Diomedes as Greek heroes; the Trojan Horse; theft of the Palladium from Troy; Achilles hidden on Scyros with Deidamia; Circe the sorceress; Pillars of Hercules (Strait of Gibraltar); comparison to fireflies in summer valleys;</p><p>Italian politics: Black and White Guelf factional strife in Florence and Tuscan cities such as Prato; Dante's shame at five Florentine thieves.</p>", + "characters": "Ulysses; Diomedes; Circe" + }, + { + "number": 27, + "title": "Canto XXVII", + "subtitle": "The Eighth Circle. Eighth Bolgia. Abuse of Intellect continued. Guido.", + "subtext": "After Ulysses' flame departs, another approaches speaking in Lombard dialect, asking for news of Romagna. Dante provides a survey of Romagna's political situation circa 1300, describing various tyrants and their territories. The speaker reveals himself as Guido da Montefeltro, once a great military strategist who became a Franciscan friar in old age. Pope Boniface VIII sought his counsel for destroying the Colonna family stronghold at Palestrina, offering advance absolution. Guido advised 'promise much, perform little.' When Guido died, Saint Francis came for his soul, but a black Cherub claimed him, arguing that advance absolution without true repentance is invalid.", + "themes": "Intellect; Counsel; Repentance; Hypocrisy; Contrition", + "references": "Biblical: Saint Francis coming for Guido's soul; the black Cherubim as agents of damnation; repenting while intending to sin;<p>Classical: the Sicilian (Brazen) Bull of Phalaris; comparison to Constantine calling Sylvester from Soracte;</p><p>Italian politics: detailed survey of Romagna circa 1300 - Ravenna under Polenta eagles; Forlì under Ordelaffi green paws; Rimini under Malatesta mastiffs; Pope Boniface VIII's war against Colonna cardinals; the fall of Palestrina; criticism of papal temporal warfare against Christians while Holy Land was lost.</p>", + "characters": "Guido da Montefeltro; Saint Francis of Assisi; Black Cherub" + }, + { + "number": 28, + "title": "Canto XXVIII", + "subtitle": "The Eighth Circle. Ninth Bolgia. Sowers of Discord.", + "subtext": "In the ninth bolgia, Dante witnesses the horrific punishments of those who created schism and discord. Muhammad, split from chin to groin, leads this procession of the mutilated. Ali follows with his face cleft from chin to forelock. Pier da Medicina warns of future treachery against nobles of Fano, while Curio, who advised Caesar to cross the Rubicon, appears with his tongue cut out. Mosca, who instigated the Florentine civil wars, and Bertrand de Born, who set father against son, complete this gallery of division-makers.", + "themes": "Discord; Schism; Division; Contrapasso; Divine justice;", + "references": "Religion: Muhammad and Ali (Islamic schism between Sunni and Shia);<p>Classical: Hannibal's victory at Cannae; Robert Guiscard's Norman conquests; battles of Ceperano, Benevento, and Tagliacozzo; Curio's advice to Caesar at the Rubicon; comparison to Tydeus gnawing Menalippus's head;</p><p>Italian politics: Fra Dolcino's sect and siege in mountains; Pier da Medicina sowing discord between Ravenna and Rimini; Malatesta's treachery at Cattolica; Mosca's advice that led to Buondelmonte murder and Guelf-Ghibeline conflict in Florence; Bertrand de Born's influence on Henry II's sons; the beginning of Florentine civil wars from the Buondelmonte-Amidei feud.</p>", + "characters": "Muhammad; Ali; Fra Dolcino; Pier da Medicina; Curio; Mosca; Bertrand de Born; Guido del Cassero; Angiolello; Malatesta" + }, + { + "number": 29, + "title": "Canto XXIX", + "subtitle": "The Eighth Circle. Ninth Bolgia continued. Tenth Bolgia. Falsifiers.", + "subtext": "Dante lingers looking at the schismatics, searching for his kinsman Geri del Bello, who points threateningly at him before disappearing. Virgil explains that Geri's murder remains unavenged after thirty years. They descend to the tenth and final ditch of Malebolge, filled with falsifiers suffering from various diseases. The alchemists are afflicted with scab and leprosy. Dante meets Griffolino of Arezzo, who was burned for claiming he could fly (though condemned for alchemy), and Capocchio, a Florentine who was also burned as an alchemist and mocks the vanity of the Sienese spendthrift club.", + "themes": "Falsification; Disease; Vanity; Alchemy; Contrapasso; Divine justice", + "references": "Classical: comparison to Aegina's plague described by Ovid where all died except those restored from ants; diseased regions with malaria - Valdichiana, Maremma, Sardinia; Daedalus who could actually fly; <p>Italian politics: Geri del Bello as Dante's kinsman whose murder (by the Sachetti clan) went unavenged for thirty years; Griffolino burned at Siena on false heresy charges; Albert of Siena's gullibility; the Sienese spendthrift club including Caccia d'Asciano and Abbagliato; Capocchio as Florentine alchemist burned in Siena; Dante witnessing Capocchio painting the story of Christ's Passion on his fingernails and in an effort to get rid of the evidence is beaten for having destroyed such art.</p>", + "characters": "Geri del Bello; Griffolino of Arezzo; Capocchio; Albert of Siena" + }, + { + "number": 30, + "title": "Canto XXX", + "subtitle": "The Eighth Circle. Tenth Bolgia continued.", + "subtext": "Beginning with classical examples of madness (Athamas and Hecuba), Dante describes two rabid shades attacking others - Gianni Schicchi (who impersonated the dead Buoso Donati to forge a will) and Myrrha (who disguised herself to commit incest). Dante then meets Master Adam, a counterfeiter from Brescia who forged Florentine florins for the Counts of Romena. Swollen with dropsy, he dreams of cool streams while burning with thirst. A quarrel erupts between Master Adam and the liar Sinon of Troy, with mutual accusations and insults, until Virgil rebukes Dante for listening too eagerly to their base argument.", + "themes": "Falsification; Counterfeiting; Perjury; Baseness; Accusation; Contrapasso; Divine justice", + "references": "Classical: Juno's revenge on Thebes through Athamas's madness; Hecuba's transformation after Troy's fall; Gianni Schicchi's impersonation skills; Myrrha's incestuous disguise; the fall of Troy and Sinon's deception with the wooden horse; Narcissus and his reflection;<p>Italian politics: Master Adam counterfeiting florins for the Counts Guidi of Romena; the purity of Florentine gold coinage; Fonte Branda (either in Siena or near Romena); the Counts Guidi as Dante's former hosts; Giovanni Buiamonte as anticipated greatest usurer.</p>", + "characters": "Gianni Schicchi; Myrrha; Master Adam; Sinon; Potiphar's wife" + }, + { + "number": 31, + "title": "Canto XXXI", + "subtitle": "Central Well of Inferno. Treason.", + "subtext": "Dante and Virgil descend to the ninth and final circle. Dante and Virgil are no longer in the ditches of evil but on a wide, sloping bank that leads to a deep well. The guardians of this well are giants, figures of immense size and strength. The first giant, Nimrod, is a symbol of confusion and pride. He speaks gibberish, a punishment for his role in the Tower of Babel. The second, Ephialtes, is bound for his rebellion against Jove. Finally, the third, Antaeus, is unbound and is convinced by Virgil's flattery to lower them into the bottom of the pit.", + "themes": "Pride; Rebellion; Giants; Contrapasso; Divine justice", + "references": "Biblical: Nimrod, whose insane pride in building the Tower of Babel caused God to confuse human language;<p>Classical: the battle of Roncesvalles and the sound of Roland’s horn, used by Dante to describe the giant’s trumpet blast; the Cretan Minotaur; Ephialtes and his brother Briareus, giants who rebelled against Jove, now bound in chains; Antaeus, the giant who was killed by Hercules, and whose strength was renewed by touching the Earth; Scipio Africanus and Hannibal, Roman military figures mentioned by Virgil in a flattery to Antaeus to get him to assist them; the Leaning Tower of Carisenda in Bologna, used as a simile to describe Antaeus bending down to the poets; Virgil’s reference to the lance of Achilles which could both wound and heal, a metaphor for Dante's words.</p>", + "characters": "Nimrod; Ephialtes; Antaeus" + }, + { + "number": 32, + "title": "Canto XXXII", + "subtitle": "The Ninth Circle. Treachery. Caina and Antenorra. Bocca.", + "subtext": "Dante and Virgil descend to the ninth and final circle, finding themselves on the frozen lake of Cocytus. Here traitors are imprisoned in ice according to their betrayals. In Caïna are those who betrayed kindred, including the feuding Alberti brothers. Moving to Antenora, Dante encounters Bocca degli Abati, the traitor of Montaperti, who reluctantly reveals other traitors including Buoso da Duera and the Beccheria. The canto ends with the discovery of Count Ugolino gnawing on Archbishop Roger's skull.", + "themes": "Betrayal; Treachery; Disdain; Contrapasso; Divine justice", + "references": "Biblical: Cain (Caïna);<p>Classical: Dante's mention of Amphion's walls of Thebes; comparison of the traitors' chattering teeth to the croaking of frogs in summer; allusion to King Arthur's traitorous son Mordred who was pierced by his father's lance, a punishment mirroring the traitors' frozen state; the ferocious act of Tydeus gnawing on the head of his enemy Menalippus, used to illustrate the brutal scene between Ugolino and Ruggieri;</p><p>Italian politics: the Alberti brothers (Alessandro and Napoleone) who murdered each other over their inheritance in the Bisenzio valley; Camicion de' Pazzi, a kinsman from the Valdarno who murdered another kinsman, and prophesies the arrival of Carlino de' Pazzi; Bocca degli Abati, a Florentine traitor who cut off the standard-bearer's hand at the Battle of Montaperti, leading to a Guelf defeat; Tesauro dei Beccheria, a Pisan abbot beheaded in Florence for treachery; Gianni del Soldanieri, who sided with the Florentine plebeians against the noble class; Tribaldello, who betrayed his city of Faenza.</p>", + "characters": "Alessandro degli Alberti; Napoleone degli Alberti; Bocca degli Abati; Camicion de' Pazzi; Count Ugolino; Archbishop Ruggieri" + }, + { + "number": 33, + "title": "Canto XXXIII", + "subtitle": "The Ninth Circle. Antenorra continued. Ptolomaea. Ugolino.", + "subtext": "Count Ugolino tells the harrowing story of how Archbishop Roger imprisoned him with his sons and grandsons in the Tower of Famine, where they slowly starved to death. Dante, moved to a vengeful fury by the tale, delivers a powerful curse against the city of Pisa. Ptolomaea, where those who betrayed guests and friends are frozen with only their faces above the ice, their tears crystallizing instantly to form icy visors that increase their suffering. He encounters Friar Alberigo, who reveals that some souls fall to Hell while their bodies still live on earth, possessed by demons. Alberigo points out Branca d'Oria leading Dante to express a final, bitter condemnation of the Genoese. Dante refuses to clear the ice from Alberigo's eyes, considering it courtesy to show no mercy to such a traitor.", + "themes": "Betrayal; Suffering; Hospitality; Cruelty; Starvation; Cannibalism; Disdain; Contrapasso; Divine justice", + "references": "Biblical: Atropos (Fate), Ptolomaea (from Maccabees);<p>Classical: Thebes as symbol of cursed city whose whose cruelty to its own people is compared to Pisa's actions against Ugolino and his children; Atropos, one of the three Fates who cuts the thread of life, mentioned in reference to souls being sent to Hell before death;</p><p>Italian Politics: Count Ugolino's dream of himself and his children being hunted as wolves by the Pisan Ghibelline families (Lanfranchi, Gualandi, and Sismondi) and Archbishop Ruggieri; Pisa's cruelty in starving Ugolino and his young children (Gaddo, Brigata, and Hugh); Friar Alberigo of Faenza, who treacherously murdered his relatives at a banquet, leading to the phrase 'a date for a fig' (getting more than one bargained for); Branca d'Oria, a Genoese noble who murdered his father-in-law, Michael Zanche, a reference to his betrayal as a guest and host.</p>", + "characters": "Count Ugolino; Archbishop Ruggieri; Friar Alberigo; Branca d'Oria; Gaddo; Hugh; Brigata" + }, + { + "number": 34, + "title": "Canto XXXIV", + "subtitle": "The Ninth Circle. Judecca. Centre of Hell. Satan. Climb Out Of Hell.", + "subtext": "Dante and Virgil reach Judecca, the deepest and most treacherous region of Hell, reserved for traitors to their lords and benefactors. Here, the sinners are completely submerged in the frozen lake of Cocytus, contorted into various positions. They move on to the frozen center of Hell where Satan, the three-faced giant with giant bat-like wings that create the freezing winds of Cocytus, is trapped in ice. In his three mouths he eternally devours the greatest traitors: Judas Iscariot in the central mouth, and Brutus and Cassius in the side mouths. The poets climb down Satan's body, pass through the center of the earth ascending through a narrow, dark path to the surface, and emerge on the opposite side to see the stars of the southern hemisphere, completing their journey through Hell.", + "themes": "Ultimate Evil; Betrayal; Redemption; Journey; Rebirth; Hope", + "references": "Biblical: the Latin hymn 'Vexilla Regis prodeunt Inferni' (The banners of the King of Hell advance) is a parody of a hymn for the Holy Cross, used to announce the presence of Lucifer; Judas Iscariot as the ultimate traitor; the description of Lucifer's bat-like wings is a symbol of a fallen angel;<p>Classical: Dis as Satan; Brutus and Cassius, the traitors who murdered Julius Caesar, who Dante saw as a divinely-ordained emperor; Virgil's mention of the Earth's center of gravity and the explanation of the reversal of the hemispheres after passing the midpoint of the globe; the reference to the land of the southern hemisphere as having fled from Lucifer when he fell from heaven creating Hell and Mount Purgatory.</p>", + "characters": "Lucifer; Judas Iscariot; Brutus; Cassius" + } +];
\ No newline at end of file @@ -0,0 +1,4715 @@ +var caryData = { + "1": [ + "In the midway of this our mortal life,", + "I found me in a gloomy wood, astray", + "Gone from the path direct: and e’en to tell", + "It were no easy task, how savage wild", + "That forest, how robust and rough its growth,", + "Which to remember only, my dismay", + "Renews, in bitterness not far from death.", + "Yet to discourse of what there good befell,", + "All else will I relate discover’d there.", + "How first I enter’d it I scarce can say,", + "Such sleepy dullness in that instant weigh’d", + "My senses down, when the true path I left,", + "But when a mountain’s foot I reach’d, where clos’d", + "The valley, that had pierc’d my heart with dread,", + "I look’d aloft, and saw his shoulders broad", + "Already vested with that planet’s beam,", + "Who leads all wanderers safe through every way.", + "Then was a little respite to the fear,", + "That in my heart’s recesses deep had lain,", + "All of that night, so pitifully pass’d:", + "And as a man, with difficult short breath,", + "Forespent with toiling, ’scap’d from sea to shore,", + "Turns to the perilous wide waste, and stands", + "At gaze; e’en so my spirit, that yet fail’d", + "Struggling with terror, turn’d to view the straits,", + "That none hath pass’d and liv’d. My weary frame", + "After short pause recomforted, again", + "I journey’d on over that lonely steep,", + "The hinder foot still firmer. Scarce the ascent", + "Began, when, lo! a panther, nimble, light,", + "And cover’d with a speckled skin, appear’d,", + "Nor, when it saw me, vanish’d, rather strove", + "To check my onward going; that ofttimes", + "With purpose to retrace my steps I turn’d.", + "The hour was morning’s prime, and on his way", + "Aloft the sun ascended with those stars,", + "That with him rose, when Love divine first mov’d", + "Those its fair works: so that with joyous hope", + "All things conspir’d to fill me, the gay skin", + "Of that swift animal, the matin dawn", + "And the sweet season. Soon that joy was chas’d,", + "And by new dread succeeded, when in view", + "A lion came, ’gainst me, as it appear’d,", + "With his head held aloft and hunger-mad,", + "That e’en the air was fear-struck. A she-wolf", + "Was at his heels, who in her leanness seem’d", + "Full of all wants, and many a land hath made", + "Disconsolate ere now. She with such fear", + "O’erwhelmed me, at the sight of her appall’d,", + "That of the height all hope I lost. As one,", + "Who with his gain elated, sees the time", + "When all unwares is gone, he inwardly", + "Mourns with heart-griping anguish; such was I,", + "Haunted by that fell beast, never at peace,", + "Who coming o’er against me, by degrees", + "Impell’d me where the sun in silence rests.", + "While to the lower space with backward step", + "I fell, my ken discern’d the form one of one,", + "Whose voice seem’d faint through long disuse of speech.", + "When him in that great desert I espied,", + "“Have mercy on me!” cried I out aloud,", + "“Spirit! or living man! what e’er thou be!”", + "He answer’d: “Now not man, man once I was,", + "And born of Lombard parents, Mantuana both", + "By country, when the power of Julius yet", + "Was scarcely firm. At Rome my life was past", + "Beneath the mild Augustus, in the time", + "Of fabled deities and false. A bard", + "Was I, and made Anchises’ upright son", + "The subject of my song, who came from Troy,", + "When the flames prey’d on Ilium’s haughty towers.", + "But thou, say wherefore to such perils past", + "Return’st thou? wherefore not this pleasant mount", + "Ascendest, cause and source of all delight?”", + "“And art thou then that Virgil, that well-spring,", + "From which such copious floods of eloquence", + "Have issued?” I with front abash’d replied.", + "“Glory and light of all the tuneful train!", + "May it avail me that I long with zeal", + "Have sought thy volume, and with love immense", + "Have conn’d it o’er. My master thou and guide!", + "Thou he from whom alone I have deriv’d", + "That style, which for its beauty into fame", + "Exalts me. See the beast, from whom I fled.", + "O save me from her, thou illustrious sage!", + "For every vein and pulse throughout my frame", + "She hath made tremble.” He, soon as he saw", + "That I was weeping, answer’d, “Thou must needs", + "Another way pursue, if thou wouldst ’scape", + "From out that savage wilderness. This beast,", + "At whom thou criest, her way will suffer none", + "To pass, and no less hindrance makes than death:", + "So bad and so accursed in her kind,", + "That never sated is her ravenous will,", + "Still after food more craving than before.", + "To many an animal in wedlock vile", + "She fastens, and shall yet to many more,", + "Until that greyhound come, who shall destroy", + "Her with sharp pain. He will not life support", + "By earth nor its base metals, but by love,", + "Wisdom, and virtue, and his land shall be", + "The land ’twixt either Feltro. In his might", + "Shall safety to Italia’s plains arise,", + "For whose fair realm, Camilla, virgin pure,", + "Nisus, Euryalus, and Turnus fell.", + "He with incessant chase through every town", + "Shall worry, until he to hell at length", + "Restore her, thence by envy first let loose.", + "I for thy profit pond’ring now devise,", + "That thou mayst follow me, and I thy guide", + "Will lead thee hence through an eternal space,", + "Where thou shalt hear despairing shrieks, and see", + "Spirits of old tormented, who invoke", + "A second death; and those next view, who dwell", + "Content in fire, for that they hope to come,", + "Whene’er the time may be, among the blest,", + "Into whose regions if thou then desire", + "T’ ascend, a spirit worthier then I", + "Must lead thee, in whose charge, when I depart,", + "Thou shalt be left: for that Almighty King,", + "Who reigns above, a rebel to his law,", + "Adjudges me, and therefore hath decreed,", + "That to his city none through me should come.", + "He in all parts hath sway; there rules, there holds", + "His citadel and throne. O happy those,", + "Whom there he chooses!” I to him in few:", + "“Bard! by that God, whom thou didst not adore,", + "I do beseech thee (that this ill and worse", + "I may escape) to lead me, where thou saidst,", + "That I Saint Peter’s gate may view, and those", + "Who as thou tell’st, are in such dismal plight.”", + "Onward he mov’d, I close his steps pursu’d." + ], + "2": [ + "Now was the day departing, and the air,", + "Imbrown’d with shadows, from their toils releas’d", + "All animals on earth; and I alone", + "Prepar’d myself the conflict to sustain,", + "Both of sad pity, and that perilous road,", + "Which my unerring memory shall retrace.", + "O Muses! O high genius! now vouchsafe", + "Your aid! O mind! that all I saw hast kept", + "Safe in a written record, here thy worth", + "And eminent endowments come to proof.", + "I thus began: “Bard! thou who art my guide,", + "Consider well, if virtue be in me", + "Sufficient, ere to this high enterprise", + "Thou trust me. Thou hast told that Silvius’ sire,", + "Yet cloth’d in corruptible flesh, among", + "Th’ immortal tribes had entrance, and was there", + "Sensible present. Yet if heaven’s great Lord,", + "Almighty foe to ill, such favour shew’d,", + "In contemplation of the high effect,", + "Both what and who from him should issue forth,", + "It seems in reason’s judgment well deserv’d:", + "Sith he of Rome, and of Rome’s empire wide,", + "In heaven’s empyreal height was chosen sire:", + "Both which, if truth be spoken, were ordain’d", + "And ’stablish’d for the holy place, where sits", + "Who to great Peter’s sacred chair succeeds.", + "He from this journey, in thy song renown’d,", + "Learn’d things, that to his victory gave rise", + "And to the papal robe. In after-times", + "The chosen vessel also travel’d there,", + "To bring us back assurance in that faith,", + "Which is the entrance to salvation’s way.", + "But I, why should I there presume? or who", + "Permits it? not, Aeneas I nor Paul.", + "Myself I deem not worthy, and none else", + "Will deem me. I, if on this voyage then", + "I venture, fear it will in folly end.", + "Thou, who art wise, better my meaning know’st,", + "Than I can speak.” As one, who unresolves", + "What he hath late resolv’d, and with new thoughts", + "Changes his purpose, from his first intent", + "Remov’d; e’en such was I on that dun coast,", + "Wasting in thought my enterprise, at first", + "So eagerly embrac’d. “If right thy words", + "I scan,” replied that shade magnanimous,", + "“Thy soul is by vile fear assail’d, which oft", + "So overcasts a man, that he recoils", + "From noblest resolution, like a beast", + "At some false semblance in the twilight gloom.", + "That from this terror thou mayst free thyself,", + "I will instruct thee why I came, and what", + "I heard in that same instant, when for thee", + "Grief touch’d me first. I was among the tribe,", + "Who rest suspended, when a dame, so blest", + "And lovely, I besought her to command,", + "Call’d me; her eyes were brighter than the star", + "Of day; and she with gentle voice and soft", + "Angelically tun’d her speech address’d:", + "“O courteous shade of Mantua! thou whose fame", + "Yet lives, and shall live long as nature lasts!", + "A friend, not of my fortune but myself,", + "On the wide desert in his road has met", + "Hindrance so great, that he through fear has turn’d.", + "Now much I dread lest he past help have stray’d,", + "And I be ris’n too late for his relief,", + "From what in heaven of him I heard. Speed now,", + "And by thy eloquent persuasive tongue,", + "And by all means for his deliverance meet,", + "Assist him. So to me will comfort spring.", + "I who now bid thee on this errand forth", + "Am Beatrice; from a place I come", + "Revisited with joy. Love brought me thence,", + "Who prompts my speech. When in my Master’s sight", + "I stand, thy praise to him I oft will tell.”", + "She then was silent, and I thus began:", + "“O Lady! by whose influence alone,", + "Mankind excels whatever is contain’d", + "Within that heaven which hath the smallest orb,", + "So thy command delights me, that to obey,", + "If it were done already, would seem late.", + "No need hast thou farther to speak thy will;", + "Yet tell the reason, why thou art not loth", + "To leave that ample space, where to return", + "Thou burnest, for this centre here beneath.”", + "She then: “Since thou so deeply wouldst inquire,", + "I will instruct thee briefly, why no dread", + "Hinders my entrance here. Those things alone", + "Are to be fear’d, whence evil may proceed,", + "None else, for none are terrible beside.", + "I am so fram’d by God, thanks to his grace!", + "That any suff’rance of your misery", + "Touches me not, nor flame of that fierce fire", + "Assails me. In high heaven a blessed dame", + "Besides, who mourns with such effectual grief", + "That hindrance, which I send thee to remove,", + "That God’s stern judgment to her will inclines.", + "To Lucia calling, her she thus bespake:", + "“Now doth thy faithful servant need thy aid", + "And I commend him to thee.” At her word", + "Sped Lucia, of all cruelty the foe,", + "And coming to the place, where I abode", + "Seated with Rachel, her of ancient days,", + "She thus address’d me: “Thou true praise of God!", + "Beatrice! why is not thy succour lent", + "To him, who so much lov’d thee, as to leave", + "For thy sake all the multitude admires?", + "Dost thou not hear how pitiful his wail,", + "Nor mark the death, which in the torrent flood,", + "Swoln mightier than a sea, him struggling holds?”", + "Ne’er among men did any with such speed", + "Haste to their profit, flee from their annoy,", + "As when these words were spoken, I came here,", + "Down from my blessed seat, trusting the force", + "Of thy pure eloquence, which thee, and all", + "Who well have mark’d it, into honour brings.”", + "“When she had ended, her bright beaming eyes", + "Tearful she turn’d aside; whereat I felt", + "Redoubled zeal to serve thee. As she will’d,", + "Thus am I come: I sav’d thee from the beast,", + "Who thy near way across the goodly mount", + "Prevented. What is this comes o’er thee then?", + "Why, why dost thou hang back? why in thy breast", + "Harbour vile fear? why hast not courage there", + "And noble daring? Since three maids so blest", + "Thy safety plan, e’en in the court of heaven;", + "And so much certain good my words forebode.”", + "As florets, by the frosty air of night", + "Bent down and clos’d, when day has blanch’d their leaves,", + "Rise all unfolded on their spiry stems;", + "So was my fainting vigour new restor’d,", + "And to my heart such kindly courage ran,", + "That I as one undaunted soon replied:", + "“O full of pity she, who undertook", + "My succour! and thou kind who didst perform", + "So soon her true behest! With such desire", + "Thou hast dispos’d me to renew my voyage,", + "That my first purpose fully is resum’d.", + "Lead on: one only will is in us both.", + "Thou art my guide, my master thou, and lord.”", + "So spake I; and when he had onward mov’d,", + "I enter’d on the deep and woody way." + ], + "3": [ + "“Through me you pass into the city of woe:", + "Through me you pass into eternal pain:", + "Through me among the people lost for aye.", + "Justice the founder of my fabric mov’d:", + "To rear me was the task of power divine,", + "Supremest wisdom, and primeval love.", + "Before me things create were none, save things", + "Eternal, and eternal I endure.", + "All hope abandon ye who enter here.”", + "Such characters in colour dim I mark’d", + "Over a portal’s lofty arch inscrib’d:", + "Whereat I thus: “Master, these words import", + "Hard meaning.” He as one prepar’d replied:", + "“Here thou must all distrust behind thee leave;", + "Here be vile fear extinguish’d. We are come", + "Where I have told thee we shall see the souls", + "To misery doom’d, who intellectual good", + "Have lost.” And when his hand he had stretch’d forth", + "To mine, with pleasant looks, whence I was cheer’d,", + "Into that secret place he led me on.", + "Here sighs with lamentations and loud moans", + "Resounded through the air pierc’d by no star,", + "That e’en I wept at entering. Various tongues,", + "Horrible languages, outcries of woe,", + "Accents of anger, voices deep and hoarse,", + "With hands together smote that swell’d the sounds,", + "Made up a tumult, that for ever whirls", + "Round through that air with solid darkness stain’d,", + "Like to the sand that in the whirlwind flies.", + "I then, with error yet encompass’d, cried:", + "“O master! What is this I hear? What race", + "Are these, who seem so overcome with woe?”", + "He thus to me: “This miserable fate", + "Suffer the wretched souls of those, who liv’d", + "Without or praise or blame, with that ill band", + "Of angels mix’d, who nor rebellious prov’d", + "Nor yet were true to God, but for themselves", + "Were only. From his bounds Heaven drove them forth,", + "Not to impair his lustre, nor the depth", + "Of Hell receives them, lest th’ accursed tribe", + "Should glory thence with exultation vain.”", + "I then: “Master! what doth aggrieve them thus,", + "That they lament so loud?” He straight replied:", + "“That will I tell thee briefly. These of death", + "No hope may entertain: and their blind life", + "So meanly passes, that all other lots", + "They envy. Fame of them the world hath none,", + "Nor suffers; mercy and justice scorn them both.", + "Speak not of them, but look, and pass them by.”", + "And I, who straightway look’d, beheld a flag,", + "Which whirling ran around so rapidly,", + "That it no pause obtain’d: and following came", + "Such a long train of spirits, I should ne’er", + "Have thought, that death so many had despoil’d.", + "When some of these I recogniz’d, I saw", + "And knew the shade of him, who to base fear", + "Yielding, abjur’d his high estate. Forthwith", + "I understood for certain this the tribe", + "Of those ill spirits both to God displeasing", + "And to his foes. These wretches, who ne’er lived,", + "Went on in nakedness, and sorely stung", + "By wasps and hornets, which bedew’d their cheeks", + "With blood, that mix’d with tears dropp’d to their feet,", + "And by disgustful worms was gather’d there.", + "Then looking farther onwards I beheld", + "A throng upon the shore of a great stream:", + "Whereat I thus: “Sir! grant me now to know", + "Whom here we view, and whence impell’d they seem", + "So eager to pass o’er, as I discern", + "Through the blear light?” He thus to me in few:", + "“This shalt thou know, soon as our steps arrive", + "Beside the woeful tide of Acheron.”", + "Then with eyes downward cast and fill’d with shame,", + "Fearing my words offensive to his ear,", + "Till we had reach’d the river, I from speech", + "Abstain’d. And lo! toward us in a bark", + "Comes on an old man hoary white with eld,", + "Crying, “Woe to you wicked spirits! hope not", + "Ever to see the sky again. I come", + "To take you to the other shore across,", + "Into eternal darkness, there to dwell", + "In fierce heat and in ice. And thou, who there", + "Standest, live spirit! get thee hence, and leave", + "These who are dead.” But soon as he beheld", + "I left them not, “By other way,” said he,", + "“By other haven shalt thou come to shore,", + "Not by this passage; thee a nimbler boat", + "Must carry.” Then to him thus spake my guide:", + "“Charon! thyself torment not: so ’tis will’d,", + "Where will and power are one: ask thou no more.”", + "Straightway in silence fell the shaggy cheeks", + "Of him the boatman o’er the livid lake,", + "Around whose eyes glar’d wheeling flames. Meanwhile", + "Those spirits, faint and naked, color chang’d,", + "And gnash’d their teeth, soon as the cruel words", + "They heard. God and their parents they blasphem’d,", + "The human kind, the place, the time, and seed", + "That did engender them and give them birth.", + "Then all together sorely wailing drew", + "To the curs’d strand, that every man must pass", + "Who fears not God. Charon, demoniac form,", + "With eyes of burning coal, collects them all,", + "Beck’ning, and each, that lingers, with his oar", + "Strikes. As fall off the light autumnal leaves,", + "One still another following, till the bough", + "Strews all its honours on the earth beneath;", + "E’en in like manner Adam’s evil brood", + "Cast themselves one by one down from the shore,", + "Each at a beck, as falcon at his call.", + "Thus go they over through the umber’d wave,", + "And ever they on the opposing bank", + "Be landed, on this side another throng", + "Still gathers. “Son,” thus spake the courteous guide,", + "“Those, who die subject to the wrath of God,", + "All here together come from every clime,", + "And to o’erpass the river are not loth:", + "For so heaven’s justice goads them on, that fear", + "Is turn’d into desire. Hence ne’er hath past", + "Good spirit. If of thee Charon complain,", + "Now mayst thou know the import of his words.”", + "This said, the gloomy region trembling shook", + "So terribly, that yet with clammy dews", + "Fear chills my brow. The sad earth gave a blast,", + "That, lightening, shot forth a vermilion flame,", + "Which all my senses conquer’d quite, and I", + "Down dropp’d, as one with sudden slumber seiz’d." + ], + "4": [ + "Broke the deep slumber in my brain a crash", + "Of heavy thunder, that I shook myself,", + "As one by main force rous’d. Risen upright,", + "My rested eyes I mov’d around, and search’d", + "With fixed ken to know what place it was,", + "Wherein I stood. For certain on the brink", + "I found me of the lamentable vale,", + "The dread abyss, that joins a thund’rous sound", + "Of plaints innumerable. Dark and deep,", + "And thick with clouds o’erspread, mine eye in vain", + "Explor’d its bottom, nor could aught discern.", + "“Now let us to the blind world there beneath", + "Descend;” the bard began all pale of look:", + "“I go the first, and thou shalt follow next.”", + "Then I his alter’d hue perceiving, thus:", + "“How may I speed, if thou yieldest to dread,", + "Who still art wont to comfort me in doubt?”", + "He then: “The anguish of that race below", + "With pity stains my cheek, which thou for fear", + "Mistakest. Let us on. Our length of way", + "Urges to haste.” Onward, this said, he mov’d;", + "And ent’ring led me with him on the bounds", + "Of the first circle, that surrounds th’ abyss.", + "Here, as mine ear could note, no plaint was heard", + "Except of sighs, that made th’ eternal air", + "Tremble, not caus’d by tortures, but from grief", + "Felt by those multitudes, many and vast,", + "Of men, women, and infants. Then to me", + "The gentle guide: “Inquir’st thou not what spirits", + "Are these, which thou beholdest? Ere thou pass", + "Farther, I would thou know, that these of sin", + "Were blameless; and if aught they merited,", + "It profits not, since baptism was not theirs,", + "The portal to thy faith. If they before", + "The Gospel liv’d, they serv’d not God aright;", + "And among such am I. For these defects,", + "And for no other evil, we are lost;", + "Only so far afflicted, that we live", + "Desiring without hope.” So grief assail’d", + "My heart at hearing this, for well I knew", + "Suspended in that Limbo many a soul", + "Of mighty worth. “O tell me, sire rever’d!", + "Tell me, my master!” I began through wish", + "Of full assurance in that holy faith,", + "Which vanquishes all error; “say, did e’er", + "Any, or through his own or other’s merit,", + "Come forth from thence, whom afterward was blest?”", + "Piercing the secret purport of my speech,", + "He answer’d: “I was new to that estate,", + "When I beheld a puissant one arrive", + "Amongst us, with victorious trophy crown’d.", + "He forth the shade of our first parent drew,", + "Abel his child, and Noah righteous man,", + "Of Moses lawgiver for faith approv’d,", + "Of patriarch Abraham, and David king,", + "Israel with his sire and with his sons,", + "Nor without Rachel whom so hard he won,", + "And others many more, whom he to bliss", + "Exalted. Before these, be thou assur’d,", + "No spirit of human kind was ever sav’d.”", + "We, while he spake, ceas’d not our onward road,", + "Still passing through the wood; for so I name", + "Those spirits thick beset. We were not far", + "On this side from the summit, when I kenn’d", + "A flame, that o’er the darken’d hemisphere", + "Prevailing shin’d. Yet we a little space", + "Were distant, not so far but I in part", + "Discover’d, that a tribe in honour high", + "That place possess’d. “O thou, who every art", + "And science valu’st! who are these, that boast", + "Such honour, separate from all the rest?”", + "He answer’d: “The renown of their great names", + "That echoes through your world above, acquires", + "Favour in heaven, which holds them thus advanc’d.”", + "Meantime a voice I heard: “Honour the bard", + "Sublime! his shade returns that left us late!”", + "No sooner ceas’d the sound, than I beheld", + "Four mighty spirits toward us bend their steps,", + "Of semblance neither sorrowful nor glad.", + "When thus my master kind began: “Mark him,", + "Who in his right hand bears that falchion keen,", + "The other three preceding, as their lord.", + "This is that Homer, of all bards supreme:", + "Flaccus the next in satire’s vein excelling;", + "The third is Naso; Lucan is the last.", + "Because they all that appellation own,", + "With which the voice singly accosted me,", + "Honouring they greet me thus, and well they judge.”", + "So I beheld united the bright school", + "Of him the monarch of sublimest song,", + "That o’er the others like an eagle soars.", + "When they together short discourse had held,", + "They turn’d to me, with salutation kind", + "Beck’ning me; at the which my master smil’d:", + "Nor was this all; but greater honour still", + "They gave me, for they made me of their tribe;", + "And I was sixth amid so learn’d a band.", + "Far as the luminous beacon on we pass’d", + "Speaking of matters, then befitting well", + "To speak, now fitter left untold. At foot", + "Of a magnificent castle we arriv’d,", + "Seven times with lofty walls begirt, and round", + "Defended by a pleasant stream. O’er this", + "As o’er dry land we pass’d. Next through seven gates", + "I with those sages enter’d, and we came", + "Into a mead with lively verdure fresh.", + "There dwelt a race, who slow their eyes around", + "Majestically mov’d, and in their port", + "Bore eminent authority; they spake", + "Seldom, but all their words were tuneful sweet.", + "We to one side retir’d, into a place", + "Open and bright and lofty, whence each one", + "Stood manifest to view. Incontinent", + "There on the green enamel of the plain", + "Were shown me the great spirits, by whose sight", + "I am exalted in my own esteem.", + "Electra there I saw accompanied", + "By many, among whom Hector I knew,", + "Anchises’ pious son, and with hawk’s eye", + "Caesar all arm’d, and by Camilla there", + "Penthesilea. On the other side", + "Old King Latinus, seated by his child", + "Lavinia, and that Brutus I beheld,", + "Who Tarquin chas’d, Lucretia, Cato’s wife", + "Marcia, with Julia and Cornelia there;", + "And sole apart retir’d, the Soldan fierce.", + "Then when a little more I rais’d my brow,", + "I spied the master of the sapient throng,", + "Seated amid the philosophic train.", + "Him all admire, all pay him rev’rence due.", + "There Socrates and Plato both I mark’d,", + "Nearest to him in rank; Democritus,", + "Who sets the world at chance, Diogenes,", + "With Heraclitus, and Empedocles,", + "And Anaxagoras, and Thales sage,", + "Zeno, and Dioscorides well read", + "In nature’s secret lore. Orpheus I mark’d", + "And Linus, Tully and moral Seneca,", + "Euclid and Ptolemy, Hippocrates,", + "Galenus, Avicen, and him who made", + "That commentary vast, Averroes.", + "Of all to speak at full were vain attempt;", + "For my wide theme so urges, that ofttimes", + "My words fall short of what bechanc’d. In two", + "The six associates part. Another way", + "My sage guide leads me, from that air serene,", + "Into a climate ever vex’d with storms:", + "And to a part I come where no light shines." + ], + "5": [ + "From the first circle I descended thus", + "Down to the second, which, a lesser space", + "Embracing, so much more of grief contains", + "Provoking bitter moans. There, Minos stands", + "Grinning with ghastly feature: he, of all", + "Who enter, strict examining the crimes,", + "Gives sentence, and dismisses them beneath,", + "According as he foldeth him around:", + "For when before him comes th’ ill fated soul,", + "It all confesses; and that judge severe", + "Of sins, considering what place in hell", + "Suits the transgression, with his tail so oft", + "Himself encircles, as degrees beneath", + "He dooms it to descend. Before him stand", + "Always a num’rous throng; and in his turn", + "Each one to judgment passing, speaks, and hears", + "His fate, thence downward to his dwelling hurl’d.", + "“O thou! who to this residence of woe", + "Approachest?” when he saw me coming, cried", + "Minos, relinquishing his dread employ,", + "“Look how thou enter here; beware in whom", + "Thou place thy trust; let not the entrance broad", + "Deceive thee to thy harm.” To him my guide:", + "“Wherefore exclaimest? Hinder not his way", + "By destiny appointed; so ’tis will’d", + "Where will and power are one. Ask thou no more.”", + "Now ’gin the rueful wailings to be heard.", + "Now am I come where many a plaining voice", + "Smites on mine ear. Into a place I came", + "Where light was silent all. Bellowing there groan’d", + "A noise as of a sea in tempest torn", + "By warring winds. The stormy blast of hell", + "With restless fury drives the spirits on", + "Whirl’d round and dash’d amain with sore annoy.", + "When they arrive before the ruinous sweep,", + "There shrieks are heard, there lamentations, moans,", + "And blasphemies ’gainst the good Power in heaven.", + "I understood that to this torment sad", + "The carnal sinners are condemn’d, in whom", + "Reason by lust is sway’d. As in large troops", + "And multitudinous, when winter reigns,", + "The starlings on their wings are borne abroad;", + "So bears the tyrannous gust those evil souls.", + "On this side and on that, above, below,", + "It drives them: hope of rest to solace them", + "Is none, nor e’en of milder pang. As cranes,", + "Chanting their dol’rous notes, traverse the sky,", + "Stretch’d out in long array: so I beheld", + "Spirits, who came loud wailing, hurried on", + "By their dire doom. Then I: “Instructor! who", + "Are these, by the black air so scourg’d?”—” The first", + "’Mong those, of whom thou question’st,” he replied,", + "“O’er many tongues was empress. She in vice", + "Of luxury was so shameless, that she made", + "Liking be lawful by promulg’d decree,", + "To clear the blame she had herself incurr’d.", + "This is Semiramis, of whom ’tis writ,", + "That she succeeded Ninus her espous’d;", + "And held the land, which now the Soldan rules.", + "The next in amorous fury slew herself,", + "And to Sicheus’ ashes broke her faith:", + "Then follows Cleopatra, lustful queen.”", + "There mark’d I Helen, for whose sake so long", + "The time was fraught with evil; there the great", + "Achilles, who with love fought to the end.", + "Paris I saw, and Tristan; and beside", + "A thousand more he show’d me, and by name", + "Pointed them out, whom love bereav’d of life.", + "When I had heard my sage instructor name", + "Those dames and knights of antique days, o’erpower’d", + "By pity, well-nigh in amaze my mind", + "Was lost; and I began: “Bard! willingly", + "I would address those two together coming,", + "Which seem so light before the wind.” He thus:", + "“Note thou, when nearer they to us approach.", + "Then by that love which carries them along,", + "Entreat; and they will come.” Soon as the wind", + "Sway’d them toward us, I thus fram’d my speech:", + "“O wearied spirits! come, and hold discourse", + "With us, if by none else restrain’d.” As doves", + "By fond desire invited, on wide wings", + "And firm, to their sweet nest returning home,", + "Cleave the air, wafted by their will along;", + "Thus issu’d from that troop, where Dido ranks,", + "They through the ill air speeding; with such force", + "My cry prevail’d by strong affection urg’d.", + "“O gracious creature and benign! who go’st", + "Visiting, through this element obscure,", + "Us, who the world with bloody stain imbru’d;", + "If for a friend the King of all we own’d,", + "Our pray’r to him should for thy peace arise,", + "Since thou hast pity on our evil plight.", + "()f whatsoe’er to hear or to discourse", + "It pleases thee, that will we hear, of that", + "Freely with thee discourse, while e’er the wind,", + "As now, is mute. The land, that gave me birth,", + "Is situate on the coast, where Po descends", + "To rest in ocean with his sequent streams.", + "“Love, that in gentle heart is quickly learnt,", + "Entangled him by that fair form, from me", + "Ta’en in such cruel sort, as grieves me still:", + "Love, that denial takes from none belov’d,", + "Caught me with pleasing him so passing well,", + "That, as thou see’st, he yet deserts me not.", + "Love brought us to one death: Caina waits", + "The soul, who spilt our life.” Such were their words;", + "At hearing which downward I bent my looks,", + "And held them there so long, that the bard cried:", + "“What art thou pond’ring?” I in answer thus:", + "“Alas! by what sweet thoughts, what fond desire", + "Must they at length to that ill pass have reach’d!”", + "Then turning, I to them my speech address’d.", + "And thus began: “Francesca! your sad fate", + "Even to tears my grief and pity moves.", + "But tell me; in the time of your sweet sighs,", + "By what, and how love granted, that ye knew", + "Your yet uncertain wishes?” She replied:", + "“No greater grief than to remember days", + "Of joy, when mis’ry is at hand! That kens", + "Thy learn’d instructor. Yet so eagerly", + "If thou art bent to know the primal root,", + "From whence our love gat being, I will do,", + "As one, who weeps and tells his tale. One day", + "For our delight we read of Lancelot,", + "How him love thrall’d. Alone we were, and no", + "Suspicion near us. Ofttimes by that reading", + "Our eyes were drawn together, and the hue", + "Fled from our alter’d cheek. But at one point", + "Alone we fell. When of that smile we read,", + "The wished smile, rapturously kiss’d", + "By one so deep in love, then he, who ne’er", + "From me shall separate, at once my lips", + "All trembling kiss’d. The book and writer both", + "Were love’s purveyors. In its leaves that day", + "We read no more.” While thus one spirit spake,", + "The other wail’d so sorely, that heartstruck", + "I through compassion fainting, seem’d not far", + "From death, and like a corpse fell to the ground." + ], + "6": [ + "My sense reviving, that erewhile had droop’d", + "With pity for the kindred shades, whence grief", + "O’ercame me wholly, straight around I see", + "New torments, new tormented souls, which way", + "Soe’er I move, or turn, or bend my sight.", + "In the third circle I arrive, of show’rs", + "Ceaseless, accursed, heavy, and cold, unchang’d", + "For ever, both in kind and in degree.", + "Large hail, discolour’d water, sleety flaw", + "Through the dun midnight air stream’d down amain:", + "Stank all the land whereon that tempest fell.", + "Cerberus, cruel monster, fierce and strange,", + "Through his wide threefold throat barks as a dog", + "Over the multitude immers’d beneath.", + "His eyes glare crimson, black his unctuous beard,", + "His belly large, and claw’d the hands, with which", + "He tears the spirits, flays them, and their limbs", + "Piecemeal disparts. Howling there spread, as curs,", + "Under the rainy deluge, with one side", + "The other screening, oft they roll them round,", + "A wretched, godless crew. When that great worm", + "Descried us, savage Cerberus, he op’d", + "His jaws, and the fangs show’d us; not a limb", + "Of him but trembled. Then my guide, his palms", + "Expanding on the ground, thence filled with earth", + "Rais’d them, and cast it in his ravenous maw.", + "E’en as a dog, that yelling bays for food", + "His keeper, when the morsel comes, lets fall", + "His fury, bent alone with eager haste", + "To swallow it; so dropp’d the loathsome cheeks", + "Of demon Cerberus, who thund’ring stuns", + "The spirits, that they for deafness wish in vain.", + "We, o’er the shades thrown prostrate by the brunt", + "Of the heavy tempest passing, set our feet", + "Upon their emptiness, that substance seem’d.", + "They all along the earth extended lay", + "Save one, that sudden rais’d himself to sit,", + "Soon as that way he saw us pass. “O thou!”", + "He cried, “who through the infernal shades art led,", + "Own, if again thou know’st me. Thou wast fram’d", + "Or ere my frame was broken.” I replied:", + "“The anguish thou endur’st perchance so takes", + "Thy form from my remembrance, that it seems", + "As if I saw thee never. But inform", + "Me who thou art, that in a place so sad", + "Art set, and in such torment, that although", + "Other be greater, more disgustful none", + "Can be imagin’d.” He in answer thus:", + "“Thy city heap’d with envy to the brim,", + "Ay that the measure overflows its bounds,", + "Held me in brighter days. Ye citizens", + "Were wont to name me Ciacco. For the sin", + "Of glutt’ny, damned vice, beneath this rain,", + "E’en as thou see’st, I with fatigue am worn;", + "Nor I sole spirit in this woe: all these", + "Have by like crime incurr’d like punishment.”", + "No more he said, and I my speech resum’d:", + "“Ciacco! thy dire affliction grieves me much,", + "Even to tears. But tell me, if thou know’st,", + "What shall at length befall the citizens", + "Of the divided city; whether any just one", + "Inhabit there: and tell me of the cause,", + "Whence jarring discord hath assail’d it thus?”", + "He then: “After long striving they will come", + "To blood; and the wild party from the woods", + "Will chase the other with much injury forth.", + "Then it behoves, that this must fall, within", + "Three solar circles; and the other rise", + "By borrow’d force of one, who under shore", + "Now rests. It shall a long space hold aloof", + "Its forehead, keeping under heavy weight", + "The other oppress’d, indignant at the load,", + "And grieving sore. The just are two in number,", + "But they neglected. Av’rice, envy, pride,", + "Three fatal sparks, have set the hearts of all", + "On fire.” Here ceas’d the lamentable sound;", + "And I continu’d thus: “Still would I learn", + "More from thee, farther parley still entreat.", + "Of Farinata and Tegghiaio say,", + "They who so well deserv’d, of Giacopo,", + "Arrigo, Mosca, and the rest, who bent", + "Their minds on working good. Oh! tell me where", + "They bide, and to their knowledge let me come.", + "For I am press’d with keen desire to hear,", + "If heaven’s sweet cup or poisonous drug of hell", + "Be to their lip assign’d.” He answer’d straight:", + "“These are yet blacker spirits. Various crimes", + "Have sunk them deeper in the dark abyss.", + "If thou so far descendest, thou mayst see them.", + "But to the pleasant world when thou return’st,", + "Of me make mention, I entreat thee, there.", + "No more I tell thee, answer thee no more.”", + "This said, his fixed eyes he turn’d askance,", + "A little ey’d me, then bent down his head,", + "And ’midst his blind companions with it fell.", + "When thus my guide: “No more his bed he leaves,", + "Ere the last angel-trumpet blow. The Power", + "Adverse to these shall then in glory come,", + "Each one forthwith to his sad tomb repair,", + "Resume his fleshly vesture and his form,", + "And hear the eternal doom re-echoing rend", + "The vault.” So pass’d we through that mixture foul", + "Of spirits and rain, with tardy steps; meanwhile", + "Touching, though slightly, on the life to come.", + "For thus I question’d: “Shall these tortures, Sir!", + "When the great sentence passes, be increas’d,", + "Or mitigated, or as now severe?”", + "He then: “Consult thy knowledge; that decides", + "That as each thing to more perfection grows,", + "It feels more sensibly both good and pain.", + "Though ne’er to true perfection may arrive", + "This race accurs’d, yet nearer then than now", + "They shall approach it.” Compassing that path", + "Circuitous we journeyed, and discourse", + "Much more than I relate between us pass’d:", + "Till at the point, where the steps led below,", + "Arriv’d, there Plutus, the great foe, we found." + ], + "7": [ + "“Ah me! O Satan! Satan!” loud exclaim’d", + "Plutus, in accent hoarse of wild alarm:", + "And the kind sage, whom no event surpris’d,", + "To comfort me thus spake: “Let not thy fear", + "Harm thee, for power in him, be sure, is none", + "To hinder down this rock thy safe descent.”", + "Then to that sworn lip turning, “ Peace!” he cried,", + "“Curs’d wolf! thy fury inward on thyself", + "Prey, and consume thee! Through the dark profound", + "Not without cause he passes. So ’tis will’d", + "On high, there where the great Archangel pour’d", + "Heav’n’s vengeance on the first adulterer proud.”", + "As sails full spread and bellying with the wind", + "Drop suddenly collaps’d, if the mast split;", + "So to the ground down dropp’d the cruel fiend.", + "Thus we, descending to the fourth steep ledge,", + "Gain’d on the dismal shore, that all the woe", + "Hems in of all the universe. Ah me!", + "Almighty Justice! in what store thou heap’st", + "New pains, new troubles, as I here beheld!", + "Wherefore doth fault of ours bring us to this?", + "E’en as a billow, on Charybdis rising,", + "Against encounter’d billow dashing breaks;", + "Such is the dance this wretched race must lead,", + "Whom more than elsewhere numerous here I found,", + "From one side and the other, with loud voice,", + "Both roll’d on weights by main forge of their breasts,", + "Then smote together, and each one forthwith", + "Roll’d them back voluble, turning again,", + "Exclaiming these, “Why holdest thou so fast?”", + "Those answering, “And why castest thou away?”", + "So still repeating their despiteful song,", + "They to the opposite point on either hand", + "Travers’d the horrid circle: then arriv’d,", + "Both turn’d them round, and through the middle space", + "Conflicting met again. At sight whereof", + "I, stung with grief, thus spake: “O say, my guide!", + "What race is this? Were these, whose heads are shorn,", + "On our left hand, all sep’rate to the church?”", + "He straight replied: “In their first life these all", + "In mind were so distorted, that they made,", + "According to due measure, of their wealth,", + "No use. This clearly from their words collect,", + "Which they howl forth, at each extremity", + "Arriving of the circle, where their crime", + "Contrary’ in kind disparts them. To the church", + "Were separate those, that with no hairy cowls", + "Are crown’d, both Popes and Cardinals, o’er whom", + "Av’rice dominion absolute maintains.”", + "I then: “Mid such as these some needs must be,", + "Whom I shall recognize, that with the blot", + "Of these foul sins were stain’d.” He answering thus:", + "“Vain thought conceiv’st thou. That ignoble life,", + "Which made them vile before, now makes them dark,", + "And to all knowledge indiscernible.", + "Forever they shall meet in this rude shock:", + "These from the tomb with clenched grasp shall rise,", + "Those with close-shaven locks. That ill they gave,", + "And ill they kept, hath of the beauteous world", + "Depriv’d, and set them at this strife, which needs", + "No labour’d phrase of mine to set if off.", + "Now may’st thou see, my son! how brief, how vain,", + "The goods committed into fortune’s hands,", + "For which the human race keep such a coil!", + "Not all the gold, that is beneath the moon,", + "Or ever hath been, of these toil-worn souls", + "Might purchase rest for one.” I thus rejoin’d:", + "“My guide! of thee this also would I learn;", + "This fortune, that thou speak’st of, what it is,", + "Whose talons grasp the blessings of the world?”", + "He thus: “O beings blind! what ignorance", + "Besets you? Now my judgment hear and mark.", + "He, whose transcendent wisdom passes all,", + "The heavens creating, gave them ruling powers", + "To guide them, so that each part shines to each,", + "Their light in equal distribution pour’d.", + "By similar appointment he ordain’d", + "Over the world’s bright images to rule.", + "Superintendence of a guiding hand", + "And general minister, which at due time", + "May change the empty vantages of life", + "From race to race, from one to other’s blood,", + "Beyond prevention of man’s wisest care:", + "Wherefore one nation rises into sway,", + "Another languishes, e’en as her will", + "Decrees, from us conceal’d, as in the grass", + "The serpent train. Against her nought avails", + "Your utmost wisdom. She with foresight plans,", + "Judges, and carries on her reign, as theirs", + "The other powers divine. Her changes know", + "Nore intermission: by necessity", + "She is made swift, so frequent come who claim", + "Succession in her favours. This is she,", + "So execrated e’en by those, whose debt", + "To her is rather praise; they wrongfully", + "With blame requite her, and with evil word;", + "But she is blessed, and for that recks not:", + "Amidst the other primal beings glad", + "Rolls on her sphere, and in her bliss exults.", + "Now on our way pass we, to heavier woe", + "Descending: for each star is falling now,", + "That mounted at our entrance, and forbids", + "Too long our tarrying.” We the circle cross’d", + "To the next steep, arriving at a well,", + "That boiling pours itself down to a foss", + "Sluic’d from its source. Far murkier was the wave", + "Than sablest grain: and we in company", + "Of the’ inky waters, journeying by their side,", + "Enter’d, though by a different track, beneath.", + "Into a lake, the Stygian nam’d, expands", + "The dismal stream, when it hath reach’d the foot", + "Of the grey wither’d cliffs. Intent I stood", + "To gaze, and in the marish sunk descried", + "A miry tribe, all naked, and with looks", + "Betok’ning rage. They with their hands alone", + "Struck not, but with the head, the breast, the feet,", + "Cutting each other piecemeal with their fangs.", + "The good instructor spake; “Now seest thou, son!", + "The souls of those, whom anger overcame.", + "This too for certain know, that underneath", + "The water dwells a multitude, whose sighs", + "Into these bubbles make the surface heave,", + "As thine eye tells thee wheresoe’er it turn.", + "Fix’d in the slime they say: “Sad once were we", + "In the sweet air made gladsome by the sun,", + "Carrying a foul and lazy mist within:", + "Now in these murky settlings are we sad.”", + "Such dolorous strain they gurgle in their throats.", + "But word distinct can utter none.” Our route", + "Thus compass’d we, a segment widely stretch’d", + "Between the dry embankment, and the core", + "Of the loath’d pool, turning meanwhile our eyes", + "Downward on those who gulp’d its muddy lees;", + "Nor stopp’d, till to a tower’s low base we came." + ], + "8": [ + "My theme pursuing, I relate that ere", + "We reach’d the lofty turret’s base, our eyes", + "Its height ascended, where two cressets hung", + "We mark’d, and from afar another light", + "Return the signal, so remote, that scarce", + "The eye could catch its beam. I turning round", + "To the deep source of knowledge, thus inquir’d:", + "“Say what this means? and what that other light", + "In answer set? what agency doth this?”", + "“There on the filthy waters,” he replied,", + "“E’en now what next awaits us mayst thou see,", + "If the marsh-gender’d fog conceal it not.”", + "Never was arrow from the cord dismiss’d,", + "That ran its way so nimbly through the air,", + "As a small bark, that through the waves I spied", + "Toward us coming, under the sole sway", + "Of one that ferried it, who cried aloud:", + "“Art thou arriv’d, fell spirit?”—“Phlegyas, Phlegyas,", + "This time thou criest in vain,” my lord replied;", + "“No longer shalt thou have us, but while o’er", + "The slimy pool we pass.” As one who hears", + "Of some great wrong he hath sustain’d, whereat", + "Inly he pines; so Phlegyas inly pin’d", + "In his fierce ire. My guide descending stepp’d", + "Into the skiff, and bade me enter next", + "Close at his side; nor till my entrance seem’d", + "The vessel freighted. Soon as both embark’d,", + "Cutting the waves, goes on the ancient prow,", + "More deeply than with others it is wont.", + "While we our course o’er the dead channel held.", + "One drench’d in mire before me came, and said;", + "“Who art thou, that thou comest ere thine hour?”", + "I answer’d: “Though I come, I tarry not;", + "But who art thou, that art become so foul?”", + "“One, as thou seest, who mourn: “ he straight replied.", + "To which I thus: “ In mourning and in woe,", + "Curs’d spirit! tarry thou. I know thee well,", + "E’en thus in filth disguis’d.” Then stretch’d he forth", + "Hands to the bark; whereof my teacher sage", + "Aware, thrusting him back: “Away! down there", + "To the’ other dogs!” then, with his arms my neck", + "Encircling, kiss’d my cheek, and spake: “O soul", + "Justly disdainful! blest was she in whom", + "Thou was conceiv’d! He in the world was one", + "For arrogance noted; to his memory", + "No virtue lends its lustre; even so", + "Here is his shadow furious. There above", + "How many now hold themselves mighty kings", + "Who here like swine shall wallow in the mire,", + "Leaving behind them horrible dispraise!”", + "I then: “Master! him fain would I behold", + "Whelm’d in these dregs, before we quit the lake.”", + "He thus: “Or ever to thy view the shore", + "Be offer’d, satisfied shall be that wish,", + "Which well deserves completion.” Scarce his words", + "Were ended, when I saw the miry tribes", + "Set on him with such violence, that yet", + "For that render I thanks to God and praise", + "“To Filippo Argenti:” cried they all:", + "And on himself the moody Florentine", + "Turn’d his avenging fangs. Him here we left,", + "Nor speak I of him more. But on mine ear", + "Sudden a sound of lamentation smote,", + "Whereat mine eye unbarr’d I sent abroad.", + "And thus the good instructor: “Now, my son!", + "Draws near the city, that of Dis is nam’d,", + "With its grave denizens, a mighty throng.”", + "I thus: “The minarets already, Sir!", + "There certes in the valley I descry,", + "Gleaming vermilion, as if they from fire", + "Had issu’d.” He replied: “Eternal fire,", + "That inward burns, shows them with ruddy flame", + "Illum’d; as in this nether hell thou seest.”", + "We came within the fosses deep, that moat", + "This region comfortless. The walls appear’d", + "As they were fram’d of iron. We had made", + "Wide circuit, ere a place we reach’d, where loud", + "The mariner cried vehement: “Go forth!", + "The’ entrance is here!” Upon the gates I spied", + "More than a thousand, who of old from heaven", + "Were hurl’d. With ireful gestures, “Who is this,”", + "They cried, “that without death first felt, goes through", + "The regions of the dead?” My sapient guide", + "Made sign that he for secret parley wish’d;", + "Whereat their angry scorn abating, thus", + "They spake: “Come thou alone; and let him go", + "Who hath so hardily enter’d this realm.", + "Alone return he by his witless way;", + "If well he know it, let him prove. For thee,", + "Here shalt thou tarry, who through clime so dark", + "Hast been his escort.” Now bethink thee, reader!", + "What cheer was mine at sound of those curs’d words.", + "I did believe I never should return.", + "“O my lov’d guide! who more than seven times", + "Security hast render’d me, and drawn", + "From peril deep, whereto I stood expos’d,", + "Desert me not,” I cried, “in this extreme.", + "And if our onward going be denied,", + "Together trace we back our steps with speed.”", + "My liege, who thither had conducted me,", + "Replied: “Fear not: for of our passage none", + "Hath power to disappoint us, by such high", + "Authority permitted. But do thou", + "Expect me here; meanwhile thy wearied spirit", + "Comfort, and feed with kindly hope, assur’d", + "I will not leave thee in this lower world.”", + "This said, departs the sire benevolent,", + "And quits me. Hesitating I remain", + "At war ’twixt will and will not in my thoughts.", + "I could not hear what terms he offer’d them,", + "But they conferr’d not long, for all at once", + "To trial fled within. Clos’d were the gates", + "By those our adversaries on the breast", + "Of my liege lord: excluded he return’d", + "To me with tardy steps. Upon the ground", + "His eyes were bent, and from his brow eras’d", + "All confidence, while thus with sighs he spake:", + "“Who hath denied me these abodes of woe?”", + "Then thus to me: “That I am anger’d, think", + "No ground of terror: in this trial I", + "Shall vanquish, use what arts they may within", + "For hindrance. This their insolence, not new,", + "Erewhile at gate less secret they display’d,", + "Which still is without bolt; upon its arch", + "Thou saw’st the deadly scroll: and even now", + "On this side of its entrance, down the steep,", + "Passing the circles, unescorted, comes", + "One whose strong might can open us this land.”" + ], + "9": [ + "The hue, which coward dread on my pale cheeks", + "Imprinted, when I saw my guide turn back,", + "Chas’d that from his which newly they had worn,", + "And inwardly restrain’d it. He, as one", + "Who listens, stood attentive: for his eye", + "Not far could lead him through the sable air,", + "And the thick-gath’ring cloud. “It yet behooves", + "We win this fight”—thus he began—” if not—", + "Such aid to us is offer’d.—Oh, how long", + "Me seems it, ere the promis’d help arrive!”", + "I noted, how the sequel of his words", + "Clok’d their beginning; for the last he spake", + "Agreed not with the first. But not the less", + "My fear was at his saying; sith I drew", + "To import worse perchance, than that he held,", + "His mutilated speech. “Doth ever any", + "Into this rueful concave’s extreme depth", + "Descend, out of the first degree, whose pain", + "Is deprivation merely of sweet hope?”", + "Thus I inquiring. “Rarely,” he replied,", + "“It chances, that among us any makes", + "This journey, which I wend. Erewhile ’tis true", + "Once came I here beneath, conjur’d by fell", + "Erictho, sorceress, who compell’d the shades", + "Back to their bodies. No long space my flesh", + "Was naked of me, when within these walls", + "She made me enter, to draw forth a spirit", + "From out of Judas’ circle. Lowest place", + "Is that of all, obscurest, and remov’d", + "Farthest from heav’n’s all-circling orb. The road", + "Full well I know: thou therefore rest secure.", + "That lake, the noisome stench exhaling, round", + "The city’ of grief encompasses, which now", + "We may not enter without rage.” Yet more", + "He added: but I hold it not in mind,", + "For that mine eye toward the lofty tower", + "Had drawn me wholly, to its burning top.", + "Where in an instant I beheld uprisen", + "At once three hellish furies stain’d with blood:", + "In limb and motion feminine they seem’d;", + "Around them greenest hydras twisting roll’d", + "Their volumes; adders and cerastes crept", + "Instead of hair, and their fierce temples bound.", + "He knowing well the miserable hags", + "Who tend the queen of endless woe, thus spake:", + "“Mark thou each dire Erinnys. To the left", + "This is Megaera; on the right hand she,", + "Who wails, Alecto; and Tisiphone", + "I’ th’ midst.” This said, in silence he remain’d", + "Their breast they each one clawing tore; themselves", + "Smote with their palms, and such shrill clamour rais’d,", + "That to the bard I clung, suspicion-bound.", + "“Hasten Medusa: so to adamant", + "Him shall we change;” all looking down exclaim’d.", + "“E’en when by Theseus’ might assail’d, we took", + "No ill revenge.” “Turn thyself round, and keep", + "Thy count’nance hid; for if the Gorgon dire", + "Be shown, and thou shouldst view it, thy return", + "Upwards would be for ever lost.” This said,", + "Himself my gentle master turn’d me round,", + "Nor trusted he my hands, but with his own", + "He also hid me. Ye of intellect", + "Sound and entire, mark well the lore conceal’d", + "Under close texture of the mystic strain!", + "And now there came o’er the perturbed waves", + "Loud-crashing, terrible, a sound that made", + "Either shore tremble, as if of a wind", + "Impetuous, from conflicting vapours sprung,", + "That ’gainst some forest driving all its might,", + "Plucks off the branches, beats them down and hurls", + "Afar; then onward passing proudly sweeps", + "Its whirlwind rage, while beasts and shepherds fly.", + "Mine eyes he loos’d, and spake: “And now direct", + "Thy visual nerve along that ancient foam,", + "There, thickest where the smoke ascends.” As frogs", + "Before their foe the serpent, through the wave", + "Ply swiftly all, till at the ground each one", + "Lies on a heap; more than a thousand spirits", + "Destroy’d, so saw I fleeing before one", + "Who pass’d with unwet feet the Stygian sound.", + "He, from his face removing the gross air,", + "Oft his left hand forth stretch’d, and seem’d alone", + "By that annoyance wearied. I perceiv’d", + "That he was sent from heav’n, and to my guide", + "Turn’d me, who signal made that I should stand", + "Quiet, and bend to him. Ah me! how full", + "Of noble anger seem’d he! To the gate", + "He came, and with his wand touch’d it, whereat", + "Open without impediment it flew.", + "“Outcasts of heav’n! O abject race and scorn’d!”", + "Began he on the horrid grunsel standing,", + "“Whence doth this wild excess of insolence", + "Lodge in you? wherefore kick you ’gainst that will", + "Ne’er frustrate of its end, and which so oft", + "Hath laid on you enforcement of your pangs?", + "What profits at the fays to but the horn?", + "Your Cerberus, if ye remember, hence", + "Bears still, peel’d of their hair, his throat and maw.”", + "This said, he turn’d back o’er the filthy way,", + "And syllable to us spake none, but wore", + "The semblance of a man by other care", + "Beset, and keenly press’d, than thought of him", + "Who in his presence stands. Then we our steps", + "Toward that territory mov’d, secure", + "After the hallow’d words. We unoppos’d", + "There enter’d; and my mind eager to learn", + "What state a fortress like to that might hold,", + "I soon as enter’d throw mine eye around,", + "And see on every part wide-stretching space", + "Replete with bitter pain and torment ill.", + "As where Rhone stagnates on the plains of Arles,", + "Or as at Pola, near Quarnaro’s gulf,", + "That closes Italy and laves her bounds,", + "The place is all thick spread with sepulchres;", + "So was it here, save what in horror here", + "Excell’d: for ’midst the graves were scattered flames,", + "Wherewith intensely all throughout they burn’d,", + "That iron for no craft there hotter needs.", + "Their lids all hung suspended, and beneath", + "From them forth issu’d lamentable moans,", + "Such as the sad and tortur’d well might raise.", + "I thus: “Master! say who are these, interr’d", + "Within these vaults, of whom distinct we hear", + "The dolorous sighs?” He answer thus return’d:", + "“The arch-heretics are here, accompanied", + "By every sect their followers; and much more,", + "Than thou believest, tombs are freighted: like", + "With like is buried; and the monuments", + "Are different in degrees of heat. “This said,", + "He to the right hand turning, on we pass’d", + "Betwixt the afflicted and the ramparts high." + ], + "10": [ + "Now by a secret pathway we proceed,", + "Between the walls, that hem the region round,", + "And the tormented souls: my master first,", + "I close behind his steps. “Virtue supreme!”", + "I thus began; “who through these ample orbs", + "In circuit lead’st me, even as thou will’st,", + "Speak thou, and satisfy my wish. May those,", + "Who lie within these sepulchres, be seen?", + "Already all the lids are rais’d, and none", + "O’er them keeps watch.” He thus in answer spake", + "“They shall be closed all, what-time they here", + "From Josaphat return’d shall come, and bring", + "Their bodies, which above they now have left.", + "The cemetery on this part obtain", + "With Epicurus all his followers,", + "Who with the body make the spirit die.", + "Here therefore satisfaction shall be soon", + "Both to the question ask’d, and to the wish,", + "Which thou conceal’st in silence.” I replied:", + "“I keep not, guide belov’d! from thee my heart", + "Secreted, but to shun vain length of words,", + "A lesson erewhile taught me by thyself.”", + "“O Tuscan! thou who through the city of fire", + "Alive art passing, so discreet of speech!", + "Here please thee stay awhile. Thy utterance", + "Declares the place of thy nativity", + "To be that noble land, with which perchance", + "I too severely dealt.” Sudden that sound", + "Forth issu’d from a vault, whereat in fear", + "I somewhat closer to my leader’s side", + "Approaching, he thus spake: “What dost thou? Turn.", + "Lo, Farinata, there! who hath himself", + "Uplifted: from his girdle upwards all", + "Expos’d behold him.” On his face was mine", + "Already fix’d; his breast and forehead there", + "Erecting, seem’d as in high scorn he held", + "E’en hell. Between the sepulchres to him", + "My guide thrust me with fearless hands and prompt,", + "This warning added: “See thy words be clear!”", + "He, soon as there I stood at the tomb’s foot,", + "Ey’d me a space, then in disdainful mood", + "Address’d me: “Say, what ancestors were thine?”", + "I, willing to obey him, straight reveal’d", + "The whole, nor kept back aught: whence he, his brow", + "Somewhat uplifting, cried: “Fiercely were they", + "Adverse to me, my party, and the blood", + "From whence I sprang: twice therefore I abroad", + "Scatter’d them.” “Though driv’n out, yet they each time", + "From all parts,” answer’d I, “return’d; an art", + "Which yours have shown, they are not skill’d to learn.”", + "Then, peering forth from the unclosed jaw,", + "Rose from his side a shade, high as the chin,", + "Leaning, methought, upon its knees uprais’d.", + "It look’d around, as eager to explore", + "If there were other with me; but perceiving", + "That fond imagination quench’d, with tears", + "Thus spake: “If thou through this blind prison go’st.", + "Led by thy lofty genius and profound,", + "Where is my son? and wherefore not with thee?”", + "I straight replied: “Not of myself I come,", + "By him, who there expects me, through this clime", + "Conducted, whom perchance Guido thy son", + "Had in contempt.” Already had his words", + "And mode of punishment read me his name,", + "Whence I so fully answer’d. He at once", + "Exclaim’d, up starting, “How! said’st thou he HAD?", + "No longer lives he? Strikes not on his eye", + "The blessed daylight?” Then of some delay", + "I made ere my reply aware, down fell", + "Supine, not after forth appear’d he more.", + "Meanwhile the other, great of soul, near whom", + "I yet was station’d, chang’d not count’nance stern,", + "Nor mov’d the neck, nor bent his ribbed side.", + "“And if,” continuing the first discourse,", + "“They in this art,” he cried, “small skill have shown,", + "That doth torment me more e’en than this bed.", + "But not yet fifty times shall be relum’d", + "Her aspect, who reigns here Queen of this realm,", + "Ere thou shalt know the full weight of that art.", + "So to the pleasant world mayst thou return,", + "As thou shalt tell me, why in all their laws,", + "Against my kin this people is so fell?”", + "“The slaughter and great havoc,” I replied,", + "“That colour’d Arbia’s flood with crimson stain—", + "To these impute, that in our hallow’d dome", + "Such orisons ascend.” Sighing he shook", + "The head, then thus resum’d: “In that affray", + "I stood not singly, nor without just cause", + "Assuredly should with the rest have stirr’d;", + "But singly there I stood, when by consent", + "Of all, Florence had to the ground been raz’d,", + "The one who openly forbad the deed.”", + "“So may thy lineage find at last repose,”", + "I thus adjur’d him, “as thou solve this knot,", + "Which now involves my mind. If right I hear,", + "Ye seem to view beforehand, that which time", + "Leads with him, of the present uninform’d.”", + "“We view, as one who hath an evil sight,”", + "He answer’d, “plainly, objects far remote:", + "So much of his large spendour yet imparts", + "The’ Almighty Ruler; but when they approach", + "Or actually exist, our intellect", + "Then wholly fails, nor of your human state", + "Except what others bring us know we aught.", + "Hence therefore mayst thou understand, that all", + "Our knowledge in that instant shall expire,", + "When on futurity the portals close.”", + "Then conscious of my fault, and by remorse", + "Smitten, I added thus: “Now shalt thou say", + "To him there fallen, that his offspring still", + "Is to the living join’d; and bid him know,", + "That if from answer silent I abstain’d,", + "’Twas that my thought was occupied intent", + "Upon that error, which thy help hath solv’d.”", + "But now my master summoning me back", + "I heard, and with more eager haste besought", + "The spirit to inform me, who with him", + "Partook his lot. He answer thus return’d:", + "“More than a thousand with me here are laid", + "Within is Frederick, second of that name,", + "And the Lord Cardinal, and of the rest", + "I speak not.” He, this said, from sight withdrew.", + "But I my steps towards the ancient bard", + "Reverting, ruminated on the words", + "Betokening me such ill. Onward he mov’d,", + "And thus in going question’d: “Whence the’ amaze", + "That holds thy senses wrapt?” I satisfied", + "The’ inquiry, and the sage enjoin’d me straight:", + "“Let thy safe memory store what thou hast heard", + "To thee importing harm; and note thou this,”", + "With his rais’d finger bidding me take heed,", + "“When thou shalt stand before her gracious beam,", + "Whose bright eye all surveys, she of thy life", + "The future tenour will to thee unfold.”", + "Forthwith he to the left hand turn’d his feet:", + "We left the wall, and tow’rds the middle space", + "Went by a path, that to a valley strikes;", + "Which e’en thus high exhal’d its noisome steam." + ], + "11": [ + "Upon the utmost verge of a high bank,", + "By craggy rocks environ’d round, we came,", + "Where woes beneath more cruel yet were stow’d:", + "And here to shun the horrible excess", + "Of fetid exhalation, upward cast", + "From the profound abyss, behind the lid", + "Of a great monument we stood retir’d,", + "Whereon this scroll I mark’d: “I have in charge", + "Pope Anastasius, whom Photinus drew", + "From the right path.—Ere our descent behooves", + "We make delay, that somewhat first the sense,", + "To the dire breath accustom’d, afterward", + "Regard it not.” My master thus; to whom", + "Answering I spake: “Some compensation find", + "That the time past not wholly lost.” He then:", + "“Lo! how my thoughts e’en to thy wishes tend!", + "My son! within these rocks,” he thus began,", + "“Are three close circles in gradation plac’d,", + "As these which now thou leav’st. Each one is full", + "Of spirits accurs’d; but that the sight alone", + "Hereafter may suffice thee, listen how", + "And for what cause in durance they abide.", + "“Of all malicious act abhorr’d in heaven,", + "The end is injury; and all such end", + "Either by force or fraud works other’s woe", + "But fraud, because of man peculiar evil,", + "To God is more displeasing; and beneath", + "The fraudulent are therefore doom’d to’ endure", + "Severer pang. The violent occupy", + "All the first circle; and because to force", + "Three persons are obnoxious, in three rounds", + "Hach within other sep’rate is it fram’d.", + "To God, his neighbour, and himself, by man", + "Force may be offer’d; to himself I say", + "And his possessions, as thou soon shalt hear", + "At full. Death, violent death, and painful wounds", + "Upon his neighbour he inflicts; and wastes", + "By devastation, pillage, and the flames,", + "His substance. Slayers, and each one that smites", + "In malice, plund’rers, and all robbers, hence", + "The torment undergo of the first round", + "In different herds. Man can do violence", + "To himself and his own blessings: and for this", + "He in the second round must aye deplore", + "With unavailing penitence his crime,", + "Whoe’er deprives himself of life and light,", + "In reckless lavishment his talent wastes,", + "And sorrows there where he should dwell in joy.", + "To God may force be offer’d, in the heart", + "Denying and blaspheming his high power,", + "And nature with her kindly law contemning.", + "And thence the inmost round marks with its seal", + "Sodom and Cahors, and all such as speak", + "Contemptuously’ of the Godhead in their hearts.", + "“Fraud, that in every conscience leaves a sting,", + "May be by man employ’d on one, whose trust", + "He wins, or on another who withholds", + "Strict confidence. Seems as the latter way", + "Broke but the bond of love which Nature makes.", + "Whence in the second circle have their nest", + "Dissimulation, witchcraft, flatteries,", + "Theft, falsehood, simony, all who seduce", + "To lust, or set their honesty at pawn,", + "With such vile scum as these. The other way", + "Forgets both Nature’s general love, and that", + "Which thereto added afterwards gives birth", + "To special faith. Whence in the lesser circle,", + "Point of the universe, dread seat of Dis,", + "The traitor is eternally consum’d.”", + "I thus: “Instructor, clearly thy discourse", + "Proceeds, distinguishing the hideous chasm", + "And its inhabitants with skill exact.", + "But tell me this: they of the dull, fat pool,", + "Whom the rain beats, or whom the tempest drives,", + "Or who with tongues so fierce conflicting meet,", + "Wherefore within the city fire-illum’d", + "Are not these punish’d, if God’s wrath be on them?", + "And if it be not, wherefore in such guise", + "Are they condemned?” He answer thus return’d:", + "“Wherefore in dotage wanders thus thy mind,", + "Not so accustom’d? or what other thoughts", + "Possess it? Dwell not in thy memory", + "The words, wherein thy ethic page describes", + "Three dispositions adverse to Heav’n’s will,", + "Incont’nence, malice, and mad brutishness,", + "And how incontinence the least offends", + "God, and least guilt incurs? If well thou note", + "This judgment, and remember who they are,", + "Without these walls to vain repentance doom’d,", + "Thou shalt discern why they apart are plac’d", + "From these fell spirits, and less wreakful pours", + "Justice divine on them its vengeance down.”", + "“O Sun! who healest all imperfect sight,", + "Thou so content’st me, when thou solv’st my doubt,", + "That ignorance not less than knowledge charms.", + "Yet somewhat turn thee back,” I in these words", + "Continu’d, “where thou saidst, that usury", + "Offends celestial Goodness; and this knot", + "Perplex’d unravel.” He thus made reply:", + "“Philosophy, to an attentive ear,", + "Clearly points out, not in one part alone,", + "How imitative nature takes her course", + "From the celestial mind and from its art:", + "And where her laws the Stagyrite unfolds,", + "Not many leaves scann’d o’er, observing well", + "Thou shalt discover, that your art on her", + "Obsequious follows, as the learner treads", + "In his instructor’s step, so that your art", + "Deserves the name of second in descent", + "From God. These two, if thou recall to mind", + "Creation’s holy book, from the beginning", + "Were the right source of life and excellence", + "To human kind. But in another path", + "The usurer walks; and Nature in herself", + "And in her follower thus he sets at nought,", + "Placing elsewhere his hope. But follow now", + "My steps on forward journey bent; for now", + "The Pisces play with undulating glance", + "Along the’ horizon, and the Wain lies all", + "O’er the north-west; and onward there a space", + "Is our steep passage down the rocky height.”" + ], + "12": [ + "The place where to descend the precipice", + "We came, was rough as Alp, and on its verge", + "Such object lay, as every eye would shun.", + "As is that ruin, which Adice’s stream", + "On this side Trento struck, should’ring the wave,", + "Or loos’d by earthquake or for lack of prop;", + "For from the mountain’s summit, whence it mov’d", + "To the low level, so the headlong rock", + "Is shiver’d, that some passage it might give", + "To him who from above would pass; e’en such", + "Into the chasm was that descent: and there", + "At point of the disparted ridge lay stretch’d", + "The infamy of Crete, detested brood", + "Of the feign’d heifer: and at sight of us", + "It gnaw’d itself, as one with rage distract.", + "To him my guide exclaim’d: “Perchance thou deem’st", + "The King of Athens here, who, in the world", + "Above, thy death contriv’d. Monster! avaunt!", + "He comes not tutor’d by thy sister’s art,", + "But to behold your torments is he come.”", + "Like to a bull, that with impetuous spring", + "Darts, at the moment when the fatal blow", + "Hath struck him, but unable to proceed", + "Plunges on either side; so saw I plunge", + "The Minotaur; whereat the sage exclaim’d:", + "“Run to the passage! while he storms, ’tis well", + "That thou descend.” Thus down our road we took", + "Through those dilapidated crags, that oft", + "Mov’d underneath my feet, to weight like theirs", + "Unus’d. I pond’ring went, and thus he spake:", + "“Perhaps thy thoughts are of this ruin’d steep,", + "Guarded by the brute violence, which I", + "Have vanquish’d now. Know then, that when I erst", + "Hither descended to the nether hell,", + "This rock was not yet fallen. But past doubt", + "(If well I mark) not long ere He arrived,", + "Who carried off from Dis the mighty spoil", + "Of the highest circle, then through all its bounds", + "Such trembling seiz’d the deep concave and foul,", + "I thought the universe was thrill’d with love,", + "Whereby, there are who deem, the world hath oft", + "Been into chaos turn’d: and in that point,", + "Here, and elsewhere, that old rock toppled down.", + "But fix thine eyes beneath: the river of blood", + "Approaches, in the which all those are steep’d,", + "Who have by violence injur’d.” O blind lust!", + "O foolish wrath! who so dost goad us on", + "In the brief life, and in the eternal then", + "Thus miserably o’erwhelm us. I beheld", + "An ample foss, that in a bow was bent,", + "As circling all the plain; for so my guide", + "Had told. Between it and the rampart’s base", + "On trail ran Centaurs, with keen arrows arm’d,", + "As to the chase they on the earth were wont.", + "At seeing us descend they each one stood;", + "And issuing from the troop, three sped with bows", + "And missile weapons chosen first; of whom", + "One cried from far: “Say to what pain ye come", + "Condemn’d, who down this steep have journied? Speak", + "From whence ye stand, or else the bow I draw.”", + "To whom my guide: “Our answer shall be made", + "To Chiron, there, when nearer him we come.", + "Ill was thy mind, thus ever quick and rash.”", + "Then me he touch’d, and spake: “Nessus is this,", + "Who for the fair Deianira died,", + "And wrought himself revenge for his own fate.", + "He in the midst, that on his breast looks down,", + "Is the great Chiron who Achilles nurs’d;", + "That other Pholus, prone to wrath.” Around", + "The foss these go by thousands, aiming shafts", + "At whatsoever spirit dares emerge", + "From out the blood, more than his guilt allows.", + "We to those beasts, that rapid strode along,", + "Drew near, when Chiron took an arrow forth,", + "And with the notch push’d back his shaggy beard", + "To the cheek-bone, then his great mouth to view", + "Exposing, to his fellows thus exclaim’d:", + "“Are ye aware, that he who comes behind", + "Moves what he touches? The feet of the dead", + "Are not so wont.” My trusty guide, who now", + "Stood near his breast, where the two natures join,", + "Thus made reply: “He is indeed alive,", + "And solitary so must needs by me", + "Be shown the gloomy vale, thereto induc’d", + "By strict necessity, not by delight.", + "She left her joyful harpings in the sky,", + "Who this new office to my care consign’d.", + "He is no robber, no dark spirit I.", + "But by that virtue, which empowers my step", + "To treat so wild a path, grant us, I pray,", + "One of thy band, whom we may trust secure,", + "Who to the ford may lead us, and convey", + "Across, him mounted on his back; for he", + "Is not a spirit that may walk the air.”", + "Then on his right breast turning, Chiron thus", + "To Nessus spake: “Return, and be their guide.", + "And if ye chance to cross another troop,", + "Command them keep aloof.” Onward we mov’d,", + "The faithful escort by our side, along", + "The border of the crimson-seething flood,", + "Whence from those steep’d within loud shrieks arose.", + "Some there I mark’d, as high as to their brow", + "Immers’d, of whom the mighty Centaur thus:", + "“These are the souls of tyrants, who were given", + "To blood and rapine. Here they wail aloud", + "Their merciless wrongs. Here Alexander dwells,", + "And Dionysius fell, who many a year", + "Of woe wrought for fair Sicily. That brow", + "Whereon the hair so jetty clust’ring hangs,", + "Is Azzolino; that with flaxen locks", + "Obizzo’ of Este, in the world destroy’d", + "By his foul step-son.” To the bard rever’d", + "I turned me round, and thus he spake; “Let him", + "Be to thee now first leader, me but next", + "To him in rank.” Then farther on a space", + "The Centaur paus’d, near some, who at the throat", + "Were extant from the wave; and showing us", + "A spirit by itself apart retir’d,", + "Exclaim’d: “He in God’s bosom smote the heart,", + "Which yet is honour’d on the bank of Thames.”", + "A race I next espied, who held the head,", + "And even all the bust above the stream.", + "’Midst these I many a face remember’d well.", + "Thus shallow more and more the blood became,", + "So that at last it but imbru’d the feet;", + "And there our passage lay athwart the foss.", + "“As ever on this side the boiling wave", + "Thou seest diminishing,” the Centaur said,", + "“So on the other, be thou well assur’d,", + "It lower still and lower sinks its bed,", + "Till in that part it reuniting join,", + "Where ’tis the lot of tyranny to mourn.", + "There Heav’n’s stern justice lays chastising hand", + "On Attila, who was the scourge of earth,", + "On Sextus, and on Pyrrhus, and extracts", + "Tears ever by the seething flood unlock’d", + "From the Rinieri, of Corneto this,", + "Pazzo the other nam’d, who fill’d the ways", + "With violence and war.” This said, he turn’d,", + "And quitting us, alone repass’d the ford." + ], + "13": [ + "Ere Nessus yet had reach’d the other bank,", + "We enter’d on a forest, where no track", + "Of steps had worn a way. Not verdant there", + "The foliage, but of dusky hue; not light", + "The boughs and tapering, but with knares deform’d", + "And matted thick: fruits there were none, but thorns", + "Instead, with venom fill’d. Less sharp than these,", + "Less intricate the brakes, wherein abide", + "Those animals, that hate the cultur’d fields,", + "Betwixt Corneto and Cecina’s stream.", + "Here the brute Harpies make their nest, the same", + "Who from the Strophades the Trojan band", + "Drove with dire boding of their future woe.", + "Broad are their pennons, of the human form", + "Their neck and count’nance, arm’d with talons keen", + "The feet, and the huge belly fledge with wings", + "These sit and wail on the drear mystic wood.", + "The kind instructor in these words began:", + "“Ere farther thou proceed, know thou art now", + "I’ th’ second round, and shalt be, till thou come", + "Upon the horrid sand: look therefore well", + "Around thee, and such things thou shalt behold,", + "As would my speech discredit.” On all sides", + "I heard sad plainings breathe, and none could see", + "From whom they might have issu’d. In amaze", + "Fast bound I stood. He, as it seem’d, believ’d,", + "That I had thought so many voices came", + "From some amid those thickets close conceal’d,", + "And thus his speech resum’d: “If thou lop off", + "A single twig from one of those ill plants,", + "The thought thou hast conceiv’d shall vanish quite.”", + "Thereat a little stretching forth my hand,", + "From a great wilding gather’d I a branch,", + "And straight the trunk exclaim’d: “Why pluck’st thou me?”", + "Then as the dark blood trickled down its side,", + "These words it added: “Wherefore tear’st me thus?", + "Is there no touch of mercy in thy breast?", + "Men once were we, that now are rooted here.", + "Thy hand might well have spar’d us, had we been", + "The souls of serpents.” As a brand yet green,", + "That burning at one end from the’ other sends", + "A groaning sound, and hisses with the wind", + "That forces out its way, so burst at once,", + "Forth from the broken splinter words and blood.", + "I, letting fall the bough, remain’d as one", + "Assail’d by terror, and the sage replied:", + "“If he, O injur’d spirit! could have believ’d", + "What he hath seen but in my verse describ’d,", + "He never against thee had stretch’d his hand.", + "But I, because the thing surpass’d belief,", + "Prompted him to this deed, which even now", + "Myself I rue. But tell me, who thou wast;", + "That, for this wrong to do thee some amends,", + "In the upper world (for thither to return", + "Is granted him) thy fame he may revive.”", + "“That pleasant word of thine,” the trunk replied", + "“Hath so inveigled me, that I from speech", + "Cannot refrain, wherein if I indulge", + "A little longer, in the snare detain’d,", + "Count it not grievous. I it was, who held", + "Both keys to Frederick’s heart, and turn’d the wards,", + "Opening and shutting, with a skill so sweet,", + "That besides me, into his inmost breast", + "Scarce any other could admittance find.", + "The faith I bore to my high charge was such,", + "It cost me the life-blood that warm’d my veins.", + "The harlot, who ne’er turn’d her gloating eyes", + "From Caesar’s household, common vice and pest", + "Of courts, ’gainst me inflam’d the minds of all;", + "And to Augustus they so spread the flame,", + "That my glad honours chang’d to bitter woes.", + "My soul, disdainful and disgusted, sought", + "Refuge in death from scorn, and I became,", + "Just as I was, unjust toward myself.", + "By the new roots, which fix this stem, I swear,", + "That never faith I broke to my liege lord,", + "Who merited such honour; and of you,", + "If any to the world indeed return,", + "Clear he from wrong my memory, that lies", + "Yet prostrate under envy’s cruel blow.”", + "First somewhat pausing, till the mournful words", + "Were ended, then to me the bard began:", + "“Lose not the time; but speak and of him ask,", + "If more thou wish to learn.” Whence I replied:", + "“Question thou him again of whatsoe’er", + "Will, as thou think’st, content me; for no power", + "Have I to ask, such pity’ is at my heart.”", + "He thus resum’d; “So may he do for thee", + "Freely what thou entreatest, as thou yet", + "Be pleas’d, imprison’d Spirit! to declare,", + "How in these gnarled joints the soul is tied;", + "And whether any ever from such frame", + "Be loosen’d, if thou canst, that also tell.”", + "Thereat the trunk breath’d hard, and the wind soon", + "Chang’d into sounds articulate like these;", + "Briefly ye shall be answer’d. When departs", + "The fierce soul from the body, by itself", + "Thence torn asunder, to the seventh gulf", + "By Minos doom’d, into the wood it falls,", + "No place assign’d, but wheresoever chance", + "Hurls it, there sprouting, as a grain of spelt,", + "It rises to a sapling, growing thence", + "A savage plant. The Harpies, on its leaves", + "Then feeding, cause both pain and for the pain", + "A vent to grief. We, as the rest, shall come", + "For our own spoils, yet not so that with them", + "We may again be clad; for what a man", + "Takes from himself it is not just he have.", + "Here we perforce shall drag them; and throughout", + "The dismal glade our bodies shall be hung,", + "Each on the wild thorn of his wretched shade.”", + "Attentive yet to listen to the trunk", + "We stood, expecting farther speech, when us", + "A noise surpris’d, as when a man perceives", + "The wild boar and the hunt approach his place", + "Of station’d watch, who of the beasts and boughs", + "Loud rustling round him hears. And lo! there came", + "Two naked, torn with briers, in headlong flight,", + "That they before them broke each fan o’ th’ wood.", + "“Haste now,” the foremost cried, “now haste thee death!”", + "The’ other, as seem’d, impatient of delay", + "Exclaiming, “Lano! not so bent for speed", + "Thy sinews, in the lists of Toppo’s field.”", + "And then, for that perchance no longer breath", + "Suffic’d him, of himself and of a bush", + "One group he made. Behind them was the wood", + "Full of black female mastiffs, gaunt and fleet,", + "As greyhounds that have newly slipp’d the leash.", + "On him, who squatted down, they stuck their fangs,", + "And having rent him piecemeal bore away", + "The tortur’d limbs. My guide then seiz’d my hand,", + "And led me to the thicket, which in vain", + "Mourn’d through its bleeding wounds: “O Giacomo", + "Of Sant’ Andrea! what avails it thee,”", + "It cried, “that of me thou hast made thy screen?", + "For thy ill life what blame on me recoils?”", + "When o’er it he had paus’d, my master spake:", + "“Say who wast thou, that at so many points", + "Breath’st out with blood thy lamentable speech?”", + "He answer’d: “Oh, ye spirits: arriv’d in time", + "To spy the shameful havoc, that from me", + "My leaves hath sever’d thus, gather them up,", + "And at the foot of their sad parent-tree", + "Carefully lay them. In that city’ I dwelt,", + "Who for the Baptist her first patron chang’d,", + "Whence he for this shall cease not with his art", + "To work her woe: and if there still remain’d not", + "On Arno’s passage some faint glimpse of him,", + "Those citizens, who rear’d once more her walls", + "Upon the ashes left by Attila,", + "Had labour’d without profit of their toil.", + "I slung the fatal noose from my own roof.”" + ], + "14": [ + "Soon as the charity of native land", + "Wrought in my bosom, I the scatter’d leaves", + "Collected, and to him restor’d, who now", + "Was hoarse with utt’rance. To the limit thence", + "We came, which from the third the second round", + "Divides, and where of justice is display’d", + "Contrivance horrible. Things then first seen", + "Clearlier to manifest, I tell how next", + "A plain we reach’d, that from its sterile bed", + "Each plant repell’d. The mournful wood waves round", + "Its garland on all sides, as round the wood", + "Spreads the sad foss. There, on the very edge,", + "Our steps we stay’d. It was an area wide", + "Of arid sand and thick, resembling most", + "The soil that erst by Cato’s foot was trod.", + "Vengeance of Heav’n! Oh ! how shouldst thou be fear’d", + "By all, who read what here my eyes beheld!", + "Of naked spirits many a flock I saw,", + "All weeping piteously, to different laws", + "Subjected: for on the’ earth some lay supine,", + "Some crouching close were seated, others pac’d", + "Incessantly around; the latter tribe,", + "More numerous, those fewer who beneath", + "The torment lay, but louder in their grief.", + "O’er all the sand fell slowly wafting down", + "Dilated flakes of fire, as flakes of snow", + "On Alpine summit, when the wind is hush’d.", + "As in the torrid Indian clime, the son", + "Of Ammon saw upon his warrior band", + "Descending, solid flames, that to the ground", + "Came down: whence he bethought him with his troop", + "To trample on the soil; for easier thus", + "The vapour was extinguish’d, while alone;", + "So fell the eternal fiery flood, wherewith", + "The marble glow’d underneath, as under stove", + "The viands, doubly to augment the pain.", + "Unceasing was the play of wretched hands,", + "Now this, now that way glancing, to shake off", + "The heat, still falling fresh. I thus began:", + "“Instructor! thou who all things overcom’st,", + "Except the hardy demons, that rush’d forth", + "To stop our entrance at the gate, say who", + "Is yon huge spirit, that, as seems, heeds not", + "The burning, but lies writhen in proud scorn,", + "As by the sultry tempest immatur’d?”", + "Straight he himself, who was aware I ask’d", + "My guide of him, exclaim’d: “Such as I was", + "When living, dead such now I am. If Jove", + "Weary his workman out, from whom in ire", + "He snatch’d the lightnings, that at my last day", + "Transfix’d me, if the rest be weary out", + "At their black smithy labouring by turns", + "In Mongibello, while he cries aloud;", + "“Help, help, good Mulciber!” as erst he cried", + "In the Phlegraean warfare, and the bolts", + "Launch he full aim’d at me with all his might,", + "He never should enjoy a sweet revenge.”", + "Then thus my guide, in accent higher rais’d", + "Than I before had heard him: “Capaneus!", + "Thou art more punish’d, in that this thy pride", + "Lives yet unquench’d: no torrent, save thy rage,", + "Were to thy fury pain proportion’d full.”", + "Next turning round to me with milder lip", + "He spake: “This of the seven kings was one,", + "Who girt the Theban walls with siege, and held,", + "As still he seems to hold, God in disdain,", + "And sets his high omnipotence at nought.", + "But, as I told him, his despiteful mood", + "Is ornament well suits the breast that wears it.", + "Follow me now; and look thou set not yet", + "Thy foot in the hot sand, but to the wood", + "Keep ever close.” Silently on we pass’d", + "To where there gushes from the forest’s bound", + "A little brook, whose crimson’d wave yet lifts", + "My hair with horror. As the rill, that runs", + "From Bulicame, to be portion’d out", + "Among the sinful women; so ran this", + "Down through the sand, its bottom and each bank", + "Stone-built, and either margin at its side,", + "Whereon I straight perceiv’d our passage lay.", + "“Of all that I have shown thee, since that gate", + "We enter’d first, whose threshold is to none", + "Denied, nought else so worthy of regard,", + "As is this river, has thine eye discern’d,", + "O’er which the flaming volley all is quench’d.”", + "So spake my guide; and I him thence besought,", + "That having giv’n me appetite to know,", + "The food he too would give, that hunger crav’d.", + "“In midst of ocean,” forthwith he began,", + "“A desolate country lies, which Crete is nam’d,", + "Under whose monarch in old times the world", + "Liv’d pure and chaste. A mountain rises there,", + "Call’d Ida, joyous once with leaves and streams,", + "Deserted now like a forbidden thing.", + "It was the spot which Rhea, Saturn’s spouse,", + "Chose for the secret cradle of her son;", + "And better to conceal him, drown’d in shouts", + "His infant cries. Within the mount, upright", + "An ancient form there stands and huge, that turns", + "His shoulders towards Damiata, and at Rome", + "As in his mirror looks. Of finest gold", + "His head is shap’d, pure silver are the breast", + "And arms; thence to the middle is of brass.", + "And downward all beneath well-temper’d steel,", + "Save the right foot of potter’s clay, on which", + "Than on the other more erect he stands,", + "Each part except the gold, is rent throughout;", + "And from the fissure tears distil, which join’d", + "Penetrate to that cave. They in their course", + "Thus far precipitated down the rock", + "Form Acheron, and Styx, and Phlegethon;", + "Then by this straiten’d channel passing hence", + "Beneath, e’en to the lowest depth of all,", + "Form there Cocytus, of whose lake (thyself", + "Shall see it) I here give thee no account.”", + "Then I to him: “If from our world this sluice", + "Be thus deriv’d; wherefore to us but now", + "Appears it at this edge?” He straight replied:", + "“The place, thou know’st, is round; and though great part", + "Thou have already pass’d, still to the left", + "Descending to the nethermost, not yet", + "Hast thou the circuit made of the whole orb.", + "Wherefore if aught of new to us appear,", + "It needs not bring up wonder in thy looks.”", + "Then I again inquir’d: “Where flow the streams", + "Of Phlegethon and Lethe? for of one", + "Thou tell’st not, and the other of that shower,", + "Thou say’st, is form’d.” He answer thus return’d:", + "“Doubtless thy questions all well pleas’d I hear.", + "Yet the red seething wave might have resolv’d", + "One thou proposest. Lethe thou shalt see,", + "But not within this hollow, in the place,", + "Whither to lave themselves the spirits go,", + "Whose blame hath been by penitence remov’d.”", + "He added: “Time is now we quit the wood.", + "Look thou my steps pursue: the margins give", + "Safe passage, unimpeded by the flames;", + "For over them all vapour is extinct.”" + ], + "15": [ + "One of the solid margins bears us now", + "Envelop’d in the mist, that from the stream", + "Arising, hovers o’er, and saves from fire", + "Both piers and water. As the Flemings rear", + "Their mound, ’twixt Ghent and Bruges, to chase back", + "The ocean, fearing his tumultuous tide", + "That drives toward them, or the Paduans theirs", + "Along the Brenta, to defend their towns", + "And castles, ere the genial warmth be felt", + "On Chiarentana’s top; such were the mounds,", + "So fram’d, though not in height or bulk to these", + "Made equal, by the master, whosoe’er", + "He was, that rais’d them here. We from the wood", + "Were not so far remov’d, that turning round", + "I might not have discern’d it, when we met", + "A troop of spirits, who came beside the pier.", + "They each one ey’d us, as at eventide", + "One eyes another under a new moon,", + "And toward us sharpen’d their sight as keen,", + "As an old tailor at his needle’s eye.", + "Thus narrowly explor’d by all the tribe,", + "I was agniz’d of one, who by the skirt", + "Caught me, and cried, “What wonder have we here!”", + "And I, when he to me outstretch’d his arm,", + "Intently fix’d my ken on his parch’d looks,", + "That although smirch’d with fire, they hinder’d not", + "But I remember’d him; and towards his face", + "My hand inclining, answer’d: “Sir! Brunetto!", + "And art thou here?” He thus to me: “My son!", + "Oh let it not displease thee, if Brunetto", + "Latini but a little space with thee", + "Turn back, and leave his fellows to proceed.”", + "I thus to him replied: “Much as I can,", + "I thereto pray thee; and if thou be willing,", + "That I here seat me with thee, I consent;", + "His leave, with whom I journey, first obtain’d.”", + "“O son!” said he, “ whoever of this throng", + "One instant stops, lies then a hundred years,", + "No fan to ventilate him, when the fire", + "Smites sorest. Pass thou therefore on. I close", + "Will at thy garments walk, and then rejoin", + "My troop, who go mourning their endless doom.”", + "I dar’d not from the path descend to tread", + "On equal ground with him, but held my head", + "Bent down, as one who walks in reverent guise.", + "“What chance or destiny,” thus be began,", + "“Ere the last day conducts thee here below?", + "And who is this, that shows to thee the way?”", + "“There up aloft,” I answer’d, “in the life", + "Serene, I wander’d in a valley lost,", + "Before mine age had to its fullness reach’d.", + "But yester-morn I left it: then once more", + "Into that vale returning, him I met;", + "And by this path homeward he leads me back.”", + "“If thou,” he answer’d, “follow but thy star,", + "Thou canst not miss at last a glorious haven:", + "Unless in fairer days my judgment err’d.", + "And if my fate so early had not chanc’d,", + "Seeing the heav’ns thus bounteous to thee, I", + "Had gladly giv’n thee comfort in thy work.", + "But that ungrateful and malignant race,", + "Who in old times came down from Fesole,", + "Ay and still smack of their rough mountain-flint,", + "Will for thy good deeds shew thee enmity.", + "Nor wonder; for amongst ill-savour’d crabs", + "It suits not the sweet fig-tree lay her fruit.", + "Old fame reports them in the world for blind,", + "Covetous, envious, proud. Look to it well:", + "Take heed thou cleanse thee of their ways. For thee", + "Thy fortune hath such honour in reserve,", + "That thou by either party shalt be crav’d", + "With hunger keen: but be the fresh herb far", + "From the goat’s tooth. The herd of Fesole", + "May of themselves make litter, not touch the plant,", + "If any such yet spring on their rank bed,", + "In which the holy seed revives, transmitted", + "From those true Romans, who still there remain’d,", + "When it was made the nest of so much ill.”", + "“Were all my wish fulfill’d,” I straight replied,", + "“Thou from the confines of man’s nature yet", + "Hadst not been driven forth; for in my mind", + "Is fix’d, and now strikes full upon my heart", + "The dear, benign, paternal image, such", + "As thine was, when so lately thou didst teach me", + "The way for man to win eternity;", + "And how I priz’d the lesson, it behooves,", + "That, long as life endures, my tongue should speak,", + "What of my fate thou tell’st, that write I down:", + "And with another text to comment on", + "For her I keep it, the celestial dame,", + "Who will know all, if I to her arrive.", + "This only would I have thee clearly note:", + "That so my conscience have no plea against me;", + "Do fortune as she list, I stand prepar’d.", + "Not new or strange such earnest to mine ear.", + "Speed fortune then her wheel, as likes her best,", + "The clown his mattock; all things have their course.”", + "Thereat my sapient guide upon his right", + "Turn’d himself back, then look’d at me and spake:", + "“He listens to good purpose who takes note.”", + "I not the less still on my way proceed,", + "Discoursing with Brunetto, and inquire", + "Who are most known and chief among his tribe.", + "“To know of some is well;” thus he replied,", + "“But of the rest silence may best beseem.", + "Time would not serve us for report so long.", + "In brief I tell thee, that all these were clerks,", + "Men of great learning and no less renown,", + "By one same sin polluted in the world.", + "With them is Priscian, and Accorso’s son", + "Francesco herds among that wretched throng:", + "And, if the wish of so impure a blotch", + "Possess’d thee, him thou also might’st have seen,", + "Who by the servants’ servant was transferr’d", + "From Arno’s seat to Bacchiglione, where", + "His ill-strain’d nerves he left. I more would add,", + "But must from farther speech and onward way", + "Alike desist, for yonder I behold", + "A mist new-risen on the sandy plain.", + "A company, with whom I may not sort,", + "Approaches. I commend my TREASURE to thee,", + "Wherein I yet survive; my sole request.”", + "This said he turn’d, and seem’d as one of those,", + "Who o’er Verona’s champain try their speed", + "For the green mantle, and of them he seem’d,", + "Not he who loses but who gains the prize." + ], + "16": [ + "Now came I where the water’s din was heard,", + "As down it fell into the other round,", + "Resounding like the hum of swarming bees:", + "When forth together issu’d from a troop,", + "That pass’d beneath the fierce tormenting storm,", + "Three spirits, running swift. They towards us came,", + "And each one cried aloud, “Oh do thou stay!", + "Whom by the fashion of thy garb we deem", + "To be some inmate of our evil land.”", + "Ah me! what wounds I mark’d upon their limbs,", + "Recent and old, inflicted by the flames!", + "E’en the remembrance of them grieves me yet.", + "Attentive to their cry my teacher paus’d,", + "And turn’d to me his visage, and then spake;", + "“Wait now! our courtesy these merit well:", + "And were ’t not for the nature of the place,", + "Whence glide the fiery darts, I should have said,", + "That haste had better suited thee than them.”", + "They, when we stopp’d, resum’d their ancient wail,", + "And soon as they had reach’d us, all the three", + "Whirl’d round together in one restless wheel.", + "As naked champions, smear’d with slippery oil,", + "Are wont intent to watch their place of hold", + "And vantage, ere in closer strife they meet;", + "Thus each one, as he wheel’d, his countenance", + "At me directed, so that opposite", + "The neck mov’d ever to the twinkling feet.", + "“If misery of this drear wilderness,”", + "Thus one began, “added to our sad cheer", + "And destitute, do call forth scorn on us", + "And our entreaties, let our great renown", + "Incline thee to inform us who thou art,", + "That dost imprint with living feet unharm’d", + "The soil of Hell. He, in whose track thou see’st", + "My steps pursuing, naked though he be", + "And reft of all, was of more high estate", + "Than thou believest; grandchild of the chaste", + "Gualdrada, him they Guidoguerra call’d,", + "Who in his lifetime many a noble act", + "Achiev’d, both by his wisdom and his sword.", + "The other, next to me that beats the sand,", + "Is Aldobrandi, name deserving well,", + "In the’ upper world, of honour; and myself", + "Who in this torment do partake with them,", + "Am Rusticucci, whom, past doubt, my wife", + "Of savage temper, more than aught beside", + "Hath to this evil brought.” If from the fire", + "I had been shelter’d, down amidst them straight", + "I then had cast me, nor my guide, I deem,", + "Would have restrain’d my going; but that fear", + "Of the dire burning vanquish’d the desire,", + "Which made me eager of their wish’d embrace.", + "I then began: “Not scorn, but grief much more,", + "Such as long time alone can cure, your doom", + "Fix’d deep within me, soon as this my lord", + "Spake words, whose tenour taught me to expect", + "That such a race, as ye are, was at hand.", + "I am a countryman of yours, who still", + "Affectionate have utter’d, and have heard", + "Your deeds and names renown’d. Leaving the gall", + "For the sweet fruit I go, that a sure guide", + "Hath promis’d to me. But behooves, that far", + "As to the centre first I downward tend.”", + "“So may long space thy spirit guide thy limbs,”", + "He answer straight return’d; “and so thy fame", + "Shine bright, when thou art gone; as thou shalt tell,", + "If courtesy and valour, as they wont,", + "Dwell in our city, or have vanish’d clean?", + "For one amidst us late condemn’d to wail,", + "Borsiere, yonder walking with his peers,", + "Grieves us no little by the news he brings.”", + "“An upstart multitude and sudden gains,", + "Pride and excess, O Florence! have in thee", + "Engender’d, so that now in tears thou mourn’st!”", + "Thus cried I with my face uprais’d, and they", + "All three, who for an answer took my words,", + "Look’d at each other, as men look when truth", + "Comes to their ear. “If thou at other times,”", + "They all at once rejoin’d, “so easily", + "Satisfy those, who question, happy thou,", + "Gifted with words, so apt to speak thy thought!", + "Wherefore if thou escape this darksome clime,", + "Returning to behold the radiant stars,", + "When thou with pleasure shalt retrace the past,", + "See that of us thou speak among mankind.”", + "This said, they broke the circle, and so swift", + "Fled, that as pinions seem’d their nimble feet.", + "Not in so short a time might one have said", + "“Amen,” as they had vanish’d. Straight my guide", + "Pursu’d his track. I follow’d; and small space", + "Had we pass’d onward, when the water’s sound", + "Was now so near at hand, that we had scarce", + "Heard one another’s speech for the loud din.", + "E’en as the river, that holds on its course", + "Unmingled, from the mount of Vesulo,", + "On the left side of Apennine, toward", + "The east, which Acquacheta higher up", + "They call, ere it descend into the vale,", + "At Forli by that name no longer known,", + "Rebellows o’er Saint Benedict, roll’d on", + "From the’ Alpine summit down a precipice,", + "Where space enough to lodge a thousand spreads;", + "Thus downward from a craggy steep we found,", + "That this dark wave resounded, roaring loud,", + "So that the ear its clamour soon had stunn’d.", + "I had a cord that brac’d my girdle round,", + "Wherewith I erst had thought fast bound to take", + "The painted leopard. This when I had all", + "Unloosen’d from me (so my master bade)", + "I gather’d up, and stretch’d it forth to him.", + "Then to the right he turn’d, and from the brink", + "Standing few paces distant, cast it down", + "Into the deep abyss. “And somewhat strange,”", + "Thus to myself I spake, “signal so strange", + "Betokens, which my guide with earnest eye", + "Thus follows.” Ah! what caution must men use", + "With those who look not at the deed alone,", + "But spy into the thoughts with subtle skill!", + "“Quickly shall come,” he said, “what I expect,", + "Thine eye discover quickly, that whereof", + "Thy thought is dreaming.” Ever to that truth,", + "Which but the semblance of a falsehood wears,", + "A man, if possible, should bar his lip;", + "Since, although blameless, he incurs reproach.", + "But silence here were vain; and by these notes", + "Which now I sing, reader! I swear to thee,", + "So may they favour find to latest times!", + "That through the gross and murky air I spied", + "A shape come swimming up, that might have quell’d", + "The stoutest heart with wonder, in such guise", + "As one returns, who hath been down to loose", + "An anchor grappled fast against some rock,", + "Or to aught else that in the salt wave lies,", + "Who upward springing close draws in his feet." + ], + "17": [ + "“Lo! the fell monster with the deadly sting!", + "Who passes mountains, breaks through fenced walls", + "And firm embattled spears, and with his filth", + "Taints all the world!” Thus me my guide address’d,", + "And beckon’d him, that he should come to shore,", + "Near to the stony causeway’s utmost edge.", + "Forthwith that image vile of fraud appear’d,", + "His head and upper part expos’d on land,", + "But laid not on the shore his bestial train.", + "His face the semblance of a just man’s wore,", + "So kind and gracious was its outward cheer;", + "The rest was serpent all: two shaggy claws", + "Reach’d to the armpits, and the back and breast,", + "And either side, were painted o’er with nodes", + "And orbits. Colours variegated more", + "Nor Turks nor Tartars e’er on cloth of state", + "With interchangeable embroidery wove,", + "Nor spread Arachne o’er her curious loom.", + "As ofttimes a light skiff, moor’d to the shore,", + "Stands part in water, part upon the land;", + "Or, as where dwells the greedy German boor,", + "The beaver settles watching for his prey;", + "So on the rim, that fenc’d the sand with rock,", + "Sat perch’d the fiend of evil. In the void", + "Glancing, his tail upturn’d its venomous fork,", + "With sting like scorpion’s arm’d. Then thus my guide:", + "“Now need our way must turn few steps apart,", + "Far as to that ill beast, who couches there.”", + "Thereat toward the right our downward course", + "We shap’d, and, better to escape the flame", + "And burning marle, ten paces on the verge", + "Proceeded. Soon as we to him arrive,", + "A little further on mine eye beholds", + "A tribe of spirits, seated on the sand", + "Near the wide chasm. Forthwith my master spake:", + "“That to the full thy knowledge may extend", + "Of all this round contains, go now, and mark", + "The mien these wear: but hold not long discourse.", + "Till thou returnest, I with him meantime", + "Will parley, that to us he may vouchsafe", + "The aid of his strong shoulders.” Thus alone", + "Yet forward on the’ extremity I pac’d", + "Of that seventh circle, where the mournful tribe", + "Were seated. At the eyes forth gush’d their pangs.", + "Against the vapours and the torrid soil", + "Alternately their shifting hands they plied.", + "Thus use the dogs in summer still to ply", + "Their jaws and feet by turns, when bitten sore", + "By gnats, or flies, or gadflies swarming round.", + "Noting the visages of some, who lay", + "Beneath the pelting of that dolorous fire,", + "One of them all I knew not; but perceiv’d,", + "That pendent from his neck each bore a pouch", + "With colours and with emblems various mark’d,", + "On which it seem’d as if their eye did feed.", + "And when amongst them looking round I came,", + "A yellow purse I saw with azure wrought,", + "That wore a lion’s countenance and port.", + "Then still my sight pursuing its career,", + "Another I beheld, than blood more red.", + "A goose display of whiter wing than curd.", + "And one, who bore a fat and azure swine", + "Pictur’d on his white scrip, addressed me thus:", + "“What dost thou in this deep? Go now and know,", + "Since yet thou livest, that my neighbour here", + "Vitaliano on my left shall sit.", + "A Paduan with these Florentines am I.", + "Ofttimes they thunder in mine ears, exclaiming", + "“O haste that noble knight! he who the pouch", + "With the three beaks will bring!” This said, he writh’d", + "The mouth, and loll’d the tongue out, like an ox", + "That licks his nostrils. I, lest longer stay", + "He ill might brook, who bade me stay not long,", + "Backward my steps from those sad spirits turn’d.", + "My guide already seated on the haunch", + "Of the fierce animal I found; and thus", + "He me encourag’d. “Be thou stout; be bold.", + "Down such a steep flight must we now descend!", + "Mount thou before: for that no power the tail", + "May have to harm thee, I will be i’ th’ midst.”", + "As one, who hath an ague fit so near,", + "His nails already are turn’d blue, and he", + "Quivers all o’er, if he but eye the shade;", + "Such was my cheer at hearing of his words.", + "But shame soon interpos’d her threat, who makes", + "The servant bold in presence of his lord.", + "I settled me upon those shoulders huge,", + "And would have said, but that the words to aid", + "My purpose came not, “Look thou clasp me firm!”", + "But he whose succour then not first I prov’d,", + "Soon as I mounted, in his arms aloft,", + "Embracing, held me up, and thus he spake:", + "“Geryon! now move thee! be thy wheeling gyres", + "Of ample circuit, easy thy descent.", + "Think on th’ unusual burden thou sustain’st.”", + "As a small vessel, back’ning out from land,", + "Her station quits; so thence the monster loos’d,", + "And when he felt himself at large, turn’d round", + "There where the breast had been, his forked tail.", + "Thus, like an eel, outstretch’d at length he steer’d,", + "Gath’ring the air up with retractile claws.", + "Not greater was the dread when Phaeton", + "The reins let drop at random, whence high heaven,", + "Whereof signs yet appear, was wrapt in flames;", + "Nor when ill-fated Icarus perceiv’d,", + "By liquefaction of the scalded wax,", + "The trusted pennons loosen’d from his loins,", + "His sire exclaiming loud, “Ill way thou keep’st!”", + "Than was my dread, when round me on each part", + "The air I view’d, and other object none", + "Save the fell beast. He slowly sailing, wheels", + "His downward motion, unobserv’d of me,", + "But that the wind, arising to my face,", + "Breathes on me from below. Now on our right", + "I heard the cataract beneath us leap", + "With hideous crash; whence bending down to’ explore,", + "New terror I conceiv’d at the steep plunge:", + "For flames I saw, and wailings smote mine ear:", + "So that all trembling close I crouch’d my limbs,", + "And then distinguish’d, unperceiv’d before,", + "By the dread torments that on every side", + "Drew nearer, how our downward course we wound.", + "As falcon, that hath long been on the wing,", + "But lure nor bird hath seen, while in despair", + "The falconer cries, “Ah me! thou stoop’st to earth!”", + "Wearied descends, and swiftly down the sky", + "In many an orbit wheels, then lighting sits", + "At distance from his lord in angry mood;", + "So Geryon lighting places us on foot", + "Low down at base of the deep-furrow’d rock,", + "And, of his burden there discharg’d, forthwith", + "Sprang forward, like an arrow from the string." + ], + "18": [ + "There is a place within the depths of hell", + "Call’d Malebolge, all of rock dark-stain’d", + "With hue ferruginous, e’en as the steep", + "That round it circling winds. Right in the midst", + "Of that abominable region, yawns", + "A spacious gulf profound, whereof the frame", + "Due time shall tell. The circle, that remains,", + "Throughout its round, between the gulf and base", + "Of the high craggy banks, successive forms", + "Ten trenches, in its hollow bottom sunk.", + "As where to guard the walls, full many a foss", + "Begirds some stately castle, sure defence", + "Affording to the space within, so here", + "Were model’d these; and as like fortresses", + "E’en from their threshold to the brink without,", + "Are flank’d with bridges; from the rock’s low base", + "Thus flinty paths advanc’d, that ’cross the moles", + "And dikes, struck onward far as to the gulf,", + "That in one bound collected cuts them off.", + "Such was the place, wherein we found ourselves", + "From Geryon’s back dislodg’d. The bard to left", + "Held on his way, and I behind him mov’d.", + "On our right hand new misery I saw,", + "New pains, new executioners of wrath,", + "That swarming peopled the first chasm. Below", + "Were naked sinners. Hitherward they came,", + "Meeting our faces from the middle point,", + "With us beyond but with a larger stride.", + "E’en thus the Romans, when the year returns", + "Of Jubilee, with better speed to rid", + "The thronging multitudes, their means devise", + "For such as pass the bridge; that on one side", + "All front toward the castle, and approach", + "Saint Peter’s fane, on th’ other towards the mount.", + "Each divers way along the grisly rock,", + "Horn’d demons I beheld, with lashes huge,", + "That on their back unmercifully smote.", + "Ah! how they made them bound at the first stripe!", + "None for the second waited nor the third.", + "Meantime as on I pass’d, one met my sight", + "Whom soon as view’d; “Of him,” cried I, “not yet", + "Mine eye hath had his fill.” With fixed gaze", + "I therefore scann’d him. Straight the teacher kind", + "Paus’d with me, and consented I should walk", + "Backward a space, and the tormented spirit,", + "Who thought to hide him, bent his visage down.", + "But it avail’d him nought; for I exclaim’d:", + "“Thou who dost cast thy eye upon the ground,", + "Unless thy features do belie thee much,", + "Venedico art thou. But what brings thee", + "Into this bitter seas’ning? “ He replied:", + "“Unwillingly I answer to thy words.", + "But thy clear speech, that to my mind recalls", + "The world I once inhabited, constrains me.", + "Know then ’twas I who led fair Ghisola", + "To do the Marquis’ will, however fame", + "The shameful tale have bruited. Nor alone", + "Bologna hither sendeth me to mourn", + "Rather with us the place is so o’erthrong’d", + "That not so many tongues this day are taught,", + "Betwixt the Reno and Savena’s stream,", + "To answer SIPA in their country’s phrase.", + "And if of that securer proof thou need,", + "Remember but our craving thirst for gold.”", + "Him speaking thus, a demon with his thong", + "Struck, and exclaim’d, “Away! corrupter! here", + "Women are none for sale.” Forthwith I join’d", + "My escort, and few paces thence we came", + "To where a rock forth issued from the bank.", + "That easily ascended, to the right", + "Upon its splinter turning, we depart", + "From those eternal barriers. When arriv’d,", + "Where underneath the gaping arch lets pass", + "The scourged souls: “Pause here,” the teacher said,", + "“And let these others miserable, now", + "Strike on thy ken, faces not yet beheld,", + "For that together they with us have walk’d.”", + "From the old bridge we ey’d the pack, who came", + "From th’ other side towards us, like the rest,", + "Excoriate from the lash. My gentle guide,", + "By me unquestion’d, thus his speech resum’d:", + "“Behold that lofty shade, who this way tends,", + "And seems too woe-begone to drop a tear.", + "How yet the regal aspect he retains!", + "Jason is he, whose skill and prowess won", + "The ram from Colchos. To the Lemnian isle", + "His passage thither led him, when those bold", + "And pitiless women had slain all their males.", + "There he with tokens and fair witching words", + "Hypsipyle beguil’d, a virgin young,", + "Who first had all the rest herself beguil’d.", + "Impregnated he left her there forlorn.", + "Such is the guilt condemns him to this pain.", + "Here too Medea’s inj’ries are avenged.", + "All bear him company, who like deceit", + "To his have practis’d. And thus much to know", + "Of the first vale suffice thee, and of those", + "Whom its keen torments urge.” Now had we come", + "Where, crossing the next pier, the straighten’d path", + "Bestrides its shoulders to another arch.", + "Hence in the second chasm we heard the ghosts,", + "Who jibber in low melancholy sounds,", + "With wide-stretch’d nostrils snort, and on themselves", + "Smite with their palms. Upon the banks a scurf", + "From the foul steam condens’d, encrusting hung,", + "That held sharp combat with the sight and smell.", + "So hollow is the depth, that from no part,", + "Save on the summit of the rocky span,", + "Could I distinguish aught. Thus far we came;", + "And thence I saw, within the foss below,", + "A crowd immers’d in ordure, that appear’d", + "Draff of the human body. There beneath", + "Searching with eye inquisitive, I mark’d", + "One with his head so grim’d, ’twere hard to deem,", + "If he were clerk or layman. Loud he cried:", + "“Why greedily thus bendest more on me,", + "Than on these other filthy ones, thy ken?”", + "“Because if true my mem’ry,” I replied,", + "“I heretofore have seen thee with dry locks,", + "And thou Alessio art of Lucca sprung.", + "Therefore than all the rest I scan thee more.”", + "Then beating on his brain these words he spake:", + "“Me thus low down my flatteries have sunk,", + "Wherewith I ne’er enough could glut my tongue.”", + "My leader thus: “A little further stretch", + "Thy face, that thou the visage well mayst note", + "Of that besotted, sluttish courtezan,", + "Who there doth rend her with defiled nails,", + "Now crouching down, now risen on her feet.", + "Thais is this, the harlot, whose false lip", + "Answer’d her doting paramour that ask’d,", + "‘Thankest me much!’—‘Say rather wondrously,’", + "And seeing this here satiate be our view.”" + ], + "19": [ + "Woe to thee, Simon Magus! woe to you,", + "His wretched followers! who the things of God,", + "Which should be wedded unto goodness, them,", + "Rapacious as ye are, do prostitute", + "For gold and silver in adultery! ", + "Now must the trumpet sound for you, since yours", + "Is the third chasm. Upon the following vault", + "We now had mounted, where the rock impends", + "Directly o’er the centre of the foss.", + "Wisdom Supreme! how wonderful the art,", + "Which thou dost manifest in heaven, in earth,", + "And in the evil world, how just a meed", + "Allotting by thy virtue unto all!", + "I saw the livid stone, throughout the sides", + "And in its bottom full of apertures,", + "All equal in their width, and circular each,", + "Nor ample less nor larger they appear’d", + "Than in Saint John’s fair dome of me belov’d", + "Those fram’d to hold the pure baptismal streams,", + "One of the which I brake, some few years past,", + "To save a whelming infant; and be this", + "A seal to undeceive whoever doubts", + "The motive of my deed. From out the mouth", + "Of every one, emerg’d a sinner’s feet", + "And of the legs high upward as the calf", + "The rest beneath was hid. On either foot", + "The soles were burning, whence the flexile joints", + "Glanc’d with such violent motion, as had snapt", + "Asunder cords or twisted withs. As flame,", + "Feeding on unctuous matter, glides along", + "The surface, scarcely touching where it moves;", + "So here, from heel to point, glided the flames.", + "“Master! say who is he, than all the rest", + "Glancing in fiercer agony, on whom", + "A ruddier flame doth prey?” I thus inquir’d.", + "“If thou be willing,” he replied, “that I", + "Carry thee down, where least the slope bank falls,", + "He of himself shall tell thee and his wrongs.”", + "I then: “As pleases thee to me is best.", + "Thou art my lord; and know’st that ne’er I quit", + "Thy will: what silence hides that knowest thou.”", + "Thereat on the fourth pier we came, we turn’d,", + "And on our left descended to the depth,", + "A narrow strait and perforated close.", + "Nor from his side my leader set me down,", + "Till to his orifice he brought, whose limb", + "Quiv’ring express’d his pang. “Whoe’er thou art,", + "Sad spirit! thus revers’d, and as a stake", + "Driv’n in the soil!” I in these words began,", + "“If thou be able, utter forth thy voice.”", + "There stood I like the friar, that doth shrive", + "A wretch for murder doom’d, who e’en when fix’d,", + "Calleth him back, whence death awhile delays.", + "He shouted: “Ha! already standest there?", + "Already standest there, O Boniface!", + "By many a year the writing play’d me false.", + "So early dost thou surfeit with the wealth,", + "For which thou fearedst not in guile to take", + "The lovely lady, and then mangle her?”", + "I felt as those who, piercing not the drift", + "Of answer made them, stand as if expos’d", + "In mockery, nor know what to reply,", + "When Virgil thus admonish’d: “Tell him quick,", + "I am not he, not he, whom thou believ’st.”", + "And I, as was enjoin’d me, straight replied.", + "That heard, the spirit all did wrench his feet,", + "And sighing next in woeful accent spake:", + "“What then of me requirest?” If to know", + "So much imports thee, who I am, that thou", + "Hast therefore down the bank descended, learn", + "That in the mighty mantle I was rob’d,", + "And of a she-bear was indeed the son,", + "So eager to advance my whelps, that there", + "My having in my purse above I stow’d,", + "And here myself. Under my head are dragg’d", + "The rest, my predecessors in the guilt", + "Of simony. Stretch’d at their length they lie", + "Along an opening in the rock. ’Midst them", + "I also low shall fall, soon as he comes,", + "For whom I took thee, when so hastily", + "I question’d. But already longer time", + "Hath pass’d, since my souls kindled, and I thus", + "Upturn’d have stood, than is his doom to stand", + "Planted with fiery feet. For after him,", + "One yet of deeds more ugly shall arrive,", + "From forth the west, a shepherd without law,", + "Fated to cover both his form and mine.", + "He a new Jason shall be call’d, of whom", + "In Maccabees we read; and favour such", + "As to that priest his king indulgent show’d,", + "Shall be of France’s monarch shown to him.”", + "I know not if I here too far presum’d,", + "But in this strain I answer’d: “Tell me now,", + "What treasures from St. Peter at the first", + "Our Lord demanded, when he put the keys", + "Into his charge? Surely he ask’d no more", + "But, Follow me! Nor Peter nor the rest", + "Or gold or silver of Matthias took,", + "When lots were cast upon the forfeit place", + "Of the condemned soul. Abide thou then;", + "Thy punishment of right is merited:", + "And look thou well to that ill-gotten coin,", + "Which against Charles thy hardihood inspir’d.", + "If reverence of the keys restrain’d me not,", + "Which thou in happier time didst hold, I yet", + "Severer speech might use. Your avarice", + "O’ercasts the world with mourning, under foot", + "Treading the good, and raising bad men up.", + "Of shepherds, like to you, th’ Evangelist", + "Was ware, when her, who sits upon the waves,", + "With kings in filthy whoredom he beheld,", + "She who with seven heads tower’d at her birth,", + "And from ten horns her proof of glory drew,", + "Long as her spouse in virtue took delight.", + "Of gold and silver ye have made your god,", + "Diff’ring wherein from the idolater,", + "But he that worships one, a hundred ye?", + "Ah, Constantine! to how much ill gave birth,", + "Not thy conversion, but that plenteous dower,", + "Which the first wealthy Father gain’d from thee!”", + "Meanwhile, as thus I sung, he, whether wrath", + "Or conscience smote him, violent upsprang", + "Spinning on either sole. I do believe", + "My teacher well was pleas’d, with so compos’d", + "A lip, he listen’d ever to the sound", + "Of the true words I utter’d. In both arms", + "He caught, and to his bosom lifting me", + "Upward retrac’d the way of his descent.", + "Nor weary of his weight he press’d me close,", + "Till to the summit of the rock we came,", + "Our passage from the fourth to the fifth pier.", + "His cherish’d burden there gently he plac’d", + "Upon the rugged rock and steep, a path", + "Not easy for the clamb’ring goat to mount.", + "Thence to my view another vale appear’d" + ], + "20": [ + "And now the verse proceeds to torments new,", + "Fit argument of this the twentieth strain", + "Of the first song, whose awful theme records", + "The spirits whelm’d in woe. Earnest I look’d", + "Into the depth, that open’d to my view,", + "Moisten’d with tears of anguish, and beheld", + "A tribe, that came along the hollow vale,", + "In silence weeping: such their step as walk", + "Quires chanting solemn litanies on earth.", + "As on them more direct mine eye descends,", + "Each wondrously seem’d to be revers’d", + "At the neck-bone, so that the countenance", + "Was from the reins averted: and because", + "None might before him look, they were compell’d", + "To’ advance with backward gait. Thus one perhaps", + "Hath been by force of palsy clean transpos’d,", + "But I ne’er saw it nor believe it so.", + "Now, reader! think within thyself, so God", + "Fruit of thy reading give thee! how I long", + "Could keep my visage dry, when I beheld", + "Near me our form distorted in such guise,", + "That on the hinder parts fall’n from the face", + "The tears down-streaming roll’d. Against a rock", + "I leant and wept, so that my guide exclaim’d:", + "“What, and art thou too witless as the rest?", + "Here pity most doth show herself alive,", + "When she is dead. What guilt exceedeth his,", + "Who with Heaven’s judgment in his passion strives?", + "Raise up thy head, raise up, and see the man,", + "Before whose eyes earth gap’d in Thebes, when all", + "Cried out, ‘Amphiaraus, whither rushest?", + "‘Why leavest thou the war?’ He not the less", + "Fell ruining far as to Minos down,", + "Whose grapple none eludes. Lo! how he makes", + "The breast his shoulders, and who once too far", + "Before him wish’d to see, now backward looks,", + "And treads reverse his path. Tiresias note,", + "Who semblance chang’d, when woman he became", + "Of male, through every limb transform’d, and then", + "Once more behov’d him with his rod to strike", + "The two entwining serpents, ere the plumes,", + "That mark’d the better sex, might shoot again.", + "“Aruns, with rere his belly facing, comes.", + "On Luni’s mountains ’midst the marbles white,", + "Where delves Carrara’s hind, who wons beneath,", + "A cavern was his dwelling, whence the stars", + "And main-sea wide in boundless view he held.", + "“The next, whose loosen’d tresses overspread", + "Her bosom, which thou seest not (for each hair", + "On that side grows) was Manto, she who search’d", + "Through many regions, and at length her seat", + "Fix’d in my native land, whence a short space", + "My words detain thy audience. When her sire", + "From life departed, and in servitude", + "The city dedicate to Bacchus mourn’d,", + "Long time she went a wand’rer through the world.", + "Aloft in Italy’s delightful land", + "A lake there lies, at foot of that proud Alp,", + "That o’er the Tyrol locks Germania in,", + "Its name Benacus, which a thousand rills,", + "Methinks, and more, water between the vale", + "Camonica and Garda and the height", + "Of Apennine remote. There is a spot", + "At midway of that lake, where he who bears", + "Of Trento’s flock the past’ral staff, with him", + "Of Brescia, and the Veronese, might each", + "Passing that way his benediction give.", + "A garrison of goodly site and strong", + "Peschiera stands, to awe with front oppos’d", + "The Bergamese and Brescian, whence the shore", + "More slope each way descends. There, whatsoev’er", + "Benacus’ bosom holds not, tumbling o’er", + "Down falls, and winds a river flood beneath", + "Through the green pastures. Soon as in his course", + "The steam makes head, Benacus then no more", + "They call the name, but Mincius, till at last", + "Reaching Governo into Po he falls.", + "Not far his course hath run, when a wide flat", + "It finds, which overstretchmg as a marsh", + "It covers, pestilent in summer oft.", + "Hence journeying, the savage maiden saw", + "’Midst of the fen a territory waste", + "And naked of inhabitants. To shun", + "All human converse, here she with her slaves", + "Plying her arts remained, and liv’d, and left", + "Her body tenantless. Thenceforth the tribes,", + "Who round were scatter’d, gath’ring to that place", + "Assembled; for its strength was great, enclos’d", + "On all parts by the fen. On those dead bones", + "They rear’d themselves a city, for her sake,", + "Calling it Mantua, who first chose the spot,", + "Nor ask’d another omen for the name,", + "Wherein more numerous the people dwelt,", + "Ere Casalodi’s madness by deceit", + "Was wrong’d of Pinamonte. If thou hear", + "Henceforth another origin assign’d", + "Of that my country, I forewarn thee now,", + "That falsehood none beguile thee of the truth.”", + "I answer’d: “Teacher, I conclude thy words", + "So certain, that all else shall be to me", + "As embers lacking life. But now of these,", + "Who here proceed, instruct me, if thou see", + "Any that merit more especial note.", + "For thereon is my mind alone intent.”", + "He straight replied: “That spirit, from whose cheek", + "The beard sweeps o’er his shoulders brown, what time", + "Graecia was emptied of her males, that scarce", + "The cradles were supplied, the seer was he", + "In Aulis, who with Calchas gave the sign", + "When first to cut the cable. Him they nam’d", + "Eurypilus: so sings my tragic strain,", + "In which majestic measure well thou know’st,", + "Who know’st it all. That other, round the loins", + "So slender of his shape, was Michael Scot,", + "Practis’d in ev’ry slight of magic wile.", + "“Guido Bonatti see: Asdente mark,", + "Who now were willing, he had tended still", + "The thread and cordwain; and too late repents.", + "“See next the wretches, who the needle left,", + "The shuttle and the spindle, and became", + "Diviners: baneful witcheries they wrought", + "With images and herbs. But onward now:", + "For now doth Cain with fork of thorns confine", + "On either hemisphere, touching the wave", + "Beneath the towers of Seville. Yesternight", + "The moon was round. Thou mayst remember well:", + "For she good service did thee in the gloom", + "Of the deep wood.” This said, both onward mov’d." + ], + "21": [ + "Thus we from bridge to bridge, with other talk,", + "The which my drama cares not to rehearse,", + "Pass’d on; and to the summit reaching, stood", + "To view another gap, within the round", + "Of Malebolge, other bootless pangs.", + "Marvelous darkness shadow’d o’er the place.", + "In the Venetians’ arsenal as boils", + "Through wintry months tenacious pitch, to smear", + "Their unsound vessels; for th’ inclement time", + "Sea-faring men restrains, and in that while", + "His bark one builds anew, another stops", + "The ribs of his, that hath made many a voyage;", + "One hammers at the prow, one at the poop;", + "This shapeth oars, that other cables twirls,", + "The mizen one repairs and main-sail rent", + "So not by force of fire but art divine", + "Boil’d here a glutinous thick mass, that round", + "Lim’d all the shore beneath. I that beheld,", + "But therein nought distinguish’d, save the surge,", + "Rais’d by the boiling, in one mighty swell", + "Heave, and by turns subsiding and fall. While there", + "I fix’d my ken below, “Mark! mark!” my guide", + "Exclaiming, drew me towards him from the place,", + "Wherein I stood. I turn’d myself as one,", + "Impatient to behold that which beheld", + "He needs must shun, whom sudden fear unmans,", + "That he his flight delays not for the view.", + "Behind me I discern’d a devil black,", + "That running, up advanc’d along the rock.", + "Ah! what fierce cruelty his look bespake!", + "In act how bitter did he seem, with wings", + "Buoyant outstretch’d and feet of nimblest tread!", + "His shoulder proudly eminent and sharp", + "Was with a sinner charg’d; by either haunch", + "He held him, the foot’s sinew griping fast.", + "“Ye of our bridge!” he cried, “keen-talon’d fiends!", + "Lo! one of Santa Zita’s elders! Him", + "Whelm ye beneath, while I return for more.", + "That land hath store of such. All men are there,", + "Except Bonturo, barterers: of ‘no’", + "For lucre there an ‘aye’ is quickly made.”", + "Him dashing down, o’er the rough rock he turn’d,", + "Nor ever after thief a mastiff loos’d", + "Sped with like eager haste. That other sank", + "And forthwith writing to the surface rose.", + "But those dark demons, shrouded by the bridge,", + "Cried “Here the hallow’d visage saves not: here", + "Is other swimming than in Serchio’s wave.", + "Wherefore if thou desire we rend thee not,", + "Take heed thou mount not o’er the pitch.” This said,", + "They grappled him with more than hundred hooks,", + "And shouted: “Cover’d thou must sport thee here;", + "So, if thou canst, in secret mayst thou filch.”", + "E’en thus the cook bestirs him, with his grooms,", + "To thrust the flesh into the caldron down", + "With flesh-hooks, that it float not on the top.", + "Me then my guide bespake: “Lest they descry,", + "That thou art here, behind a craggy rock", + "Bend low and screen thee; and whate’er of force", + "Be offer’d me, or insult, fear thou not:", + "For I am well advis’d, who have been erst", + "In the like fray.” Beyond the bridge’s head", + "Therewith he pass’d, and reaching the sixth pier,", + "Behov’d him then a forehead terror-proof.", + "With storm and fury, as when dogs rush forth", + "Upon the poor man’s back, who suddenly", + "From whence he standeth makes his suit; so rush’d", + "Those from beneath the arch, and against him", + "Their weapons all they pointed. He aloud:", + "“Be none of you outrageous: ere your time", + "Dare seize me, come forth from amongst you one,", + "Who having heard my words, decide he then", + "If he shall tear these limbs.” They shouted loud,", + "“Go, Malacoda!” Whereat one advanc’d,", + "The others standing firm, and as he came,", + "“What may this turn avail him?” he exclaim’d.", + "“Believ’st thou, Malacoda! I had come", + "Thus far from all your skirmishing secure,”", + "My teacher answered, “without will divine", + "And destiny propitious? Pass we then", + "For so Heaven’s pleasure is, that I should lead", + "Another through this savage wilderness.”", + "Forthwith so fell his pride, that he let drop", + "The instrument of torture at his feet,", + "And to the rest exclaim’d: “We have no power", + "To strike him.” Then to me my guide: “O thou!", + "Who on the bridge among the crags dost sit", + "Low crouching, safely now to me return.”", + "I rose, and towards him moved with speed: the fiends", + "Meantime all forward drew: me terror seiz’d", + "Lest they should break the compact they had made.", + "Thus issuing from Caprona, once I saw", + "Th’ infantry dreading, lest his covenant", + "The foe should break; so close he hemm’d them round.", + "I to my leader’s side adher’d, mine eyes", + "With fixt and motionless observance bent", + "On their unkindly visage. They their hooks", + "Protruding, one the other thus bespake:", + "“Wilt thou I touch him on the hip?” To whom", + "Was answer’d: “Even so; nor miss thy aim.”", + "But he, who was in conf’rence with my guide,", + "Turn’d rapid round, and thus the demon spake:", + "“Stay, stay thee, Scarmiglione!” Then to us", + "He added: “Further footing to your step", + "This rock affords not, shiver’d to the base", + "Of the sixth arch. But would you still proceed,", + "Up by this cavern go: not distant far,", + "Another rock will yield you passage safe.", + "Yesterday, later by five hours than now,", + "Twelve hundred threescore years and six had fill’d", + "The circuit of their course, since here the way", + "Was broken. Thitherward I straight dispatch", + "Certain of these my scouts, who shall espy", + "If any on the surface bask. With them", + "Go ye: for ye shall find them nothing fell.", + "Come Alichino forth,” with that he cried,", + "“And Calcabrina, and Cagnazzo thou!", + "The troop of ten let Barbariccia lead.", + "With Libicocco Draghinazzo haste,", + "Fang’d Ciriatto, Grafflacane fierce,", + "And Farfarello, and mad Rubicant.", + "Search ye around the bubbling tar. For these,", + "In safety lead them, where the other crag", + "Uninterrupted traverses the dens.”", + "I then: “O master! what a sight is there!", + "Ah! without escort, journey we alone,", + "Which, if thou know the way, I covet not.", + "Unless thy prudence fail thee, dost not mark", + "How they do gnarl upon us, and their scowl", + "Threatens us present tortures?” He replied:", + "“I charge thee fear not: let them, as they will,", + "Gnarl on: ’tis but in token of their spite", + "Against the souls, who mourn in torment steep’d.”", + "To leftward o’er the pier they turn’d; but each", + "Had first between his teeth prest close the tongue,", + "Toward their leader for a signal looking,", + "Which he with sound obscene triumphant gave." + ], + "22": [ + "It hath been heretofore my chance to see", + "Horsemen with martial order shifting camp,", + "To onset sallying, or in muster rang’d,", + "Or in retreat sometimes outstretch’d for flight;", + "Light-armed squadrons and fleet foragers", + "Scouring thy plains, Arezzo! have I seen,", + "And clashing tournaments, and tilting jousts,", + "Now with the sound of trumpets, now of bells,", + "Tabors, or signals made from castled heights,", + "And with inventions multiform, our own,", + "Or introduc’d from foreign land; but ne’er", + "To such a strange recorder I beheld,", + "In evolution moving, horse nor foot,", + "Nor ship, that tack’d by sign from land or star.", + "With the ten demons on our way we went;", + "Ah fearful company! but in the church", + "With saints, with gluttons at the tavern’s mess.", + "Still earnest on the pitch I gaz’d, to mark", + "All things whate’er the chasm contain’d, and those", + "Who burn’d within. As dolphins, that, in sign", + "To mariners, heave high their arched backs,", + "That thence forewarn’d they may advise to save", + "Their threaten’d vessels; so, at intervals,", + "To ease the pain his back some sinner show’d,", + "Then hid more nimbly than the lightning glance.", + "E’en as the frogs, that of a wat’ry moat", + "Stand at the brink, with the jaws only out,", + "Their feet and of the trunk all else concealed,", + "Thus on each part the sinners stood, but soon", + "As Barbariccia was at hand, so they", + "Drew back under the wave. I saw, and yet", + "My heart doth stagger, one, that waited thus,", + "As it befalls that oft one frog remains,", + "While the next springs away: and Graffiacan,", + "Who of the fiends was nearest, grappling seiz’d", + "His clotted locks, and dragg’d him sprawling up,", + "That he appear’d to me an otter. Each", + "Already by their names I knew, so well", + "When they were chosen, I observ’d, and mark’d", + "How one the other call’d. “O Rubicant!", + "See that his hide thou with thy talons flay,”", + "Shouted together all the cursed crew.", + "Then I: “Inform thee, master! if thou may,", + "What wretched soul is this, on whom their hand", + "His foes have laid.” My leader to his side", + "Approach’d, and whence he came inquir’d, to whom", + "Was answer’d thus: “Born in Navarre’s domain", + "My mother plac’d me in a lord’s retinue,", + "For she had borne me to a losel vile,", + "A spendthrift of his substance and himself.", + "The good king Thibault after that I serv’d,", + "To peculating here my thoughts were turn’d,", + "Whereof I give account in this dire heat.”", + "Straight Ciriatto, from whose mouth a tusk", + "Issued on either side, as from a boar,", + "Ript him with one of these. ’Twixt evil claws", + "The mouse had fall’n: but Barbariccia cried,", + "Seizing him with both arms: “Stand thou apart,", + "While I do fix him on my prong transpierc’d.”", + "Then added, turning to my guide his face,", + "“Inquire of him, if more thou wish to learn,", + "Ere he again be rent.” My leader thus:", + "“Then tell us of the partners in thy guilt;", + "Knowest thou any sprung of Latian land", + "Under the tar?”—“I parted,” he replied,", + "“But now from one, who sojourn’d not far thence;", + "So were I under shelter now with him!", + "Nor hook nor talon then should scare me more.”—.", + "“Too long we suffer,” Libicocco cried,", + "Then, darting forth a prong, seiz’d on his arm,", + "And mangled bore away the sinewy part.", + "Him Draghinazzo by his thighs beneath", + "Would next have caught, whence angrily their chief,", + "Turning on all sides round, with threat’ning brow", + "Restrain’d them. When their strife a little ceas’d,", + "Of him, who yet was gazing on his wound,", + "My teacher thus without delay inquir’d:", + "“Who was the spirit, from whom by evil hap", + "Parting, as thou has told, thou cam’st to shore?”—", + "“It was the friar Gomita,” he rejoin’d,", + "“He of Gallura, vessel of all guile,", + "Who had his master’s enemies in hand,", + "And us’d them so that they commend him well.", + "Money he took, and them at large dismiss’d.", + "So he reports: and in each other charge", + "Committed to his keeping, play’d the part", + "Of barterer to the height: with him doth herd", + "The chief of Logodoro, Michel Zanche.", + "Sardinia is a theme, whereof their tongue", + "Is never weary. Out! alas! behold", + "That other, how he grins! More would I say,", + "But tremble lest he mean to maul me sore.”", + "Their captain then to Farfarello turning,", + "Who roll’d his moony eyes in act to strike,", + "Rebuk’d him thus: “Off! cursed bird! Avaunt!”—", + "“If ye desire to see or hear,” he thus", + "Quaking with dread resum’d, “or Tuscan spirits", + "Or Lombard, I will cause them to appear.", + "Meantime let these ill talons bate their fury,", + "So that no vengeance they may fear from them,", + "And I, remaining in this self-same place,", + "Will for myself but one, make sev’n appear,", + "When my shrill whistle shall be heard; for so", + "Our custom is to call each other up.”", + "Cagnazzo at that word deriding grinn’d,", + "Then wagg’d the head and spake: “Hear his device,", + "Mischievous as he is, to plunge him down.”", + "Whereto he thus, who fail’d not in rich store", + "Of nice-wove toils; “ Mischief forsooth extreme,", + "Meant only to procure myself more woe!”", + "No longer Alichino then refrain’d,", + "But thus, the rest gainsaying, him bespake:", + "“If thou do cast thee down, I not on foot", + "Will chase thee, but above the pitch will beat", + "My plumes. Quit we the vantage ground, and let", + "The bank be as a shield, that we may see", + "If singly thou prevail against us all.”", + "Now, reader, of new sport expect to hear!", + "They each one turn’d his eyes to the’ other shore,", + "He first, who was the hardest to persuade.", + "The spirit of Navarre chose well his time,", + "Planted his feet on land, and at one leap", + "Escaping disappointed their resolve.", + "Them quick resentment stung, but him the most,", + "Who was the cause of failure; in pursuit", + "He therefore sped, exclaiming; “Thou art caught.”", + "But little it avail’d: terror outstripp’d", + "His following flight: the other plung’d beneath,", + "And he with upward pinion rais’d his breast:", + "E’en thus the water-fowl, when she perceives", + "The falcon near, dives instant down, while he", + "Enrag’d and spent retires. That mockery", + "In Calcabrina fury stirr’d, who flew", + "After him, with desire of strife inflam’d;", + "And, for the barterer had ’scap’d, so turn’d", + "His talons on his comrade. O’er the dyke", + "In grapple close they join’d; but the’ other prov’d", + "A goshawk able to rend well his foe;", + "And in the boiling lake both fell. The heat", + "Was umpire soon between them, but in vain", + "To lift themselves they strove, so fast were glued", + "Their pennons. Barbariccia, as the rest,", + "That chance lamenting, four in flight dispatch’d", + "From the’ other coast, with all their weapons arm’d.", + "They, to their post on each side speedily", + "Descending, stretch’d their hooks toward the fiends,", + "Who flounder’d, inly burning from their scars:", + "And we departing left them to that broil." + ], + "23": [ + "In silence and in solitude we went,", + "One first, the other following his steps,", + "As minor friars journeying on their road.", + "The present fray had turn’d my thoughts to muse", + "Upon old Aesop’s fable, where he told", + "What fate unto the mouse and frog befell.", + "For language hath not sounds more like in sense,", + "Than are these chances, if the origin", + "And end of each be heedfully compar’d.", + "And as one thought bursts from another forth,", + "So afterward from that another sprang,", + "Which added doubly to my former fear.", + "For thus I reason’d: “These through us have been", + "So foil’d, with loss and mock’ry so complete,", + "As needs must sting them sore. If anger then", + "Be to their evil will conjoin’d, more fell", + "They shall pursue us, than the savage hound", + "Snatches the leveret, panting ’twixt his jaws.”", + "Already I perceiv’d my hair stand all", + "On end with terror, and look’d eager back.", + "“Teacher,” I thus began, “if speedily", + "Thyself and me thou hide not, much I dread", + "Those evil talons. Even now behind", + "They urge us: quick imagination works", + "So forcibly, that I already feel them.”", + "He answer’d: “Were I form’d of leaded glass,", + "I should not sooner draw unto myself", + "Thy outward image, than I now imprint", + "That from within. This moment came thy thoughts", + "Presented before mine, with similar act", + "And count’nance similar, so that from both", + "I one design have fram’d. If the right coast", + "Incline so much, that we may thence descend", + "Into the other chasm, we shall escape", + "Secure from this imagined pursuit.”", + "He had not spoke his purpose to the end,", + "When I from far beheld them with spread wings", + "Approach to take us. Suddenly my guide", + "Caught me, ev’n as a mother that from sleep", + "Is by the noise arous’d, and near her sees", + "The climbing fires, who snatches up her babe", + "And flies ne’er pausing, careful more of him", + "Than of herself, that but a single vest", + "Clings round her limbs. Down from the jutting beach", + "Supine he cast him, to that pendent rock,", + "Which closes on one part the other chasm.", + "Never ran water with such hurrying pace", + "Adown the tube to turn a landmill’s wheel,", + "When nearest it approaches to the spokes,", + "As then along that edge my master ran,", + "Carrying me in his bosom, as a child,", + "Not a companion. Scarcely had his feet", + "Reach’d to the lowest of the bed beneath,", + "When over us the steep they reach’d; but fear", + "In him was none; for that high Providence,", + "Which plac’d them ministers of the fifth foss,", + "Power of departing thence took from them all.", + "There in the depth we saw a painted tribe,", + "Who pac’d with tardy steps around, and wept,", + "Faint in appearance and o’ercome with toil.", + "Caps had they on, with hoods, that fell low down", + "Before their eyes, in fashion like to those", + "Worn by the monks in Cologne. Their outside", + "Was overlaid with gold, dazzling to view,", + "But leaden all within, and of such weight,", + "That Frederick’s compar’d to these were straw.", + "Oh, everlasting wearisome attire!", + "We yet once more with them together turn’d", + "To leftward, on their dismal moan intent.", + "But by the weight oppress’d, so slowly came", + "The fainting people, that our company", + "Was chang’d at every movement of the step.", + "Whence I my guide address’d: “See that thou find", + "Some spirit, whose name may by his deeds be known,", + "And to that end look round thee as thou go’st.”", + "Then one, who understood the Tuscan voice,", + "Cried after us aloud: “Hold in your feet,", + "Ye who so swiftly speed through the dusk air.", + "Perchance from me thou shalt obtain thy wish.”", + "Whereat my leader, turning, me bespake:", + "“Pause, and then onward at their pace proceed.”", + "I staid, and saw two Spirits in whose look", + "Impatient eagerness of mind was mark’d", + "To overtake me; but the load they bare", + "And narrow path retarded their approach.", + "Soon as arriv’d, they with an eye askance", + "Perus’d me, but spake not: then turning each", + "To other thus conferring said: “This one", + "Seems, by the action of his throat, alive.", + "And, be they dead, what privilege allows", + "They walk unmantled by the cumbrous stole?”", + "Then thus to me: “Tuscan, who visitest", + "The college of the mourning hypocrites,", + "Disdain not to instruct us who thou art.”", + "“By Arno’s pleasant stream,” I thus replied,", + "“In the great city I was bred and grew,", + "And wear the body I have ever worn.", + "but who are ye, from whom such mighty grief,", + "As now I witness, courseth down your cheeks?", + "What torment breaks forth in this bitter woe?”", + "“Our bonnets gleaming bright with orange hue,”", + "One of them answer’d, “are so leaden gross,", + "That with their weight they make the balances", + "To crack beneath them. Joyous friars we were,", + "Bologna’s natives, Catalano I,", + "He Loderingo nam’d, and by thy land", + "Together taken, as men used to take", + "A single and indifferent arbiter,", + "To reconcile their strifes. How there we sped,", + "Gardingo’s vicinage can best declare.”", + "“O friars!” I began, “your miseries—” But there brake off, for one had caught my eye,", + "Fix’d to a cross with three stakes on the ground:", + "He, when he saw me, writh’d himself, throughout", + "Distorted, ruffling with deep sighs his beard.", + "And Catalano, who thereof was ’ware,", + "Thus spake: “That pierced spirit, whom intent", + "Thou view’st, was he who gave the Pharisees", + "Counsel, that it were fitting for one man", + "To suffer for the people. He doth lie", + "Transverse; nor any passes, but him first", + "Behoves make feeling trial how each weighs.", + "In straits like this along the foss are plac’d", + "The father of his consort, and the rest", + "Partakers in that council, seed of ill", + "And sorrow to the Jews.” I noted then,", + "How Virgil gaz’d with wonder upon him,", + "Thus abjectly extended on the cross", + "In banishment eternal. To the friar", + "He next his words address’d: “We pray ye tell,", + "If so be lawful, whether on our right", + "Lies any opening in the rock, whereby", + "We both may issue hence, without constraint", + "On the dark angels, that compell’d they come", + "To lead us from this depth.” He thus replied:", + "“Nearer than thou dost hope, there is a rock", + "From the next circle moving, which o’ersteps", + "Each vale of horror, save that here his cope", + "Is shatter’d. By the ruin ye may mount:", + "For on the side it slants, and most the height", + "Rises below.” With head bent down awhile", + "My leader stood, then spake: “He warn’d us ill,", + "Who yonder hangs the sinners on his hook.”", + "To whom the friar: At Bologna erst", + "I many vices of the devil heard,", + "Among the rest was said, ‘He is a liar,", + "And the father of lies!’” When he had spoke,", + "My leader with large strides proceeded on,", + "Somewhat disturb’d with anger in his look.", + "I therefore left the spirits heavy laden,", + "And following, his beloved footsteps mark’d." + ], + "24": [ + "In the year’s early nonage, when the sun", + "Tempers his tresses in Aquarius’ urn,", + "And now towards equal day the nights recede,", + "When as the rime upon the earth puts on", + "Her dazzling sister’s image, but not long", + "Her milder sway endures, then riseth up", + "The village hind, whom fails his wintry store,", + "And looking out beholds the plain around", + "All whiten’d, whence impatiently he smites", + "His thighs, and to his hut returning in,", + "There paces to and fro, wailing his lot,", + "As a discomfited and helpless man;", + "Then comes he forth again, and feels new hope", + "Spring in his bosom, finding e’en thus soon", + "The world hath chang’d its count’nance, grasps his crook,", + "And forth to pasture drives his little flock:", + "So me my guide dishearten’d when I saw", + "His troubled forehead, and so speedily", + "That ill was cur’d; for at the fallen bridge", + "Arriving, towards me with a look as sweet,", + "He turn’d him back, as that I first beheld", + "At the steep mountain’s foot. Regarding well", + "The ruin, and some counsel first maintain’d", + "With his own thought, he open’d wide his arm", + "And took me up. As one, who, while he works,", + "Computes his labour’s issue, that he seems", + "Still to foresee the’ effect, so lifting me", + "Up to the summit of one peak, he fix’d", + "His eye upon another. “Grapple that,”", + "Said he, “but first make proof, if it be such", + "As will sustain thee.” For one capp’d with lead", + "This were no journey. Scarcely he, though light,", + "And I, though onward push’d from crag to crag,", + "Could mount. And if the precinct of this coast", + "Were not less ample than the last, for him", + "I know not, but my strength had surely fail’d.", + "But Malebolge all toward the mouth", + "Inclining of the nethermost abyss,", + "The site of every valley hence requires,", + "That one side upward slope, the other fall.", + "At length the point of our descent we reach’d", + "From the last flag: soon as to that arriv’d,", + "So was the breath exhausted from my lungs,", + "I could no further, but did seat me there.", + "“Now needs thy best of man;” so spake my guide:", + "“For not on downy plumes, nor under shade", + "Of canopy reposing, fame is won,", + "Without which whosoe’er consumes his days", + "Leaveth such vestige of himself on earth,", + "As smoke in air or foam upon the wave.", + "Thou therefore rise: vanish thy weariness", + "By the mind’s effort, in each struggle form’d", + "To vanquish, if she suffer not the weight", + "Of her corporeal frame to crush her down.", + "A longer ladder yet remains to scale.", + "From these to have escap’d sufficeth not.", + "If well thou note me, profit by my words.”", + "I straightway rose, and show’d myself less spent", + "Than I in truth did feel me. “On,” I cried,", + "“For I am stout and fearless.” Up the rock", + "Our way we held, more rugged than before,", + "Narrower and steeper far to climb. From talk", + "I ceas’d not, as we journey’d, so to seem", + "Least faint; whereat a voice from the other foss", + "Did issue forth, for utt’rance suited ill.", + "Though on the arch that crosses there I stood,", + "What were the words I knew not, but who spake", + "Seem’d mov’d in anger. Down I stoop’d to look,", + "But my quick eye might reach not to the depth", + "For shrouding darkness; wherefore thus I spake:", + "“To the next circle, Teacher, bend thy steps,", + "And from the wall dismount we; for as hence", + "I hear and understand not, so I see", + "Beneath, and naught discern.”—“I answer not,”", + "Said he, “but by the deed. To fair request", + "Silent performance maketh best return.”", + "We from the bridge’s head descended, where", + "To the eighth mound it joins, and then the chasm", + "Opening to view, I saw a crowd within", + "Of serpents terrible, so strange of shape", + "And hideous, that remembrance in my veins", + "Yet shrinks the vital current. Of her sands", + "Let Lybia vaunt no more: if Jaculus,", + "Pareas and Chelyder be her brood,", + "Cenchris and Amphisboena, plagues so dire", + "Or in such numbers swarming ne’er she shew’d,", + "Not with all Ethiopia, and whate’er", + "Above the Erythraean sea is spawn’d.", + "Amid this dread exuberance of woe", + "Ran naked spirits wing’d with horrid fear,", + "Nor hope had they of crevice where to hide,", + "Or heliotrope to charm them out of view.", + "With serpents were their hands behind them bound,", + "Which through their reins infix’d the tail and head", + "Twisted in folds before. And lo! on one", + "Near to our side, darted an adder up,", + "And, where the neck is on the shoulders tied,", + "Transpierc’d him. Far more quickly than e’er pen", + "Wrote O or I, he kindled, burn’d, and chang’d", + "To ashes, all pour’d out upon the earth.", + "When there dissolv’d he lay, the dust again", + "Uproll’d spontaneous, and the self-same form", + "Instant resumed. So mighty sages tell,", + "The’ Arabian Phoenix, when five hundred years", + "Have well nigh circled, dies, and springs forthwith", + "Renascent. Blade nor herb throughout his life", + "He tastes, but tears of frankincense alone", + "And odorous amomum: swaths of nard", + "And myrrh his funeral shroud. As one that falls,", + "He knows not how, by force demoniac dragg’d", + "To earth, or through obstruction fettering up", + "In chains invisible the powers of man,", + "Who, risen from his trance, gazeth around,", + "Bewilder’d with the monstrous agony", + "He hath endur’d, and wildly staring sighs;", + "So stood aghast the sinner when he rose.", + "Oh! how severe God’s judgment, that deals out", + "Such blows in stormy vengeance! Who he was", + "My teacher next inquir’d, and thus in few", + "He answer’d: “Vanni Fucci am I call’d,", + "Not long since rained down from Tuscany", + "To this dire gullet. Me the beastial life", + "And not the human pleas’d, mule that I was,", + "Who in Pistoia found my worthy den.”", + "I then to Virgil: “Bid him stir not hence,", + "And ask what crime did thrust him hither: once", + "A man I knew him choleric and bloody.”", + "The sinner heard and feign’d not, but towards me", + "His mind directing and his face, wherein", + "Was dismal shame depictur’d, thus he spake:", + "“It grieves me more to have been caught by thee", + "In this sad plight, which thou beholdest, than", + "When I was taken from the other life.", + "I have no power permitted to deny", + "What thou inquirest.” I am doom’d thus low", + "To dwell, for that the sacristy by me", + "Was rifled of its goodly ornaments,", + "And with the guilt another falsely charged.", + "But that thou mayst not joy to see me thus,", + "So as thou e’er shalt ’scape this darksome realm", + "Open thine ears and hear what I forebode.", + "Reft of the Neri first Pistoia pines,", + "Then Florence changeth citizens and laws.", + "From Valdimagra, drawn by wrathful Mars,", + "A vapour rises, wrapt in turbid mists,", + "And sharp and eager driveth on the storm", + "With arrowy hurtling o’er Piceno’s field,", + "Whence suddenly the cloud shall burst, and strike", + "Each helpless Bianco prostrate to the ground.", + "This have I told, that grief may rend thy heart.”" + ], + "25": [ + "When he had spoke, the sinner rais’d his hands", + "Pointed in mockery, and cried: “Take them, God!", + "I level them at thee!” From that day forth", + "The serpents were my friends; for round his neck", + "One of then rolling twisted, as it said,", + "“Be silent, tongue!” Another to his arms", + "Upgliding, tied them, riveting itself", + "So close, it took from them the power to move.", + "Pistoia! Ah Pistoia! why dost doubt", + "To turn thee into ashes, cumb’ring earth", + "No longer, since in evil act so far", + "Thou hast outdone thy seed? I did not mark,", + "Through all the gloomy circles of the’ abyss,", + "Spirit, that swell’d so proudly ’gainst his God,", + "Not him, who headlong fell from Thebes. He fled,", + "Nor utter’d more; and after him there came", + "A centaur full of fury, shouting, “Where", + "Where is the caitiff?” On Maremma’s marsh", + "Swarm not the serpent tribe, as on his haunch", + "They swarm’d, to where the human face begins.", + "Behind his head upon the shoulders lay,", + "With open wings, a dragon breathing fire", + "On whomsoe’er he met. To me my guide:", + "“Cacus is this, who underneath the rock", + "Of Aventine spread oft a lake of blood.", + "He, from his brethren parted, here must tread", + "A different journey, for his fraudful theft", + "Of the great herd, that near him stall’d; whence found", + "His felon deeds their end, beneath the mace", + "Of stout Alcides, that perchance laid on", + "A hundred blows, and not the tenth was felt.”", + "While yet he spake, the centaur sped away:", + "And under us three spirits came, of whom", + "Nor I nor he was ware, till they exclaim’d;", + "“Say who are ye?” We then brake off discourse,", + "Intent on these alone. I knew them not;", + "But, as it chanceth oft, befell, that one", + "Had need to name another. “Where,” said he,", + "“Doth Cianfa lurk?” I, for a sign my guide", + "Should stand attentive, plac’d against my lips", + "The finger lifted. If, O reader! now", + "Thou be not apt to credit what I tell,", + "No marvel; for myself do scarce allow", + "The witness of mine eyes. But as I looked", + "Toward them, lo! a serpent with six feet", + "Springs forth on one, and fastens full upon him:", + "His midmost grasp’d the belly, a forefoot", + "Seiz’d on each arm (while deep in either cheek", + "He flesh’d his fangs); the hinder on the thighs", + "Were spread, ’twixt which the tail inserted curl’d", + "Upon the reins behind. Ivy ne’er clasp’d", + "A dodder’d oak, as round the other’s limbs", + "The hideous monster intertwin’d his own.", + "Then, as they both had been of burning wax,", + "Each melted into other, mingling hues,", + "That which was either now was seen no more.", + "Thus up the shrinking paper, ere it burns,", + "A brown tint glides, not turning yet to black,", + "And the clean white expires. The other two", + "Look’d on exclaiming: “Ah, how dost thou change,", + "Agnello! See! Thou art nor double now,", + "Nor only one.” The two heads now became", + "One, and two figures blended in one form", + "Appear’d, where both were lost. Of the four lengths", + "Two arms were made: the belly and the chest", + "The thighs and legs into such members chang’d,", + "As never eye hath seen. Of former shape", + "All trace was vanish’d. Two yet neither seem’d", + "That image miscreate, and so pass’d on", + "With tardy steps. As underneath the scourge", + "Of the fierce dog-star, that lays bare the fields,", + "Shifting from brake to brake, the lizard seems", + "A flash of lightning, if he thwart the road,", + "So toward th’ entrails of the other two", + "Approaching seem’d, an adder all on fire,", + "As the dark pepper-grain, livid and swart.", + "In that part, whence our life is nourish’d first,", + "One he transpierc’d; then down before him fell", + "Stretch’d out. The pierced spirit look’d on him", + "But spake not; yea stood motionless and yawn’d,", + "As if by sleep or fev’rous fit assail’d.", + "He ey’d the serpent, and the serpent him.", + "One from the wound, the other from the mouth", + "Breath’d a thick smoke, whose vap’ry columns join’d.", + "Lucan in mute attention now may hear,", + "Nor thy disastrous fate, Sabellus! tell,", + "Nor shine, Nasidius! Ovid now be mute.", + "What if in warbling fiction he record", + "Cadmus and Arethusa, to a snake", + "Him chang’d, and her into a fountain clear,", + "I envy not; for never face to face", + "Two natures thus transmuted did he sing,", + "Wherein both shapes were ready to assume", + "The other’s substance. They in mutual guise", + "So answer’d, that the serpent split his train", + "Divided to a fork, and the pierc’d spirit", + "Drew close his steps together, legs and thighs", + "Compacted, that no sign of juncture soon", + "Was visible: the tail disparted took", + "The figure which the spirit lost, its skin", + "Soft’ning, his indurated to a rind.", + "The shoulders next I mark’d, that ent’ring join’d", + "The monster’s arm-pits, whose two shorter feet", + "So lengthen’d, as the other’s dwindling shrunk.", + "The feet behind then twisting up became", + "That part that man conceals, which in the wretch", + "Was cleft in twain. While both the shadowy smoke", + "With a new colour veils, and generates", + "Th’ excrescent pile on one, peeling it off", + "From th’ other body, lo! upon his feet", + "One upright rose, and prone the other fell.", + "Not yet their glaring and malignant lamps", + "Were shifted, though each feature chang’d beneath.", + "Of him who stood erect, the mounting face", + "Retreated towards the temples, and what there", + "Superfluous matter came, shot out in ears", + "From the smooth cheeks, the rest, not backward dragg’d,", + "Of its excess did shape the nose; and swell’d", + "Into due size protuberant the lips.", + "He, on the earth who lay, meanwhile extends", + "His sharpen’d visage, and draws down the ears", + "Into the head, as doth the slug his horns.", + "His tongue continuous before and apt", + "For utt’rance, severs; and the other’s fork", + "Closing unites. That done the smoke was laid.", + "The soul, transform’d into the brute, glides off,", + "Hissing along the vale, and after him", + "The other talking sputters; but soon turn’d", + "His new-grown shoulders on him, and in few", + "Thus to another spake: “Along this path", + "Crawling, as I have done, speed Buoso now!”", + "So saw I fluctuate in successive change", + "Th’ unsteady ballast of the seventh hold:", + "And here if aught my tongue have swerv’d, events", + "So strange may be its warrant. O’er mine eyes", + "Confusion hung, and on my thoughts amaze.", + "Yet ’scap’d they not so covertly, but well", + "I mark’d Sciancato: he alone it was", + "Of the three first that came, who chang’d not: thou,", + "The other’s fate, Gaville, still dost rue." + ], + "26": [ + "Florence exult! for thou so mightily", + "Hast thriven, that o’er land and sea thy wings", + "Thou beatest, and thy name spreads over hell!", + "Among the plund’rers such the three I found", + "Thy citizens, whence shame to me thy son,", + "And no proud honour to thyself redounds.", + "But if our minds, when dreaming near the dawn,", + "Are of the truth presageful, thou ere long", + "Shalt feel what Prato, (not to say the rest)", + "Would fain might come upon thee; and that chance", + "Were in good time, if it befell thee now.", + "Would so it were, since it must needs befall!", + "For as time wears me, I shall grieve the more.", + "We from the depth departed; and my guide", + "Remounting scal’d the flinty steps, which late", + "We downward trac’d, and drew me up the steep.", + "Pursuing thus our solitary way", + "Among the crags and splinters of the rock,", + "Sped not our feet without the help of hands.", + "Then sorrow seiz’d me, which e’en now revives,", + "As my thought turns again to what I saw,", + "And, more than I am wont, I rein and curb", + "The powers of nature in me, lest they run", + "Where Virtue guides not; that if aught of good", + "My gentle star, or something better gave me,", + "I envy not myself the precious boon.", + "As in that season, when the sun least veils", + "His face that lightens all, what time the fly", + "Gives way to the shrill gnat, the peasant then", + "Upon some cliff reclin’d, beneath him sees", + "Fire-flies innumerous spangling o’er the vale,", + "Vineyard or tilth, where his day-labour lies:", + "With flames so numberless throughout its space", + "Shone the eighth chasm, apparent, when the depth", + "Was to my view expos’d. As he, whose wrongs", + "The bears aveng’d, at its departure saw", + "Elijah’s chariot, when the steeds erect", + "Rais’d their steep flight for heav’n; his eyes meanwhile,", + "Straining pursu’d them, till the flame alone", + "Upsoaring like a misty speck he kenn’d;", + "E’en thus along the gulf moves every flame,", + "A sinner so enfolded close in each,", + "That none exhibits token of the theft.", + "Upon the bridge I forward bent to look,", + "And grasp’d a flinty mass, or else had fall’n,", + "Though push’d not from the height. The guide, who mark’d", + "How I did gaze attentive, thus began:", + "“Within these ardours are the spirits, each", + "Swath’d in confining fire.”—“Master, thy word,”", + "I answer’d, “hath assur’d me; yet I deem’d", + "Already of the truth, already wish’d", + "To ask thee, who is in yon fire, that comes", + "So parted at the summit, as it seem’d", + "Ascending from that funeral pile, where lay", + "The Theban brothers?” He replied: “Within", + "Ulysses there and Diomede endure", + "Their penal tortures, thus to vengeance now", + "Together hasting, as erewhile to wrath.", + "These in the flame with ceaseless groans deplore", + "The ambush of the horse, that open’d wide", + "A portal for that goodly seed to pass,", + "Which sow’d imperial Rome; nor less the guile", + "Lament they, whence of her Achilles ’reft", + "Deidamia yet in death complains.", + "And there is rued the stratagem, that Troy", + "Of her Palladium spoil’d.”—“If they have power", + "Of utt’rance from within these sparks,” said I,", + "“O master! think my prayer a thousand fold", + "In repetition urg’d, that thou vouchsafe", + "To pause, till here the horned flame arrive.", + "See, how toward it with desire I bend.”", + "He thus: “Thy prayer is worthy of much praise,", + "And I accept it therefore: but do thou", + "Thy tongue refrain: to question them be mine,", + "For I divine thy wish: and they perchance,", + "For they were Greeks, might shun discourse with thee.”", + "When there the flame had come, where time and place", + "Seem’d fitting to my guide, he thus began:", + "“O ye, who dwell two spirits in one fire!", + "If living I of you did merit aught,", + "Whate’er the measure were of that desert,", + "When in the world my lofty strain I pour’d,", + "Move ye not on, till one of you unfold", + "In what clime death o’ertook him self-destroy’d.”", + "Of the old flame forthwith the greater horn", + "Began to roll, murmuring, as a fire", + "That labours with the wind, then to and fro", + "Wagging the top, as a tongue uttering sounds,", + "Threw out its voice, and spake: “When I escap’d", + "From Circe, who beyond a circling year", + "Had held me near Caieta, by her charms,", + "Ere thus Aeneas yet had nam’d the shore,", + "Nor fondness for my son, nor reverence", + "Of my old father, nor return of love,", + "That should have crown’d Penelope with joy,", + "Could overcome in me the zeal I had", + "T’ explore the world, and search the ways of life,", + "Man’s evil and his virtue. Forth I sail’d", + "Into the deep illimitable main,", + "With but one bark, and the small faithful band", + "That yet cleav’d to me. As Iberia far,", + "Far as Morocco either shore I saw,", + "And the Sardinian and each isle beside", + "Which round that ocean bathes. Tardy with age", + "Were I and my companions, when we came", + "To the strait pass, where Hercules ordain’d", + "The bound’ries not to be o’erstepp’d by man.", + "The walls of Seville to my right I left,", + "On the’ other hand already Ceuta past.", + "“O brothers!” I began, “who to the west", + "Through perils without number now have reach’d,", + "To this the short remaining watch, that yet", + "Our senses have to wake, refuse not proof", + "Of the unpeopled world, following the track", + "Of Phoebus. Call to mind from whence we sprang:", + "Ye were not form’d to live the life of brutes", + "But virtue to pursue and knowledge high.", + "With these few words I sharpen’d for the voyage", + "The mind of my associates, that I then", + "Could scarcely have withheld them. To the dawn", + "Our poop we turn’d, and for the witless flight", + "Made our oars wings, still gaining on the left.", + "Each star of the’ other pole night now beheld,", + "And ours so low, that from the ocean-floor", + "It rose not. Five times re-illum’d, as oft", + "Vanish’d the light from underneath the moon", + "Since the deep way we enter’d, when from far", + "Appear’d a mountain dim, loftiest methought", + "Of all I e’er beheld. Joy seiz’d us straight,", + "But soon to mourning changed. From the new land", + "A whirlwind sprung, and at her foremost side", + "Did strike the vessel. Thrice it whirl’d her round", + "With all the waves, the fourth time lifted up", + "The poop, and sank the prow: so fate decreed:", + "And over us the booming billow clos’d.”" + ], + "27": [ + "Now upward rose the flame, and still’d its light", + "To speak no more, and now pass’d on with leave", + "From the mild poet gain’d, when following came", + "Another, from whose top a sound confus’d,", + "Forth issuing, drew our eyes that way to look.", + "As the Sicilian bull, that rightfully", + "His cries first echoed, who had shap’d its mould,", + "Did so rebellow, with the voice of him", + "Tormented, that the brazen monster seem’d", + "Pierc’d through with pain; thus while no way they found", + "Nor avenue immediate through the flame,", + "Into its language turn’d the dismal words:", + "But soon as they had won their passage forth,", + "Up from the point, which vibrating obey’d", + "Their motion at the tongue, these sounds we heard:", + "“O thou! to whom I now direct my voice!", + "That lately didst exclaim in Lombard phrase,", + "Depart thou, I solicit thee no more,’", + "Though somewhat tardy I perchance arrive", + "Let it not irk thee here to pause awhile,", + "And with me parley: lo! it irks not me", + "And yet I burn. If but e’en now thou fall", + "into this blind world, from that pleasant land", + "Of Latium, whence I draw my sum of guilt,", + "Tell me if those, who in Romagna dwell,", + "Have peace or war. For of the mountains there", + "Was I, betwixt Urbino and the height,", + "Whence Tyber first unlocks his mighty flood.”", + "Leaning I listen’d yet with heedful ear,", + "When, as he touch’d my side, the leader thus:", + "“Speak thou: he is a Latian.” My reply", + "Was ready, and I spake without delay:", + "“O spirit! who art hidden here below!", + "Never was thy Romagna without war", + "In her proud tyrants’ bosoms, nor is now:", + "But open war there left I none. The state,", + "Ravenna hath maintain’d this many a year,", + "Is steadfast. There Polenta’s eagle broods,", + "And in his broad circumference of plume", + "O’ershadows Cervia. The green talons grasp", + "The land, that stood erewhile the proof so long,", + "And pil’d in bloody heap the host of France.", + "“The’ old mastiff of Verruchio and the young,", + "That tore Montagna in their wrath, still make,", + "Where they are wont, an augre of their fangs.", + "“Lamone’s city and Santerno’s range", + "Under the lion of the snowy lair.", + "Inconstant partisan! that changeth sides,", + "Or ever summer yields to winter’s frost.", + "And she, whose flank is wash’d of Savio’s wave,", + "As ’twixt the level and the steep she lies,", + "Lives so ’twixt tyrant power and liberty.", + "“Now tell us, I entreat thee, who art thou?", + "Be not more hard than others. In the world,", + "So may thy name still rear its forehead high.”", + "Then roar’d awhile the fire, its sharpen’d point", + "On either side wav’d, and thus breath’d at last:", + "“If I did think, my answer were to one,", + "Who ever could return unto the world,", + "This flame should rest unshaken. But since ne’er,", + "If true be told me, any from this depth", + "Has found his upward way, I answer thee,", + "Nor fear lest infamy record the words.", + "“A man of arms at first, I cloth’d me then", + "In good Saint Francis’ girdle, hoping so", + "T’ have made amends. And certainly my hope", + "Had fail’d not, but that he, whom curses light on,", + "The’ high priest again seduc’d me into sin.", + "And how and wherefore listen while I tell. ", + "Long as this spirit mov’d the bones and pulp", + "My mother gave me, less my deeds bespake", + "The nature of the lion than the fox.", + "All ways of winding subtlety I knew,", + "And with such art conducted, that the sound", + "Reach’d the world’s limit. Soon as to that part", + "Of life I found me come, when each behoves", + "To lower sails and gather in the lines;", + "That which before had pleased me then I rued,", + "And to repentance and confession turn’d;", + "Wretch that I was! and well it had bested me!", + "The chief of the new Pharisees meantime,", + "Waging his warfare near the Lateran,", + "Not with the Saracens or Jews (his foes", + "All Christians were, nor against Acre one", + "Had fought, nor traffic’d in the Soldan’s land),", + "He his great charge nor sacred ministry", + "In himself, rev’renc’d, nor in me that cord,", + "Which us’d to mark with leanness whom it girded.", + "As in Socrate, Constantine besought", + "To cure his leprosy Sylvester’s aid,", + "So me to cure the fever of his pride", + "This man besought: my counsel to that end", + "He ask’d: and I was silent: for his words", + "Seem’d drunken: but forthwith he thus resum’d:", + "“From thy heart banish fear: of all offence", + "I hitherto absolve thee. In return,", + "Teach me my purpose so to execute,", + "That Penestrino cumber earth no more.", + "Heav’n, as thou knowest, I have power to shut", + "And open: and the keys are therefore twain,", + "The which my predecessor meanly priz’d.”", + "Then, yielding to the forceful arguments,", + "Of silence as more perilous I deem’d,", + "And answer’d: “Father! since thou washest me", + "Clear of that guilt wherein I now must fall,", + "Large promise with performance scant, be sure,", + "Shall make thee triumph in thy lofty seat.”", + "“When I was number’d with the dead, then came", + "Saint Francis for me; but a cherub dark", + "He met, who cried: “‘Wrong me not; he is mine,", + "And must below to join the wretched crew,", + "For the deceitful counsel which he gave.", + "E’er since I watch’d him, hov’ring at his hair,", + "No power can the impenitent absolve;", + "Nor to repent and will at once consist,", + "By contradiction absolute forbid.”", + "Oh mis’ry! how I shook myself, when he", + "Seiz’d me, and cried, “Thou haply thought’st me not", + "A disputant in logic so exact.”", + "To Minos down he bore me, and the judge", + "Twin’d eight times round his callous back the tail,", + "Which biting with excess of rage, he spake:", + "“This is a guilty soul, that in the fire", + "Must vanish.’ Hence perdition-doom’d I rove", + "A prey to rankling sorrow in this garb.”", + "When he had thus fulfill’d his words, the flame", + "In dolour parted, beating to and fro,", + "And writhing its sharp horn. We onward went,", + "I and my leader, up along the rock,", + "Far as another arch, that overhangs", + "The foss, wherein the penalty is paid", + "Of those, who load them with committed sin." + ], + "28": [ + "Who, e’en in words unfetter’d, might at full", + "Tell of the wounds and blood that now I saw,", + "Though he repeated oft the tale? No tongue", + "So vast a theme could equal, speech and thought", + "Both impotent alike. If in one band", + "Collected, stood the people all, who e’er", + "Pour’d on Apulia’s happy soil their blood,", + "Slain by the Trojans, and in that long war", + "When of the rings the measur’d booty made", + "A pile so high, as Rome’s historian writes", + "Who errs not, with the multitude, that felt", + "The grinding force of Guiscard’s Norman steel,", + "And those the rest, whose bones are gather’d yet", + "At Ceperano, there where treachery", + "Branded th’ Apulian name, or where beyond", + "Thy walls, O Tagliacozzo, without arms", + "The old Alardo conquer’d; and his limbs", + "One were to show transpierc’d, another his", + "Clean lopt away; a spectacle like this", + "Were but a thing of nought, to the’ hideous sight", + "Of the ninth chasm. A rundlet, that hath lost", + "Its middle or side stave, gapes not so wide,", + "As one I mark’d, torn from the chin throughout", + "Down to the hinder passage: ’twixt the legs", + "Dangling his entrails hung, the midriff lay", + "Open to view, and wretched ventricle,", + "That turns th’ englutted aliment to dross.", + "Whilst eagerly I fix on him my gaze,", + "He ey’d me, with his hands laid his breast bare,", + "And cried; “Now mark how I do rip me! lo!", + "How is Mohammed mangled! before me", + "Walks Ali weeping, from the chin his face", + "Cleft to the forelock; and the others all", + "Whom here thou seest, while they liv’d, did sow", + "Scandal and schism, and therefore thus are rent.", + "A fiend is here behind, who with his sword", + "Hacks us thus cruelly, slivering again", + "Each of this ream, when we have compast round", + "The dismal way, for first our gashes close", + "Ere we repass before him. But say who", + "Art thou, that standest musing on the rock,", + "Haply so lingering to delay the pain", + "Sentenc’d upon thy crimes?”—“Him death not yet,”", + "My guide rejoin’d, “hath overta’en, nor sin", + "Conducts to torment; but, that he may make", + "Full trial of your state, I who am dead", + "Must through the depths of hell, from orb to orb,", + "Conduct him. Trust my words, for they are true.”", + "More than a hundred spirits, when that they heard,", + "Stood in the foss to mark me, through amazed,", + "Forgetful of their pangs. “Thou, who perchance", + "Shalt shortly view the sun, this warning thou", + "Bear to Dolcino: bid him, if he wish not", + "Here soon to follow me, that with good store", + "Of food he arm him, lest impris’ning snows", + "Yield him a victim to Novara’s power,", + "No easy conquest else.” With foot uprais’d", + "For stepping, spake Mohammed, on the ground", + "Then fix’d it to depart. Another shade,", + "Pierc’d in the throat, his nostrils mutilate", + "E’en from beneath the eyebrows, and one ear", + "Lopt off, who with the rest through wonder stood", + "Gazing, before the rest advanc’d, and bar’d", + "His wind-pipe, that without was all o’ersmear’d", + "With crimson stain. “O thou!” said ‘he, “whom sin", + "Condemns not, and whom erst (unless too near", + "Resemblance do deceive me) I aloft", + "Have seen on Latian ground, call thou to mind", + "Piero of Medicina, if again", + "Returning, thou behold’st the pleasant land", + "That from Vercelli slopes to Mercabo;", + "And there instruct the twain, whom Fano boasts", + "Her worthiest sons, Guido and Angelo,", + "That if ’tis giv’n us here to scan aright", + "The future, they out of life’s tenement", + "Shall be cast forth, and whelm’d under the waves", + "Near to Cattolica, through perfidy", + "Of a fell tyrant. ’Twixt the Cyprian isle", + "And Balearic, ne’er hath Neptune seen", + "An injury so foul, by pirates done", + "Or Argive crew of old. That one-ey’d traitor", + "(Whose realm there is a spirit here were fain", + "His eye had still lack’d sight of) them shall bring", + "To conf’rence with him, then so shape his end,", + "That they shall need not ’gainst Focara’s wind", + "Offer up vow nor pray’r.” I answering thus:", + "“Declare, as thou dost wish that I above", + "May carry tidings of thee, who is he,", + "In whom that sight doth wake such sad remembrance?”", + "Forthwith he laid his hand on the cheek-bone", + "Of one, his fellow-spirit, and his jaws", + "Expanding, cried: “Lo! this is he I wot of;", + "He speaks not for himself: the outcast this", + "Who overwhelm’d the doubt in Caesar’s mind,", + "Affirming that delay to men prepar’d", + "Was ever harmful. “Oh how terrified", + "Methought was Curio, from whose throat was cut", + "The tongue, which spake that hardy word. Then one", + "Maim’d of each hand, uplifted in the gloom", + "The bleeding stumps, that they with gory spots", + "Sullied his face, and cried: “‘Remember thee", + "Of Mosca, too, I who, alas! exclaim’d,", + "‘The deed once done there is an end,’ that prov’d", + "A seed of sorrow to the Tuscan race.”", + "I added: “Ay, and death to thine own tribe.”", + "Whence heaping woe on woe he hurried off,", + "As one grief stung to madness. But I there", + "Still linger’d to behold the troop, and saw", + "Things, such as I may fear without more proof", + "To tell of, but that conscience makes me firm,", + "The boon companion, who her strong breast-plate", + "Buckles on him, that feels no guilt within", + "And bids him on and fear not. Without doubt", + "I saw, and yet it seems to pass before me,", + "A headless trunk, that even as the rest", + "Of the sad flock pac’d onward. By the hair", + "It bore the sever’d member, lantern-wise", + "Pendent in hand, which look’d at us and said,", + "“Woe’s me!” The spirit lighted thus himself,", + "And two there were in one, and one in two.", + "How that may be he knows who ordereth so.", + "When at the bridge’s foot direct he stood,", + "His arm aloft he rear’d, thrusting the head", + "Full in our view, that nearer we might hear", + "The words, which thus it utter’d: “Now behold", + "This grievous torment, thou, who breathing go’st", + "To spy the dead; behold if any else", + "Be terrible as this. And that on earth", + "Thou mayst bear tidings of me, know that I", + "Am Bertrand, he of Born, who gave King John", + "The counsel mischievous. Father and son", + "I set at mutual war. For Absalom", + "And David more did not Ahitophel,", + "Spurring them on maliciously to strife.", + "For parting those so closely knit, my brain", + "Parted, alas! I carry from its source,", + "That in this trunk inhabits. Thus the law", + "Of retribution fiercely works in me.”" + ], + "29": [ + "So were mine eyes inebriate with view", + "Of the vast multitude, whom various wounds", + "Disfigur’d, that they long’d to stay and weep.", + "But Virgil rous’d me: “What yet gazest on?", + "Wherefore doth fasten yet thy sight below", + "Among the maim’d and miserable shades?", + "Thou hast not shewn in any chasm beside", + "This weakness. Know, if thou wouldst number them", + "That two and twenty miles the valley winds", + "Its circuit, and already is the moon", + "Beneath our feet: the time permitted now", + "Is short, and more not seen remains to see.”", + "“If thou,” I straight replied, “hadst weigh’d the cause", + "For which I look’d, thou hadst perchance excus’d", + "The tarrying still.” My leader part pursu’d", + "His way, the while I follow’d, answering him,", + "And adding thus: “Within that cave I deem,", + "Whereon so fixedly I held my ken,", + "There is a spirit dwells, one of my blood,", + "Wailing the crime that costs him now so dear.”", + "Then spake my master: “Let thy soul no more", + "Afflict itself for him. Direct elsewhere", + "Its thought, and leave him. At the bridge’s foot", + "I mark’d how he did point with menacing look", + "At thee, and heard him by the others nam’d", + "Geri of Bello. Thou so wholly then", + "Wert busied with his spirit, who once rul’d", + "The towers of Hautefort, that thou lookedst not", + "That way, ere he was gone.”—“O guide belov’d!", + "His violent death yet unaveng’d,” said I,", + "“By any, who are partners in his shame,", + "Made him contemptuous: therefore, as I think,", + "He pass’d me speechless by; and doing so", + "Hath made me more compassionate his fate.”", + "So we discours’d to where the rock first show’d", + "The other valley, had more light been there,", + "E’en to the lowest depth. Soon as we came", + "O’er the last cloister in the dismal rounds", + "Of Malebolge, and the brotherhood", + "Were to our view expos’d, then many a dart", + "Of sore lament assail’d me, headed all", + "With points of thrilling pity, that I clos’d", + "Both ears against the volley with mine hands.", + "As were the torment, if each lazar-house", + "Of Valdichiana, in the sultry time", + "’Twixt July and September, with the isle", + "Sardinia and Maremma’s pestilent fen,", + "Had heap’d their maladies all in one foss", + "Together; such was here the torment: dire", + "The stench, as issuing steams from fester’d limbs.", + "We on the utmost shore of the long rock", + "Descended still to leftward. Then my sight", + "Was livelier to explore the depth, wherein", + "The minister of the most mighty Lord,", + "All-searching Justice, dooms to punishment", + "The forgers noted on her dread record.", + "More rueful was it not methinks to see", + "The nation in Aegina droop, what time", + "Each living thing, e’en to the little worm,", + "All fell, so full of malice was the air", + "(And afterward, as bards of yore have told,", + "The ancient people were restor’d anew", + "From seed of emmets) than was here to see", + "The spirits, that languish’d through the murky vale", + "Up-pil’d on many a stack. Confus’d they lay,", + "One o’er the belly, o’er the shoulders one", + "Roll’d of another; sideling crawl’d a third", + "Along the dismal pathway. Step by step", + "We journey’d on, in silence looking round", + "And list’ning those diseas’d, who strove in vain", + "To lift their forms. Then two I mark’d, that sat", + "Propp’d ’gainst each other, as two brazen pans", + "Set to retain the heat. From head to foot,", + "A tetter bark’d them round. Nor saw I e’er", + "Groom currying so fast, for whom his lord", + "Impatient waited, or himself perchance", + "Tir’d with long watching, as of these each one", + "Plied quickly his keen nails, through furiousness", + "Of ne’er abated pruriency. The crust", + "Came drawn from underneath in flakes, like scales", + "Scrap’d from the bream or fish of broader mail.", + "“O thou, who with thy fingers rendest off", + "Thy coat of proof,” thus spake my guide to one,", + "“And sometimes makest tearing pincers of them,", + "Tell me if any born of Latian land", + "Be among these within: so may thy nails", + "Serve thee for everlasting to this toil.”", + "“Both are of Latium,” weeping he replied,", + "“Whom tortur’d thus thou seest: but who art thou", + "That hast inquir’d of us?” To whom my guide:", + "“One that descend with this man, who yet lives,", + "From rock to rock, and show him hell’s abyss.”", + "Then started they asunder, and each turn’d", + "Trembling toward us, with the rest, whose ear", + "Those words redounding struck. To me my liege", + "Address’d him: “Speak to them whate’er thou list.”", + "And I therewith began: “So may no time", + "Filch your remembrance from the thoughts of men", + "In th’ upper world, but after many suns", + "Survive it, as ye tell me, who ye are,", + "And of what race ye come. Your punishment,", + "Unseemly and disgustful in its kind,", + "Deter you not from opening thus much to me.”", + "“Arezzo was my dwelling,” answer’d one,", + "“And me Albero of Sienna brought", + "To die by fire; but that, for which I died,", + "Leads me not here. True is in sport I told him,", + "That I had learn’d to wing my flight in air.", + "And he admiring much, as he was void", + "Of wisdom, will’d me to declare to him", + "The secret of mine art: and only hence,", + "Because I made him not a Daedalus,", + "Prevail’d on one suppos’d his sire to burn me.", + "But Minos to this chasm last of the ten,", + "For that I practis’d alchemy on earth,", + "Has doom’d me. Him no subterfuge eludes.”", + "Then to the bard I spake: “Was ever race", + "Light as Sienna’s? Sure not France herself", + "Can show a tribe so frivolous and vain.”", + "The other leprous spirit heard my words,", + "And thus return’d: “Be Stricca from this charge", + "Exempted, he who knew so temp’rately", + "To lay out fortune’s gifts; and Niccolo", + "Who first the spice’s costly luxury", + "Discover’d in that garden, where such seed", + "Roots deepest in the soil: and be that troop", + "Exempted, with whom Caccia of Asciano", + "Lavish’d his vineyards and wide-spreading woods,", + "And his rare wisdom Abbagliato show’d", + "A spectacle for all. That thou mayst know", + "Who seconds thee against the Siennese", + "Thus gladly, bend this way thy sharpen’d sight,", + "That well my face may answer to thy ken;", + "So shalt thou see I am Capocchio’s ghost,", + "Who forg’d transmuted metals by the power", + "Of alchemy; and if I scan thee right,", + "Thus needs must well remember how I aped", + "Creative nature by my subtle art.”" + ], + "30": [ + "What time resentment burn’d in Juno’s breast", + "For Semele against the Theban blood,", + "As more than once in dire mischance was rued,", + "Such fatal frenzy seiz’d on Athamas,", + "That he his spouse beholding with a babe", + "Laden on either arm, “Spread out,” he cried,", + "“The meshes, that I take the lioness", + "And the young lions at the pass: “then forth", + "Stretch’d he his merciless talons, grasping one,", + "One helpless innocent, Learchus nam’d,", + "Whom swinging down he dash’d upon a rock,", + "And with her other burden self-destroy’d", + "The hapless mother plung’d: and when the pride", + "Of all-presuming Troy fell from its height,", + "By fortune overwhelm’d, and the old king", + "With his realm perish’d, then did Hecuba,", + "A wretch forlorn and captive, when she saw", + "Polyxena first slaughter’d, and her son,", + "Her Polydorus, on the wild sea-beach", + "Next met the mourner’s view, then reft of sense", + "Did she run barking even as a dog;", + "Such mighty power had grief to wrench her soul.", + "Bet ne’er the Furies or of Thebes or Troy", + "With such fell cruelty were seen, their goads", + "Infixing in the limbs of man or beast,", + "As now two pale and naked ghost I saw", + "That gnarling wildly scamper’d, like the swine", + "Excluded from his stye. One reach’d Capocchio,", + "And in the neck-joint sticking deep his fangs,", + "Dragg’d him, that o’er the solid pavement rubb’d", + "His belly stretch’d out prone. The other shape,", + "He of Arezzo, there left trembling, spake;", + "“That sprite of air is Schicchi; in like mood", + "Of random mischief vent he still his spite.”", + "To whom I answ’ring: “Oh! as thou dost hope,", + "The other may not flesh its jaws on thee,", + "Be patient to inform us, who it is,", + "Ere it speed hence.”—” That is the ancient soul", + "Of wretched Myrrha,” he replied, “who burn’d", + "With most unholy flame for her own sire,", + "And a false shape assuming, so perform’d", + "The deed of sin; e’en as the other there,", + "That onward passes, dar’d to counterfeit", + "Donati’s features, to feign’d testament", + "The seal affixing, that himself might gain,", + "For his own share, the lady of the herd.”", + "When vanish’d the two furious shades, on whom", + "Mine eye was held, I turn’d it back to view", + "The other cursed spirits. One I saw", + "In fashion like a lute, had but the groin", + "Been sever’d, where it meets the forked part.", + "Swoln dropsy, disproportioning the limbs", + "With ill-converted moisture, that the paunch", + "Suits not the visage, open’d wide his lips", + "Gasping as in the hectic man for drought,", + "One towards the chin, the other upward curl’d.", + "“O ye, who in this world of misery,", + "Wherefore I know not, are exempt from pain,”", + "Thus he began, “attentively regard", + "Adamo’s woe. When living, full supply", + "Ne’er lack’d me of what most I coveted;", + "One drop of water now, alas! I crave.", + "The rills, that glitter down the grassy slopes", + "Of Casentino, making fresh and soft", + "The banks whereby they glide to Arno’s stream,", + "Stand ever in my view; and not in vain;", + "For more the pictur’d semblance dries me up,", + "Much more than the disease, which makes the flesh", + "Desert these shrivel’d cheeks. So from the place,", + "Where I transgress’d, stern justice urging me,", + "Takes means to quicken more my lab’ring sighs.", + "There is Romena, where I falsified", + "The metal with the Baptist’s form imprest,", + "For which on earth I left my body burnt.", + "But if I here might see the sorrowing soul", + "Of Guido, Alessandro, or their brother,", + "For Branda’s limpid spring I would not change", + "The welcome sight. One is e’en now within,", + "If truly the mad spirits tell, that round", + "Are wand’ring. But wherein besteads me that?", + "My limbs are fetter’d. Were I but so light,", + "That I each hundred years might move one inch,", + "I had set forth already on this path,", + "Seeking him out amidst the shapeless crew,", + "Although eleven miles it wind, not more", + "Than half of one across. They brought me down", + "Among this tribe; induc’d by them I stamp’d", + "The florens with three carats of alloy.”", + "“Who are that abject pair,” I next inquir’d,", + "“That closely bounding thee upon thy right", + "Lie smoking, like a band in winter steep’d", + "In the chill stream?”—“When to this gulf I dropt,”", + "He answer’d, “here I found them; since that hour", + "They have not turn’d, nor ever shall, I ween,", + "Till time hath run his course. One is that dame", + "The false accuser of the Hebrew youth;", + "Sinon the other, that false Greek from Troy.", + "Sharp fever drains the reeky moistness out,", + "In such a cloud upsteam’d.” When that he heard,", + "One, gall’d perchance to be so darkly nam’d,", + "With clench’d hand smote him on the braced paunch,", + "That like a drum resounded: but forthwith", + "Adamo smote him on the face, the blow", + "Returning with his arm, that seem’d as hard.", + "“Though my o’erweighty limbs have ta’en from me", + "The power to move,” said he, “I have an arm", + "At liberty for such employ.” To whom", + "Was answer’d: “When thou wentest to the fire,", + "Thou hadst it not so ready at command,", + "Then readier when it coin’d th’ impostor gold.”", + "And thus the dropsied: “Ay, now speak’st thou true.", + "But there thou gav’st not such true testimony,", + "When thou wast question’d of the truth, at Troy.”", + "“If I spake false, thou falsely stamp’dst the coin,”", + "Said Sinon; “I am here but for one fault,", + "And thou for more than any imp beside.”", + "“Remember,” he replied, “O perjur’d one,", + "The horse remember, that did teem with death,", + "And all the world be witness to thy guilt.”", + "“To thine,” return’d the Greek, “witness the thirst", + "Whence thy tongue cracks, witness the fluid mound,", + "Rear’d by thy belly up before thine eyes,", + "A mass corrupt.” To whom the coiner thus:", + "“Thy mouth gapes wide as ever to let pass", + "Its evil saying. Me if thirst assails,", + "Yet I am stuff’d with moisture. Thou art parch’d,", + "Pains rack thy head, no urging would’st thou need", + "To make thee lap Narcissus’ mirror up.”", + "I was all fix’d to listen, when my guide", + "Admonish’d: “Now beware: a little more.", + "And I do quarrel with thee.” I perceiv’d", + "How angrily he spake, and towards him turn’d", + "With shame so poignant, as remember’d yet", + "Confounds me. As a man that dreams of harm", + "Befall’n him, dreaming wishes it a dream,", + "And that which is, desires as if it were not,", + "Such then was I, who wanting power to speak", + "Wish’d to excuse myself, and all the while", + "Excus’d me, though unweeting that I did.", + "“More grievous fault than thine has been, less shame,”", + "My master cried, “might expiate. Therefore cast", + "All sorrow from thy soul; and if again", + "Chance bring thee, where like conference is held,", + "Think I am ever at thy side. To hear", + "Such wrangling is a joy for vulgar minds.”" + ], + "31": [ + "The very tongue, whose keen reproof before", + "Had wounded me, that either cheek was stain’d,", + "Now minister’d my cure. So have I heard,", + "Achilles and his father’s javelin caus’d", + "Pain first, and then the boon of health restor’d.", + "Turning our back upon the vale of woe,", + "W cross’d th’ encircled mound in silence. There", + "Was twilight dim, that far long the gloom", + "Mine eye advanc’d not: but I heard a horn", + "Sounded aloud. The peal it blew had made", + "The thunder feeble. Following its course", + "The adverse way, my strained eyes were bent", + "On that one spot. So terrible a blast", + "Orlando blew not, when that dismal rout", + "O’erthrew the host of Charlemagne, and quench’d", + "His saintly warfare. Thitherward not long", + "My head was rais’d, when many lofty towers", + "Methought I spied. “Master,” said I, “what land", + "Is this?” He answer’d straight: “Too long a space", + "Of intervening darkness has thine eye", + "To traverse: thou hast therefore widely err’d", + "In thy imagining. Thither arriv’d", + "Thou well shalt see, how distance can delude", + "The sense. A little therefore urge thee on.”", + "Then tenderly he caught me by the hand;", + "“Yet know,” said he, “ere farther we advance,", + "That it less strange may seem, these are not towers,", + "But giants. In the pit they stand immers’d,", + "Each from his navel downward, round the bank.”", + "As when a fog disperseth gradually,", + "Our vision traces what the mist involves", + "Condens’d in air; so piercing through the gross", + "And gloomy atmosphere, as more and more", + "We near’d toward the brink, mine error fled,", + "And fear came o’er me. As with circling round", + "Of turrets, Montereggion crowns his walls,", + "E’en thus the shore, encompassing th’ abyss,", + "Was turreted with giants, half their length", + "Uprearing, horrible, whom Jove from heav’n", + "Yet threatens, when his mutt’ring thunder rolls.", + "Of one already I descried the face,", + "Shoulders, and breast, and of the belly huge", + "Great part, and both arms down along his ribs.", + "All-teeming nature, when her plastic hand", + "Left framing of these monsters, did display", + "Past doubt her wisdom, taking from mad War", + "Such slaves to do his bidding; and if she", + "Repent her not of th’ elephant and whale,", + "Who ponders well confesses her therein", + "Wiser and more discreet; for when brute force", + "And evil will are back’d with subtlety,", + "Resistance none avails. His visage seem’d", + "In length and bulk, as doth the pine, that tops", + "Saint Peter’s Roman fane; and th’ other bones", + "Of like proportion, so that from above", + "The bank, which girdled him below, such height", + "Arose his stature, that three Friezelanders", + "Had striv’n in vain to reach but to his hair.", + "Full thirty ample palms was he expos’d", + "Downward from whence a man his garments loops.", + "“Raphel bai ameth sabi almi,”", + "So shouted his fierce lips, which sweeter hymns", + "Became not; and my guide address’d him thus:", + "“O senseless spirit! let thy horn for thee", + "Interpret: therewith vent thy rage, if rage", + "Or other passion wring thee. Search thy neck,", + "There shalt thou find the belt that binds it on.", + "Wild spirit! lo, upon thy mighty breast", + "Where hangs the baldrick!” Then to me he spake:", + "“He doth accuse himself. Nimrod is this,", + "Through whose ill counsel in the world no more", + "One tongue prevails. But pass we on, nor waste", + "Our words; for so each language is to him,", + "As his to others, understood by none.”", + "Then to the leftward turning sped we forth,", + "And at a sling’s throw found another shade", + "Far fiercer and more huge. I cannot say", + "What master hand had girt him; but he held", + "Behind the right arm fetter’d, and before", + "The other with a chain, that fasten’d him", + "From the neck down, and five times round his form", + "Apparent met the wreathed links. “This proud one", + "Would of his strength against almighty Jove", + "Make trial,” said my guide; “whence he is thus", + "Requited: Ephialtes him they call.", + "Great was his prowess, when the giants brought", + "Fear on the gods: those arms, which then he piled,", + "Now moves he never.” Forthwith I return’d:", + "“Fain would I, if ’twere possible, mine eyes", + "Of Briareus immeasurable gain’d", + "Experience next.” He answer’d: “Thou shalt see", + "Not far from hence Antaeus, who both speaks", + "And is unfetter’d, who shall place us there", + "Where guilt is at its depth. Far onward stands", + "Whom thou wouldst fain behold, in chains, and made", + "Like to this spirit, save that in his looks", + "More fell he seems.” By violent earthquake rock’d", + "Ne’er shook a tow’r, so reeling to its base,", + "As Ephialtes. More than ever then", + "I dreaded death, nor than the terror more", + "Had needed, if I had not seen the cords", + "That held him fast. We, straightway journeying on,", + "Came to Antaeus, who five ells complete", + "Without the head, forth issued from the cave.", + "“O thou, who in the fortunate vale, that made", + "Great Scipio heir of glory, when his sword", + "Drove back the troop of Hannibal in flight,", + "Who thence of old didst carry for thy spoil", + "An hundred lions; and if thou hadst fought", + "In the high conflict on thy brethren’s side,", + "Seems as men yet believ’d, that through thine arm", + "The sons of earth had conquer’d, now vouchsafe", + "To place us down beneath, where numbing cold", + "Locks up Cocytus. Force not that we crave", + "Or Tityus’ help or Typhon’s. Here is one", + "Can give what in this realm ye covet. Stoop", + "Therefore, nor scornfully distort thy lip.", + "He in the upper world can yet bestow", + "Renown on thee, for he doth live, and looks", + "For life yet longer, if before the time", + "Grace call him not unto herself.” Thus spake", + "The teacher. He in haste forth stretch’d his hands,", + "And caught my guide. Alcides whilom felt", + "That grapple straighten’d score. Soon as my guide", + "Had felt it, he bespake me thus: “This way", + "That I may clasp thee;” then so caught me up,", + "That we were both one burden. As appears", + "The tower of Carisenda, from beneath", + "Where it doth lean, if chance a passing cloud", + "So sail across, that opposite it hangs,", + "Such then Antaeus seem’d, as at mine ease", + "I mark’d him stooping. I were fain at times", + "T’ have pass’d another way. Yet in th’ abyss,", + "That Lucifer with Judas low ingulfs,", + "I,ightly he plac’d us; nor there leaning stay’d,", + "But rose as in a bark the stately mast." + ], + "32": [ + "Could I command rough rhimes and hoarse, to suit", + "That hole of sorrow, o’er which ev’ry rock", + "His firm abutment rears, then might the vein", + "Of fancy rise full springing: but not mine", + "Such measures, and with falt’ring awe I touch", + "The mighty theme; for to describe the depth", + "Of all the universe, is no emprize", + "To jest with, and demands a tongue not us’d", + "To infant babbling. But let them assist", + "My song, the tuneful maidens, by whose aid", + "Amphion wall’d in Thebes, so with the truth", + "My speech shall best accord. Oh ill-starr’d folk,", + "Beyond all others wretched! who abide", + "In such a mansion, as scarce thought finds words", + "To speak of, better had ye here on earth", + "Been flocks or mountain goats. As down we stood", + "In the dark pit beneath the giants’ feet,", + "But lower far than they, and I did gaze", + "Still on the lofty battlement, a voice", + "Bespoke me thus: “Look how thou walkest. Take", + "Good heed, thy soles do tread not on the heads", + "Of thy poor brethren.” Thereupon I turn’d,", + "And saw before and underneath my feet", + "A lake, whose frozen surface liker seem’d", + "To glass than water. Not so thick a veil", + "In winter e’er hath Austrian Danube spread", + "O’er his still course, nor Tanais far remote", + "Under the chilling sky. Roll’d o’er that mass", + "Had Tabernich or Pietrapana fall’n,", + "Not e’en its rim had creak’d. As peeps the frog", + "Croaking above the wave, what time in dreams", + "The village gleaner oft pursues her toil,", + "So, to where modest shame appears, thus low", + "Blue pinch’d and shrin’d in ice the spirits stood,", + "Moving their teeth in shrill note like the stork.", + "His face each downward held; their mouth the cold,", + "Their eyes express’d the dolour of their heart.", + "A space I look’d around, then at my feet", + "Saw two so strictly join’d, that of their head", + "The very hairs were mingled. “Tell me ye,", + "Whose bosoms thus together press,” said I,", + "“Who are ye?” At that sound their necks they bent,", + "And when their looks were lifted up to me,", + "Straightway their eyes, before all moist within,", + "Distill’d upon their lips, and the frost bound", + "The tears betwixt those orbs and held them there.", + "Plank unto plank hath never cramp clos’d up", + "So stoutly. Whence like two enraged goats", + "They clash’d together; them such fury seiz’d.", + "And one, from whom the cold both ears had reft,", + "Exclaim’d, still looking downward: “Why on us", + "Dost speculate so long? If thou wouldst know", + "Who are these two, the valley, whence his wave", + "Bisenzio slopes, did for its master own", + "Their sire Alberto, and next him themselves.", + "They from one body issued; and throughout", + "Caina thou mayst search, nor find a shade", + "More worthy in congealment to be fix’d,", + "Not him, whose breast and shadow Arthur’s land", + "At that one blow dissever’d, not Focaccia,", + "No not this spirit, whose o’erjutting head", + "Obstructs my onward view: he bore the name", + "Of Mascheroni: Tuscan if thou be,", + "Well knowest who he was: and to cut short", + "All further question, in my form behold", + "What once was Camiccione. I await", + "Carlino here my kinsman, whose deep guilt", + "Shall wash out mine.” A thousand visages", + "Then mark’d I, which the keen and eager cold", + "Had shap’d into a doggish grin; whence creeps", + "A shiv’ring horror o’er me, at the thought", + "Of those frore shallows. While we journey’d on", + "Toward the middle, at whose point unites", + "All heavy substance, and I trembling went", + "Through that eternal chillness, I know not", + "If will it were or destiny, or chance,", + "But, passing ’midst the heads, my foot did strike", + "With violent blow against the face of one.", + "“Wherefore dost bruise me?” weeping, he exclaim’d,", + "“Unless thy errand be some fresh revenge", + "For Montaperto, wherefore troublest me?”", + "I thus: “Instructor, now await me here,", + "That I through him may rid me of my doubt.", + "Thenceforth what haste thou wilt.” The teacher paus’d,", + "And to that shade I spake, who bitterly", + "Still curs’d me in his wrath. “What art thou, speak,", + "That railest thus on others?” He replied:", + "“Now who art thou, that smiting others’ cheeks", + "Through Antenora roamest, with such force", + "As were past suff’rance, wert thou living still?”", + "“And I am living, to thy joy perchance,”", + "Was my reply, “if fame be dear to thee,", + "That with the rest I may thy name enrol.”", + "“The contrary of what I covet most,”", + "Said he, “thou tender’st: hence; nor vex me more.", + "Ill knowest thou to flatter in this vale.”", + "Then seizing on his hinder scalp, I cried:", + "“Name thee, or not a hair shall tarry here.”", + "“Rend all away,” he answer’d, “yet for that", + "I will not tell nor show thee who I am,", + "Though at my head thou pluck a thousand times.”", + "Now I had grasp’d his tresses, and stript off", + "More than one tuft, he barking, with his eyes", + "Drawn in and downward, when another cried,", + "“What ails thee, Bocca? Sound not loud enough", + "Thy chatt’ring teeth, but thou must bark outright?", + "What devil wrings thee?”—” Now,” said I, “be dumb,", + "Accursed traitor! to thy shame of thee", + "True tidings will I bear.”—” Off,” he replied,", + "“Tell what thou list; but as thou escape from hence", + "To speak of him whose tongue hath been so glib,", + "Forget not: here he wails the Frenchman’s gold.", + "‘Him of Duera,’ thou canst say, ‘I mark’d,", + "Where the starv’d sinners pine.’ If thou be ask’d", + "What other shade was with them, at thy side", + "Is Beccaria, whose red gorge distain’d", + "The biting axe of Florence. Farther on,", + "If I misdeem not, Soldanieri bides,", + "With Ganellon, and Tribaldello, him", + "Who op’d Faenza when the people slept.”", + "We now had left him, passing on our way,", + "When I beheld two spirits by the ice", + "Pent in one hollow, that the head of one", + "Was cowl unto the other; and as bread", + "Is raven’d up through hunger, th’ uppermost", + "Did so apply his fangs to th’ other’s brain,", + "Where the spine joins it. Not more furiously", + "On Menalippus’ temples Tydeus gnaw’d,", + "Than on that skull and on its garbage he.", + "“O thou who show’st so beastly sign of hate", + "’Gainst him thou prey’st on, let me hear,” said I", + "“The cause, on such condition, that if right", + "Warrant thy grievance, knowing who ye are,", + "And what the colour of his sinning was,", + "I may repay thee in the world above,", + "If that, wherewith I speak be moist so long.”" + ], + "33": [ + "His jaws uplifting from their fell repast,", + "That sinner wip’d them on the hairs o’ th’ head,", + "Which he behind had mangled, then began:", + "“Thy will obeying, I call up afresh", + "Sorrow past cure, which but to think of wrings", + "My heart, or ere I tell on’t. But if words,", + "That I may utter, shall prove seed to bear", + "Fruit of eternal infamy to him,", + "The traitor whom I gnaw at, thou at once", + "Shalt see me speak and weep. Who thou mayst be", + "I know not, nor how here below art come:", + "But Florentine thou seemest of a truth,", + "When I do hear thee. Know I was on earth", + "Count Ugolino, and th’ Archbishop he", + "Ruggieri. Why I neighbour him so close,", + "Now list. That through effect of his ill thoughts", + "In him my trust reposing, I was ta’en", + "And after murder’d, need is not I tell.", + "What therefore thou canst not have heard, that is,", + "How cruel was the murder, shalt thou hear,", + "And know if he have wrong’d me. A small grate", + "Within that mew, which for my sake the name", + "Of famine bears, where others yet must pine,", + "Already through its opening sev’ral moons", + "Had shown me, when I slept the evil sleep,", + "That from the future tore the curtain off.", + "This one, methought, as master of the sport,", + "Rode forth to chase the gaunt wolf and his whelps", + "Unto the mountain, which forbids the sight", + "Of Lucca to the Pisan. With lean brachs", + "Inquisitive and keen, before him rang’d", + "Lanfranchi with Sismondi and Gualandi.", + "After short course the father and the sons", + "Seem’d tir’d and lagging, and methought I saw", + "The sharp tusks gore their sides. When I awoke", + "Before the dawn, amid their sleep I heard", + "My sons (for they were with me) weep and ask", + "For bread. Right cruel art thou, if no pang", + "Thou feel at thinking what my heart foretold;", + "And if not now, why use thy tears to flow?", + "Now had they waken’d; and the hour drew near", + "When they were wont to bring us food; the mind", + "Of each misgave him through his dream, and I", + "Heard, at its outlet underneath lock’d up", + "The’ horrible tower: whence uttering not a word", + "I look’d upon the visage of my sons.", + "I wept not: so all stone I felt within.", + "They wept: and one, my little Anslem, cried:", + "“Thou lookest so! Father what ails thee?” Yet", + "I shed no tear, nor answer’d all that day", + "Nor the next night, until another sun", + "Came out upon the world. When a faint beam", + "Had to our doleful prison made its way,", + "And in four countenances I descry’d", + "The image of my own, on either hand", + "Through agony I bit, and they who thought", + "I did it through desire of feeding, rose", + "O’ th’ sudden, and cried, ‘Father, we should grieve", + "Far less, if thou wouldst eat of us: thou gav’st", + "These weeds of miserable flesh we wear,", + "And do thou strip them off from us again.’", + "Then, not to make them sadder, I kept down", + "My spirit in stillness. That day and the next", + "We all were silent. Ah, obdurate earth!", + "Why open’dst not upon us? When we came", + "To the fourth day, then Geddo at my feet", + "Outstretch’d did fling him, crying, ‘Hast no help", + "For me, my father!’ “There he died, and e’en", + "Plainly as thou seest me, saw I the three", + "Fall one by one ’twixt the fifth day and sixth:", + "Whence I betook me now grown blind to grope", + "Over them all, and for three days aloud", + "Call’d on them who were dead. Then fasting got", + "The mastery of grief.” Thus having spoke,", + "Once more upon the wretched skull his teeth", + "He fasten’d, like a mastiff’s ’gainst the bone", + "Firm and unyielding. Oh thou Pisa! shame", + "Of all the people, who their dwelling make", + "In that fair region, where th’ Italian voice", + "Is heard, since that thy neighbours are so slack", + "To punish, from their deep foundations rise", + "Capraia and Gorgona, and dam up", + "The mouth of Arno, that each soul in thee", + "May perish in the waters! What if fame", + "Reported that thy castles were betray’d", + "By Ugolino, yet no right hadst thou", + "To stretch his children on the rack. For them,", + "Brigata, Ugaccione, and the pair", + "Of gentle ones, of whom my song hath told,", + "Their tender years, thou modern Thebes! did make", + "Uncapable of guilt. Onward we pass’d,", + "Where others skarf’d in rugged folds of ice", + "Not on their feet were turn’d, but each revers’d", + "There very weeping suffers not to weep;", + "For at their eyes grief seeking passage finds", + "Impediment, and rolling inward turns", + "For increase of sharp anguish: the first tears", + "Hang cluster’d, and like crystal vizors show,", + "Under the socket brimming all the cup.", + "Now though the cold had from my face dislodg’d", + "Each feeling, as ’twere callous, yet me seem’d", + "Some breath of wind I felt. “Whence cometh this,”", + "Said I, “my master? Is not here below", + "All vapour quench’d?”—“‘Thou shalt be speedily,”", + "He answer’d, “where thine eye shall tell thee whence", + "The cause descrying of this airy shower.”", + "Then cried out one in the chill crust who mourn’d:", + "“O souls so cruel! that the farthest post", + "Hath been assign’d you, from this face remove", + "The harden’d veil, that I may vent the grief", + "Impregnate at my heart, some little space", + "Ere it congeal again!” I thus replied:", + "“Say who thou wast, if thou wouldst have mine aid;", + "And if I extricate thee not, far down", + "As to the lowest ice may I descend!”", + "“The friar Alberigo,” answered he,", + "“Am I, who from the evil garden pluck’d", + "Its fruitage, and am here repaid, the date", + "More luscious for my fig.”—“Hah!” I exclaim’d,", + "“Art thou too dead!”—“How in the world aloft", + "It fareth with my body,” answer’d he,", + "“I am right ignorant. Such privilege", + "Hath Ptolomea, that ofttimes the soul", + "Drops hither, ere by Atropos divorc’d.", + "And that thou mayst wipe out more willingly", + "The glazed tear-drops that o’erlay mine eyes,", + "Know that the soul, that moment she betrays,", + "As I did, yields her body to a fiend", + "Who after moves and governs it at will,", + "Till all its time be rounded; headlong she", + "Falls to this cistern. And perchance above", + "Doth yet appear the body of a ghost,", + "Who here behind me winters. Him thou know’st,", + "If thou but newly art arriv’d below.", + "The years are many that have pass’d away,", + "Since to this fastness Branca Doria came.”", + "“Now,” answer’d I, “methinks thou mockest me,", + "For Branca Doria never yet hath died,", + "But doth all natural functions of a man,", + "Eats, drinks, and sleeps, and putteth raiment on.”", + "He thus: “Not yet unto that upper foss", + "By th’ evil talons guarded, where the pitch", + "Tenacious boils, had Michael Zanche reach’d,", + "When this one left a demon in his stead", + "In his own body, and of one his kin,", + "Who with him treachery wrought. But now put forth", + "Thy hand, and ope mine eyes.” I op’d them not.", + "Ill manners were best courtesy to him.", + "Ah Genoese! men perverse in every way,", + "With every foulness stain’d, why from the earth", + "Are ye not cancel’d? Such an one of yours", + "I with Romagna’s darkest spirit found,", + "As for his doings even now in soul", + "Is in Cocytus plung’d, and yet doth seem", + "In body still alive upon the earth." + ], + "34": [ + "“The banners of Hell’s Monarch do come forth", + "Towards us; therefore look,” so spake my guide,", + "“If thou discern him.” As, when breathes a cloud", + "Heavy and dense, or when the shades of night", + "Fall on our hemisphere, seems view’d from far", + "A windmill, which the blast stirs briskly round,", + "Such was the fabric then methought I saw,", + "To shield me from the wind, forthwith I drew", + "Behind my guide: no covert else was there.", + "Now came I (and with fear I bid my strain", + "Record the marvel) where the souls were all", + "Whelm’d underneath, transparent, as through glass", + "Pellucid the frail stem. Some prone were laid,", + "Others stood upright, this upon the soles,", + "That on his head, a third with face to feet", + "Arch’d like a bow. When to the point we came,", + "Whereat my guide was pleas’d that I should see", + "The creature eminent in beauty once,", + "He from before me stepp’d and made me pause.", + "“Lo!” he exclaim’d, “lo Dis! and lo the place,", + "Where thou hast need to arm thy heart with strength.”", + "How frozen and how faint I then became,", + "Ask me not, reader! for I write it not,", + "Since words would fail to tell thee of my state.", + "I was not dead nor living. Think thyself", + "If quick conception work in thee at all,", + "How I did feel. That emperor, who sways", + "The realm of sorrow, at mid breast from th’ ice", + "Stood forth; and I in stature am more like", + "A giant, than the giants are in his arms.", + "Mark now how great that whole must be, which suits", + "With such a part. If he were beautiful", + "As he is hideous now, and yet did dare", + "To scowl upon his Maker, well from him", + "May all our mis’ry flow. Oh what a sight!", + "How passing strange it seem’d, when I did spy", + "Upon his head three faces: one in front", + "Of hue vermilion, th’ other two with this", + "Midway each shoulder join’d and at the crest;", + "The right ’twixt wan and yellow seem’d: the left", + "To look on, such as come from whence old Nile", + "Stoops to the lowlands. Under each shot forth", + "Two mighty wings, enormous as became", + "A bird so vast. Sails never such I saw", + "Outstretch’d on the wide sea. No plumes had they,", + "But were in texture like a bat, and these", + "He flapp’d i’ th’ air, that from him issued still", + "Three winds, wherewith Cocytus to its depth", + "Was frozen. At six eyes he wept: the tears", + "Adown three chins distill’d with bloody foam.", + "At every mouth his teeth a sinner champ’d", + "Bruis’d as with pond’rous engine, so that three", + "Were in this guise tormented. But far more", + "Than from that gnawing, was the foremost pang’d", + "By the fierce rending, whence ofttimes the back", + "Was stript of all its skin. “That upper spirit,", + "Who hath worse punishment,” so spake my guide,", + "“Is Judas, he that hath his head within", + "And plies the feet without. Of th’ other two,", + "Whose heads are under, from the murky jaw", + "Who hangs, is Brutus: lo! how he doth writhe", + "And speaks not! Th’ other Cassius, that appears", + "So large of limb. But night now re-ascends,", + "And it is time for parting. All is seen.”", + "I clipp’d him round the neck, for so he bade;", + "And noting time and place, he, when the wings", + "Enough were op’d, caught fast the shaggy sides,", + "And down from pile to pile descending stepp’d", + "Between the thick fell and the jagged ice.", + "Soon as he reach’d the point, whereat the thigh", + "Upon the swelling of the haunches turns,", + "My leader there with pain and struggling hard", + "Turn’d round his head, where his feet stood before,", + "And grappled at the fell, as one who mounts,", + "That into hell methought we turn’d again.", + "“Expect that by such stairs as these,” thus spake", + "The teacher, panting like a man forespent,", + "“We must depart from evil so extreme.”", + "Then at a rocky opening issued forth,", + "And plac’d me on a brink to sit, next join’d", + "With wary step my side. I rais’d mine eyes,", + "Believing that I Lucifer should see", + "Where he was lately left, but saw him now", + "With legs held upward. Let the grosser sort,", + "Who see not what the point was I had pass’d,", + "Bethink them if sore toil oppress’d me then.", + "“Arise,” my master cried, “upon thy feet.", + "“The way is long, and much uncouth the road;", + "And now within one hour and half of noon", + "The sun returns.” It was no palace-hall", + "Lofty and luminous wherein we stood,", + "But natural dungeon where ill footing was", + "And scant supply of light. “Ere from th’ abyss", + "I sep’rate,” thus when risen I began,", + "“My guide! vouchsafe few words to set me free", + "From error’s thralldom. Where is now the ice?", + "How standeth he in posture thus revers’d?", + "And how from eve to morn in space so brief", + "Hath the sun made his transit?” He in few", + "Thus answering spake: “Thou deemest thou art still", + "On th’ other side the centre, where I grasp’d", + "Th’ abhorred worm, that boreth through the world.", + "Thou wast on th’ other side, so long as I", + "Descended; when I turn’d, thou didst o’erpass", + "That point, to which from ev’ry part is dragg’d", + "All heavy substance. Thou art now arriv’d", + "Under the hemisphere opposed to that,", + "Which the great continent doth overspread,", + "And underneath whose canopy expir’d", + "The Man, that was born sinless, and so liv’d.", + "Thy feet are planted on the smallest sphere,", + "Whose other aspect is Judecca. Morn", + "Here rises, when there evening sets: and he,", + "Whose shaggy pile was scal’d, yet standeth fix’d,", + "As at the first. On this part he fell down", + "From heav’n; and th’ earth, here prominent before,", + "Through fear of him did veil her with the sea,", + "And to our hemisphere retir’d. Perchance", + "To shun him was the vacant space left here", + "By what of firm land on this side appears,", + "That sprang aloof.” There is a place beneath,", + "From Belzebub as distant, as extends", + "The vaulted tomb, discover’d not by sight,", + "But by the sound of brooklet, that descends", + "This way along the hollow of a rock,", + "Which, as it winds with no precipitous course,", + "The wave hath eaten. By that hidden way", + "My guide and I did enter, to return", + "To the fair world: and heedless of repose", + "We climbed, he first, I following his steps,", + "Till on our view the beautiful lights of heav’n", + "Dawn, through a circular opening in the cave:", + "Thus issuing we again beheld the stars." + ] +};
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\ No newline at end of file diff --git a/inferno.html b/inferno.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..60b911a --- /dev/null +++ b/inferno.html @@ -0,0 +1,70 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> + <title>Dante's Inferno Translations</title> + <link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css"> +</head> +<body> + <h1>Dante's Inferno: A Comprehensive Resource</h1> + <p>Cantos 1-34 with translations by Henry Francis Cary (1814), Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1867), and Charles Eliot Norton (1891).</p> + <p>Being the most popular of the three parts, the Inferno speaks for itself and functions as a complete work on its own, delivering a timeless, full narrative arc. <i>"Any attempt to summarize its philosophical content or significance is to a certain degree an act of folly."</i> + Rather than commit such folly, I defer to <a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/dante/#ComDivCom">this</a> thoughtful and succinct examination from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. + </p> + <div class="about-section"> + <h2>About The Translations:</h2> + <h3>Cary's</h3> + <p>A background in studying French and Italian literature. + Written in blank verse. + One of the earliest complete English translations of the Commedia. + William Blake reportedly had thought Cary's translation to be "superior to all others". + </p> + <h3>Longfellow's</h3> + <p>American poet and professor of Italian at Harvard College. + Written in blank tercets. First complete translation by an American author. + Prior to writing, the formation of the "Dante Club" in order to study the literature included amongst the group: + Charles Eliot Norton. + </p> + <h3>Norton's</h3> + <p>American author and professor of Art at Harvard College. + First complete prose translation of the Commedia by an American author; + departing from the conventional and also intrinsic poetic structure of the original text. + </p> + </div> + <div class="additional-study"> + <h2>Additional Study:</h2> + <p>I came across these websites that offer neat resources and supplementary material to Dante, The Divine Comedy and Inferno.</p> + <p><a href="https://www.worldofdante.org/index.html">World of Dante</a> - A very comprehensive study resource of the material. A+ for its web design.</p> + <p><a href="https://danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu/">Danteworlds</a> - A very well-made interactive experience with unique commentary that is well worth reading.</p> + <p><a href="https://dante.dartmouth.edu/">Dartmouth Dante Project</a> - Searchable database of scholarly commentaries on the Divine Comedy.</p> + <p><a href="https://dantecomedy.com/welcome/glossary/">Dante Comedy</a> - A glossary/index of names & places in the Inferno. Contains a lot more tid bits of information that is missing from here.</p> + <p><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Gustave_Dor%C3%A9_-_Inferno">A Gallery of Inferno</a> - A collection of Gustave Doré's illustrations to accompany the Inferno.</p> + </div> + + <p>All content on this page is in the public domain - + [<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1008">1</a>], + [<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1001">2</a>], + [<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1995">3</a>]. + </p> + + <div class="nav"> + <label>Jump to Canto: + <select id="cantoSelect"> + <option value="">Select Canto</option> + </select> + </label> + <button id="translationToggle" onclick="toggleTranslations()">Hide All Translations</button> + <button id="highlightToggle" onclick="toggleHighlighting()">Disable Highlighting</button> + </div> + + <div id="cantos-container"></div> + + <script src="cantos.js"></script> + <script src="cary.js"></script> + <script src="longfellow.js"></script> + <script src="norton.js"></script> + <script src="highlighting.js"></script> + <script src="script.js"></script> +</body> +</html>
\ No newline at end of file diff --git a/longfellow.js b/longfellow.js new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5e72ae4 --- /dev/null +++ b/longfellow.js @@ -0,0 +1,4792 @@ +var longfellowData = { + "1": [ + "Midway upon the journey of our life", + "I found myself within a forest dark,", + "For the straightforward pathway had been lost.", + "Ah me! how hard a thing it is to say", + "What was this forest savage, rough, and stern,", + "Which in the very thought renews the fear.", + "So bitter is it, death is little more;", + "But of the good to treat, which there I found,", + "Speak will I of the other things I saw there.", + "I cannot well repeat how there I entered,", + "So full was I of slumber at the moment", + "In which I had abandoned the true way.", + "But after I had reached a mountain’s foot,", + "At that point where the valley terminated,", + "Which had with consternation pierced my heart,", + "Upward I looked, and I beheld its shoulders,", + "Vested already with that planet’s rays", + "Which leadeth others right by every road.", + "Then was the fear a little quieted", + "That in my heart’s lake had endured throughout", + "The night, which I had passed so piteously.", + "And even as he, who, with distressful breath,", + "Forth issued from the sea upon the shore,", + "Turns to the water perilous and gazes;", + "So did my soul, that still was fleeing onward,", + "Turn itself back to re-behold the pass", + "Which never yet a living person left.", + "After my weary body I had rested,", + "The way resumed I on the desert slope,", + "So that the firm foot ever was the lower.", + "And lo! almost where the ascent began,", + "A panther light and swift exceedingly,", + "Which with a spotted skin was covered o’er!", + "And never moved she from before my face,", + "Nay, rather did impede so much my way,", + "That many times I to return had turned.", + "The time was the beginning of the morning,", + "And up the sun was mounting with those stars", + "That with him were, what time the Love Divine", + "At first in motion set those beauteous things;", + "So were to me occasion of good hope,", + "The variegated skin of that wild beast,", + "The hour of time, and the delicious season;", + "But not so much, that did not give me fear", + "A lion’s aspect which appeared to me.", + "He seemed as if against me he were coming", + "With head uplifted, and with ravenous hunger,", + "So that it seemed the air was afraid of him;", + "And a she-wolf, that with all hungerings", + "Seemed to be laden in her meagreness,", + "And many folk has caused to live forlorn!", + "She brought upon me so much heaviness,", + "With the affright that from her aspect came,", + "That I the hope relinquished of the height.", + "And as he is who willingly acquires,", + "And the time comes that causes him to lose,", + "Who weeps in all his thoughts and is despondent,", + "E’en such made me that beast withouten peace,", + "Which, coming on against me by degrees", + "Thrust me back thither where the sun is silent.", + "While I was rushing downward to the lowland,", + "Before mine eyes did one present himself,", + "Who seemed from long-continued silence hoarse.", + "When I beheld him in the desert vast,", + "“Have pity on me,” unto him I cried,", + "“Whiche’er thou art, or shade or real man!”", + "He answered me: “Not man; man once I was,", + "And both my parents were of Lombardy,", + "And Mantuans by country both of them.", + "‘Sub Julio’ was I born, though it was late,", + "And lived at Rome under the good Augustus,", + "During the time of false and lying gods.", + "A poet was I, and I sang that just", + "Son of Anchises, who came forth from Troy,", + "After that Ilion the superb was burned.", + "But thou, why goest thou back to such annoyance?", + "Why climb’st thou not the Mount Delectable,", + "Which is the source and cause of every joy?”", + "“Now, art thou that Virgilius and that fountain", + "Which spreads abroad so wide a river of speech?”", + "I made response to him with bashful forehead.", + "“O, of the other poets honour and light,", + "Avail me the long study and great love", + "That have impelled me to explore thy volume!", + "Thou art my master, and my author thou,", + "Thou art alone the one from whom I took", + "The beautiful style that has done honour to me.", + "Behold the beast, for which I have turned back;", + "Do thou protect me from her, famous Sage,", + "For she doth make my veins and pulses tremble.”", + "“Thee it behoves to take another road,”", + "Responded he, when he beheld me weeping,", + "“If from this savage place thou wouldst escape;", + "Because this beast, at which thou criest out,", + "Suffers not any one to pass her way,", + "But so doth harass him, that she destroys him;", + "And has a nature so malign and ruthless,", + "That never doth she glut her greedy will,", + "And after food is hungrier than before.", + "Many the animals with whom she weds,", + "And more they shall be still, until the Greyhound", + "Comes, who shall make her perish in her pain.", + "He shall not feed on either earth or pelf,", + "But upon wisdom, and on love and virtue;", + "’Twixt Feltro and Feltro shall his nation be;", + "Of that low Italy shall he be the saviour,", + "On whose account the maid Camilla died,", + "Euryalus, Turnus, Nisus, of their wounds;", + "Through every city shall he hunt her down,", + "Until he shall have driven her back to Hell,", + "There from whence envy first did let her loose.", + "Therefore I think and judge it for thy best", + "Thou follow me, and I will be thy guide,", + "And lead thee hence through the eternal place,", + "Where thou shalt hear the desperate lamentations,", + "Shalt see the ancient spirits disconsolate,", + "Who cry out each one for the second death;", + "And thou shalt see those who contented are", + "Within the fire, because they hope to come,", + "Whene’er it may be, to the blessed people;", + "To whom, then, if thou wishest to ascend,", + "A soul shall be for that than I more worthy;", + "With her at my departure I will leave thee;", + "Because that Emperor, who reigns above,", + "In that I was rebellious to his law,", + "Wills that through me none come into his city.", + "He governs everywhere, and there he reigns;", + "There is his city and his lofty throne;", + "O happy he whom thereto he elects!”", + "And I to him: “Poet, I thee entreat,", + "By that same God whom thou didst never know,", + "So that I may escape this woe and worse,", + "Thou wouldst conduct me there where thou hast said,", + "That I may see the portal of Saint Peter,", + "And those thou makest so disconsolate.”", + "Then he moved on, and I behind him followed." + + ], + "2": [ + "Day was departing, and the embrowned air", + "Released the animals that are on earth", + "From their fatigues; and I the only one", + "Made myself ready to sustain the war,", + "Both of the way and likewise of the woe,", + "Which memory that errs not shall retrace.", + "O Muses, O high genius, now assist me!", + "O memory, that didst write down what I saw,", + "Here thy nobility shall be manifest!", + "And I began: “Poet, who guidest me,", + "Regard my manhood, if it be sufficient,", + "Ere to the arduous pass thou dost confide me.", + "Thou sayest, that of Silvius the parent,", + "While yet corruptible, unto the world", + "Immortal went, and was there bodily.", + "But if the adversary of all evil", + "Was courteous, thinking of the high effect", + "That issue would from him, and who, and what,", + "To men of intellect unmeet it seems not;", + "For he was of great Rome, and of her empire", + "In the empyreal heaven as father chosen;", + "The which and what, wishing to speak the truth,", + "Were stablished as the holy place, wherein", + "Sits the successor of the greatest Peter.", + "Upon this journey, whence thou givest him vaunt,", + "Things did he hear, which the occasion were", + "Both of his victory and the papal mantle.", + "Thither went afterwards the Chosen Vessel,", + "To bring back comfort thence unto that Faith,", + "Which of salvation’s way is the beginning.", + "But I, why thither come, or who concedes it?", + "I not Aeneas am, I am not Paul,", + "Nor I, nor others, think me worthy of it.", + "Therefore, if I resign myself to come,", + "I fear the coming may be ill-advised;", + "Thou’rt wise, and knowest better than I speak.”", + "And as he is, who unwills what he willed,", + "And by new thoughts doth his intention change,", + "So that from his design he quite withdraws,", + "Such I became, upon that dark hillside,", + "Because, in thinking, I consumed the emprise,", + "Which was so very prompt in the beginning.", + "“If I have well thy language understood,”", + "Replied that shade of the Magnanimous,", + "“Thy soul attainted is with cowardice,", + "Which many times a man encumbers so,", + "It turns him back from honoured enterprise,", + "As false sight doth a beast, when he is shy.", + "That thou mayst free thee from this apprehension,", + "I’ll tell thee why I came, and what I heard", + "At the first moment when I grieved for thee.", + "Among those was I who are in suspense,", + "And a fair, saintly Lady called to me", + "In such wise, I besought her to command me.", + "Her eyes where shining brighter than the Star;", + "And she began to say, gentle and low,", + "With voice angelical, in her own language:", + "‘O spirit courteous of Mantua,", + "Of whom the fame still in the world endures,", + "And shall endure, long-lasting as the world;", + "A friend of mine, and not the friend of fortune,", + "Upon the desert slope is so impeded", + "Upon his way, that he has turned through terror,", + "And may, I fear, already be so lost,", + "That I too late have risen to his succour,", + "From that which I have heard of him in Heaven.", + "Bestir thee now, and with thy speech ornate,", + "And with what needful is for his release,", + "Assist him so, that I may be consoled.", + "Beatrice am I, who do bid thee go;", + "I come from there, where I would fain return;", + "Love moved me, which compelleth me to speak.", + "When I shall be in presence of my Lord,", + "Full often will I praise thee unto him.’", + "Then paused she, and thereafter I began:", + "‘O Lady of virtue, thou alone through whom", + "The human race exceedeth all contained", + "Within the heaven that has the lesser circles,", + "So grateful unto me is thy commandment,", + "To obey, if ’twere already done, were late;", + "No farther need’st thou ope to me thy wish.", + "But the cause tell me why thou dost not shun", + "The here descending down into this centre,", + "From the vast place thou burnest to return to.’", + "‘Since thou wouldst fain so inwardly discern,", + "Briefly will I relate,’ she answered me,", + "‘Why I am not afraid to enter here.", + "Of those things only should one be afraid", + "Which have the power of doing others harm;", + "Of the rest, no; because they are not fearful.", + "God in his mercy such created me", + "That misery of yours attains me not,", + "Nor any flame assails me of this burning.", + "A gentle Lady is in Heaven, who grieves", + "At this impediment, to which I send thee,", + "So that stern judgment there above is broken.", + "In her entreaty she besought Lucia,", + "And said, “Thy faithful one now stands in need", + "Of thee, and unto thee I recommend him.”", + "Lucia, foe of all that cruel is,", + "Hastened away, and came unto the place", + "Where I was sitting with the ancient Rachel.", + "“Beatrice” said she, “the true praise of God,", + "Why succourest thou not him, who loved thee so,", + "For thee he issued from the vulgar herd?", + "Dost thou not hear the pity of his plaint?", + "Dost thou not see the death that combats him", + "Beside that flood, where ocean has no vaunt?”", + "Never were persons in the world so swift", + "To work their weal and to escape their woe,", + "As I, after such words as these were uttered,", + "Came hither downward from my blessed seat,", + "Confiding in thy dignified discourse,", + "Which honours thee, and those who’ve listened to it.’", + "After she thus had spoken unto me,", + "Weeping, her shining eyes she turned away;", + "Whereby she made me swifter in my coming;", + "And unto thee I came, as she desired;", + "I have delivered thee from that wild beast,", + "Which barred the beautiful mountain’s short ascent.", + "What is it, then? Why, why dost thou delay?", + "Why is such baseness bedded in thy heart?", + "Daring and hardihood why hast thou not,", + "Seeing that three such Ladies benedight", + "Are caring for thee in the court of Heaven,", + "And so much good my speech doth promise thee?”", + "Even as the flowerets, by nocturnal chill,", + "Bowed down and closed, when the sun whitens them,", + "Uplift themselves all open on their stems;", + "Such I became with my exhausted strength,", + "And such good courage to my heart there coursed,", + "That I began, like an intrepid person:", + "“O she compassionate, who succoured me,", + "And courteous thou, who hast obeyed so soon", + "The words of truth which she addressed to thee!", + "Thou hast my heart so with desire disposed", + "To the adventure, with these words of thine,", + "That to my first intent I have returned.", + "Now go, for one sole will is in us both,", + "Thou Leader, and thou Lord, and Master thou.”", + "Thus said I to him; and when he had moved,", + "I entered on the deep and savage way." + ], + "3": [ + "“Through me the way is to the city dolent;", + "Through me the way is to eternal dole;", + "Through me the way among the people lost.", + "Justice incited my sublime Creator;", + "Created me divine Omnipotence,", + "The highest Wisdom and the primal Love.", + "Before me there were no created things,", + "Only eterne, and I eternal last.", + "All hope abandon, ye who enter in!”", + "These words in sombre colour I beheld", + "Written upon the summit of a gate;", + "Whence I: “Their sense is, Master, hard to me!”", + "And he to me, as one experienced:", + "“Here all suspicion needs must be abandoned,", + "All cowardice must needs be here extinct.", + "We to the place have come, where I have told thee", + "Thou shalt behold the people dolorous", + "Who have foregone the good of intellect.”", + "And after he had laid his hand on mine", + "With joyful mien, whence I was comforted,", + "He led me in among the secret things.", + "There sighs, complaints, and ululations loud", + "Resounded through the air without a star,", + "Whence I, at the beginning, wept thereat.", + "Languages diverse, horrible dialects,", + "Accents of anger, words of agony,", + "And voices high and hoarse, with sound of hands,", + "Made up a tumult that goes whirling on", + "For ever in that air for ever black,", + "Even as the sand doth, when the whirlwind breathes.", + "And I, who had my head with horror bound,", + "Said: “Master, what is this which now I hear?", + "What folk is this, which seems by pain so vanquished?”", + "And he to me: “This miserable mode", + "Maintain the melancholy souls of those", + "Who lived withouten infamy or praise.", + "Commingled are they with that caitiff choir", + "Of Angels, who have not rebellious been,", + "Nor faithful were to God, but were for self.", + "The heavens expelled them, not to be less fair;", + "Nor them the nethermore abyss receives,", + "For glory none the damned would have from them.”", + "And I: “O Master, what so grievous is", + "To these, that maketh them lament so sore?”", + "He answered: “I will tell thee very briefly.", + "These have no longer any hope of death;", + "And this blind life of theirs is so debased,", + "They envious are of every other fate.", + "No fame of them the world permits to be;", + "Misericord and Justice both disdain them.", + "Let us not speak of them, but look, and pass.”", + "And I, who looked again, beheld a banner,", + "Which, whirling round, ran on so rapidly,", + "That of all pause it seemed to me indignant;", + "And after it there came so long a train", + "Of people, that I ne’er would have believed", + "That ever Death so many had undone.", + "When some among them I had recognised,", + "I looked, and I beheld the shade of him", + "Who made through cowardice the great refusal.", + "Forthwith I comprehended, and was certain,", + "That this the sect was of the caitiff wretches", + "Hateful to God and to his enemies.", + "These miscreants, who never were alive,", + "Were naked, and were stung exceedingly", + "By gadflies and by hornets that were there.", + "These did their faces irrigate with blood,", + "Which, with their tears commingled, at their feet", + "By the disgusting worms was gathered up.", + "And when to gazing farther I betook me.", + "People I saw on a great river’s bank;", + "Whence said I: “Master, now vouchsafe to me,", + "That I may know who these are, and what law", + "Makes them appear so ready to pass over,", + "As I discern athwart the dusky light.”", + "And he to me: “These things shall all be known", + "To thee, as soon as we our footsteps stay", + "Upon the dismal shore of Acheron.”", + "Then with mine eyes ashamed and downward cast,", + "Fearing my words might irksome be to him,", + "From speech refrained I till we reached the river.", + "And lo! towards us coming in a boat", + "An old man, hoary with the hair of eld,", + "Crying: “Woe unto you, ye souls depraved!", + "Hope nevermore to look upon the heavens;", + "I come to lead you to the other shore,", + "To the eternal shades in heat and frost.", + "And thou, that yonder standest, living soul,", + "Withdraw thee from these people, who are dead!”", + "But when he saw that I did not withdraw,", + "He said: “By other ways, by other ports", + "Thou to the shore shalt come, not here, for passage;", + "A lighter vessel needs must carry thee.”", + "And unto him the Guide: “Vex thee not, Charon;", + "It is so willed there where is power to do", + "That which is willed; and farther question not.”", + "Thereat were quieted the fleecy cheeks", + "Of him the ferryman of the livid fen,", + "Who round about his eyes had wheels of flame.", + "But all those souls who weary were and naked", + "Their colour changed and gnashed their teeth together,", + "As soon as they had heard those cruel words.", + "God they blasphemed and their progenitors,", + "The human race, the place, the time, the seed", + "Of their engendering and of their birth!", + "Thereafter all together they drew back,", + "Bitterly weeping, to the accursed shore,", + "Which waiteth every man who fears not God.", + "Charon the demon, with the eyes of glede,", + "Beckoning to them, collects them all together,", + "Beats with his oar whoever lags behind.", + "As in the autumn-time the leaves fall off,", + "First one and then another, till the branch", + "Unto the earth surrenders all its spoils;", + "In similar wise the evil seed of Adam", + "Throw themselves from that margin one by one,", + "At signals, as a bird unto its lure.", + "So they depart across the dusky wave,", + "And ere upon the other side they land,", + "Again on this side a new troop assembles.", + "“My son,” the courteous Master said to me,", + "“All those who perish in the wrath of God", + "Here meet together out of every land;", + "And ready are they to pass o’er the river,", + "Because celestial Justice spurs them on,", + "So that their fear is turned into desire.", + "This way there never passes a good soul;", + "And hence if Charon doth complain of thee,", + "Well mayst thou know now what his speech imports.”", + "This being finished, all the dusk champaign", + "Trembled so violently, that of that terror", + "The recollection bathes me still with sweat.", + "The land of tears gave forth a blast of wind,", + "And fulminated a vermilion light,", + "Which overmastered in me every sense,", + "And as a man whom sleep hath seized I fell." + ], + "4": [ + "Broke the deep lethargy within my head", + "A heavy thunder, so that I upstarted,", + "Like to a person who by force is wakened;", + "And round about I moved my rested eyes,", + "Uprisen erect, and steadfastly I gazed,", + "To recognise the place wherein I was.", + "True is it, that upon the verge I found me", + "Of the abysmal valley dolorous,", + "That gathers thunder of infinite ululations.", + "Obscure, profound it was, and nebulous,", + "So that by fixing on its depths my sight", + "Nothing whatever I discerned therein.", + "“Let us descend now into the blind world,”", + "Began the Poet, pallid utterly;", + "“I will be first, and thou shalt second be.”", + "And I, who of his colour was aware,", + "Said: “How shall I come, if thou art afraid,", + "Who’rt wont to be a comfort to my fears?”", + "And he to me: “The anguish of the people", + "Who are below here in my face depicts", + "That pity which for terror thou hast taken.", + "Let us go on, for the long way impels us.”", + "Thus he went in, and thus he made me enter", + "The foremost circle that surrounds the abyss.", + "There, as it seemed to me from listening,", + "Were lamentations none, but only sighs,", + "That tremble made the everlasting air.", + "And this arose from sorrow without torment,", + "Which the crowds had, that many were and great,", + "Of infants and of women and of men.", + "To me the Master good: “Thou dost not ask", + "What spirits these, which thou beholdest, are?", + "Now will I have thee know, ere thou go farther,", + "That they sinned not; and if they merit had,", + "’Tis not enough, because they had not baptism", + "Which is the portal of the Faith thou holdest;", + "And if they were before Christianity,", + "In the right manner they adored not God;", + "And among such as these am I myself.", + "For such defects, and not for other guilt,", + "Lost are we and are only so far punished,", + "That without hope we live on in desire.”", + "Great grief seized on my heart when this I heard,", + "Because some people of much worthiness", + "I knew, who in that Limbo were suspended.", + "“Tell me, my Master, tell me, thou my Lord,”", + "Began I, with desire of being certain", + "Of that Faith which o’ercometh every error,", + "“Came any one by his own merit hence,", + "Or by another’s, who was blessed thereafter?”", + "And he, who understood my covert speech,", + "Replied: “I was a novice in this state,", + "When I saw hither come a Mighty One,", + "With sign of victory incoronate.", + "Hence he drew forth the shade of the First Parent,", + "And that of his son Abel, and of Noah,", + "Of Moses the lawgiver, and the obedient", + "Abraham, patriarch, and David, king,", + "Israel with his father and his children,", + "And Rachel, for whose sake he did so much,", + "And others many, and he made them blessed;", + "And thou must know, that earlier than these", + "Never were any human spirits saved.”", + "We ceased not to advance because he spake,", + "But still were passing onward through the forest,", + "The forest, say I, of thick-crowded ghosts.", + "Not very far as yet our way had gone", + "This side the summit, when I saw a fire", + "That overcame a hemisphere of darkness.", + "We were a little distant from it still,", + "But not so far that I in part discerned not", + "That honourable people held that place.", + "“O thou who honourest every art and science,", + "Who may these be, which such great honour have,", + "That from the fashion of the rest it parts them?”", + "And he to me: “The honourable name,", + "That sounds of them above there in thy life,", + "Wins grace in Heaven, that so advances them.”", + "In the mean time a voice was heard by me:", + "“All honour be to the pre-eminent Poet;", + "His shade returns again, that was departed.”", + "After the voice had ceased and quiet was,", + "Four mighty shades I saw approaching us;", + "Semblance had they nor sorrowful nor glad.", + "To say to me began my gracious Master:", + "“Him with that falchion in his hand behold,", + "Who comes before the three, even as their lord.", + "That one is Homer, Poet sovereign;", + "He who comes next is Horace, the satirist;", + "The third is Ovid, and the last is Lucan.", + "Because to each of these with me applies", + "The name that solitary voice proclaimed,", + "They do me honour, and in that do well.”", + "Thus I beheld assemble the fair school", + "Of that lord of the song pre-eminent,", + "Who o’er the others like an eagle soars.", + "When they together had discoursed somewhat,", + "They turned to me with signs of salutation,", + "And on beholding this, my Master smiled;", + "And more of honour still, much more, they did me,", + "In that they made me one of their own band;", + "So that the sixth was I, ’mid so much wit.", + "Thus we went on as far as to the light,", + "Things saying ’tis becoming to keep silent,", + "As was the saying of them where I was.", + "We came unto a noble castle’s foot,", + "Seven times encompassed with lofty walls,", + "Defended round by a fair rivulet;", + "This we passed over even as firm ground;", + "Through portals seven I entered with these Sages;", + "We came into a meadow of fresh verdure.", + "People were there with solemn eyes and slow,", + "Of great authority in their countenance;", + "They spake but seldom, and with gentle voices.", + "Thus we withdrew ourselves upon one side", + "Into an opening luminous and lofty,", + "So that they all of them were visible.", + "There opposite, upon the green enamel,", + "Were pointed out to me the mighty spirits,", + "Whom to have seen I feel myself exalted.", + "I saw Electra with companions many,", + "’Mongst whom I knew both Hector and Aeneas,", + "Caesar in armour with gerfalcon eyes;", + "I saw Camilla and Penthesilea", + "On the other side, and saw the King Latinus,", + "Who with Lavinia his daughter sat;", + "I saw that Brutus who drove Tarquin forth,", + "Lucretia, Julia, Marcia, and Cornelia,", + "And saw alone, apart, the Saladin.", + "When I had lifted up my brows a little,", + "The Master I beheld of those who know,", + "Sit with his philosophic family.", + "All gaze upon him, and all do him honour.", + "There I beheld both Socrates and Plato,", + "Who nearer him before the others stand;", + "Democritus, who puts the world on chance,", + "Diogenes, Anaxagoras, and Thales,", + "Zeno, Empedocles, and Heraclitus;", + "Of qualities I saw the good collector,", + "Hight Dioscorides; and Orpheus saw I,", + "Tully and Livy, and moral Seneca,", + "Euclid, geometrician, and Ptolemy,", + "Galen, Hippocrates, and Avicenna,", + "Averroes, who the great Comment made.", + "I cannot all of them pourtray in full,", + "Because so drives me onward the long theme,", + "That many times the word comes short of fact.", + "The sixfold company in two divides;", + "Another way my sapient Guide conducts me", + "Forth from the quiet to the air that trembles;", + "And to a place I come where nothing shines." + + ], + "5": [ + "Thus I descended out of the first circle", + "Down to the second, that less space begirds,", + "And so much greater dole, that goads to wailing.", + "There standeth Minos horribly, and snarls;", + "Examines the transgressions at the entrance;", + "Judges, and sends according as he girds him.", + "I say, that when the spirit evil-born", + "Cometh before him, wholly it confesses;", + "And this discriminator of transgressions", + "Seeth what place in Hell is meet for it;", + "Girds himself with his tail as many times", + "As grades he wishes it should be thrust down.", + "Always before him many of them stand;", + "They go by turns each one unto the judgment;", + "They speak, and hear, and then are downward hurled.", + "“O thou, that to this dolorous hostelry", + "Comest,” said Minos to me, when he saw me,", + "Leaving the practice of so great an office,", + "“Look how thou enterest, and in whom thou trustest;", + "Let not the portal’s amplitude deceive thee.”", + "And unto him my Guide: “Why criest thou too?", + "Do not impede his journey fate-ordained;", + "It is so willed there where is power to do", + "That which is willed; and ask no further question.”", + "And now begin the dolesome notes to grow", + "Audible unto me; now am I come", + "There where much lamentation strikes upon me.", + "I came into a place mute of all light,", + "Which bellows as the sea does in a tempest,", + "If by opposing winds ’t is combated.", + "The infernal hurricane that never rests", + "Hurtles the spirits onward in its rapine;", + "Whirling them round, and smiting, it molests them.", + "When they arrive before the precipice,", + "There are the shrieks, the plaints, and the laments,", + "There they blaspheme the puissance divine.", + "I understood that unto such a torment", + "The carnal malefactors were condemned,", + "Who reason subjugate to appetite.", + "And as the wings of starlings bear them on", + "In the cold season in large band and full,", + "So doth that blast the spirits maledict;", + "It hither, thither, downward, upward, drives them;", + "No hope doth comfort them for evermore,", + "Not of repose, but even of lesser pain.", + "And as the cranes go chanting forth their lays,", + "Making in air a long line of themselves,", + "So saw I coming, uttering lamentations,", + "Shadows borne onward by the aforesaid stress.", + "Whereupon said I: “Master, who are those", + "People, whom the black air so castigates?”", + "“The first of those, of whom intelligence", + "Thou fain wouldst have,” then said he unto me,", + "“The empress was of many languages.", + "To sensual vices she was so abandoned,", + "That lustful she made licit in her law,", + "To remove the blame to which she had been led.", + "She is Semiramis, of whom we read", + "That she succeeded Ninus, and was his spouse;", + "She held the land which now the Sultan rules.", + "The next is she who killed herself for love,", + "And broke faith with the ashes of Sichaeus;", + "Then Cleopatra the voluptuous.”", + "Helen I saw, for whom so many ruthless", + "Seasons revolved; and saw the great Achilles,", + "Who at the last hour combated with Love.", + "Paris I saw, Tristan; and more than a thousand", + "Shades did he name and point out with his finger,", + "Whom Love had separated from our life.", + "After that I had listened to my Teacher,", + "Naming the dames of eld and cavaliers,", + "Pity prevailed, and I was nigh bewildered.", + "And I began: “O Poet, willingly", + "Speak would I to those two, who go together,", + "And seem upon the wind to be so light.”", + "And, he to me: “Thou’lt mark, when they shall be", + "Nearer to us; and then do thou implore them", + "By love which leadeth them, and they will come.”", + "Soon as the wind in our direction sways them,", + "My voice uplift I: “O ye weary souls!", + "Come speak to us, if no one interdicts it.”", + "As turtle-doves, called onward by desire,", + "With open and steady wings to the sweet nest", + "Fly through the air by their volition borne,", + "So came they from the band where Dido is,", + "Approaching us athwart the air malign,", + "So strong was the affectionate appeal.", + "“O living creature gracious and benignant,", + "Who visiting goest through the purple air", + "Us, who have stained the world incarnadine,", + "If were the King of the Universe our friend,", + "We would pray unto him to give thee peace,", + "Since thou hast pity on our woe perverse.", + "Of what it pleases thee to hear and speak,", + "That will we hear, and we will speak to you,", + "While silent is the wind, as it is now.", + "Sitteth the city, wherein I was born,", + "Upon the sea-shore where the Po descends", + "To rest in peace with all his retinue.", + "Love, that on gentle heart doth swiftly seize,", + "Seized this man for the person beautiful", + "That was ta’en from me, and still the mode offends me.", + "Love, that exempts no one beloved from loving,", + "Seized me with pleasure of this man so strongly,", + "That, as thou seest, it doth not yet desert me;", + "Love has conducted us unto one death;", + "Caina waiteth him who quenched our life!”", + "These words were borne along from them to us.", + "As soon as I had heard those souls tormented,", + "I bowed my face, and so long held it down", + "Until the Poet said to me: “What thinkest?”", + "When I made answer, I began: “Alas!", + "How many pleasant thoughts, how much desire,", + "Conducted these unto the dolorous pass!”", + "Then unto them I turned me, and I spake,", + "And I began: “Thine agonies, Francesca,", + "Sad and compassionate to weeping make me.", + "But tell me, at the time of those sweet sighs,", + "By what and in what manner Love conceded,", + "That you should know your dubious desires?”", + "And she to me: “There is no greater sorrow", + "Than to be mindful of the happy time", + "In misery, and that thy Teacher knows.", + "But, if to recognise the earliest root", + "Of love in us thou hast so great desire,", + "I will do even as he who weeps and speaks.", + "One day we reading were for our delight", + "Of Launcelot, how Love did him enthral.", + "Alone we were and without any fear.", + "Full many a time our eyes together drew", + "That reading, and drove the colour from our faces;", + "But one point only was it that o’ercame us.", + "When as we read of the much-longed-for smile", + "Being by such a noble lover kissed,", + "This one, who ne’er from me shall be divided,", + "Kissed me upon the mouth all palpitating.", + "Galeotto was the book and he who wrote it.", + "That day no farther did we read therein.”", + "And all the while one spirit uttered this,", + "The other one did weep so, that, for pity,", + "I swooned away as if I had been dying,", + "And fell, even as a dead body falls." + ], + "6": [ + "At the return of consciousness, that closed", + "Before the pity of those two relations,", + "Which utterly with sadness had confused me,", + "New torments I behold, and new tormented", + "Around me, whichsoever way I move,", + "And whichsoever way I turn, and gaze.", + "In the third circle am I of the rain", + "Eternal, maledict, and cold, and heavy;", + "Its law and quality are never new.", + "Huge hail, and water sombre-hued, and snow,", + "Athwart the tenebrous air pour down amain;", + "Noisome the earth is, that receiveth this.", + "Cerberus, monster cruel and uncouth,", + "With his three gullets like a dog is barking", + "Over the people that are there submerged.", + "Red eyes he has, and unctuous beard and black,", + "And belly large, and armed with claws his hands;", + "He rends the spirits, flays, and quarters them.", + "Howl the rain maketh them like unto dogs;", + "One side they make a shelter for the other;", + "Oft turn themselves the wretched reprobates.", + "When Cerberus perceived us, the great worm!", + "His mouths he opened, and displayed his tusks;", + "Not a limb had he that was motionless.", + "And my Conductor, with his spans extended,", + "Took of the earth, and with his fists well filled,", + "He threw it into those rapacious gullets.", + "Such as that dog is, who by barking craves,", + "And quiet grows soon as his food he gnaws,", + "For to devour it he but thinks and struggles,", + "The like became those muzzles filth-begrimed", + "Of Cerberus the demon, who so thunders", + "Over the souls that they would fain be deaf.", + "We passed across the shadows, which subdues", + "The heavy rain-storm, and we placed our feet", + "Upon their vanity that person seems.", + "They all were lying prone upon the earth,", + "Excepting one, who sat upright as soon", + "As he beheld us passing on before him.", + "“O thou that art conducted through this Hell,”", + "He said to me, “recall me, if thou canst;", + "Thyself wast made before I was unmade.”", + "And I to him: “The anguish which thou hast", + "Perhaps doth draw thee out of my remembrance,", + "So that it seems not I have ever seen thee.", + "But tell me who thou art, that in so doleful", + "A place art put, and in such punishment,", + "If some are greater, none is so displeasing.”", + "And he to me: “Thy city, which is full", + "Of envy so that now the sack runs over,", + "Held me within it in the life serene.", + "You citizens were wont to call me Ciacco;", + "For the pernicious sin of gluttony", + "I, as thou seest, am battered by this rain.", + "And I, sad soul, am not the only one,", + "For all these suffer the like penalty", + "For the like sin;” and word no more spake he.", + "I answered him: “Ciacco, thy wretchedness", + "Weighs on me so that it to weep invites me;", + "But tell me, if thou knowest, to what shall come", + "The citizens of the divided city;", + "If any there be just; and the occasion", + "Tell me why so much discord has assailed it.”", + "And he to me: “They, after long contention,", + "Will come to bloodshed; and the rustic party", + "Will drive the other out with much offence.", + "Then afterwards behoves it this one fall", + "Within three suns, and rise again the other", + "By force of him who now is on the coast.", + "High will it hold its forehead a long while,", + "Keeping the other under heavy burdens,", + "Howe’er it weeps thereat and is indignant.", + "The just are two, and are not understood there;", + "Envy and Arrogance and Avarice", + "Are the three sparks that have all hearts enkindled.”", + "Here ended he his tearful utterance;", + "And I to him: “I wish thee still to teach me,", + "And make a gift to me of further speech.", + "Farinata and Tegghiaio, once so worthy,", + "Jacopo Rusticucci, Arrigo, and Mosca,", + "And others who on good deeds set their thoughts,", + "Say where they are, and cause that I may know them;", + "For great desire constraineth me to learn", + "If Heaven doth sweeten them, or Hell envenom.”", + "And he: “They are among the blacker souls;", + "A different sin downweighs them to the bottom;", + "If thou so far descendest, thou canst see them.", + "But when thou art again in the sweet world,", + "I pray thee to the mind of others bring me;", + "No more I tell thee and no more I answer.”", + "Then his straightforward eyes he turned askance,", + "Eyed me a little, and then bowed his head;", + "He fell therewith prone like the other blind.", + "And the Guide said to me: “He wakes no more", + "This side the sound of the angelic trumpet;", + "When shall approach the hostile Potentate,", + "Each one shall find again his dismal tomb,", + "Shall reassume his flesh and his own figure,", + "Shall hear what through eternity re-echoes.”", + "So we passed onward o’er the filthy mixture", + "Of shadows and of rain with footsteps slow,", + "Touching a little on the future life.", + "Wherefore I said: “Master, these torments here,", + "Will they increase after the mighty sentence,", + "Or lesser be, or will they be as burning?”", + "And he to me: “Return unto thy science,", + "Which wills, that as the thing more perfect is,", + "The more it feels of pleasure and of pain.", + "Albeit that this people maledict", + "To true perfection never can attain,", + "Hereafter more than now they look to be.”", + "Round in a circle by that road we went,", + "Speaking much more, which I do not repeat;", + "We came unto the point where the descent is;", + "There we found Plutus the great enemy." + ], + "7": [ + "“Pape Satan, Pape Satan, Aleppe!”", + "Thus Plutus with his clucking voice began;", + "And that benignant Sage, who all things knew,", + "Said, to encourage me: “Let not thy fear", + "Harm thee; for any power that he may have", + "Shall not prevent thy going down this crag.”", + "Then he turned round unto that bloated lip,", + "And said: “Be silent, thou accursed wolf;", + "Consume within thyself with thine own rage.", + "Not causeless is this journey to the abyss;", + "Thus is it willed on high, where Michael wrought", + "Vengeance upon the proud adultery.”", + "Even as the sails inflated by the wind", + "Involved together fall when snaps the mast,", + "So fell the cruel monster to the earth.", + "Thus we descended into the fourth chasm,", + "Gaining still farther on the dolesome shore", + "Which all the woe of the universe insacks.", + "Justice of God, ah! who heaps up so many", + "New toils and sufferings as I beheld?", + "And why doth our transgression waste us so?", + "As doth the billow there upon Charybdis,", + "That breaks itself on that which it encounters,", + "So here the folk must dance their roundelay.", + "Here saw I people, more than elsewhere, many,", + "On one side and the other, with great howls,", + "Rolling weights forward by main force of chest.", + "They clashed together, and then at that point", + "Each one turned backward, rolling retrograde,", + "Crying, “Why keepest?” and, “Why squanderest thou?”", + "Thus they returned along the lurid circle", + "On either hand unto the opposite point,", + "Shouting their shameful metre evermore.", + "Then each, when he arrived there, wheeled about", + "Through his half-circle to another joust;", + "And I, who had my heart pierced as it were,", + "Exclaimed: “My Master, now declare to me", + "What people these are, and if all were clerks,", + "These shaven crowns upon the left of us.”", + "And he to me: “All of them were asquint", + "In intellect in the first life, so much", + "That there with measure they no spending made.", + "Clearly enough their voices bark it forth,", + "Whene’er they reach the two points of the circle,", + "Where sunders them the opposite defect.", + "Clerks those were who no hairy covering", + "Have on the head, and Popes and Cardinals,", + "In whom doth Avarice practise its excess.”", + "And I: “My Master, among such as these", + "I ought forsooth to recognise some few,", + "Who were infected with these maladies.”", + "And he to me: “Vain thought thou entertainest;", + "The undiscerning life which made them sordid", + "Now makes them unto all discernment dim.", + "Forever shall they come to these two buttings;", + "These from the sepulchre shall rise again", + "With the fist closed, and these with tresses shorn.", + "Ill giving and ill keeping the fair world", + "Have ta’en from them, and placed them in this scuffle;", + "Whate’er it be, no words adorn I for it.", + "Now canst thou, Son, behold the transient farce", + "Of goods that are committed unto Fortune,", + "For which the human race each other buffet;", + "For all the gold that is beneath the moon,", + "Or ever has been, of these weary souls", + "Could never make a single one repose.”", + "“Master,” I said to him, “now tell me also", + "What is this Fortune which thou speakest of,", + "That has the world’s goods so within its clutches?”", + "And he to me: “O creatures imbecile,", + "What ignorance is this which doth beset you?", + "Now will I have thee learn my judgment of her.", + "He whose omniscience everything transcends", + "The heavens created, and gave who should guide them,", + "That every part to every part may shine,", + "Distributing the light in equal measure;", + "He in like manner to the mundane splendours", + "Ordained a general ministress and guide,", + "That she might change at times the empty treasures", + "From race to race, from one blood to another,", + "Beyond resistance of all human wisdom.", + "Therefore one people triumphs, and another", + "Languishes, in pursuance of her judgment,", + "Which hidden is, as in the grass a serpent.", + "Your knowledge has no counterstand against her;", + "She makes provision, judges, and pursues", + "Her governance, as theirs the other gods.", + "Her permutations have not any truce;", + "Necessity makes her precipitate,", + "So often cometh who his turn obtains.", + "And this is she who is so crucified", + "Even by those who ought to give her praise,", + "Giving her blame amiss, and bad repute.", + "But she is blissful, and she hears it not;", + "Among the other primal creatures gladsome", + "She turns her sphere, and blissful she rejoices.", + "Let us descend now unto greater woe;", + "Already sinks each star that was ascending", + "When I set out, and loitering is forbidden.”", + "We crossed the circle to the other bank,", + "Near to a fount that boils, and pours itself", + "Along a gully that runs out of it.", + "The water was more sombre far than perse;", + "And we, in company with the dusky waves,", + "Made entrance downward by a path uncouth.", + "A marsh it makes, which has the name of Styx,", + "This tristful brooklet, when it has descended", + "Down to the foot of the malign gray shores.", + "And I, who stood intent upon beholding,", + "Saw people mud-besprent in that lagoon,", + "All of them naked and with angry look.", + "They smote each other not alone with hands,", + "But with the head and with the breast and feet,", + "Tearing each other piecemeal with their teeth.", + "Said the good Master: “Son, thou now beholdest", + "The souls of those whom anger overcame;", + "And likewise I would have thee know for certain", + "Beneath the water people are who sigh", + "And make this water bubble at the surface,", + "As the eye tells thee wheresoe’er it turns.", + "Fixed in the mire they say, ‘We sullen were", + "In the sweet air, which by the sun is gladdened,", + "Bearing within ourselves the sluggish reek;", + "Now we are sullen in this sable mire.’", + "This hymn do they keep gurgling in their throats,", + "For with unbroken words they cannot say it.”", + "Thus we went circling round the filthy fen", + "A great arc ’twixt the dry bank and the swamp,", + "With eyes turned unto those who gorge the mire;", + "Unto the foot of a tower we came at last." + ], + "8": [ + "I say, continuing, that long before", + "We to the foot of that high tower had come,", + "Our eyes went upward to the summit of it,", + "By reason of two flamelets we saw placed there,", + "And from afar another answer them,", + "So far, that hardly could the eye attain it.", + "And, to the sea of all discernment turned,", + "I said: “What sayeth this, and what respondeth", + "That other fire? and who are they that made it?”", + "And he to me: “Across the turbid waves", + "What is expected thou canst now discern,", + "If reek of the morass conceal it not.”", + "Cord never shot an arrow from itself", + "That sped away athwart the air so swift,", + "As I beheld a very little boat", + "Come o’er the water tow’rds us at that moment,", + "Under the guidance of a single pilot,", + "Who shouted, “Now art thou arrived, fell soul?”", + "“Phlegyas, Phlegyas, thou criest out in vain", + "For this once,” said my Lord; “thou shalt not have us", + "Longer than in the passing of the slough.”", + "As he who listens to some great deceit", + "That has been done to him, and then resents it,", + "Such became Phlegyas, in his gathered wrath.", + "My Guide descended down into the boat,", + "And then he made me enter after him,", + "And only when I entered seemed it laden.", + "Soon as the Guide and I were in the boat,", + "The antique prow goes on its way, dividing", + "More of the water than ’tis wont with others.", + "While we were running through the dead canal,", + "Uprose in front of me one full of mire,", + "And said, “Who ’rt thou that comest ere the hour?”", + "And I to him: “Although I come, I stay not;", + "But who art thou that hast become so squalid?”", + "“Thou seest that I am one who weeps,” he answered.", + "And I to him: “With weeping and with wailing,", + "Thou spirit maledict, do thou remain;", + "For thee I know, though thou art all defiled.”", + "Then stretched he both his hands unto the boat;", + "Whereat my wary Master thrust him back,", + "Saying, “Away there with the other dogs!”", + "Thereafter with his arms he clasped my neck;", + "He kissed my face, and said: “Disdainful soul,", + "Blessed be she who bore thee in her bosom.", + "That was an arrogant person in the world;", + "Goodness is none, that decks his memory;", + "So likewise here his shade is furious.", + "How many are esteemed great kings up there,", + "Who here shall be like unto swine in mire,", + "Leaving behind them horrible dispraises!”", + "And I: “My Master, much should I be pleased,", + "If I could see him soused into this broth,", + "Before we issue forth out of the lake.”", + "And he to me: “Ere unto thee the shore", + "Reveal itself, thou shalt be satisfied;", + "Such a desire ’tis meet thou shouldst enjoy.”", + "A little after that, I saw such havoc", + "Made of him by the people of the mire,", + "That still I praise and thank my God for it.", + "They all were shouting, “At Philippo Argenti!”", + "And that exasperate spirit Florentine", + "Turned round upon himself with his own teeth.", + "We left him there, and more of him I tell not;", + "But on mine ears there smote a lamentation,", + "Whence forward I intent unbar mine eyes.", + "And the good Master said: “Even now, my Son,", + "The city draweth near whose name is Dis,", + "With the grave citizens, with the great throng.”", + "And I: “Its mosques already, Master, clearly", + "Within there in the valley I discern", + "Vermilion, as if issuing from the fire", + "They were.” And he to me: “The fire eternal", + "That kindles them within makes them look red,", + "As thou beholdest in this nether Hell.”", + "Then we arrived within the moats profound,", + "That circumvallate that disconsolate city;", + "The walls appeared to me to be of iron.", + "Not without making first a circuit wide,", + "We came unto a place where loud the pilot", + "Cried out to us, “Debark, here is the entrance.”", + "More than a thousand at the gates I saw", + "Out of the Heavens rained down, who angrily", + "Were saying, “Who is this that without death", + "Goes through the kingdom of the people dead?”", + "And my sagacious Master made a sign", + "Of wishing secretly to speak with them.", + "A little then they quelled their great disdain,", + "And said: “Come thou alone, and he begone", + "Who has so boldly entered these dominions.", + "Let him return alone by his mad road;", + "Try, if he can; for thou shalt here remain,", + "Who hast escorted him through such dark regions.”", + "Think, Reader, if I was discomforted", + "At utterance of the accursed words;", + "For never to return here I believed.", + "“O my dear Guide, who more than seven times", + "Hast rendered me security, and drawn me", + "From imminent peril that before me stood,", + "Do not desert me,” said I, “thus undone;", + "And if the going farther be denied us,", + "Let us retrace our steps together swiftly.”", + "And that Lord, who had led me thitherward,", + "Said unto me: “Fear not; because our passage", + "None can take from us, it by Such is given.", + "But here await me, and thy weary spirit", + "Comfort and nourish with a better hope;", + "For in this nether world I will not leave thee.”", + "So onward goes and there abandons me", + "My Father sweet, and I remain in doubt,", + "For No and Yes within my head contend.", + "I could not hear what he proposed to them;", + "But with them there he did not linger long,", + "Ere each within in rivalry ran back.", + "They closed the portals, those our adversaries,", + "On my Lord’s breast, who had remained without", + "And turned to me with footsteps far between.", + "His eyes cast down, his forehead shorn had he", + "Of all its boldness, and he said, with sighs,", + "“Who has denied to me the dolesome houses?”", + "And unto me: “Thou, because I am angry,", + "Fear not, for I will conquer in the trial,", + "Whatever for defence within be planned.", + "This arrogance of theirs is nothing new;", + "For once they used it at less secret gate,", + "Which finds itself without a fastening still.", + "O’er it didst thou behold the dead inscription;", + "And now this side of it descends the steep,", + "Passing across the circles without escort,", + "One by whose means the city shall be opened.”" + ], + "9": [ + "That hue which cowardice brought out on me,", + "Beholding my Conductor backward turn,", + "Sooner repressed within him his new colour.", + "He stopped attentive, like a man who listens,", + "Because the eye could not conduct him far", + "Through the black air, and through the heavy fog.", + "“Still it behoveth us to win the fight,”", + "Began he; “Else. . .Such offered us herself. . .", + "O how I long that some one here arrive!”", + "Well I perceived, as soon as the beginning", + "He covered up with what came afterward,", + "That they were words quite different from the first;", + "But none the less his saying gave me fear,", + "Because I carried out the broken phrase,", + "Perhaps to a worse meaning than he had.", + "“Into this bottom of the doleful conch", + "Doth any e’er descend from the first grade,", + "Which for its pain has only hope cut off?”", + "This question put I; and he answered me:", + "“Seldom it comes to pass that one of us", + "Maketh the journey upon which I go.", + "True is it, once before I here below", + "Was conjured by that pitiless Erictho,", + "Who summoned back the shades unto their bodies.", + "Naked of me short while the flesh had been,", + "Before within that wall she made me enter,", + "To bring a spirit from the circle of Judas;", + "That is the lowest region and the darkest,", + "And farthest from the heaven which circles all.", + "Well know I the way; therefore be reassured.", + "This fen, which a prodigious stench exhales,", + "Encompasses about the city dolent,", + "Where now we cannot enter without anger.”", + "And more he said, but not in mind I have it;", + "Because mine eye had altogether drawn me", + "Tow’rds the high tower with the red-flaming summit,", + "Where in a moment saw I swift uprisen", + "The three infernal Furies stained with blood,", + "Who had the limbs of women and their mien,", + "And with the greenest hydras were begirt;", + "Small serpents and cerastes were their tresses,", + "Wherewith their horrid temples were entwined.", + "And he who well the handmaids of the Queen", + "Of everlasting lamentation knew,", + "Said unto me: “Behold the fierce Erinnys.", + "This is Megaera, on the left-hand side;", + "She who is weeping on the right, Alecto;", + "Tisiphone is between;” and then was silent.", + "Each one her breast was rending with her nails;", + "They beat them with their palms, and cried so loud,", + "That I for dread pressed close unto the Poet.", + "“Medusa come, so we to stone will change him!”", + "All shouted looking down; “in evil hour", + "Avenged we not on Theseus his assault!”", + "“Turn thyself round, and keep thine eyes close shut,", + "For if the Gorgon appear, and thou shouldst see it,", + "No more returning upward would there be.”", + "Thus said the Master; and he turned me round", + "Himself, and trusted not unto my hands", + "So far as not to blind me with his own.", + "O ye who have undistempered intellects,", + "Observe the doctrine that conceals itself", + "Beneath the veil of the mysterious verses!", + "And now there came across the turbid waves", + "The clangour of a sound with terror fraught,", + "Because of which both of the margins trembled;", + "Not otherwise it was than of a wind", + "Impetuous on account of adverse heats,", + "That smites the forest, and, without restraint,", + "The branches rends, beats down, and bears away;", + "Right onward, laden with dust, it goes superb,", + "And puts to flight the wild beasts and the shepherds.", + "Mine eyes he loosed, and said: “Direct the nerve", + "Of vision now along that ancient foam,", + "There yonder where that smoke is most intense.”", + "Even as the frogs before the hostile serpent", + "Across the water scatter all abroad,", + "Until each one is huddled in the earth.", + "More than a thousand ruined souls I saw,", + "Thus fleeing from before one who on foot", + "Was passing o’er the Styx with soles unwet.", + "From off his face he fanned that unctuous air,", + "Waving his left hand oft in front of him,", + "And only with that anguish seemed he weary.", + "Well I perceived one sent from Heaven was he,", + "And to the Master turned; and he made sign", + "That I should quiet stand, and bow before him.", + "Ah! how disdainful he appeared to me!", + "He reached the gate, and with a little rod", + "He opened it, for there was no resistance.", + "“O banished out of Heaven, people despised!”", + "Thus he began upon the horrid threshold;", + "“Whence is this arrogance within you couched?", + "Wherefore recalcitrate against that will,", + "From which the end can never be cut off,", + "And which has many times increased your pain?", + "What helpeth it to butt against the fates?", + "Your Cerberus, if you remember well,", + "For that still bears his chin and gullet peeled.”", + "Then he returned along the miry road,", + "And spake no word to us, but had the look", + "Of one whom other care constrains and goads", + "Than that of him who in his presence is;", + "And we our feet directed tow’rds the city,", + "After those holy words all confident.", + "Within we entered without any contest;", + "And I, who inclination had to see", + "What the condition such a fortress holds,", + "Soon as I was within, cast round mine eye,", + "And see on every hand an ample plain,", + "Full of distress and torment terrible.", + "Even as at Arles, where stagnant grows the Rhone,", + "Even as at Pola near to the Quarnaro,", + "That shuts in Italy and bathes its borders,", + "The sepulchres make all the place uneven;", + "So likewise did they there on every side,", + "Saving that there the manner was more bitter;", + "For flames between the sepulchres were scattered,", + "By which they so intensely heated were,", + "That iron more so asks not any art.", + "All of their coverings uplifted were,", + "And from them issued forth such dire laments,", + "Sooth seemed they of the wretched and tormented.", + "And I: “My Master, what are all those people", + "Who, having sepulture within those tombs,", + "Make themselves audible by doleful sighs?”", + "And he to me: “Here are the Heresiarchs,", + "With their disciples of all sects, and much", + "More than thou thinkest laden are the tombs.", + "Here like together with its like is buried;", + "And more and less the monuments are heated.”", + "And when he to the right had turned, we passed", + "Between the torments and high parapets." + ], + "10": [ + "Now onward goes, along a narrow path", + "Between the torments and the city wall,", + "My Master, and I follow at his back.", + "“O power supreme, that through these impious circles", + "Turnest me,” I began, “as pleases thee,", + "Speak to me, and my longings satisfy;", + "The people who are lying in these tombs,", + "Might they be seen? already are uplifted", + "The covers all, and no one keepeth guard.”", + "And he to me: “They all will be closed up", + "When from Jehoshaphat they shall return", + "Here with the bodies they have left above.", + "Their cemetery have upon this side", + "With Epicurus all his followers,", + "Who with the body mortal make the soul;", + "But in the question thou dost put to me,", + "Within here shalt thou soon be satisfied,", + "And likewise in the wish thou keepest silent.”", + "And I: “Good Leader, I but keep concealed", + "From thee my heart, that I may speak the less,", + "Nor only now hast thou thereto disposed me.”", + "“O Tuscan, thou who through the city of fire", + "Goest alive, thus speaking modestly,", + "Be pleased to stay thy footsteps in this place.", + "Thy mode of speaking makes thee manifest", + "A native of that noble fatherland,", + "To which perhaps I too molestful was.”", + "Upon a sudden issued forth this sound", + "From out one of the tombs; wherefore I pressed,", + "Fearing, a little nearer to my Leader.", + "And unto me he said: “Turn thee; what dost thou?", + "Behold there Farinata who has risen;", + "From the waist upwards wholly shalt thou see him.”", + "I had already fixed mine eyes on his,", + "And he uprose erect with breast and front", + "E’en as if Hell he had in great despite.", + "And with courageous hands and prompt my Leader", + "Thrust me between the sepulchres towards him,", + "Exclaiming, “Let thy words explicit be.”", + "As soon as I was at the foot of his tomb", + "Somewhat he eyed me, and, as if disdainful,", + "Then asked of me, “Who were thine ancestors?”", + "I, who desirous of obeying was,", + "Concealed it not, but all revealed to him;", + "Whereat he raised his brows a little upward.", + "Then said he: “Fiercely adverse have they been", + "To me, and to my fathers, and my party;", + "So that two several times I scattered them.”", + "“If they were banished, they returned on all sides,”", + "I answered him, “the first time and the second;", + "But yours have not acquired that art aright.”", + "Then there uprose upon the sight, uncovered", + "Down to the chin, a shadow at his side;", + "I think that he had risen on his knees.", + "Round me he gazed, as if solicitude", + "He had to see if some one else were with me,", + "But after his suspicion was all spent,", + "Weeping, he said to me: “If through this blind", + "Prison thou goest by loftiness of genius,", + "Where is my son? and why is he not with thee?”", + "And I to him: “I come not of myself;", + "He who is waiting yonder leads me here,", + "Whom in disdain perhaps your Guido had.”", + "His language and the mode of punishment", + "Already unto me had read his name;", + "On that account my answer was so full.", + "Up starting suddenly, he cried out: “How", + "Saidst thou,—he had? Is he not still alive?", + "Does not the sweet light strike upon his eyes?”", + "When he became aware of some delay,", + "Which I before my answer made, supine", + "He fell again, and forth appeared no more.", + "But the other, magnanimous, at whose desire", + "I had remained, did not his aspect change,", + "Neither his neck he moved, nor bent his side.", + "“And if,” continuing his first discourse,", + "“They have that art,” he said, “not learned aright,", + "That more tormenteth me, than doth this bed.", + "But fifty times shall not rekindled be", + "The countenance of the Lady who reigns here,", + "Ere thou shalt know how heavy is that art;", + "And as thou wouldst to the sweet world return,", + "Say why that people is so pitiless", + "Against my race in each one of its laws?”", + "Whence I to him: “The slaughter and great carnage", + "Which have with crimson stained the Arbia, cause", + "Such orisons in our temple to be made.”", + "After his head he with a sigh had shaken,", + "“There I was not alone,” he said, “nor surely", + "Without a cause had with the others moved.", + "But there I was alone, where every one", + "Consented to the laying waste of Florence,", + "He who defended her with open face.”", + "“Ah! so hereafter may your seed repose,”", + "I him entreated, “solve for me that knot,", + "Which has entangled my conceptions here.", + "It seems that you can see, if I hear rightly,", + "Beforehand whatsoe’er time brings with it,", + "And in the present have another mode.”", + "“We see, like those who have imperfect sight,", + "The things,” he said, “that distant are from us;", + "So much still shines on us the Sovereign Ruler.", + "When they draw near, or are, is wholly vain", + "Our intellect, and if none brings it to us,", + "Not anything know we of your human state.", + "Hence thou canst understand, that wholly dead", + "Will be our knowledge from the moment when", + "The portal of the future shall be closed.”", + "Then I, as if compunctious for my fault,", + "Said: “Now, then, you will tell that fallen one,", + "That still his son is with the living joined.", + "And if just now, in answering, I was dumb,", + "Tell him I did it because I was thinking", + "Already of the error you have solved me.”", + "And now my Master was recalling me,", + "Wherefore more eagerly I prayed the spirit", + "That he would tell me who was with him there.", + "He said: “With more than a thousand here I lie;", + "Within here is the second Frederick,", + "And the Cardinal, and of the rest I speak not.”", + "Thereon he hid himself; and I towards", + "The ancient poet turned my steps, reflecting", + "Upon that saying, which seemed hostile to me.", + "He moved along; and afterward thus going,", + "He said to me, “Why art thou so bewildered?”", + "And I in his inquiry satisfied him.", + "“Let memory preserve what thou hast heard", + "Against thyself,” that Sage commanded me,", + "“And now attend here;” and he raised his finger.", + "“When thou shalt be before the radiance sweet", + "Of her whose beauteous eyes all things behold,", + "From her thou’lt know the journey of thy life.”", + "Unto the left hand then he turned his feet;", + "We left the wall, and went towards the middle,", + "Along a path that strikes into a valley,", + "Which even up there unpleasant made its stench." + ], + "11": [ + "Upon the margin of a lofty bank", + "Which great rocks broken in a circle made,", + "We came upon a still more cruel throng;", + "And there, by reason of the horrible", + "Excess of stench the deep abyss throws out,", + "We drew ourselves aside behind the cover", + "Of a great tomb, whereon I saw a writing,", + "Which said: “Pope Anastasius I hold,", + "Whom out of the right way Photinus drew.”", + "“Slow it behoveth our descent to be,", + "So that the sense be first a little used", + "To the sad blast, and then we shall not heed it.”", + "The Master thus; and unto him I said,", + "“Some compensation find, that the time pass not", + "Idly;” and he: “Thou seest I think of that.", + "My son, upon the inside of these rocks,”", + "Began he then to say, “are three small circles,", + "From grade to grade, like those which thou art leaving.", + "They all are full of spirits maledict;", + "But that hereafter sight alone suffice thee,", + "Hear how and wherefore they are in constraint.", + "Of every malice that wins hate in Heaven,", + "Injury is the end; and all such end", + "Either by force or fraud afflicteth others.", + "But because fraud is man’s peculiar vice,", + "More it displeases God; and so stand lowest", + "The fraudulent, and greater dole assails them.", + "All the first circle of the Violent is;", + "But since force may be used against three persons,", + "In three rounds ’tis divided and constructed.", + "To God, to ourselves, and to our neighbour can we", + "Use force; I say on them and on their things,", + "As thou shalt hear with reason manifest.", + "A death by violence, and painful wounds,", + "Are to our neighbour given; and in his substance", + "Ruin, and arson, and injurious levies;", + "Whence homicides, and he who smites unjustly,", + "Marauders, and freebooters, the first round", + "Tormenteth all in companies diverse.", + "Man may lay violent hands upon himself", + "And his own goods; and therefore in the second", + "Round must perforce without avail repent", + "Whoever of your world deprives himself,", + "Who games, and dissipates his property,", + "And weepeth there, where he should jocund be.", + "Violence can be done the Deity,", + "In heart denying and blaspheming Him,", + "And by disdaining Nature and her bounty.", + "And for this reason doth the smallest round", + "Seal with its signet Sodom and Cahors,", + "And who, disdaining God, speaks from the heart.", + "Fraud, wherewithal is every conscience stung,", + "A man may practise upon him who trusts,", + "And him who doth no confidence imburse.", + "This latter mode, it would appear, dissevers", + "Only the bond of love which Nature makes;", + "Wherefore within the second circle nestle", + "Hypocrisy, flattery, and who deals in magic,", + "Falsification, theft, and simony,", + "Panders, and barrators, and the like filth.", + "By the other mode, forgotten is that love", + "Which Nature makes, and what is after added,", + "From which there is a special faith engendered.", + "Hence in the smallest circle, where the point is", + "Of the Universe, upon which Dis is seated,", + "Whoe’er betrays for ever is consumed.”", + "And I: “My Master, clear enough proceeds", + "Thy reasoning, and full well distinguishes", + "This cavern and the people who possess it.", + "But tell me, those within the fat lagoon,", + "Whom the wind drives, and whom the rain doth beat,", + "And who encounter with such bitter tongues,", + "Wherefore are they inside of the red city", + "Not punished, if God has them in his wrath,", + "And if he has not, wherefore in such fashion?”", + "And unto me he said: “Why wanders so", + "Thine intellect from that which it is wont?", + "Or, sooth, thy mind where is it elsewhere looking?", + "Hast thou no recollection of those words", + "With which thine Ethics thoroughly discusses", + "The dispositions three, that Heaven abides not,—", + "Incontinence, and Malice, and insane", + "Bestiality? and how Incontinence", + "Less God offendeth, and less blame attracts?", + "If thou regardest this conclusion well,", + "And to thy mind recallest who they are", + "That up outside are undergoing penance,", + "Clearly wilt thou perceive why from these felons", + "They separated are, and why less wroth", + "Justice divine doth smite them with its hammer.”", + "“O Sun, that healest all distempered vision,", + "Thou dost content me so, when thou resolvest,", + "That doubting pleases me no less than knowing!", + "Once more a little backward turn thee,” said I,", + "“There where thou sayest that usury offends", + "Goodness divine, and disengage the knot.”", + "“Philosophy,” he said, “to him who heeds it,", + "Noteth, not only in one place alone,", + "After what manner Nature takes her course", + "From Intellect Divine, and from its art;", + "And if thy Physics carefully thou notest,", + "After not many pages shalt thou find,", + "That this your art as far as possible", + "Follows, as the disciple doth the master;", + "So that your art is, as it were, God’s grandchild.", + "From these two, if thou bringest to thy mind", + "Genesis at the beginning, it behoves", + "Mankind to gain their life and to advance;", + "And since the usurer takes another way,", + "Nature herself and in her follower", + "Disdains he, for elsewhere he puts his hope.", + "But follow, now, as I would fain go on,", + "For quivering are the Fishes on the horizon,", + "And the Wain wholly over Caurus lies,", + "And far beyond there we descend the crag.”" + ], + "12": [ + "The place where to descend the bank we came", + "Was alpine, and from what was there, moreover,", + "Of such a kind that every eye would shun it.", + "Such as that ruin is which in the flank", + "Smote, on this side of Trent, the Adige,", + "Either by earthquake or by failing stay,", + "For from the mountain’s top, from which it moved,", + "Unto the plain the cliff is shattered so,", + "Some path ’twould give to him who was above;", + "Even such was the descent of that ravine,", + "And on the border of the broken chasm", + "The infamy of Crete was stretched along,", + "Who was conceived in the fictitious cow;", + "And when he us beheld, he bit himself,", + "Even as one whom anger racks within.", + "My Sage towards him shouted: “Peradventure", + "Thou think’st that here may be the Duke of Athens,", + "Who in the world above brought death to thee?", + "Get thee gone, beast, for this one cometh not", + "Instructed by thy sister, but he comes", + "In order to behold your punishments.”", + "As is that bull who breaks loose at the moment", + "In which he has received the mortal blow,", + "Who cannot walk, but staggers here and there,", + "The Minotaur beheld I do the like;", + "And he, the wary, cried: “Run to the passage;", + "While he wroth, ’tis well thou shouldst descend.”", + "Thus down we took our way o’er that discharge", + "Of stones, which oftentimes did move themselves", + "Beneath my feet, from the unwonted burden.", + "Thoughtful I went; and he said: “Thou art thinking", + "Perhaps upon this ruin, which is guarded", + "By that brute anger which just now I quenched.", + "Now will I have thee know, the other time", + "I here descended to the nether Hell,", + "This precipice had not yet fallen down.", + "But truly, if I well discern, a little", + "Before His coming who the mighty spoil", + "Bore off from Dis, in the supernal circle,", + "Upon all sides the deep and loathsome valley", + "Trembled so, that I thought the Universe", + "Was thrilled with love, by which there are who think", + "The world ofttimes converted into chaos;", + "And at that moment this primeval crag", + "Both here and elsewhere made such overthrow.", + "But fix thine eyes below; for draweth near", + "The river of blood, within which boiling is", + "Whoe’er by violence doth injure others.”", + "O blind cupidity, O wrath insane,", + "That spurs us onward so in our short life,", + "And in the eternal then so badly steeps us!", + "I saw an ample moat bent like a bow,", + "As one which all the plain encompasses,", + "Conformable to what my Guide had said.", + "And between this and the embankment’s foot", + "Centaurs in file were running, armed with arrows,", + "As in the world they used the chase to follow.", + "Beholding us descend, each one stood still,", + "And from the squadron three detached themselves,", + "With bows and arrows in advance selected;", + "And from afar one cried: “Unto what torment", + "Come ye, who down the hillside are descending?", + "Tell us from there; if not, I draw the bow.”", + "My Master said: “Our answer will we make", + "To Chiron, near you there; in evil hour,", + "That will of thine was evermore so hasty.”", + "Then touched he me, and said: “This one is Nessus,", + "Who perished for the lovely Dejanira,", + "And for himself, himself did vengeance take.", + "And he in the midst, who at his breast is gazing,", + "Is the great Chiron, who brought up Achilles;", + "That other Pholus is, who was so wrathful.", + "Thousands and thousands go about the moat", + "Shooting with shafts whatever soul emerges", + "Out of the blood, more than his crime allots.”", + "Near we approached unto those monsters fleet;", + "Chiron an arrow took, and with the notch", + "Backward upon his jaws he put his beard.", + "After he had uncovered his great mouth,", + "He said to his companions: “Are you ware", + "That he behind moveth whate’er he touches?", + "Thus are not wont to do the feet of dead men.”", + "And my good Guide, who now was at his breast,", + "Where the two natures are together joined,", + "Replied: “Indeed he lives, and thus alone", + "Me it behoves to show him the dark valley;", + "Necessity, and not delight, impels us.", + "Some one withdrew from singing Halleluja,", + "Who unto me committed this new office;", + "No thief is he, nor I a thievish spirit.", + "But by that virtue through which I am moving", + "My steps along this savage thoroughfare,", + "Give us some one of thine, to be with us,", + "And who may show us where to pass the ford,", + "And who may carry this one on his back;", + "For ’tis no spirit that can walk the air.”", + "Upon his right breast Chiron wheeled about,", + "And said to Nessus: “Turn and do thou guide them,", + "And warn aside, if other band may meet you.”", + "We with our faithful escort onward moved", + "Along the brink of the vermilion boiling,", + "Wherein the boiled were uttering loud laments.", + "People I saw within up to the eyebrows,", + "And the great Centaur said: “Tyrants are these,", + "Who dealt in bloodshed and in pillaging.", + "Here they lament their pitiless mischiefs; here", + "Is Alexander, and fierce Dionysius", + "Who upon Sicily brought dolorous years.", + "That forehead there which has the hair so black", + "Is Azzolin; and the other who is blond,", + "Obizzo is of Esti, who, in truth,", + "Up in the world was by his stepson slain.”", + "Then turned I to the Poet; and he said,", + "“Now he be first to thee, and second I.”", + "A little farther on the Centaur stopped", + "Above a folk, who far down as the throat", + "Seemed from that boiling stream to issue forth.", + "A shade he showed us on one side alone,", + "Saying: “He cleft asunder in God’s bosom", + "The heart that still upon the Thames is honoured.”", + "Then people saw I, who from out the river", + "Lifted their heads and also all the chest;", + "And many among these I recognised.", + "Thus ever more and more grew shallower", + "That blood, so that the feet alone it covered;", + "And there across the moat our passage was.", + "“Even as thou here upon this side beholdest", + "The boiling stream, that aye diminishes,”", + "The Centaur said, “I wish thee to believe", + "That on this other more and more declines", + "Its bed, until it reunites itself", + "Where it behoveth tyranny to groan.", + "Justice divine, upon this side, is goading", + "That Attila, who was a scourge on earth,", + "And Pyrrhus, and Sextus; and for ever milks", + "The tears which with the boiling it unseals", + "In Rinier da Corneto and Rinier Pazzo,", + "Who made upon the highways so much war.”", + "Then back he turned, and passed again the ford." + ], + "13": [ + "Not yet had Nessus reached the other side,", + "When we had put ourselves within a wood,", + "That was not marked by any path whatever.", + "Not foliage green, but of a dusky colour,", + "Not branches smooth, but gnarled and intertangled,", + "Not apple-trees were there, but thorns with poison.", + "Such tangled thickets have not, nor so dense,", + "Those savage wild beasts, that in hatred hold", + "’Twixt Cecina and Corneto the tilled places.", + "There do the hideous Harpies make their nests,", + "Who chased the Trojans from the Strophades,", + "With sad announcement of impending doom;", + "Broad wings have they, and necks and faces human,", + "And feet with claws, and their great bellies fledged;", + "They make laments upon the wondrous trees.", + "And the good Master: “Ere thou enter farther,", + "Know that thou art within the second round,”", + "Thus he began to say, “and shalt be, till", + "Thou comest out upon the horrible sand;", + "Therefore look well around, and thou shalt see", + "Things that will credence give unto my speech.”", + "I heard on all sides lamentations uttered,", + "And person none beheld I who might make them,", + "Whence, utterly bewildered, I stood still.", + "I think he thought that I perhaps might think", + "So many voices issued through those trunks", + "From people who concealed themselves from us;", + "Therefore the Master said: “If thou break off", + "Some little spray from any of these trees,", + "The thoughts thou hast will wholly be made vain.”", + "Then stretched I forth my hand a little forward,", + "And plucked a branchlet off from a great thorn;", + "And the trunk cried, “Why dost thou mangle me?”", + "After it had become embrowned with blood,", + "It recommenced its cry: “Why dost thou rend me?", + "Hast thou no spirit of pity whatsoever?", + "Men once we were, and now are changed to trees;", + "Indeed, thy hand should be more pitiful,", + "Even if the souls of serpents we had been.”", + "As out of a green brand, that is on fire", + "At one of the ends, and from the other drips", + "And hisses with the wind that is escaping;", + "So from that splinter issued forth together", + "Both words and blood; whereat I let the tip", + "Fall, and stood like a man who is afraid.", + "“Had he been able sooner to believe,”", + "My Sage made answer, “O thou wounded soul,", + "What only in my verses he has seen,", + "Not upon thee had he stretched forth his hand;", + "Whereas the thing incredible has caused me", + "To put him to an act which grieveth me.", + "But tell him who thou wast, so that by way", + "Of some amends thy fame he may refresh", + "Up in the world, to which he can return.”", + "And the trunk said: “So thy sweet words allure me,", + "I cannot silent be; and you be vexed not,", + "That I a little to discourse am tempted.", + "I am the one who both keys had in keeping", + "Of Frederick’s heart, and turned them to and fro", + "So softly in unlocking and in locking,", + "That from his secrets most men I withheld;", + "Fidelity I bore the glorious office", + "So great, I lost thereby my sleep and pulses.", + "The courtesan who never from the dwelling", + "Of Caesar turned aside her strumpet eyes,", + "Death universal and the vice of courts,", + "Inflamed against me all the other minds,", + "And they, inflamed, did so inflame Augustus,", + "That my glad honours turned to dismal mournings.", + "My spirit, in disdainful exultation,", + "Thinking by dying to escape disdain,", + "Made me unjust against myself, the just.", + "I, by the roots unwonted of this wood,", + "Do swear to you that never broke I faith", + "Unto my lord, who was so worthy of honour;", + "And to the world if one of you return,", + "Let him my memory comfort, which is lying", + "Still prostrate from the blow that envy dealt it.”", + "Waited awhile, and then: “Since he is silent,”", + "The Poet said to me, “lose not the time,", + "But speak, and question him, if more may please thee.”", + "Whence I to him: “Do thou again inquire", + "Concerning what thou thinks’t will satisfy me;", + "For I cannot, such pity is in my heart.”", + "Therefore he recommenced: “So may the man", + "Do for thee freely what thy speech implores,", + "Spirit incarcerate, again be pleased", + "To tell us in what way the soul is bound", + "Within these knots; and tell us, if thou canst,", + "If any from such members e’er is freed.”", + "Then blew the trunk amain, and afterward", + "The wind was into such a voice converted:", + "“With brevity shall be replied to you.", + "When the exasperated soul abandons", + "The body whence it rent itself away,", + "Minos consigns it to the seventh abyss.", + "It falls into the forest, and no part", + "Is chosen for it; but where Fortune hurls it,", + "There like a grain of spelt it germinates.", + "It springs a sapling, and a forest tree;", + "The Harpies, feeding then upon its leaves,", + "Do pain create, and for the pain an outlet.", + "Like others for our spoils shall we return;", + "But not that any one may them revest,", + "For ’tis not just to have what one casts off.", + "Here we shall drag them, and along the dismal", + "Forest our bodies shall suspended be,", + "Each to the thorn of his molested shade.”", + "We were attentive still unto the trunk,", + "Thinking that more it yet might wish to tell us,", + "When by a tumult we were overtaken,", + "In the same way as he is who perceives", + "The boar and chase approaching to his stand,", + "Who hears the crashing of the beasts and branches;", + "And two behold! upon our left-hand side,", + "Naked and scratched, fleeing so furiously,", + "That of the forest, every fan they broke.", + "He who was in advance: “Now help, Death, help!”", + "And the other one, who seemed to lag too much,", + "Was shouting: “Lano, were not so alert", + "Those legs of thine at joustings of the Toppo!”", + "And then, perchance because his breath was failing,", + "He grouped himself together with a bush.", + "Behind them was the forest full of black", + "She-mastiffs, ravenous, and swift of foot", + "As greyhounds, who are issuing from the chain.", + "On him who had crouched down they set their teeth,", + "And him they lacerated piece by piece,", + "Thereafter bore away those aching members.", + "Thereat my Escort took me by the hand,", + "And led me to the bush, that all in vain", + "Was weeping from its bloody lacerations.", + "“O Jacopo,” it said, “of Sant’ Andrea,", + "What helped it thee of me to make a screen?", + "What blame have I in thy nefarious life?”", + "When near him had the Master stayed his steps,", + "He said: “Who wast thou, that through wounds so many", + "Art blowing out with blood thy dolorous speech?”", + "And he to us: “O souls, that hither come", + "To look upon the shameful massacre", + "That has so rent away from me my leaves,", + "Gather them up beneath the dismal bush;", + "I of that city was which to the Baptist", + "Changed its first patron, wherefore he for this", + "Forever with his art will make it sad.", + "And were it not that on the pass of Arno", + "Some glimpses of him are remaining still,", + "Those citizens, who afterwards rebuilt it", + "Upon the ashes left by Attila,", + "In vain had caused their labour to be done.", + "Of my own house I made myself a gibbet.”" + ], + "14": [ + "Because the charity of my native place", + "Constrained me, gathered I the scattered leaves,", + "And gave them back to him, who now was hoarse.", + "Then came we to the confine, where disparted", + "The second round is from the third, and where", + "A horrible form of Justice is beheld.", + "Clearly to manifest these novel things,", + "I say that we arrived upon a plain,", + "Which from its bed rejecteth every plant;", + "The dolorous forest is a garland to it", + "All round about, as the sad moat to that;", + "There close upon the edge we stayed our feet.", + "The soil was of an arid and thick sand,", + "Not of another fashion made than that", + "Which by the feet of Cato once was pressed.", + "Vengeance of God, O how much oughtest thou", + "By each one to be dreaded, who doth read", + "That which was manifest unto mine eyes!", + "Of naked souls beheld I many herds,", + "Who all were weeping very miserably,", + "And over them seemed set a law diverse.", + "Supine upon the ground some folk were lying;", + "And some were sitting all drawn up together,", + "And others went about continually.", + "Those who were going round were far the more,", + "And those were less who lay down to their torment,", + "But had their tongues more loosed to lamentation.", + "O’er all the sand-waste, with a gradual fall,", + "Were raining down dilated flakes of fire,", + "As of the snow on Alp without a wind.", + "As Alexander, in those torrid parts", + "Of India, beheld upon his host", + "Flames fall unbroken till they reached the ground.", + "Whence he provided with his phalanxes", + "To trample down the soil, because the vapour", + "Better extinguished was while it was single;", + "Thus was descending the eternal heat,", + "Whereby the sand was set on fire, like tinder", + "Beneath the steel, for doubling of the dole.", + "Without repose forever was the dance", + "Of miserable hands, now there, now here,", + "Shaking away from off them the fresh gleeds.", + "“Master,” began I, “thou who overcomest", + "All things except the demons dire, that issued", + "Against us at the entrance of the gate,", + "Who is that mighty one who seems to heed not", + "The fire, and lieth lowering and disdainful,", + "So that the rain seems not to ripen him?”", + "And he himself, who had become aware", + "That I was questioning my Guide about him,", + "Cried: “Such as I was living, am I, dead.", + "If Jove should weary out his smith, from whom", + "He seized in anger the sharp thunderbolt,", + "Wherewith upon the last day I was smitten,", + "And if he wearied out by turns the others", + "In Mongibello at the swarthy forge,", + "Vociferating, ‘Help, good Vulcan, help!’", + "Even as he did there at the fight of Phlegra,", + "And shot his bolts at me with all his might,", + "He would not have thereby a joyous vengeance.”", + "Then did my Leader speak with such great force,", + "That I had never heard him speak so loud:", + "“O Capaneus, in that is not extinguished", + "Thine arrogance, thou punished art the more;", + "Not any torment, saving thine own rage,", + "Would be unto thy fury pain complete.”", + "Then he turned round to me with better lip,", + "Saying: “One of the Seven Kings was he", + "Who Thebes besieged, and held, and seems to hold", + "God in disdain, and little seems to prize him;", + "But, as I said to him, his own despites", + "Are for his breast the fittest ornaments.", + "Now follow me, and mind thou do not place", + "As yet thy feet upon the burning sand,", + "But always keep them close unto the wood.”", + "Speaking no word, we came to where there gushes", + "Forth from the wood a little rivulet,", + "Whose redness makes my hair still stand on end.", + "As from the Bulicame springs the brooklet,", + "The sinful women later share among them,", + "So downward through the sand it went its way.", + "The bottom of it, and both sloping banks,", + "Were made of stone, and the margins at the side;", + "Whence I perceived that there the passage was.", + "“In all the rest which I have shown to thee", + "Since we have entered in within the gate", + "Whose threshold unto no one is denied,", + "Nothing has been discovered by thine eyes", + "So notable as is the present river,", + "Which all the little flames above it quenches.”", + "These words were of my Leader; whence I prayed him", + "That he would give me largess of the food,", + "For which he had given me largess of desire.", + "“In the mid-sea there sits a wasted land,”", + "Said he thereafterward, “whose name is Crete,", + "Under whose king the world of old was chaste.", + "There is a mountain there, that once was glad", + "With waters and with leaves, which was called Ida;", + "Now ’tis deserted, as a thing worn out.", + "Rhea once chose it for the faithful cradle", + "Of her own son; and to conceal him better,", + "Whene’er he cried, she there had clamours made.", + "A grand old man stands in the mount erect,", + "Who holds his shoulders turned tow’rds Damietta,", + "And looks at Rome as if it were his mirror.", + "His head is fashioned of refined gold,", + "And of pure silver are the arms and breast;", + "Then he is brass as far down as the fork.", + "From that point downward all is chosen iron,", + "Save that the right foot is of kiln-baked clay,", + "And more he stands on that than on the other.", + "Each part, except the gold, is by a fissure", + "Asunder cleft, that dripping is with tears,", + "Which gathered together perforate that cavern.", + "From rock to rock they fall into this valley;", + "Acheron, Styx, and Phlegethon they form;", + "Then downward go along this narrow sluice", + "Unto that point where is no more descending.", + "They form Cocytus; what that pool may be", + "Thou shalt behold, so here ’tis not narrated.”", + "And I to him: “If so the present runnel", + "Doth take its rise in this way from our world,", + "Why only on this verge appears it to us?”", + "And he to me: “Thou knowest the place is round,", + "And notwithstanding thou hast journeyed far,", + "Still to the left descending to the bottom,", + "Thou hast not yet through all the circle turned.", + "Therefore if something new appear to us,", + "It should not bring amazement to thy face.”", + "And I again: “Master, where shall be found", + "Lethe and Phlegethon, for of one thou’rt silent,", + "And sayest the other of this rain is made?”", + "“In all thy questions truly thou dost please me,”", + "Replied he; “but the boiling of the red", + "Water might well solve one of them thou makest.", + "Thou shalt see Lethe, but outside this moat,", + "There where the souls repair to lave themselves,", + "When sin repented of has been removed.”", + "Then said he: “It is time now to abandon", + "The wood; take heed that thou come after me;", + "A way the margins make that are not burning,", + "And over them all vapours are extinguished.”" + ], + "15": [ + "Now bears us onward one of the hard margins,", + "And so the brooklet’s mist o’ershadows it,", + "From fire it saves the water and the dikes.", + "Even as the Flemings, ’twixt Cadsand and Bruges,", + "Fearing the flood that tow’rds them hurls itself,", + "Their bulwarks build to put the sea to flight;", + "And as the Paduans along the Brenta,", + "To guard their villas and their villages,", + "Or ever Chiarentana feel the heat;", + "In such similitude had those been made,", + "Albeit not so lofty nor so thick,", + "Whoever he might be, the master made them.", + "Now were we from the forest so remote,", + "I could not have discovered where it was,", + "Even if backward I had turned myself,", + "When we a company of souls encountered,", + "Who came beside the dike, and every one", + "Gazed at us, as at evening we are wont", + "To eye each other under a new moon,", + "And so towards us sharpened they their brows", + "As an old tailor at the needle’s eye.", + "Thus scrutinised by such a family,", + "By some one I was recognised, who seized", + "My garment’s hem, and cried out, “What a marvel!”", + "And I, when he stretched forth his arm to me,", + "On his baked aspect fastened so mine eyes,", + "That the scorched countenance prevented not", + "His recognition by my intellect;", + "And bowing down my face unto his own,", + "I made reply, “Are you here, Ser Brunetto?”", + "And he: “May’t not displease thee, O my son,", + "If a brief space with thee Brunetto Latini", + "Backward return and let the trail go on.”", + "I said to him: “With all my power I ask it;", + "And if you wish me to sit down with you,", + "I will, if he please, for I go with him.”", + "“O son,” he said, “whoever of this herd", + "A moment stops, lies then a hundred years,", + "Nor fans himself when smiteth him the fire.", + "Therefore go on; I at thy skirts will come,", + "And afterward will I rejoin my band,", + "Which goes lamenting its eternal doom.”", + "I did not dare to go down from the road", + "Level to walk with him; but my head bowed", + "I held as one who goeth reverently.", + "And he began: “What fortune or what fate", + "Before the last day leadeth thee down here?", + "And who is this that showeth thee the way?”", + "“Up there above us in the life serene,”", + "I answered him, “I lost me in a valley,", + "Or ever yet my age had been completed.", + "But yestermorn I turned my back upon it;", + "This one appeared to me, returning thither,", + "And homeward leadeth me along this road.”", + "And he to me: “If thou thy star do follow,", + "Thou canst not fail thee of a glorious port,", + "If well I judged in the life beautiful.", + "And if I had not died so prematurely,", + "Seeing Heaven thus benignant unto thee,", + "I would have given thee comfort in the work.", + "But that ungrateful and malignant people,", + "Which of old time from Fesole descended,", + "And smacks still of the mountain and the granite,", + "Will make itself, for thy good deeds, thy foe;", + "And it is right; for among crabbed sorbs", + "It ill befits the sweet fig to bear fruit.", + "Old rumour in the world proclaims them blind;", + "A people avaricious, envious, proud;", + "Take heed that of their customs thou do cleanse thee.", + "Thy fortune so much honour doth reserve thee,", + "One party and the other shall be hungry", + "For thee; but far from goat shall be the grass.", + "Their litter let the beasts of Fesole", + "Make of themselves, nor let them touch the plant,", + "If any still upon their dunghill rise,", + "In which may yet revive the consecrated", + "Seed of those Romans, who remained there when", + "The nest of such great malice it became.”", + "“If my entreaty wholly were fulfilled,”", + "Replied I to him, “not yet would you be", + "In banishment from human nature placed;", + "For in my mind is fixed, and touches now", + "My heart the dear and good paternal image", + "Of you, when in the world from hour to hour", + "You taught me how a man becomes eternal;", + "And how much I am grateful, while I live", + "Behoves that in my language be discerned.", + "What you narrate of my career I write,", + "And keep it to be glossed with other text", + "By a Lady who can do it, if I reach her.", + "This much will I have manifest to you;", + "Provided that my conscience do not chide me,", + "For whatsoever Fortune I am ready.", + "Such handsel is not new unto mine ears;", + "Therefore let Fortune turn her wheel around", + "As it may please her, and the churl his mattock.”", + "My Master thereupon on his right cheek", + "Did backward turn himself, and looked at me;", + "Then said: “He listeneth well who noteth it.”", + "Nor speaking less on that account, I go", + "With Ser Brunetto, and I ask who are", + "His most known and most eminent companions.", + "And he to me: “To know of some is well;", + "Of others it were laudable to be silent,", + "For short would be the time for so much speech.", + "Know them in sum, that all of them were clerks,", + "And men of letters great and of great fame,", + "In the world tainted with the selfsame sin.", + "Priscian goes yonder with that wretched crowd,", + "And Francis of Accorso; and thou hadst seen there", + "If thou hadst had a hankering for such scurf,", + "That one, who by the Servant of the Servants", + "From Arno was transferred to Bacchiglione,", + "Where he has left his sin-excited nerves.", + "More would I say, but coming and discoursing", + "Can be no longer; for that I behold", + "New smoke uprising yonder from the sand.", + "A people comes with whom I may not be;", + "Commended unto thee be my Tesoro,", + "In which I still live, and no more I ask.”", + "Then he turned round, and seemed to be of those", + "Who at Verona run for the Green Mantle", + "Across the plain; and seemed to be among them", + "The one who wins, and not the one who loses." + ], + "16": [ + "Now was I where was heard the reverberation", + "Of water falling into the next round,", + "Like to that humming which the beehives make,", + "When shadows three together started forth,", + "Running, from out a company that passed", + "Beneath the rain of the sharp martyrdom.", + "Towards us came they, and each one cried out:", + "“Stop, thou; for by thy garb to us thou seemest", + "To be some one of our depraved city.”", + "Ah me! what wounds I saw upon their limbs,", + "Recent and ancient by the flames burnt in!", + "It pains me still but to remember it.", + "Unto their cries my Teacher paused attentive;", + "He turned his face towards me, and “Now wait,”", + "He said; “to these we should be courteous.", + "And if it were not for the fire that darts", + "The nature of this region, I should say", + "That haste were more becoming thee than them.”", + "As soon as we stood still, they recommenced", + "The old refrain, and when they overtook us,", + "Formed of themselves a wheel, all three of them.", + "As champions stripped and oiled are wont to do,", + "Watching for their advantage and their hold,", + "Before they come to blows and thrusts between them,", + "Thus, wheeling round, did every one his visage", + "Direct to me, so that in opposite wise", + "His neck and feet continual journey made.", + "And, “If the misery of this soft place", + "Bring in disdain ourselves and our entreaties,”", + "Began one, “and our aspect black and blistered,", + "Let the renown of us thy mind incline", + "To tell us who thou art, who thus securely", + "Thy living feet dost move along through Hell.", + "He in whose footprints thou dost see me treading,", + "Naked and skinless though he now may go,", + "Was of a greater rank than thou dost think;", + "He was the grandson of the good Gualdrada;", + "His name was Guidoguerra, and in life", + "Much did he with his wisdom and his sword.", + "The other, who close by me treads the sand,", + "Tegghiaio Aldobrandi is, whose fame", + "Above there in the world should welcome be.", + "And I, who with them on the cross am placed,", + "Jacopo Rusticucci was; and truly", + "My savage wife, more than aught else, doth harm me.”", + "Could I have been protected from the fire,", + "Below I should have thrown myself among them,", + "And think the Teacher would have suffered it;", + "But as I should have burned and baked myself,", + "My terror overmastered my good will,", + "Which made me greedy of embracing them.", + "Then I began: “Sorrow and not disdain", + "Did your condition fix within me so,", + "That tardily it wholly is stripped off,", + "As soon as this my Lord said unto me", + "Words, on account of which I thought within me", + "That people such as you are were approaching.", + "I of your city am; and evermore", + "Your labours and your honourable names", + "I with affection have retraced and heard.", + "I leave the gall, and go for the sweet fruits", + "Promised to me by the veracious Leader;", + "But to the centre first I needs must plunge.”", + "“So may the soul for a long while conduct", + "Those limbs of thine,” did he make answer then,", + "“And so may thy renown shine after thee,", + "Valour and courtesy, say if they dwell", + "Within our city, as they used to do,", + "Or if they wholly have gone out of it;", + "For Guglielmo Borsier, who is in torment", + "With us of late, and goes there with his comrades,", + "Doth greatly mortify us with his words.”", + "“The new inhabitants and the sudden gains,", + "Pride and extravagance have in thee engendered,", + "Florence, so that thou weep’st thereat already!”", + "In this wise I exclaimed with face uplifted;", + "And the three, taking that for my reply,", + "Looked at each other, as one looks at truth.", + "“If other times so little it doth cost thee,”", + "Replied they all, “to satisfy another,", + "Happy art thou, thus speaking at thy will!", + "Therefore, if thou escape from these dark places,", + "And come to rebehold the beauteous stars,", + "When it shall pleasure thee to say, ‘I was,’", + "See that thou speak of us unto the people.”", + "Then they broke up the wheel, and in their flight", + "It seemed as if their agile legs were wings.", + "Not an Amen could possibly be said", + "So rapidly as they had disappeared;", + "Wherefore the Master deemed best to depart.", + "I followed him, and little had we gone,", + "Before the sound of water was so near us,", + "That speaking we should hardly have been heard.", + "Even as that stream which holdeth its own course", + "The first from Monte Veso tow’rds the East,", + "Upon the left-hand slope of Apennine,", + "Which is above called Acquacheta, ere", + "It down descendeth into its low bed,", + "And at Forli is vacant of that name,", + "Reverberates there above San Benedetto", + "From Alps, by falling at a single leap,", + "Where for a thousand there were room enough;", + "Thus downward from a bank precipitate,", + "We found resounding that dark-tinted water,", + "So that it soon the ear would have offended.", + "I had a cord around about me girt,", + "And therewithal I whilom had designed", + "To take the panther with the painted skin.", + "After I this had all from me unloosed,", + "As my Conductor had commanded me,", + "I reached it to him, gathered up and coiled,", + "Whereat he turned himself to the right side,", + "And at a little distance from the verge,", + "He cast it down into that deep abyss.", + "“It must needs be some novelty respond,”", + "I said within myself, “to the new signal", + "The Master with his eye is following so.”", + "Ah me! how very cautious men should be", + "With those who not alone behold the act,", + "But with their wisdom look into the thoughts!", + "He said to me: “Soon there will upward come", + "What I await; and what thy thought is dreaming", + "Must soon reveal itself unto thy sight.”", + "Aye to that truth which has the face of falsehood,", + "A man should close his lips as far as may be,", + "Because without his fault it causes shame;", + "But here I cannot; and, Reader, by the notes", + "Of this my Comedy to thee I swear,", + "So may they not be void of lasting favour,", + "Athwart that dense and darksome atmosphere", + "I saw a figure swimming upward come,", + "Marvellous unto every steadfast heart,", + "Even as he returns who goeth down", + "Sometimes to clear an anchor, which has grappled", + "Reef, or aught else that in the sea is hidden,", + "Who upward stretches, and draws in his feet." + ], + "17": [ + "“Behold the monster with the pointed tail,", + "Who cleaves the hills, and breaketh walls and weapons,", + "Behold him who infecteth all the world.”", + "Thus unto me my Guide began to say,", + "And beckoned him that he should come to shore,", + "Near to the confine of the trodden marble;", + "And that uncleanly image of deceit", + "Came up and thrust ashore its head and bust,", + "But on the border did not drag its tail.", + "The face was as the face of a just man,", + "Its semblance outwardly was so benign,", + "And of a serpent all the trunk beside.", + "Two paws it had, hairy unto the armpits;", + "The back, and breast, and both the sides it had", + "Depicted o’er with nooses and with shields.", + "With colours more, groundwork or broidery", + "Never in cloth did Tartars make nor Turks,", + "Nor were such tissues by Arachne laid.", + "As sometimes wherries lie upon the shore,", + "That part are in the water, part on land;", + "And as among the guzzling Germans there,", + "The beaver plants himself to wage his war;", + "So that vile monster lay upon the border,", + "Which is of stone, and shutteth in the sand.", + "His tail was wholly quivering in the void,", + "Contorting upwards the envenomed fork,", + "That in the guise of scorpion armed its point.", + "The Guide said: “Now perforce must turn aside", + "Our way a little, even to that beast", + "Malevolent, that yonder coucheth him.”", + "We therefore on the right side descended,", + "And made ten steps upon the outer verge,", + "Completely to avoid the sand and flame;", + "And after we are come to him, I see", + "A little farther off upon the sand", + "A people sitting near the hollow place.", + "Then said to me the Master: “So that full", + "Experience of this round thou bear away,", + "Now go and see what their condition is.", + "There let thy conversation be concise;", + "Till thou returnest I will speak with him,", + "That he concede to us his stalwart shoulders.”", + "Thus farther still upon the outermost", + "Head of that seventh circle all alone", + "I went, where sat the melancholy folk.", + "Out of their eyes was gushing forth their woe;", + "This way, that way, they helped them with their hands", + "Now from the flames and now from the hot soil.", + "Not otherwise in summer do the dogs,", + "Now with the foot, now with the muzzle, when", + "By fleas, or flies, or gadflies, they are bitten.", + "When I had turned mine eyes upon the faces", + "Of some, on whom the dolorous fire is falling,", + "Not one of them I knew; but I perceived", + "That from the neck of each there hung a pouch,", + "Which certain colour had, and certain blazon;", + "And thereupon it seems their eyes are feeding.", + "And as I gazing round me come among them,", + "Upon a yellow pouch I azure saw", + "That had the face and posture of a lion.", + "Proceeding then the current of my sight,", + "Another of them saw I, red as blood,", + "Display a goose more white than butter is.", + "And one, who with an azure sow and gravid", + "Emblazoned had his little pouch of white,", + "Said unto me: “What dost thou in this moat?", + "Now get thee gone; and since thou’rt still alive,", + "Know that a neighbour of mine, Vitaliano,", + "Will have his seat here on my left-hand side.", + "A Paduan am I with these Florentines;", + "Full many a time they thunder in mine ears,", + "Exclaiming, ‘Come the sovereign cavalier,", + "He who shall bring the satchel with three goats;’”", + "Then twisted he his mouth, and forth he thrust", + "His tongue, like to an ox that licks its nose.", + "And fearing lest my longer stay might vex", + "Him who had warned me not to tarry long,", + "Backward I turned me from those weary souls.", + "I found my Guide, who had already mounted", + "Upon the back of that wild animal,", + "And said to me: “Now be both strong and bold.", + "Now we descend by stairways such as these;", + "Mount thou in front, for I will be midway,", + "So that the tail may have no power to harm thee.”", + "Such as he is who has so near the ague", + "Of quartan that his nails are blue already,", + "And trembles all, but looking at the shade;", + "Even such became I at those proffered words;", + "But shame in me his menaces produced,", + "Which maketh servant strong before good master.", + "I seated me upon those monstrous shoulders;", + "I wished to say, and yet the voice came not", + "As I believed, “Take heed that thou embrace me.”", + "But he, who other times had rescued me", + "In other peril, soon as I had mounted,", + "Within his arms encircled and sustained me,", + "And said: “Now, Geryon, bestir thyself;", + "The circles large, and the descent be little;", + "Think of the novel burden which thou hast.”", + "Even as the little vessel shoves from shore,", + "Backward, still backward, so he thence withdrew;", + "And when he wholly felt himself afloat,", + "There where his breast had been he turned his tail,", + "And that extended like an eel he moved,", + "And with his paws drew to himself the air.", + "A greater fear I do not think there was", + "What time abandoned Phaeton the reins,", + "Whereby the heavens, as still appears, were scorched;", + "Nor when the wretched Icarus his flanks", + "Felt stripped of feathers by the melting wax,", + "His father crying, “An ill way thou takest!”", + "Than was my own, when I perceived myself", + "On all sides in the air, and saw extinguished", + "The sight of everything but of the monster.", + "Onward he goeth, swimming slowly, slowly;", + "Wheels and descends, but I perceive it only", + "By wind upon my face and from below.", + "I heard already on the right the whirlpool", + "Making a horrible crashing under us;", + "Whence I thrust out my head with eyes cast downward.", + "Then was I still more fearful of the abyss;", + "Because I fires beheld, and heard laments,", + "Whereat I, trembling, all the closer cling.", + "I saw then, for before I had not seen it,", + "The turning and descending, by great horrors", + "That were approaching upon divers sides.", + "As falcon who has long been on the wing,", + "Who, without seeing either lure or bird,", + "Maketh the falconer say, “Ah me, thou stoopest,”", + "Descendeth weary, whence he started swiftly,", + "Thorough a hundred circles, and alights", + "Far from his master, sullen and disdainful;", + "Even thus did Geryon place us on the bottom,", + "Close to the bases of the rough-hewn rock,", + "And being disencumbered of our persons,", + "He sped away as arrow from the string." + ], + "18": [ + "There is a place in Hell called Malebolge,", + "Wholly of stone and of an iron colour,", + "As is the circle that around it turns.", + "Right in the middle of the field malign", + "There yawns a well exceeding wide and deep,", + "Of which its place the structure will recount.", + "Round, then, is that enclosure which remains", + "Between the well and foot of the high, hard bank,", + "And has distinct in valleys ten its bottom.", + "As where for the protection of the walls", + "Many and many moats surround the castles,", + "The part in which they are a figure forms,", + "Just such an image those presented there;", + "And as about such strongholds from their gates", + "Unto the outer bank are little bridges,", + "So from the precipice’s base did crags", + "Project, which intersected dikes and moats,", + "Unto the well that truncates and collects them.", + "Within this place, down shaken from the back", + "Of Geryon, we found us; and the Poet", + "Held to the left, and I moved on behind.", + "Upon my right hand I beheld new anguish,", + "New torments, and new wielders of the lash,", + "Wherewith the foremost Bolgia was replete.", + "Down at the bottom were the sinners naked;", + "This side the middle came they facing us,", + "Beyond it, with us, but with greater steps;", + "Even as the Romans, for the mighty host,", + "The year of Jubilee, upon the bridge,", + "Have chosen a mode to pass the people over;", + "For all upon one side towards the Castle", + "Their faces have, and go unto St. Peter’s;", + "On the other side they go towards the Mountain.", + "This side and that, along the livid stone", + "Beheld I horned demons with great scourges,", + "Who cruelly were beating them behind.", + "Ah me! how they did make them lift their legs", + "At the first blows! and sooth not any one", + "The second waited for, nor for the third.", + "While I was going on, mine eyes by one", + "Encountered were; and straight I said: “Already", + "With sight of this one I am not unfed.”", + "Therefore I stayed my feet to make him out,", + "And with me the sweet Guide came to a stand,", + "And to my going somewhat back assented;", + "And he, the scourged one, thought to hide himself,", + "Lowering his face, but little it availed him;", + "For said I: “Thou that castest down thine eyes,", + "If false are not the features which thou bearest,", + "Thou art Venedico Caccianimico;", + "But what doth bring thee to such pungent sauces?”", + "And he to me: “Unwillingly I tell it;", + "But forces me thine utterance distinct,", + "Which makes me recollect the ancient world.", + "I was the one who the fair Ghisola", + "Induced to grant the wishes of the Marquis,", + "Howe’er the shameless story may be told.", + "Not the sole Bolognese am I who weeps here;", + "Nay, rather is this place so full of them,", + "That not so many tongues to-day are taught", + "’Twixt Reno and Savena to say ‘sipa;’", + "And if thereof thou wishest pledge or proof,", + "Bring to thy mind our avaricious heart.”", + "While speaking in this manner, with his scourge", + "A demon smote him, and said: “Get thee gone", + "Pander, there are no women here for coin.”", + "I joined myself again unto mine Escort;", + "Thereafterward with footsteps few we came", + "To where a crag projected from the bank.", + "This very easily did we ascend,", + "And turning to the right along its ridge,", + "From those eternal circles we departed.", + "When we were there, where it is hollowed out", + "Beneath, to give a passage to the scourged,", + "The Guide said: “Wait, and see that on thee strike", + "The vision of those others evil-born,", + "Of whom thou hast not yet beheld the faces,", + "Because together with us they have gone.”", + "From the old bridge we looked upon the train", + "Which tow’rds us came upon the other border,", + "And which the scourges in like manner smite.", + "And the good Master, without my inquiring,", + "Said to me: “See that tall one who is coming,", + "And for his pain seems not to shed a tear;", + "Still what a royal aspect he retains!", + "That Jason is, who by his heart and cunning", + "The Colchians of the Ram made destitute.", + "He by the isle of Lemnos passed along", + "After the daring women pitiless", + "Had unto death devoted all their males.", + "There with his tokens and with ornate words", + "Did he deceive Hypsipyle, the maiden", + "Who first, herself, had all the rest deceived.", + "There did he leave her pregnant and forlorn;", + "Such sin unto such punishment condemns him,", + "And also for Medea is vengeance done.", + "With him go those who in such wise deceive;", + "And this sufficient be of the first valley", + "To know, and those that in its jaws it holds.”", + "We were already where the narrow path", + "Crosses athwart the second dike, and forms", + "Of that a buttress for another arch.", + "Thence we heard people, who are making moan", + "In the next Bolgia, snorting with their muzzles,", + "And with their palms beating upon themselves", + "The margins were incrusted with a mould", + "By exhalation from below, that sticks there,", + "And with the eyes and nostrils wages war.", + "The bottom is so deep, no place suffices", + "To give us sight of it, without ascending", + "The arch’s back, where most the crag impends.", + "Thither we came, and thence down in the moat", + "I saw a people smothered in a filth", + "That out of human privies seemed to flow;", + "And whilst below there with mine eye I search,", + "I saw one with his head so foul with ordure,", + "It was not clear if he were clerk or layman.", + "He screamed to me: “Wherefore art thou so eager", + "To look at me more than the other foul ones?”", + "And I to him: “Because, if I remember,", + "I have already seen thee with dry hair,", + "And thou’rt Alessio Interminei of Lucca;", + "Therefore I eye thee more than all the others.”", + "And he thereon, belabouring his pumpkin:", + "“The flatteries have submerged me here below,", + "Wherewith my tongue was never surfeited.”", + "Then said to me the Guide: “See that thou thrust", + "Thy visage somewhat farther in advance,", + "That with thine eyes thou well the face attain", + "Of that uncleanly and dishevelled drab,", + "Who there doth scratch herself with filthy nails,", + "And crouches now, and now on foot is standing.", + "Thais the harlot is it, who replied", + "Unto her paramour, when he said, ‘Have I", + "Great gratitude from thee?’—‘Nay, marvellous;’", + "And herewith let our sight be satisfied.”" + ], + "19": [ + "O Simon Magus, O forlorn disciples,", + "Ye who the things of God, which ought to be", + "The brides of holiness, rapaciously", + "For silver and for gold do prostitute,", + "Now it behoves for you the trumpet sound,", + "Because in this third Bolgia ye abide.", + "We had already on the following tomb", + "Ascended to that portion of the crag", + "Which o’er the middle of the moat hangs plumb.", + "Wisdom supreme, O how great art thou showest", + "In heaven, in earth, and in the evil world,", + "And with what justice doth thy power distribute!", + "I saw upon the sides and on the bottom", + "The livid stone with perforations filled,", + "All of one size, and every one was round.", + "To me less ample seemed they not, nor greater", + "Than those that in my beautiful Saint John", + "Are fashioned for the place of the baptisers,", + "And one of which, not many years ago,", + "I broke for some one, who was drowning in it;", + "Be this a seal all men to undeceive.", + "Out of the mouth of each one there protruded", + "The feet of a transgressor, and the legs", + "Up to the calf, the rest within remained.", + "In all of them the soles were both on fire;", + "Wherefore the joints so violently quivered,", + "They would have snapped asunder withes and bands.", + "Even as the flame of unctuous things is wont", + "To move upon the outer surface only,", + "So likewise was it there from heel to point.", + "“Master, who is that one who writhes himself,", + "More than his other comrades quivering,”", + "I said, “and whom a redder flame is sucking?”", + "And he to me: “If thou wilt have me bear thee", + "Down there along that bank which lowest lies,", + "From him thou’lt know his errors and himself.”", + "And I: “What pleases thee, to me is pleasing;", + "Thou art my Lord, and knowest that I depart not", + "From thy desire, and knowest what is not spoken.”", + "Straightway upon the fourth dike we arrived;", + "We turned, and on the left-hand side descended", + "Down to the bottom full of holes and narrow.", + "And the good Master yet from off his haunch", + "Deposed me not, till to the hole he brought me", + "Of him who so lamented with his shanks.", + "“Whoe’er thou art, that standest upside down,", + "O doleful soul, implanted like a stake,”", + "To say began I, “if thou canst, speak out.”", + "I stood even as the friar who is confessing", + "The false assassin, who, when he is fixed,", + "Recalls him, so that death may be delayed.", + "And he cried out: “Dost thou stand there already,", + "Dost thou stand there already, Boniface?", + "By many years the record lied to me.", + "Art thou so early satiate with that wealth,", + "For which thou didst not fear to take by fraud", + "The beautiful Lady, and then work her woe?”", + "Such I became, as people are who stand,", + "Not comprehending what is answered them,", + "As if bemocked, and know not how to answer.", + "Then said Virgilius: “Say to him straightway,", + "‘I am not he, I am not he thou thinkest.’”", + "And I replied as was imposed on me.", + "Whereat the spirit writhed with both his feet,", + "Then, sighing, with a voice of lamentation", + "Said to me: “Then what wantest thou of me?", + "If who I am thou carest so much to know,", + "That thou on that account hast crossed the bank,", + "Know that I vested was with the great mantle;", + "And truly was I son of the She-bear,", + "So eager to advance the cubs, that wealth", + "Above, and here myself, I pocketed.", + "Beneath my head the others are dragged down", + "Who have preceded me in simony,", + "Flattened along the fissure of the rock.", + "Below there I shall likewise fall, whenever", + "That one shall come who I believed thou wast,", + "What time the sudden question I proposed.", + "But longer I my feet already toast,", + "And here have been in this way upside down,", + "Than he will planted stay with reddened feet;", + "For after him shall come of fouler deed", + "From tow’rds the west a Pastor without law,", + "Such as befits to cover him and me.", + "New Jason will he be, of whom we read", + "In Maccabees; and as his king was pliant,", + "So he who governs France shall be to this one.”", + "I do not know if I were here too bold,", + "That him I answered only in this metre:", + "“I pray thee tell me now how great a treasure", + "Our Lord demanded of Saint Peter first,", + "Before he put the keys into his keeping?", + "Truly he nothing asked but ‘Follow me.’", + "Nor Peter nor the rest asked of Matthias", + "Silver or gold, when he by lot was chosen", + "Unto the place the guilty soul had lost.", + "Therefore stay here, for thou art justly punished,", + "And keep safe guard o’er the ill-gotten money,", + "Which caused thee to be valiant against Charles.", + "And were it not that still forbids it me", + "The reverence for the keys superlative", + "Thou hadst in keeping in the gladsome life,", + "I would make use of words more grievous still;", + "Because your avarice afflicts the world,", + "Trampling the good and lifting the depraved.", + "The Evangelist you Pastors had in mind,", + "When she who sitteth upon many waters", + "To fornicate with kings by him was seen;", + "The same who with the seven heads was born,", + "And power and strength from the ten horns received,", + "So long as virtue to her spouse was pleasing.", + "Ye have made yourselves a god of gold and silver;", + "And from the idolater how differ ye,", + "Save that he one, and ye a hundred worship?", + "Ah, Constantine! of how much ill was mother,", + "Not thy conversion, but that marriage dower", + "Which the first wealthy Father took from thee!”", + "And while I sang to him such notes as these,", + "Either that anger or that conscience stung him,", + "He struggled violently with both his feet.", + "I think in sooth that it my Leader pleased,", + "With such contented lip he listened ever", + "Unto the sound of the true words expressed.", + "Therefore with both his arms he took me up,", + "And when he had me all upon his breast,", + "Remounted by the way where he descended.", + "Nor did he tire to have me clasped to him;", + "But bore me to the summit of the arch", + "Which from the fourth dike to the fifth is passage.", + "There tenderly he laid his burden down,", + "Tenderly on the crag uneven and steep,", + "That would have been hard passage for the goats:", + "Thence was unveiled to me another valley." + ], + "20": [ + "Of a new pain behoves me to make verses", + "And give material to the twentieth canto", + "Of the first song, which is of the submerged.", + "I was already thoroughly disposed", + "To peer down into the uncovered depth,", + "Which bathed itself with tears of agony;", + "And people saw I through the circular valley,", + "Silent and weeping, coming at the pace", + "Which in this world the Litanies assume.", + "As lower down my sight descended on them,", + "Wondrously each one seemed to be distorted", + "From chin to the beginning of the chest;", + "For tow’rds the reins the countenance was turned,", + "And backward it behoved them to advance,", + "As to look forward had been taken from them.", + "Perchance indeed by violence of palsy", + "Some one has been thus wholly turned awry;", + "But I ne’er saw it, nor believe it can be.", + "As God may let thee, Reader, gather fruit", + "From this thy reading, think now for thyself", + "How I could ever keep my face unmoistened,", + "When our own image near me I beheld", + "Distorted so, the weeping of the eyes", + "Along the fissure bathed the hinder parts.", + "Truly I wept, leaning upon a peak", + "Of the hard crag, so that my Escort said", + "To me: “Art thou, too, of the other fools?", + "Here pity lives when it is wholly dead;", + "Who is a greater reprobate than he", + "Who feels compassion at the doom divine?", + "Lift up, lift up thy head, and see for whom", + "Opened the earth before the Thebans’ eyes;", + "Wherefore they all cried: ‘Whither rushest thou,", + "Amphiaraus? Why dost leave the war?’", + "And downward ceased he not to fall amain", + "As far as Minos, who lays hold on all.", + "See, he has made a bosom of his shoulders!", + "Because he wished to see too far before him", + "Behind he looks, and backward goes his way:", + "Behold Tiresias, who his semblance changed,", + "When from a male a female he became,", + "His members being all of them transformed;", + "And afterwards was forced to strike once more", + "The two entangled serpents with his rod,", + "Ere he could have again his manly plumes.", + "That Aruns is, who backs the other’s belly,", + "Who in the hills of Luni, there where grubs", + "The Carrarese who houses underneath,", + "Among the marbles white a cavern had", + "For his abode; whence to behold the stars", + "And sea, the view was not cut off from him.", + "And she there, who is covering up her breasts,", + "Which thou beholdest not, with loosened tresses,", + "And on that side has all the hairy skin,", + "Was Manto, who made quest through many lands,", + "Afterwards tarried there where I was born;", + "Whereof I would thou list to me a little.", + "After her father had from life departed,", + "And the city of Bacchus had become enslaved,", + "She a long season wandered through the world.", + "Above in beauteous Italy lies a lake", + "At the Alp’s foot that shuts in Germany", + "Over Tyrol, and has the name Benaco.", + "By a thousand springs, I think, and more, is bathed,", + "’Twixt Garda and Val Camonica, Pennino,", + "With water that grows stagnant in that lake.", + "Midway a place is where the Trentine Pastor,", + "And he of Brescia, and the Veronese", + "Might give his blessing, if he passed that way.", + "Sitteth Peschiera, fortress fair and strong,", + "To front the Brescians and the Bergamasks,", + "Where round about the bank descendeth lowest.", + "There of necessity must fall whatever", + "In bosom of Benaco cannot stay,", + "And grows a river down through verdant pastures.", + "Soon as the water doth begin to run,", + "No more Benaco is it called, but Mincio,", + "Far as Governo, where it falls in Po.", + "Not far it runs before it finds a plain", + "In which it spreads itself, and makes it marshy,", + "And oft ’tis wont in summer to be sickly.", + "Passing that way the virgin pitiless", + "Land in the middle of the fen descried,", + "Untilled and naked of inhabitants;", + "There to escape all human intercourse,", + "She with her servants stayed, her arts to practise", + "And lived, and left her empty body there.", + "The men, thereafter, who were scattered round,", + "Collected in that place, which was made strong", + "By the lagoon it had on every side;", + "They built their city over those dead bones,", + "And, after her who first the place selected,", + "Mantua named it, without other omen.", + "Its people once within more crowded were,", + "Ere the stupidity of Casalodi", + "From Pinamonte had received deceit.", + "Therefore I caution thee, if e’er thou hearest", + "Originate my city otherwise,", + "No falsehood may the verity defraud.”", + "And I: “My Master, thy discourses are", + "To me so certain, and so take my faith,", + "That unto me the rest would be spent coals.", + "But tell me of the people who are passing,", + "If any one note-worthy thou beholdest,", + "For only unto that my mind reverts.”", + "Then said he to me: “He who from the cheek", + "Thrusts out his beard upon his swarthy shoulders", + "Was, at the time when Greece was void of males,", + "So that there scarce remained one in the cradle,", + "An augur, and with Calchas gave the moment,", + "In Aulis, when to sever the first cable.", + "Eryphylus his name was, and so sings", + "My lofty Tragedy in some part or other;", + "That knowest thou well, who knowest the whole of it.", + "The next, who is so slender in the flanks,", + "Was Michael Scott, who of a verity", + "Of magical illusions knew the game.", + "Behold Guido Bonatti, behold Asdente,", + "Who now unto his leather and his thread", + "Would fain have stuck, but he too late repents.", + "Behold the wretched ones, who left the needle,", + "The spool and rock, and made them fortune-tellers;", + "They wrought their magic spells with herb and image.", + "But come now, for already holds the confines", + "Of both the hemispheres, and under Seville", + "Touches the ocean-wave, Cain and the thorns,", + "And yesternight the moon was round already;", + "Thou shouldst remember well it did not harm thee", + "From time to time within the forest deep.”", + "Thus spake he to me, and we walked the while." + ], + "21": [ + "From bridge to bridge thus, speaking other things", + "Of which my Comedy cares not to sing,", + "We came along, and held the summit, when", + "We halted to behold another fissure", + "Of Malebolge and other vain laments;", + "And I beheld it marvellously dark.", + "As in the Arsenal of the Venetians", + "Boils in the winter the tenacious pitch", + "To smear their unsound vessels o’er again,", + "For sail they cannot; and instead thereof", + "One makes his vessel new, and one recaulks", + "The ribs of that which many a voyage has made;", + "One hammers at the prow, one at the stern,", + "This one makes oars, and that one cordage twists,", + "Another mends the mainsail and the mizzen;", + "Thus, not by fire, but by the art divine,", + "Was boiling down below there a dense pitch", + "Which upon every side the bank belimed.", + "I saw it, but I did not see within it", + "Aught but the bubbles that the boiling raised,", + "And all swell up and resubside compressed.", + "The while below there fixedly I gazed,", + "My Leader, crying out: “Beware, beware!”", + "Drew me unto himself from where I stood.", + "Then I turned round, as one who is impatient", + "To see what it behoves him to escape,", + "And whom a sudden terror doth unman,", + "Who, while he looks, delays not his departure;", + "And I beheld behind us a black devil,", + "Running along upon the crag, approach.", + "Ah, how ferocious was he in his aspect!", + "And how he seemed to me in action ruthless,", + "With open wings and light upon his feet!", + "His shoulders, which sharp-pointed were and high,", + "A sinner did encumber with both haunches,", + "And he held clutched the sinews of the feet.", + "From off our bridge, he said: “O Malebranche,", + "Behold one of the elders of Saint Zita;", + "Plunge him beneath, for I return for others", + "Unto that town, which is well furnished with them.", + "All there are barrators, except Bonturo;", + "No into Yes for money there is changed.”", + "He hurled him down, and over the hard crag", + "Turned round, and never was a mastiff loosened", + "In so much hurry to pursue a thief.", + "The other sank, and rose again face downward;", + "But the demons, under cover of the bridge,", + "Cried: “Here the Santo Volto has no place!", + "Here swims one otherwise than in the Serchio;", + "Therefore, if for our gaffs thou wishest not,", + "Do not uplift thyself above the pitch.”", + "They seized him then with more than a hundred rakes;", + "They said: “It here behoves thee to dance covered,", + "That, if thou canst, thou secretly mayest pilfer.”", + "Not otherwise the cooks their scullions make", + "Immerse into the middle of the caldron", + "The meat with hooks, so that it may not float.", + "Said the good Master to me: “That it be not", + "Apparent thou art here, crouch thyself down", + "Behind a jag, that thou mayest have some screen;", + "And for no outrage that is done to me", + "Be thou afraid, because these things I know,", + "For once before was I in such a scuffle.”", + "Then he passed on beyond the bridge’s head,", + "And as upon the sixth bank he arrived,", + "Need was for him to have a steadfast front.", + "With the same fury, and the same uproar,", + "As dogs leap out upon a mendicant,", + "Who on a sudden begs, where’er he stops,", + "They issued from beneath the little bridge,", + "And turned against him all their grappling-irons;", + "But he cried out: “Be none of you malignant!", + "Before those hooks of yours lay hold of me,", + "Let one of you step forward, who may hear me,", + "And then take counsel as to grappling me.”", + "They all cried out: “Let Malacoda go;”", + "Whereat one started, and the rest stood still,", + "And he came to him, saying: “What avails it?”", + "“Thinkest thou, Malacoda, to behold me", + "Advanced into this place,” my Master said,", + "“Safe hitherto from all your skill of fence,", + "Without the will divine, and fate auspicious?", + "Let me go on, for it in Heaven is willed", + "That I another show this savage road.”", + "Then was his arrogance so humbled in him,", + "That he let fall his grapnel at his feet,", + "And to the others said: “Now strike him not.”", + "And unto me my Guide: “O thou, who sittest", + "Among the splinters of the bridge crouched down,", + "Securely now return to me again.”", + "Wherefore I started and came swiftly to him;", + "And all the devils forward thrust themselves,", + "So that I feared they would not keep their compact.", + "And thus beheld I once afraid the soldiers", + "Who issued under safeguard from Caprona,", + "Seeing themselves among so many foes.", + "Close did I press myself with all my person", + "Beside my Leader, and turned not mine eyes", + "From off their countenance, which was not good.", + "They lowered their rakes, and “Wilt thou have me hit him,”", + "They said to one another, “on the rump?”", + "And answered: “Yes; see that thou nick him with it.”", + "But the same demon who was holding parley", + "With my Conductor turned him very quickly,", + "And said: “Be quiet, be quiet, Scarmiglione;”", + "Then said to us: “You can no farther go", + "Forward upon this crag, because is lying", + "All shattered, at the bottom, the sixth arch.", + "And if it still doth please you to go onward,", + "Pursue your way along upon this rock;", + "Near is another crag that yields a path.", + "Yesterday, five hours later than this hour,", + "One thousand and two hundred sixty-six", + "Years were complete, that here the way was broken.", + "I send in that direction some of mine", + "To see if any one doth air himself;", + "Go ye with them; for they will not be vicious.", + "Step forward, Alichino and Calcabrina,”", + "Began he to cry out, “and thou, Cagnazzo;", + "And Barbariccia, do thou guide the ten.", + "Come forward, Libicocco and Draghignazzo,", + "And tusked Ciriatto and Graffiacane,", + "And Farfarello and mad Rubicante;", + "Search ye all round about the boiling pitch;", + "Let these be safe as far as the next crag,", + "That all unbroken passes o’er the dens.”", + "“O me! what is it, Master, that I see?", + "Pray let us go,” I said, “without an escort,", + "If thou knowest how, since for myself I ask none.", + "If thou art as observant as thy wont is,", + "Dost thou not see that they do gnash their teeth,", + "And with their brows are threatening woe to us?”", + "And he to me: “I will not have thee fear;", + "Let them gnash on, according to their fancy,", + "Because they do it for those boiling wretches.”", + "Along the left-hand dike they wheeled about;", + "But first had each one thrust his tongue between", + "His teeth towards their leader for a signal;", + "And he had made a trumpet of his rump." + ], + "22": [ + "I have erewhile seen horsemen moving camp,", + "Begin the storming, and their muster make,", + "And sometimes starting off for their escape;", + "Vaunt-couriers have I seen upon your land,", + "O Aretines, and foragers go forth,", + "Tournaments stricken, and the joustings run,", + "Sometimes with trumpets and sometimes with bells,", + "With kettle-drums, and signals of the castles,", + "And with our own, and with outlandish things,", + "But never yet with bagpipe so uncouth", + "Did I see horsemen move, nor infantry,", + "Nor ship by any sign of land or star.", + "We went upon our way with the ten demons;", + "Ah, savage company! but in the church", + "With saints, and in the tavern with the gluttons!", + "Ever upon the pitch was my intent,", + "To see the whole condition of that Bolgia,", + "And of the people who therein were burned.", + "Even as the dolphins, when they make a sign", + "To mariners by arching of the back,", + "That they should counsel take to save their vessel,", + "Thus sometimes, to alleviate his pain,", + "One of the sinners would display his back,", + "And in less time conceal it than it lightens.", + "As on the brink of water in a ditch", + "The frogs stand only with their muzzles out,", + "So that they hide their feet and other bulk,", + "So upon every side the sinners stood;", + "But ever as Barbariccia near them came,", + "Thus underneath the boiling they withdrew.", + "I saw, and still my heart doth shudder at it,", + "One waiting thus, even as it comes to pass", + "One frog remains, and down another dives;", + "And Graffiacan, who most confronted him,", + "Grappled him by his tresses smeared with pitch,", + "And drew him up, so that he seemed an otter.", + "I knew, before, the names of all of them,", + "So had I noted them when they were chosen,", + "And when they called each other, listened how.", + "“O Rubicante, see that thou do lay", + "Thy claws upon him, so that thou mayst flay him,”", + "Cried all together the accursed ones.", + "And I: “My Master, see to it, if thou canst,", + "That thou mayst know who is the luckless wight,", + "Thus come into his adversaries’ hands.”", + "Near to the side of him my Leader drew,", + "Asked of him whence he was; and he replied:", + "“I in the kingdom of Navarre was born;", + "My mother placed me servant to a lord,", + "For she had borne me to a ribald knave,", + "Destroyer of himself and of his things.", + "Then I domestic was of good King Thibault;", + "I set me there to practise barratry,", + "For which I pay the reckoning in this heat.”", + "And Ciriatto, from whose mouth projected,", + "On either side, a tusk, as in a boar,", + "Caused him to feel how one of them could rip.", + "Among malicious cats the mouse had come;", + "But Barbariccia clasped him in his arms,", + "And said: “Stand ye aside, while I enfork him.”", + "And to my Master he turned round his head;", + "“Ask him again,” he said, “if more thou wish", + "To know from him, before some one destroy him.”", + "The Guide: “Now tell then of the other culprits;", + "Knowest thou any one who is a Latian,", + "Under the pitch?” And he: “I separated", + "Lately from one who was a neighbour to it;", + "Would that I still were covered up with him,", + "For I should fear not either claw nor hook!”", + "And Libicocco: “We have borne too much;”", + "And with his grapnel seized him by the arm,", + "So that, by rending, he tore off a tendon.", + "Eke Draghignazzo wished to pounce upon him", + "Down at the legs; whence their Decurion", + "Turned round and round about with evil look.", + "When they again somewhat were pacified,", + "Of him, who still was looking at his wound,", + "Demanded my Conductor without stay:", + "“Who was that one, from whom a luckless parting", + "Thou sayest thou hast made, to come ashore?”", + "And he replied: “It was the Friar Gomita,", + "He of Gallura, vessel of all fraud,", + "Who had the enemies of his Lord in hand,", + "And dealt so with them each exults thereat;", + "Money he took, and let them smoothly off,", + "As he says; and in other offices", + "A barrator was he, not mean but sovereign.", + "Foregathers with him one Don Michael Zanche", + "Of Logodoro; and of Sardinia", + "To gossip never do their tongues feel tired.", + "O me! see that one, how he grinds his teeth;", + "Still farther would I speak, but am afraid", + "Lest he to scratch my itch be making ready.”", + "And the grand Provost, turned to Farfarello,", + "Who rolled his eyes about as if to strike,", + "Said: “Stand aside there, thou malicious bird.”", + "“If you desire either to see or hear,”", + "The terror-stricken recommenced thereon,", + "“Tuscans or Lombards, I will make them come.", + "But let the Malebranche cease a little,", + "So that these may not their revenges fear,", + "And I, down sitting in this very place,", + "For one that I am will make seven come,", + "When I shall whistle, as our custom is", + "To do whenever one of us comes out.”", + "Cagnazzo at these words his muzzle lifted,", + "Shaking his head, and said: “Just hear the trick", + "Which he has thought of, down to throw himself!”", + "Whence he, who snares in great abundance had,", + "Responded: “I by far too cunning am,", + "When I procure for mine a greater sadness.”", + "Alichin held not in, but running counter", + "Unto the rest, said to him: “If thou dive,", + "I will not follow thee upon the gallop,", + "But I will beat my wings above the pitch;", + "The height be left, and be the bank a shield", + "To see if thou alone dost countervail us.”", + "O thou who readest, thou shalt hear new sport!", + "Each to the other side his eyes averted;", + "He first, who most reluctant was to do it.", + "The Navarrese selected well his time;", + "Planted his feet on land, and in a moment", + "Leaped, and released himself from their design.", + "Whereat each one was suddenly stung with shame,", + "But he most who was cause of the defeat;", + "Therefore he moved, and cried: “Thou art o’ertakern.”", + "But little it availed, for wings could not", + "Outstrip the fear; the other one went under,", + "And, flying, upward he his breast directed;", + "Not otherwise the duck upon a sudden", + "Dives under, when the falcon is approaching,", + "And upward he returneth cross and weary.", + "Infuriate at the mockery, Calcabrina", + "Flying behind him followed close, desirous", + "The other should escape, to have a quarrel.", + "And when the barrator had disappeared,", + "He turned his talons upon his companion,", + "And grappled with him right above the moat.", + "But sooth the other was a doughty sparhawk", + "To clapperclaw him well; and both of them", + "Fell in the middle of the boiling pond.", + "A sudden intercessor was the heat;", + "But ne’ertheless of rising there was naught,", + "To such degree they had their wings belimed.", + "Lamenting with the others, Barbariccia", + "Made four of them fly to the other side", + "With all their gaffs, and very speedily", + "This side and that they to their posts descended;", + "They stretched their hooks towards the pitch-ensnared,", + "Who were already baked within the crust,", + "And in this manner busied did we leave them." + ], + "23": [ + "Silent, alone, and without company", + "We went, the one in front, the other after,", + "As go the Minor Friars along their way.", + "Upon the fable of Aesop was directed", + "My thought, by reason of the present quarrel,", + "Where he has spoken of the frog and mouse;", + "For ‘mo’ and ‘issa’ are not more alike", + "Than this one is to that, if well we couple", + "End and beginning with a steadfast mind.", + "And even as one thought from another springs,", + "So afterward from that was born another,", + "Which the first fear within me double made.", + "Thus did I ponder: “These on our account", + "Are laughed to scorn, with injury and scoff", + "So great, that much I think it must annoy them.", + "If anger be engrafted on ill-will,", + "They will come after us more merciless", + "Than dog upon the leveret which he seizes,”", + "I felt my hair stand all on end already", + "With terror, and stood backwardly intent,", + "When said I: “Master, if thou hidest not", + "Thyself and me forthwith, of Malebranche", + "I am in dread; we have them now behind us;", + "I so imagine them, I already feel them.”", + "And he: “If I were made of leaded glass,", + "Thine outward image I should not attract", + "Sooner to me than I imprint the inner.", + "Just now thy thoughts came in among my own,", + "With similar attitude and similar face,", + "So that of both one counsel sole I made.", + "If peradventure the right bank so slope", + "That we to the next Bolgia can descend,", + "We shall escape from the imagined chase.”", + "Not yet he finished rendering such opinion,", + "When I beheld them come with outstretched wings,", + "Not far remote, with will to seize upon us.", + "My Leader on a sudden seized me up,", + "Even as a mother who by noise is wakened,", + "And close beside her sees the enkindled flames,", + "Who takes her son, and flies, and does not stop,", + "Having more care of him than of herself,", + "So that she clothes her only with a shift;", + "And downward from the top of the hard bank", + "Supine he gave him to the pendent rock,", + "That one side of the other Bolgia walls.", + "Ne’er ran so swiftly water through a sluice", + "To turn the wheel of any land-built mill,", + "When nearest to the paddles it approaches,", + "As did my Master down along that border,", + "Bearing me with him on his breast away,", + "As his own son, and not as a companion.", + "Hardly the bed of the ravine below", + "His feet had reached, ere they had reached the hill", + "Right over us; but he was not afraid;", + "For the high Providence, which had ordained", + "To place them ministers of the fifth moat,", + "The power of thence departing took from all.", + "A painted people there below we found,", + "Who went about with footsteps very slow,", + "Weeping and in their semblance tired and vanquished.", + "They had on mantles with the hoods low down", + "Before their eyes, and fashioned of the cut", + "That in Cologne they for the monks are made.", + "Without, they gilded are so that it dazzles;", + "But inwardly all leaden and so heavy", + "That Frederick used to put them on of straw.", + "O everlastingly fatiguing mantle!", + "Again we turned us, still to the left hand", + "Along with them, intent on their sad plaint;", + "But owing to the weight, that weary folk", + "Came on so tardily, that we were new", + "In company at each motion of the haunch.", + "Whence I unto my Leader: “See thou find", + "Some one who may by deed or name be known,", + "And thus in going move thine eye about.”", + "And one, who understood the Tuscan speech,", + "Cried to us from behind: “Stay ye your feet,", + "Ye, who so run athwart the dusky air!", + "Perhaps thou’lt have from me what thou demandest.”", + "Whereat the Leader turned him, and said: “Wait,", + "And then according to his pace proceed.”", + "I stopped, and two beheld I show great haste", + "Of spirit, in their faces, to be with me;", + "But the burden and the narrow way delayed them.", + "When they came up, long with an eye askance", + "They scanned me without uttering a word.", + "Then to each other turned, and said together:", + "“He by the action of his throat seems living;", + "And if they dead are, by what privilege", + "Go they uncovered by the heavy stole?”", + "Then said to me: “Tuscan, who to the college", + "Of miserable hypocrites art come,", + "Do not disdain to tell us who thou art.”", + "And I to them: “Born was I, and grew up", + "In the great town on the fair river of Arno,", + "And with the body am I’ve always had.", + "But who are ye, in whom there trickles down", + "Along your cheeks such grief as I behold?", + "And what pain is upon you, that so sparkles?”", + "And one replied to me: “These orange cloaks", + "Are made of lead so heavy, that the weights", + "Cause in this way their balances to creak.", + "Frati Gaudenti were we, and Bolognese;", + "I Catalano, and he Loderingo", + "Named, and together taken by thy city,", + "As the wont is to take one man alone,", + "For maintenance of its peace; and we were such", + "That still it is apparent round Gardingo.”", + "“O Friars,” began I, “your iniquitous. . .”", + "But said no more; for to mine eyes there rushed", + "One crucified with three stakes on the ground.", + "When me he saw, he writhed himself all over,", + "Blowing into his beard with suspirations;", + "And the Friar Catalan, who noticed this,", + "Said to me: “This transfixed one, whom thou seest,", + "Counselled the Pharisees that it was meet", + "To put one man to torture for the people.", + "Crosswise and naked is he on the path,", + "As thou perceivest; and he needs must feel,", + "Whoever passes, first how much he weighs;", + "And in like mode his father-in-law is punished", + "Within this moat, and the others of the council,", + "Which for the Jews was a malignant seed.”", + "And thereupon I saw Virgilius marvel", + "O’er him who was extended on the cross", + "So vilely in eternal banishment.", + "Then he directed to the Friar this voice:", + "“Be not displeased, if granted thee, to tell us", + "If to the right hand any pass slope down", + "By which we two may issue forth from here,", + "Without constraining some of the black angels", + "To come and extricate us from this deep.”", + "Then he made answer: “Nearer than thou hopest", + "There is a rock, that forth from the great circle", + "Proceeds, and crosses all the cruel valleys,", + "Save that at this ’tis broken, and does not bridge it;", + "You will be able to mount up the ruin,", + "That sidelong slopes and at the bottom rises.”", + "The Leader stood awhile with head bowed down;", + "Then said: “The business badly he recounted", + "Who grapples with his hook the sinners yonder.”", + "And the Friar: “Many of the Devil’s vices", + "Once heard I at Bologna, and among them,", + "That he’s a liar and the father of lies.”", + "Thereat my Leader with great strides went on,", + "Somewhat disturbed with anger in his looks;", + "Whence from the heavy-laden I departed", + "After the prints of his beloved feet." + ], + "24": [ + "In that part of the youthful year wherein", + "The Sun his locks beneath Aquarius tempers,", + "And now the nights draw near to half the day,", + "What time the hoar-frost copies on the ground", + "The outward semblance of her sister white,", + "But little lasts the temper of her pen,", + "The husbandman, whose forage faileth him,", + "Rises, and looks, and seeth the champaign", + "All gleaming white, whereat he beats his flank,", + "Returns in doors, and up and down laments,", + "Like a poor wretch, who knows not what to do;", + "Then he returns and hope revives again,", + "Seeing the world has changed its countenance", + "In little time, and takes his shepherd’s crook,", + "And forth the little lambs to pasture drives.", + "Thus did the Master fill me with alarm,", + "When I beheld his forehead so disturbed,", + "And to the ailment came as soon the plaster.", + "For as we came unto the ruined bridge,", + "The Leader turned to me with that sweet look", + "Which at the mountain’s foot I first beheld.", + "His arms he opened, after some advisement", + "Within himself elected, looking first", + "Well at the ruin, and laid hold of me.", + "And even as he who acts and meditates,", + "For aye it seems that he provides beforehand,", + "So upward lifting me towards the summit", + "Of a huge rock, he scanned another crag,", + "Saying: “To that one grapple afterwards,", + "But try first if ’tis such that it will hold thee.”", + "This was no way for one clothed with a cloak;", + "For hardly we, he light, and I pushed upward,", + "Were able to ascend from jag to jag.", + "And had it not been, that upon that precinct", + "Shorter was the ascent than on the other,", + "He I know not, but I had been dead beat.", + "But because Malebolge tow’rds the mouth", + "Of the profoundest well is all inclining,", + "The structure of each valley doth import", + "That one bank rises and the other sinks.", + "Still we arrived at length upon the point", + "Wherefrom the last stone breaks itself asunder.", + "The breath was from my lungs so milked away,", + "When I was up, that I could go no farther,", + "Nay, I sat down upon my first arrival.", + "“Now it behoves thee thus to put off sloth,”", + "My Master said; “for sitting upon down,", + "Or under quilt, one cometh not to fame,", + "Withouten which whoso his life consumes", + "Such vestige leaveth of himself on earth,", + "As smoke in air or in the water foam.", + "And therefore raise thee up, o’ercome the anguish", + "With spirit that o’ercometh every battle,", + "If with its heavy body it sink not.", + "A longer stairway it behoves thee mount;", + "’Tis not enough from these to have departed;", + "Let it avail thee, if thou understand me.”", + "Then I uprose, showing myself provided", + "Better with breath than I did feel myself,", + "And said: “Go on, for I am strong and bold.”", + "Upward we took our way along the crag,", + "Which jagged was, and narrow, and difficult,", + "And more precipitous far than that before.", + "Speaking I went, not to appear exhausted;", + "Whereat a voice from the next moat came forth,", + "Not well adapted to articulate words.", + "I know not what it said, though o’er the back", + "I now was of the arch that passes there;", + "But he seemed moved to anger who was speaking.", + "I was bent downward, but my living eyes", + "Could not attain the bottom, for the dark;", + "Wherefore I: “Master, see that thou arrive", + "At the next round, and let us descend the wall;", + "For as from hence I hear and understand not,", + "So I look down and nothing I distinguish.”", + "“Other response,” he said, “I make thee not,", + "Except the doing; for the modest asking", + "Ought to be followed by the deed in silence.”", + "We from the bridge descended at its head,", + "Where it connects itself with the eighth bank,", + "And then was manifest to me the Bolgia;", + "And I beheld therein a terrible throng", + "Of serpents, and of such a monstrous kind,", + "That the remembrance still congeals my blood", + "Let Libya boast no longer with her sand;", + "For if Chelydri, Jaculi, and Phareae", + "She breeds, with Cenchri and with Amphisbaena,", + "Neither so many plagues nor so malignant", + "E’er showed she with all Ethiopia,", + "Nor with whatever on the Red Sea is!", + "Among this cruel and most dismal throng", + "People were running naked and affrighted.", + "Without the hope of hole or heliotrope.", + "They had their hands with serpents bound behind them;", + "These riveted upon their reins the tail", + "And head, and were in front of them entwined.", + "And lo! at one who was upon our side", + "There darted forth a serpent, which transfixed him", + "There where the neck is knotted to the shoulders.", + "Nor ‘O’ so quickly e’er, nor ‘I’ was written,", + "As he took fire, and burned; and ashes wholly", + "Behoved it that in falling he became.", + "And when he on the ground was thus destroyed,", + "The ashes drew together, and of themselves", + "Into himself they instantly returned.", + "Even thus by the great sages ’tis confessed", + "The phoenix dies, and then is born again,", + "When it approaches its five-hundredth year;", + "On herb or grain it feeds not in its life,", + "But only on tears of incense and amomum,", + "And nard and myrrh are its last winding-sheet.", + "And as he is who falls, and knows not how,", + "By force of demons who to earth down drag him,", + "Or other oppilation that binds man,", + "When he arises and around him looks,", + "Wholly bewildered by the mighty anguish", + "Which he has suffered, and in looking sighs;", + "Such was that sinner after he had risen.", + "Justice of God! O how severe it is,", + "That blows like these in vengeance poureth down!", + "The Guide thereafter asked him who he was;", + "Whence he replied: “I rained from Tuscany", + "A short time since into this cruel gorge.", + "A bestial life, and not a human, pleased me,", + "Even as the mule I was; I’m Vanni Fucci,", + "Beast, and Pistoia was my worthy den.”", + "And I unto the Guide: “Tell him to stir not,", + "And ask what crime has thrust him here below,", + "For once a man of blood and wrath I saw him.”", + "And the sinner, who had heard, dissembled not,", + "But unto me directed mind and face,", + "And with a melancholy shame was painted.", + "Then said: “It pains me more that thou hast caught me", + "Amid this misery where thou seest me,", + "Than when I from the other life was taken.", + "What thou demandest I cannot deny;", + "So low am I put down because I robbed", + "The sacristy of the fair ornaments,", + "And falsely once ’twas laid upon another;", + "But that thou mayst not such a sight enjoy,", + "If thou shalt e’er be out of the dark places,", + "Thine ears to my announcement ope and hear:", + "Pistoia first of Neri groweth meagre;", + "Then Florence doth renew her men and manners;", + "Mars draws a vapour up from Val di Magra,", + "Which is with turbid clouds enveloped round,", + "And with impetuous and bitter tempest", + "Over Campo Picen shall be the battle;", + "When it shall suddenly rend the mist asunder,", + "So that each Bianco shall thereby be smitten.", + "And this I’ve said that it may give thee pain.”" + ], + "25": [ + "At the conclusion of his words, the thief", + "Lifted his hands aloft with both the figs,", + "Crying: “Take that, God, for at thee I aim them.”", + "From that time forth the serpents were my friends;", + "For one entwined itself about his neck", + "As if it said: “I will not thou speak more;”", + "And round his arms another, and rebound him,", + "Clinching itself together so in front,", + "That with them he could not a motion make.", + "Pistoia, ah, Pistoia! why resolve not", + "To burn thyself to ashes and so perish,", + "Since in ill-doing thou thy seed excellest?", + "Through all the sombre circles of this Hell,", + "Spirit I saw not against God so proud,", + "Not he who fell at Thebes down from the walls!", + "He fled away, and spake no further word;", + "And I beheld a Centaur full of rage", + "Come crying out: “Where is, where is the scoffer?”", + "I do not think Maremma has so many", + "Serpents as he had all along his back,", + "As far as where our countenance begins.", + "Upon the shoulders, just behind the nape,", + "With wings wide open was a dragon lying,", + "And he sets fire to all that he encounters.", + "My Master said: “That one is Cacus, who", + "Beneath the rock upon Mount Aventine", + "Created oftentimes a lake of blood.", + "He goes not on the same road with his brothers,", + "By reason of the fraudulent theft he made", + "Of the great herd, which he had near to him;", + "Whereat his tortuous actions ceased beneath", + "The mace of Hercules, who peradventure", + "Gave him a hundred, and he felt not ten.”", + "While he was speaking thus, he had passed by,", + "And spirits three had underneath us come,", + "Of which nor I aware was, nor my Leader,", + "Until what time they shouted: “Who are you?”", + "On which account our story made a halt,", + "And then we were intent on them alone.", + "I did not know them; but it came to pass,", + "As it is wont to happen by some chance,", + "That one to name the other was compelled,", + "Exclaiming: “Where can Cianfa have remained?”", + "Whence I, so that the Leader might attend,", + "Upward from chin to nose my finger laid.", + "If thou art, Reader, slow now to believe", + "What I shall say, it will no marvel be,", + "For I who saw it hardly can admit it.", + "As I was holding raised on them my brows,", + "Behold! a serpent with six feet darts forth", + "In front of one, and fastens wholly on him.", + "With middle feet it bound him round the paunch,", + "And with the forward ones his arms it seized;", + "Then thrust its teeth through one cheek and the other;", + "The hindermost it stretched upon his thighs,", + "And put its tail through in between the two,", + "And up behind along the reins outspread it.", + "Ivy was never fastened by its barbs", + "Unto a tree so, as this horrible reptile", + "Upon the other’s limbs entwined its own.", + "Then they stuck close, as if of heated wax", + "They had been made, and intermixed their colour;", + "Nor one nor other seemed now what he was;", + "E’en as proceedeth on before the flame", + "Upward along the paper a brown colour,", + "Which is not black as yet, and the white dies.", + "The other two looked on, and each of them", + "Cried out: “O me, Agnello, how thou changest!", + "Behold, thou now art neither two nor one.”", + "Already the two heads had one become,", + "When there appeared to us two figures mingled", + "Into one face, wherein the two were lost.", + "Of the four lists were fashioned the two arms,", + "The thighs and legs, the belly and the chest", + "Members became that never yet were seen.", + "Every original aspect there was cancelled;", + "Two and yet none did the perverted image", + "Appear, and such departed with slow pace.", + "Even as a lizard, under the great scourge", + "Of days canicular, exchanging hedge,", + "Lightning appeareth if the road it cross;", + "Thus did appear, coming towards the bellies", + "Of the two others, a small fiery serpent,", + "Livid and black as is a peppercorn.", + "And in that part whereat is first received", + "Our aliment, it one of them transfixed;", + "Then downward fell in front of him extended.", + "The one transfixed looked at it, but said naught;", + "Nay, rather with feet motionless he yawned,", + "Just as if sleep or fever had assailed him.", + "He at the serpent gazed, and it at him;", + "One through the wound, the other through the mouth", + "Smoked violently, and the smoke commingled.", + "Henceforth be silent Lucan, where he mentions", + "Wretched Sabellus and Nassidius,", + "And wait to hear what now shall be shot forth.", + "Be silent Ovid, of Cadmus and Arethusa;", + "For if him to a snake, her to fountain,", + "Converts he fabling, that I grudge him not;", + "Because two natures never front to front", + "Has he transmuted, so that both the forms", + "To interchange their matter ready were.", + "Together they responded in such wise,", + "That to a fork the serpent cleft his tail,", + "And eke the wounded drew his feet together.", + "The legs together with the thighs themselves", + "Adhered so, that in little time the juncture", + "No sign whatever made that was apparent.", + "He with the cloven tail assumed the figure", + "The other one was losing, and his skin", + "Became elastic, and the other’s hard.", + "I saw the arms draw inward at the armpits,", + "And both feet of the reptile, that were short,", + "Lengthen as much as those contracted were.", + "Thereafter the hind feet, together twisted,", + "Became the member that a man conceals,", + "And of his own the wretch had two created.", + "While both of them the exhalation veils", + "With a new colour, and engenders hair", + "On one of them and depilates the other,", + "The one uprose and down the other fell,", + "Though turning not away their impious lamps,", + "Underneath which each one his muzzle changed.", + "He who was standing drew it tow’rds the temples,", + "And from excess of matter, which came thither,", + "Issued the ears from out the hollow cheeks;", + "What did not backward run and was retained", + "Of that excess made to the face a nose,", + "And the lips thickened far as was befitting.", + "He who lay prostrate thrusts his muzzle forward,", + "And backward draws the ears into his head,", + "In the same manner as the snail its horns;", + "And so the tongue, which was entire and apt", + "For speech before, is cleft, and the bi-forked", + "In the other closes up, and the smoke ceases.", + "The soul, which to a reptile had been changed,", + "Along the valley hissing takes to flight,", + "And after him the other speaking sputters.", + "Then did he turn upon him his new shoulders,", + "And said to the other: “I’ll have Buoso run,", + "Crawling as I have done, along this road.”", + "In this way I beheld the seventh ballast", + "Shift and reshift, and here be my excuse", + "The novelty, if aught my pen transgress.", + "And notwithstanding that mine eyes might be", + "Somewhat bewildered, and my mind dismayed,", + "They could not flee away so secretly", + "But that I plainly saw Puccio Sciancato;", + "And he it was who sole of three companions,", + "Which came in the beginning, was not changed;", + "The other was he whom thou, Gaville, weepest." + ], + "26": [ + "Rejoice, O Florence, since thou art so great,", + "That over sea and land thou beatest thy wings,", + "And throughout Hell thy name is spread abroad!", + "Among the thieves five citizens of thine", + "Like these I found, whence shame comes unto me,", + "And thou thereby to no great honour risest.", + "But if when morn is near our dreams are true,", + "Feel shalt thou in a little time from now", + "What Prato, if none other, craves for thee.", + "And if it now were, it were not too soon;", + "Would that it were, seeing it needs must be,", + "For ’twill aggrieve me more the more I age.", + "We went our way, and up along the stairs", + "The bourns had made us to descend before,", + "Remounted my Conductor and drew me.", + "And following the solitary path", + "Among the rocks and ridges of the crag,", + "The foot without the hand sped not at all.", + "Then sorrowed I, and sorrow now again,", + "When I direct my mind to what I saw,", + "And more my genius curb than I am wont,", + "That it may run not unless virtue guide it;", + "So that if some good star, or better thing,", + "Have given me good, I may myself not grudge it.", + "As many as the hind (who on the hill", + "Rests at the time when he who lights the world", + "His countenance keeps least concealed from us,", + "While as the fly gives place unto the gnat)", + "Seeth the glow-worms down along the valley,", + "Perchance there where he ploughs and makes his vintage;", + "With flames as manifold resplendent all", + "Was the eighth Bolgia, as I grew aware", + "As soon as I was where the depth appeared.", + "And such as he who with the bears avenged him", + "Beheld Elijah’s chariot at departing,", + "What time the steeds to heaven erect uprose,", + "For with his eye he could not follow it", + "So as to see aught else than flame alone,", + "Even as a little cloud ascending upward,", + "Thus each along the gorge of the intrenchment", + "Was moving; for not one reveals the theft,", + "And every flame a sinner steals away.", + "I stood upon the bridge uprisen to see,", + "So that, if I had seized not on a rock,", + "Down had I fallen without being pushed.", + "And the Leader, who beheld me so attent,", + "Exclaimed: “Within the fires the spirits are;", + "Each swathes himself with that wherewith he burns.”", + "“My Master,” I replied, “by hearing thee", + "I am more sure; but I surmised already", + "It might be so, and already wished to ask thee", + "Who is within that fire, which comes so cleft", + "At top, it seems uprising from the pyre", + "Where was Eteocles with his brother placed.”", + "He answered me: “Within there are tormented", + "Ulysses and Diomed, and thus together", + "They unto vengeance run as unto wrath.", + "And there within their flame do they lament", + "The ambush of the horse, which made the door", + "Whence issued forth the Romans’ gentle seed;", + "Therein is wept the craft, for which being dead", + "Deidamia still deplores Achilles,", + "And pain for the Palladium there is borne.”", + "“If they within those sparks possess the power", + "To speak,” I said, “thee, Master, much I pray,", + "And re-pray, that the prayer be worth a thousand,", + "That thou make no denial of awaiting", + "Until the horned flame shall hither come;", + "Thou seest that with desire I lean towards it.”", + "And he to me: “Worthy is thy entreaty", + "Of much applause, and therefore I accept it;", + "But take heed that thy tongue restrain itself.", + "Leave me to speak, because I have conceived", + "That which thou wishest; for they might disdain", + "Perchance, since they were Greeks, discourse of thine.”", + "When now the flame had come unto that point,", + "Where to my Leader it seemed time and place,", + "After this fashion did I hear him speak:", + "“O ye, who are twofold within one fire,", + "If I deserved of you, while I was living,", + "If I deserved of you or much or little", + "When in the world I wrote the lofty verses,", + "Do not move on, but one of you declare", + "Whither, being lost, he went away to die.”", + "Then of the antique flame the greater horn,", + "Murmuring, began to wave itself about", + "Even as a flame doth which the wind fatigues.", + "Thereafterward, the summit to and fro", + "Moving as if it were the tongue that spake,", + "It uttered forth a voice, and said: “When I", + "From Circe had departed, who concealed me", + "More than a year there near unto Gaeta,", + "Or ever yet Aeneas named it so,", + "Nor fondness for my son, nor reverence", + "For my old father, nor the due affection", + "Which joyous should have made Penelope,", + "Could overcome within me the desire", + "I had to be experienced of the world,", + "And of the vice and virtue of mankind;", + "But I put forth on the high open sea", + "With one sole ship, and that small company", + "By which I never had deserted been.", + "Both of the shores I saw as far as Spain,", + "Far as Morocco, and the isle of Sardes,", + "And the others which that sea bathes round about.", + "I and my company were old and slow", + "When at that narrow passage we arrived", + "Where Hercules his landmarks set as signals,", + "That man no farther onward should adventure.", + "On the right hand behind me left I Seville,", + "And on the other already had left Ceuta.", + "‘O brothers, who amid a hundred thousand", + "Perils,’ I said, ‘have come unto the West,", + "To this so inconsiderable vigil", + "Which is remaining of your senses still", + "Be ye unwilling to deny the knowledge,", + "Following the sun, of the unpeopled world.", + "Consider ye the seed from which ye sprang;", + "Ye were not made to live like unto brutes,", + "But for pursuit of virtue and of knowledge.’", + "So eager did I render my companions,", + "With this brief exhortation, for the voyage,", + "That then I hardly could have held them back.", + "And having turned our stern unto the morning,", + "We of the oars made wings for our mad flight,", + "Evermore gaining on the larboard side.", + "Already all the stars of the other pole", + "The night beheld, and ours so very low", + "It did not rise above the ocean floor.", + "Five times rekindled and as many quenched", + "Had been the splendour underneath the moon,", + "Since we had entered into the deep pass,", + "When there appeared to us a mountain, dim", + "From distance, and it seemed to me so high", + "As I had never any one beheld.", + "Joyful were we, and soon it turned to weeping;", + "For out of the new land a whirlwind rose,", + "And smote upon the fore part of the ship.", + "Three times it made her whirl with all the waters,", + "At the fourth time it made the stern uplift,", + "And the prow downward go, as pleased Another,", + "Until the sea above us closed again.”" + ], + "27": [ + "Already was the flame erect and quiet,", + "To speak no more, and now departed from us", + "With the permission of the gentle Poet;", + "When yet another, which behind it came,", + "Caused us to turn our eyes upon its top", + "By a confused sound that issued from it.", + "As the Sicilian bull (that bellowed first", + "With the lament of him, and that was right,", + "Who with his file had modulated it)", + "Bellowed so with the voice of the afflicted,", + "That, notwithstanding it was made of brass,", + "Still it appeared with agony transfixed;", + "Thus, by not having any way or issue", + "At first from out the fire, to its own language", + "Converted were the melancholy words.", + "But afterwards, when they had gathered way", + "Up through the point, giving it that vibration", + "The tongue had given them in their passage out,", + "We heard it said: “O thou, at whom I aim", + "My voice, and who but now wast speaking Lombard,", + "Saying, ‘Now go thy way, no more I urge thee,’", + "Because I come perchance a little late,", + "To stay and speak with me let it not irk thee;", + "Thou seest it irks not me, and I am burning.", + "If thou but lately into this blind world", + "Hast fallen down from that sweet Latian land,", + "Wherefrom I bring the whole of my transgression,", + "Say, if the Romagnuols have peace or war,", + "For I was from the mountains there between", + "Urbino and the yoke whence Tiber bursts.”", + "I still was downward bent and listening,", + "When my Conductor touched me on the side,", + "Saying: “Speak thou: this one a Latian is.”", + "And I, who had beforehand my reply", + "In readiness, forthwith began to speak:", + "“O soul, that down below there art concealed,", + "Romagna thine is not and never has been", + "Without war in the bosom of its tyrants;", + "But open war I none have left there now.", + "Ravenna stands as it long years has stood;", + "The Eagle of Polenta there is brooding,", + "So that she covers Cervia with her vans.", + "The city which once made the long resistance,", + "And of the French a sanguinary heap,", + "Beneath the Green Paws finds itself again;", + "Verrucchio’s ancient Mastiff and the new,", + "Who made such bad disposal of Montagna,", + "Where they are wont make wimbles of their teeth.", + "The cities of Lamone and Santerno", + "Governs the Lioncel of the white lair,", + "Who changes sides ’twixt summer-time and winter;", + "And that of which the Savio bathes the flank,", + "Even as it lies between the plain and mountain,", + "Lives between tyranny and a free state.", + "Now I entreat thee tell us who thou art;", + "Be not more stubborn than the rest have been,", + "So may thy name hold front there in the world.”", + "After the fire a little more had roared", + "In its own fashion, the sharp point it moved", + "This way and that, and then gave forth such breath:", + "“If I believed that my reply were made", + "To one who to the world would e’er return,", + "This flame without more flickering would stand still;", + "But inasmuch as never from this depth", + "Did any one return, if I hear true,", + "Without the fear of infamy I answer,", + "I was a man of arms, then Cordelier,", + "Believing thus begirt to make amends;", + "And truly my belief had been fulfilled", + "But for the High Priest, whom may ill betide,", + "Who put me back into my former sins;", + "And how and wherefore I will have thee hear.", + "While I was still the form of bone and pulp", + "My mother gave to me, the deeds I did", + "Were not those of a lion, but a fox.", + "The machinations and the covert ways", + "I knew them all, and practised so their craft,", + "That to the ends of earth the sound went forth.", + "When now unto that portion of mine age", + "I saw myself arrived, when each one ought", + "To lower the sails, and coil away the ropes,", + "That which before had pleased me then displeased me;", + "And penitent and confessing I surrendered,", + "Ah woe is me! and it would have bestead me;", + "The Leader of the modern Pharisees", + "Having a war near unto Lateran,", + "And not with Saracens nor with the Jews,", + "For each one of his enemies was Christian,", + "And none of them had been to conquer Acre,", + "Nor merchandising in the Sultan’s land,", + "Nor the high office, nor the sacred orders,", + "In him regarded, nor in me that cord", + "Which used to make those girt with it more meagre;", + "But even as Constantine sought out Sylvester", + "To cure his leprosy, within Soracte,", + "So this one sought me out as an adept", + "To cure him of the fever of his pride.", + "Counsel he asked of me, and I was silent,", + "Because his words appeared inebriate.", + "And then he said: ‘Be not thy heart afraid;", + "Henceforth I thee absolve; and thou instruct me", + "How to raze Palestrina to the ground.", + "Heaven have I power to lock and to unlock,", + "As thou dost know; therefore the keys are two,", + "The which my predecessor held not dear.’", + "Then urged me on his weighty arguments", + "There, where my silence was the worst advice;", + "And said I: ‘Father, since thou washest me", + "Of that sin into which I now must fall,", + "The promise long with the fulfilment short", + "Will make thee triumph in thy lofty seat.’", + "Francis came afterward, when I was dead,", + "For me; but one of the black Cherubim", + "Said to him: ‘Take him not; do me no wrong;", + "He must come down among my servitors,", + "Because he gave the fraudulent advice", + "From which time forth I have been at his hair;", + "For who repents not cannot be absolved,", + "Nor can one both repent and will at once,", + "Because of the contradiction which consents not.’", + "O miserable me! how I did shudder", + "When he seized on me, saying: ‘Peradventure", + "Thou didst not think that I was a logician!’", + "He bore me unto Minos, who entwined", + "Eight times his tail about his stubborn back,", + "And after he had bitten it in great rage,", + "Said: ‘Of the thievish fire a culprit this;’", + "Wherefore, here where thou seest, am I lost,", + "And vested thus in going I bemoan me.”", + "When it had thus completed its recital,", + "The flame departed uttering lamentations,", + "Writhing and flapping its sharp-pointed horn.", + "Onward we passed, both I and my Conductor,", + "Up o’er the crag above another arch,", + "Which the moat covers, where is paid the fee", + "By those who, sowing discord, win their burden." + ], + "28": [ + "Who ever could, e’en with untrammelled words,", + "Tell of the blood and of the wounds in full", + "Which now I saw, by many times narrating?", + "Each tongue would for a certainty fall short", + "By reason of our speech and memory,", + "That have small room to comprehend so much.", + "If were again assembled all the people", + "Which formerly upon the fateful land", + "Of Puglia were lamenting for their blood", + "Shed by the Romans and the lingering war", + "That of the rings made such illustrious spoils,", + "As Livy has recorded, who errs not,", + "With those who felt the agony of blows", + "By making counterstand to Robert Guiscard,", + "And all the rest, whose bones are gathered still", + "At Ceperano, where a renegade", + "Was each Apulian, and at Tagliacozzo,", + "Where without arms the old Alardo conquered,", + "And one his limb transpierced, and one lopped off,", + "Should show, it would be nothing to compare", + "With the disgusting mode of the ninth Bolgia.", + "A cask by losing centre-piece or cant", + "Was never shattered so, as I saw one", + "Rent from the chin to where one breaketh wind.", + "Between his legs were hanging down his entrails;", + "His heart was visible, and the dismal sack", + "That maketh excrement of what is eaten.", + "While I was all absorbed in seeing him,", + "He looked at me, and opened with his hands", + "His bosom, saying: “See now how I rend me;", + "How mutilated, see, is Mahomet;", + "In front of me doth Ali weeping go,", + "Cleft in the face from forelock unto chin;", + "And all the others whom thou here beholdest,", + "Disseminators of scandal and of schism", + "While living were, and therefore are cleft thus.", + "A devil is behind here, who doth cleave us", + "Thus cruelly, unto the falchion’s edge", + "Putting again each one of all this ream,", + "When we have gone around the doleful road;", + "By reason that our wounds are closed again", + "Ere any one in front of him repass.", + "But who art thou, that musest on the crag,", + "Perchance to postpone going to the pain", + "That is adjudged upon thine accusations?”", + "“Nor death hath reached him yet, nor guilt doth bring him,”", + "My Master made reply, “to be tormented;", + "But to procure him full experience,", + "Me, who am dead, behoves it to conduct him", + "Down here through Hell, from circle unto circle;", + "And this is true as that I speak to thee.”", + "More than a hundred were there when they heard him,", + "Who in the moat stood still to look at me,", + "Through wonderment oblivious of their torture.", + "“Now say to Fra Dolcino, then, to arm him,", + "Thou, who perhaps wilt shortly see the sun,", + "If soon he wish not here to follow me,", + "So with provisions, that no stress of snow", + "May give the victory to the Novarese,", + "Which otherwise to gain would not be easy.”", + "After one foot to go away he lifted,", + "This word did Mahomet say unto me,", + "Then to depart upon the ground he stretched it.", + "Another one, who had his throat pierced through,", + "And nose cut off close underneath the brows,", + "And had no longer but a single ear,", + "Staying to look in wonder with the others,", + "Before the others did his gullet open,", + "Which outwardly was red in every part,", + "And said: “O thou, whom guilt doth not condemn,", + "And whom I once saw up in Latian land,", + "Unless too great similitude deceive me,", + "Call to remembrance Pier da Medicina,", + "If e’er thou see again the lovely plain", + "That from Vercelli slopes to Marcabo,", + "And make it known to the best two of Fano,", + "To Messer Guido and Angiolello likewise,", + "That if foreseeing here be not in vain,", + "Cast over from their vessel shall they be,", + "And drowned near unto the Cattolica,", + "By the betrayal of a tyrant fell.", + "Between the isles of Cyprus and Majorca", + "Neptune ne’er yet beheld so great a crime,", + "Neither of pirates nor Argolic people.", + "That traitor, who sees only with one eye,", + "And holds the land, which some one here with me", + "Would fain be fasting from the vision of,", + "Will make them come unto a parley with him;", + "Then will do so, that to Focara’s wind", + "They will not stand in need of vow or prayer.”", + "And I to him: “Show to me and declare,", + "If thou wouldst have me bear up news of thee,", + "Who is this person of the bitter vision.”", + "Then did he lay his hand upon the jaw", + "Of one of his companions, and his mouth", + "Oped, crying: “This is he, and he speaks not.", + "This one, being banished, every doubt submerged", + "In Caesar by affirming the forearmed", + "Always with detriment allowed delay.”", + "O how bewildered unto me appeared,", + "With tongue asunder in his windpipe slit,", + "Curio, who in speaking was so bold!", + "And one, who both his hands dissevered had,", + "The stumps uplifting through the murky air,", + "So that the blood made horrible his face,", + "Cried out: “Thou shalt remember Mosca also,", + "Who said, alas! ‘A thing done has an end!’", + "Which was an ill seed for the Tuscan people.”", + "“And death unto thy race,” thereto I added;", + "Whence he, accumulating woe on woe,", + "Departed, like a person sad and crazed.", + "But I remained to look upon the crowd;", + "And saw a thing which I should be afraid,", + "Without some further proof, even to recount,", + "If it were not that conscience reassures me,", + "That good companion which emboldens man", + "Beneath the hauberk of its feeling pure.", + "I truly saw, and still I seem to see it,", + "A trunk without a head walk in like manner", + "As walked the others of the mournful herd.", + "And by the hair it held the head dissevered,", + "Hung from the hand in fashion of a lantern,", + "And that upon us gazed and said: “O me!”", + "It of itself made to itself a lamp,", + "And they were two in one, and one in two;", + "How that can be, He knows who so ordains it.", + "When it was come close to the bridge’s foot,", + "It lifted high its arm with all the head,", + "To bring more closely unto us its words,", + "Which were: “Behold now the sore penalty,", + "Thou, who dost breathing go the dead beholding;", + "Behold if any be as great as this.", + "And so that thou may carry news of me,", + "Know that Bertram de Born am I, the same", + "Who gave to the Young King the evil comfort.", + "I made the father and the son rebellious;", + "Achitophel not more with Absalom", + "And David did with his accursed goadings.", + "Because I parted persons so united,", + "Parted do I now bear my brain, alas!", + "From its beginning, which is in this trunk.", + "Thus is observed in me the counterpoise.”" + ], + "29": [ + "The many people and the divers wounds", + "These eyes of mine had so inebriated,", + "That they were wishful to stand still and weep;", + "But said Virgilius: “What dost thou still gaze at?", + "Why is thy sight still riveted down there", + "Among the mournful, mutilated shades?", + "Thou hast not done so at the other Bolge;", + "Consider, if to count them thou believest,", + "That two-and-twenty miles the valley winds,", + "And now the moon is underneath our feet;", + "Henceforth the time allotted us is brief,", + "And more is to be seen than what thou seest.”", + "“If thou hadst,” I made answer thereupon,", + "“Attended to the cause for which I looked,", + "Perhaps a longer stay thou wouldst have pardoned.”", + "Meanwhile my Guide departed, and behind him", + "I went, already making my reply,", + "And superadding: “In that cavern where", + "I held mine eyes with such attention fixed,", + "I think a spirit of my blood laments", + "The sin which down below there costs so much.”", + "Then said the Master: “Be no longer broken", + "Thy thought from this time forward upon him;", + "Attend elsewhere, and there let him remain;", + "For him I saw below the little bridge,", + "Pointing at thee, and threatening with his finger", + "Fiercely, and heard him called Geri del Bello.", + "So wholly at that time wast thou impeded", + "By him who formerly held Altaforte,", + "Thou didst not look that way; so he departed.”", + "“O my Conductor, his own violent death,", + "Which is not yet avenged for him,” I said,", + "“By any who is sharer in the shame,", + "Made him disdainful; whence he went away,", + "As I imagine, without speaking to me,", + "And thereby made me pity him the more.”", + "Thus did we speak as far as the first place", + "Upon the crag, which the next valley shows", + "Down to the bottom, if there were more light.", + "When we were now right over the last cloister", + "Of Malebolge, so that its lay-brothers", + "Could manifest themselves unto our sight,", + "Divers lamentings pierced me through and through,", + "Which with compassion had their arrows barbed,", + "Whereat mine ears I covered with my hands.", + "What pain would be, if from the hospitals", + "Of Valdichiana, ’twixt July and September,", + "And of Maremma and Sardinia", + "All the diseases in one moat were gathered,", + "Such was it here, and such a stench came from it", + "As from putrescent limbs is wont to issue.", + "We had descended on the furthest bank", + "From the long crag, upon the left hand still,", + "And then more vivid was my power of sight", + "Down tow’rds the bottom, where the ministress", + "Of the high Lord, Justice infallible,", + "Punishes forgers, which she here records.", + "I do not think a sadder sight to see", + "Was in Aegina the whole people sick,", + "(When was the air so full of pestilence,", + "The animals, down to the little worm,", + "All fell, and afterwards the ancient people,", + "According as the poets have affirmed,", + "Were from the seed of ants restored again,)", + "Than was it to behold through that dark valley", + "The spirits languishing in divers heaps.", + "This on the belly, that upon the back", + "One of the other lay, and others crawling", + "Shifted themselves along the dismal road.", + "We step by step went onward without speech,", + "Gazing upon and listening to the sick", + "Who had not strength enough to lift their bodies.", + "I saw two sitting leaned against each other,", + "As leans in heating platter against platter,", + "From head to foot bespotted o’er with scabs;", + "And never saw I plied a currycomb", + "By stable-boy for whom his master waits,", + "Or him who keeps awake unwillingly,", + "As every one was plying fast the bite", + "Of nails upon himself, for the great rage", + "Of itching which no other succour had.", + "And the nails downward with them dragged the scab,", + "In fashion as a knife the scales of bream,", + "Or any other fish that has them largest.", + "“O thou, that with thy fingers dost dismail thee,”", + "Began my Leader unto one of them,", + "“And makest of them pincers now and then,", + "Tell me if any Latian is with those", + "Who are herein; so may thy nails suffice thee", + "To all eternity unto this work.”", + "“Latians are we, whom thou so wasted seest,", + "Both of us here,” one weeping made reply;", + "“But who art thou, that questionest about us?”", + "And said the Guide: “One am I who descends", + "Down with this living man from cliff to cliff,", + "And I intend to show Hell unto him.”", + "Then broken was their mutual support,", + "And trembling each one turned himself to me,", + "With others who had heard him by rebound.", + "Wholly to me did the good Master gather,", + "Saying: “Say unto them whate’er thou wishest.”", + "And I began, since he would have it so:", + "“So may your memory not steal away", + "In the first world from out the minds of men,", + "But so may it survive ’neath many suns,", + "Say to me who ye are, and of what people;", + "Let not your foul and loathsome punishment", + "Make you afraid to show yourselves to me.”", + "“I of Arezzo was,” one made reply,", + "“And Albert of Siena had me burned;", + "But what I died for does not bring me here.", + "’Tis true I said to him, speaking in jest,", + "That I could rise by flight into the air,", + "And he who had conceit, but little wit,", + "Would have me show to him the art; and only", + "Because no Daedalus I made him, made me", + "Be burned by one who held him as his son.", + "But unto the last Bolgia of the ten,", + "For alchemy, which in the world I practised,", + "Minos, who cannot err, has me condemned.”", + "And to the Poet said I: “Now was ever", + "So vain a people as the Sienese?", + "Not for a certainty the French by far.”", + "Whereat the other leper, who had heard me,", + "Replied unto my speech: “Taking out Stricca,", + "Who knew the art of moderate expenses,", + "And Niccolo, who the luxurious use", + "Of cloves discovered earliest of all", + "Within that garden where such seed takes root;", + "And taking out the band, among whom squandered", + "Caccia d’Ascian his vineyards and vast woods,", + "And where his wit the Abbagliato proffered!", + "But, that thou know who thus doth second thee", + "Against the Sienese, make sharp thine eye", + "Tow’rds me, so that my face well answer thee,", + "And thou shalt see I am Capocchio’s shade,", + "Who metals falsified by alchemy;", + "Thou must remember, if I well descry thee,", + "How I a skilful ape of nature was.”" + ], + "30": [ + "’Twas at the time when Juno was enraged,", + "For Semele, against the Theban blood,", + "As she already more than once had shown,", + "So reft of reason Athamas became,", + "That, seeing his own wife with children twain", + "Walking encumbered upon either hand,", + "He cried: “Spread out the nets, that I may take", + "The lioness and her whelps upon the passage;”", + "And then extended his unpitying claws,", + "Seizing the first, who had the name Learchus,", + "And whirled him round, and dashed him on a rock;", + "And she, with the other burthen, drowned herself;—", + "And at the time when fortune downward hurled", + "The Trojan’s arrogance, that all things dared,", + "So that the king was with his kingdom crushed,", + "Hecuba sad, disconsolate, and captive,", + "When lifeless she beheld Polyxena,", + "And of her Polydorus on the shore", + "Of ocean was the dolorous one aware,", + "Out of her senses like a dog she barked,", + "So much the anguish had her mind distorted;", + "But not of Thebes the furies nor the Trojan", + "Were ever seen in any one so cruel", + "In goading beasts, and much more human members,", + "As I beheld two shadows pale and naked,", + "Who, biting, in the manner ran along", + "That a boar does, when from the sty turned loose.", + "One to Capocchio came, and by the nape", + "Seized with its teeth his neck, so that in dragging", + "It made his belly grate the solid bottom.", + "And the Aretine, who trembling had remained,", + "Said to me: “That mad sprite is Gianni Schicchi,", + "And raving goes thus harrying other people.”", + "“O,” said I to him, “so may not the other", + "Set teeth on thee, let it not weary thee", + "To tell us who it is, ere it dart hence.”", + "And he to me: “That is the ancient ghost", + "Of the nefarious Myrrha, who became", + "Beyond all rightful love her father’s lover.", + "She came to sin with him after this manner,", + "By counterfeiting of another’s form;", + "As he who goeth yonder undertook,", + "That he might gain the lady of the herd,", + "To counterfeit in himself Buoso Donati,", + "Making a will and giving it due form.”", + "And after the two maniacs had passed", + "On whom I held mine eye, I turned it back", + "To look upon the other evil-born.", + "I saw one made in fashion of a lute,", + "If he had only had the groin cut off", + "Just at the point at which a man is forked.", + "The heavy dropsy, that so disproportions", + "The limbs with humours, which it ill concocts,", + "That the face corresponds not to the belly,", + "Compelled him so to hold his lips apart", + "As does the hectic, who because of thirst", + "One tow’rds the chin, the other upward turns.", + "“O ye, who without any torment are,", + "And why I know not, in the world of woe,”", + "He said to us, “behold, and be attentive", + "Unto the misery of Master Adam;", + "I had while living much of what I wished,", + "And now, alas! a drop of water crave.", + "The rivulets, that from the verdant hills", + "Of Cassentin descend down into Arno,", + "Making their channels to be cold and moist,", + "Ever before me stand, and not in vain;", + "For far more doth their image dry me up", + "Than the disease which strips my face of flesh.", + "The rigid justice that chastises me", + "Draweth occasion from the place in which", + "I sinned, to put the more my sighs in flight.", + "There is Romena, where I counterfeited", + "The currency imprinted with the Baptist,", + "For which I left my body burned above.", + "But if I here could see the tristful soul", + "Of Guido, or Alessandro, or their brother,", + "For Branda’s fount I would not give the sight.", + "One is within already, if the raving", + "Shades that are going round about speak truth;", + "But what avails it me, whose limbs are tied?", + "If I were only still so light, that in", + "A hundred years I could advance one inch,", + "I had already started on the way,", + "Seeking him out among this squalid folk,", + "Although the circuit be eleven miles,", + "And be not less than half a mile across.", + "For them am I in such a family;", + "They did induce me into coining florins,", + "Which had three carats of impurity.”", + "And I to him: “Who are the two poor wretches", + "That smoke like unto a wet hand in winter,", + "Lying there close upon thy right-hand confines?”", + "“I found them here,” replied he, “when I rained", + "Into this chasm, and since they have not turned,", + "Nor do I think they will for evermore.", + "One the false woman is who accused Joseph,", + "The other the false Sinon, Greek of Troy;", + "From acute fever they send forth such reek.”", + "And one of them, who felt himself annoyed", + "At being, peradventure, named so darkly,", + "Smote with the fist upon his hardened paunch.", + "It gave a sound, as if it were a drum;", + "And Master Adam smote him in the face,", + "With arm that did not seem to be less hard,", + "Saying to him: “Although be taken from me", + "All motion, for my limbs that heavy are,", + "I have an arm unfettered for such need.”", + "Whereat he answer made: “When thou didst go", + "Unto the fire, thou hadst it not so ready:", + "But hadst it so and more when thou wast coining.”", + "The dropsical: “Thou sayest true in that;", + "But thou wast not so true a witness there,", + "Where thou wast questioned of the truth at Troy.”", + "“If I spake false, thou falsifiedst the coin,”", + "Said Sinon; “and for one fault I am here,", + "And thou for more than any other demon.”", + "“Remember, perjurer, about the horse,”", + "He made reply who had the swollen belly,", + "“And rueful be it thee the whole world knows it.”", + "“Rueful to thee the thirst be wherewith cracks", + "Thy tongue,” the Greek said, “and the putrid water", + "That hedges so thy paunch before thine eyes.”", + "Then the false-coiner: “So is gaping wide", + "Thy mouth for speaking evil, as ’tis wont;", + "Because if I have thirst, and humour stuff me", + "Thou hast the burning and the head that aches,", + "And to lick up the mirror of Narcissus", + "Thou wouldst not want words many to invite thee.”", + "In listening to them was I wholly fixed,", + "When said the Master to me: “Now just look,", + "For little wants it that I quarrel with thee.”", + "When him I heard in anger speak to me,", + "I turned me round towards him with such shame", + "That still it eddies through my memory.", + "And as he is who dreams of his own harm,", + "Who dreaming wishes it may be a dream,", + "So that he craves what is, as if it were not;", + "Such I became, not having power to speak,", + "For to excuse myself I wished, and still", + "Excused myself, and did not think I did it.", + "“Less shame doth wash away a greater fault,”", + "The Master said, “than this of thine has been;", + "Therefore thyself disburden of all sadness,", + "And make account that I am aye beside thee,", + "If e’er it come to pass that fortune bring thee", + "Where there are people in a like dispute;", + "For a base wish it is to wish to hear it.”" + ], + "31": [ + "One and the selfsame tongue first wounded me,", + "So that it tinged the one cheek and the other,", + "And then held out to me the medicine;", + "Thus do I hear that once Achilles’ spear,", + "His and his father’s, used to be the cause", + "First of a sad and then a gracious boon.", + "We turned our backs upon the wretched valley,", + "Upon the bank that girds it round about,", + "Going across it without any speech.", + "There it was less than night, and less than day,", + "So that my sight went little in advance;", + "But I could hear the blare of a loud horn,", + "So loud it would have made each thunder faint,", + "Which, counter to it following its way,", + "Mine eyes directed wholly to one place.", + "After the dolorous discomfiture", + "When Charlemagne the holy emprise lost,", + "So terribly Orlando sounded not.", + "Short while my head turned thitherward I held", + "When many lofty towers I seemed to see,", + "Whereat I: “Master, say, what town is this?”", + "And he to me: “Because thou peerest forth", + "Athwart the darkness at too great a distance,", + "It happens that thou errest in thy fancy.", + "Well shalt thou see, if thou arrivest there,", + "How much the sense deceives itself by distance;", + "Therefore a little faster spur thee on.”", + "Then tenderly he took me by the hand,", + "And said: “Before we farther have advanced,", + "That the reality may seem to thee", + "Less strange, know that these are not towers, but giants,", + "And they are in the well, around the bank,", + "From navel downward, one and all of them.”", + "As, when the fog is vanishing away,", + "Little by little doth the sight refigure", + "Whate’er the mist that crowds the air conceals,", + "So, piercing through the dense and darksome air,", + "More and more near approaching tow’rd the verge,", + "My error fled, and fear came over me;", + "Because as on its circular parapets", + "Montereggione crowns itself with towers,", + "E’en thus the margin which surrounds the well", + "With one half of their bodies turreted", + "The horrible giants, whom Jove menaces", + "E’en now from out the heavens when he thunders.", + "And I of one already saw the face,", + "Shoulders, and breast, and great part of the belly,", + "And down along his sides both of the arms.", + "Certainly Nature, when she left the making", + "Of animals like these, did well indeed,", + "By taking such executors from Mars;", + "And if of elephants and whales she doth not", + "Repent her, whosoever looketh subtly", + "More just and more discreet will hold her for it;", + "For where the argument of intellect", + "Is added unto evil will and power,", + "No rampart can the people make against it.", + "His face appeared to me as long and large", + "As is at Rome the pine-cone of Saint Peter’s,", + "And in proportion were the other bones;", + "So that the margin, which an apron was", + "Down from the middle, showed so much of him", + "Above it, that to reach up to his hair", + "Three Frieslanders in vain had vaunted them;", + "For I beheld thirty great palms of him", + "Down from the place where man his mantle buckles.", + "“Raphael mai amech izabi almi,”", + "Began to clamour the ferocious mouth,", + "To which were not befitting sweeter psalms.", + "And unto him my Guide: “Soul idiotic,", + "Keep to thy horn, and vent thyself with that,", + "When wrath or other passion touches thee.", + "Search round thy neck, and thou wilt find the belt", + "Which keeps it fastened, O bewildered soul,", + "And see it, where it bars thy mighty breast.”", + "Then said to me: “He doth himself accuse;", + "This one is Nimrod, by whose evil thought", + "One language in the world is not still used.", + "Here let us leave him and not speak in vain;", + "For even such to him is every language", + "As his to others, which to none is known.”", + "Therefore a longer journey did we make,", + "Turned to the left, and a crossbow-shot oft", + "We found another far more fierce and large.", + "In binding him, who might the master be", + "I cannot say; but he had pinioned close", + "Behind the right arm, and in front the other,", + "With chains, that held him so begirt about", + "From the neck down, that on the part uncovered", + "It wound itself as far as the fifth gyre.", + "“This proud one wished to make experiment", + "Of his own power against the Supreme Jove,”", + "My Leader said, “whence he has such a guerdon.", + "Ephialtes is his name; he showed great prowess.", + "What time the giants terrified the gods;", + "The arms he wielded never more he moves.”", + "And I to him: “If possible, I should wish", + "That of the measureless Briareus", + "These eyes of mine might have experience.”", + "Whence he replied: “Thou shalt behold Antaeus", + "Close by here, who can speak and is unbound,", + "Who at the bottom of all crime shall place us.", + "Much farther yon is he whom thou wouldst see,", + "And he is bound, and fashioned like to this one,", + "Save that he seems in aspect more ferocious.”", + "There never was an earthquake of such might", + "That it could shake a tower so violently,", + "As Ephialtes suddenly shook himself.", + "Then was I more afraid of death than ever,", + "For nothing more was needful than the fear,", + "If I had not beheld the manacles.", + "Then we proceeded farther in advance,", + "And to Antaeus came, who, full five ells", + "Without the head, forth issued from the cavern.", + "“O thou, who in the valley fortunate,", + "Which Scipio the heir of glory made,", + "When Hannibal turned back with all his hosts,", + "Once brought’st a thousand lions for thy prey,", + "And who, hadst thou been at the mighty war", + "Among thy brothers, some it seems still think", + "The sons of Earth the victory would have gained:", + "Place us below, nor be disdainful of it,", + "There where the cold doth lock Cocytus up.", + "Make us not go to Tityus nor Typhoeus;", + "This one can give of that which here is longed for;", + "Therefore stoop down, and do not curl thy lip.", + "Still in the world can he restore thy fame;", + "Because he lives, and still expects long life,", + "If to itself Grace call him not untimely.”", + "So said the Master; and in haste the other", + "His hands extended and took up my Guide,—", + "Hands whose great pressure Hercules once felt.", + "Virgilius, when he felt himself embraced,", + "Said unto me: “Draw nigh, that I may take thee;”", + "Then of himself and me one bundle made.", + "As seems the Carisenda, to behold", + "Beneath the leaning side, when goes a cloud", + "Above it so that opposite it hangs;", + "Such did Antaeus seem to me, who stood", + "Watching to see him stoop, and then it was", + "I could have wished to go some other way.", + "But lightly in the abyss, which swallows up", + "Judas with Lucifer, he put us down;", + "Nor thus bowed downward made he there delay,", + "But, as a mast does in a ship, uprose." + ], + "32": [ + "If I had rhymes both rough and stridulous,", + "As were appropriate to the dismal hole", + "Down upon which thrust all the other rocks,", + "I would press out the juice of my conception", + "More fully; but because I have them not,", + "Not without fear I bring myself to speak;", + "For ’tis no enterprise to take in jest,", + "To sketch the bottom of all the universe,", + "Nor for a tongue that cries Mamma and Babbo.", + "But may those Ladies help this verse of mine,", + "Who helped Amphion in enclosing Thebes,", + "That from the fact the word be not diverse.", + "O rabble ill-begotten above all,", + "Who’re in the place to speak of which is hard,", + "’Twere better ye had here been sheep or goats!", + "When we were down within the darksome well,", + "Beneath the giant’s feet, but lower far,", + "And I was scanning still the lofty wall,", + "I heard it said to me: “Look how thou steppest!", + "Take heed thou do not trample with thy feet", + "The heads of the tired, miserable brothers!”", + "Whereat I turned me round, and saw before me", + "And underfoot a lake, that from the frost", + "The semblance had of glass, and not of water.", + "So thick a veil ne’er made upon its current", + "In winter-time Danube in Austria,", + "Nor there beneath the frigid sky the Don,", + "As there was here; so that if Tambernich", + "Had fallen upon it, or Pietrapana,", + "E’en at the edge ’twould not have given a creak.", + "And as to croak the frog doth place himself", + "With muzzle out of water,—when is dreaming", + "Of gleaning oftentimes the peasant-girl,—", + "Livid, as far down as where shame appears,", + "Were the disconsolate shades within the ice,", + "Setting their teeth unto the note of storks.", + "Each one his countenance held downward bent;", + "From mouth the cold, from eyes the doleful heart", + "Among them witness of itself procures.", + "When round about me somewhat I had looked,", + "I downward turned me, and saw two so close,", + "The hair upon their heads together mingled.", + "“Ye who so strain your breasts together, tell me,”", + "I said, “who are you;” and they bent their necks,", + "And when to me their faces they had lifted,", + "Their eyes, which first were only moist within,", + "Gushed o’er the eyelids, and the frost congealed", + "The tears between, and locked them up again.", + "Clamp never bound together wood with wood", + "So strongly; whereat they, like two he-goats,", + "Butted together, so much wrath o’ercame them.", + "And one, who had by reason of the cold", + "Lost both his ears, still with his visage downward,", + "Said: “Why dost thou so mirror thyself in us?", + "If thou desire to know who these two are,", + "The valley whence Bisenzio descends", + "Belonged to them and to their father Albert.", + "They from one body came, and all Caina", + "Thou shalt search through, and shalt not find a shade", + "More worthy to be fixed in gelatine;", + "Not he in whom were broken breast and shadow", + "At one and the same blow by Arthur’s hand;", + "Focaccia not; not he who me encumbers", + "So with his head I see no farther forward,", + "And bore the name of Sassol Mascheroni;", + "Well knowest thou who he was, if thou art Tuscan.", + "And that thou put me not to further speech,", + "Know that I Camicion de’ Pazzi was,", + "And wait Carlino to exonerate me.”", + "Then I beheld a thousand faces, made", + "Purple with cold; whence o’er me comes a shudder,", + "And evermore will come, at frozen ponds.", + "And while we were advancing tow’rds the middle,", + "Where everything of weight unites together,", + "And I was shivering in the eternal shade,", + "Whether ’twere will, or destiny, or chance,", + "I know not; but in walking ’mong the heads", + "I struck my foot hard in the face of one.", + "Weeping he growled: “Why dost thou trample me?", + "Unless thou comest to increase the vengeance", + "Of Montaperti, why dost thou molest me?”", + "And I: “My Master, now wait here for me,", + "That I through him may issue from a doubt;", + "Then thou mayst hurry me, as thou shalt wish.”", + "The Leader stopped; and to that one I said", + "Who was blaspheming vehemently still:", + "“Who art thou, that thus reprehendest others?”", + "“Now who art thou, that goest through Antenora", + "Smiting,” replied he, “other people’s cheeks,", + "So that, if thou wert living, ’twere too much?”", + "“Living I am, and dear to thee it may be,”", + "Was my response, “if thou demandest fame,", + "That ’mid the other notes thy name I place.”", + "And he to me: “For the reverse I long;", + "Take thyself hence, and give me no more trouble;", + "For ill thou knowest to flatter in this hollow.”", + "Then by the scalp behind I seized upon him,", + "And said: “It must needs be thou name thyself,", + "Or not a hair remain upon thee here.”", + "Whence he to me: “Though thou strip off my hair,", + "I will not tell thee who I am, nor show thee,", + "If on my head a thousand times thou fall.”", + "I had his hair in hand already twisted,", + "And more than one shock of it had pulled out,", + "He barking, with his eyes held firmly down,", + "When cried another: “What doth ail thee, Bocca?", + "Is’t not enough to clatter with thy jaws,", + "But thou must bark? what devil touches thee?”", + "“Now,” said I, “I care not to have thee speak,", + "Accursed traitor; for unto thy shame", + "I will report of thee veracious news.”", + "“Begone,” replied he, “and tell what thou wilt,", + "But be not silent, if thou issue hence,", + "Of him who had just now his tongue so prompt;", + "He weepeth here the silver of the French;", + "‘I saw,’ thus canst thou phrase it, ‘him of Duera", + "There where the sinners stand out in the cold.’", + "If thou shouldst questioned be who else was there,", + "Thou hast beside thee him of Beccaria,", + "Of whom the gorget Florence slit asunder;", + "Gianni del Soldanier, I think, may be", + "Yonder with Ganellon, and Tebaldello", + "Who oped Faenza when the people slep.”", + "Already we had gone away from him,", + "When I beheld two frozen in one hole,", + "So that one head a hood was to the other;", + "And even as bread through hunger is devoured,", + "The uppermost on the other set his teeth,", + "There where the brain is to the nape united.", + "Not in another fashion Tydeus gnawed", + "The temples of Menalippus in disdain,", + "Than that one did the skull and the other things.", + "“O thou, who showest by such bestial sign", + "Thy hatred against him whom thou art eating,", + "Tell me the wherefore,” said I, “with this compact,", + "That if thou rightfully of him complain,", + "In knowing who ye are, and his transgression,", + "I in the world above repay thee for it,", + "If that wherewith I speak be not dried up.”" + ], + "33": [ + "His mouth uplifted from his grim repast,", + "That sinner, wiping it upon the hair", + "Of the same head that he behind had wasted.", + "Then he began: “Thou wilt that I renew", + "The desperate grief, which wrings my heart already", + "To think of only, ere I speak of it;", + "But if my words be seed that may bear fruit", + "Of infamy to the traitor whom I gnaw,", + "Speaking and weeping shalt thou see together.", + "I know not who thou art, nor by what mode", + "Thou hast come down here; but a Florentine", + "Thou seemest to me truly, when I hear thee.", + "Thou hast to know I was Count Ugolino,", + "And this one was Ruggieri the Archbishop;", + "Now I will tell thee why I am such a neighbour.", + "That, by effect of his malicious thoughts,", + "Trusting in him I was made prisoner,", + "And after put to death, I need not say;", + "But ne’ertheless what thou canst not have heard,", + "That is to say, how cruel was my death,", + "Hear shalt thou, and shalt know if he has wronged me.", + "A narrow perforation in the mew,", + "Which bears because of me the title of Famine,", + "And in which others still must be locked up,", + "Had shown me through its opening many moons", + "Already, when I dreamed the evil dream", + "Which of the future rent for me the veil.", + "This one appeared to me as lord and master,", + "Hunting the wolf and whelps upon the mountain", + "For which the Pisans cannot Lucca see.", + "With sleuth-hounds gaunt, and eager, and well trained,", + "Gualandi with Sismondi and Lanfianchi", + "He had sent out before him to the front.", + "After brief course seemed unto me forespent", + "The father and the sons, and with sharp tushes", + "It seemed to me I saw their flanks ripped open.", + "When I before the morrow was awake,", + "Moaning amid their sleep I heard my sons", + "Who with me were, and asking after bread.", + "Cruel indeed art thou, if yet thou grieve not,", + "Thinking of what my heart foreboded me,", + "And weep’st thou not, what art thou wont to weep at?", + "They were awake now, and the hour drew nigh", + "At which our food used to be brought to us,", + "And through his dream was each one apprehensive;", + "And I heard locking up the under door", + "Of the horrible tower; whereat without a word", + "I gazed into the faces of my sons.", + "I wept not, I within so turned to stone;", + "They wept; and darling little Anselm mine", + "Said: ‘Thou dost gaze so, father, what doth ail thee?’", + "Still not a tear I shed, nor answer made", + "All of that day, nor yet the night thereafter,", + "Until another sun rose on the world.", + "As now a little glimmer made its way", + "Into the dolorous prison, and I saw", + "Upon four faces my own very aspect,", + "Both of my hands in agony I bit;", + "And, thinking that I did it from desire", + "Of eating, on a sudden they uprose,", + "And said they: ‘Father, much less pain ’twill give us", + "If thou do eat of us; thyself didst clothe us", + "With this poor flesh, and do thou strip it off.’", + "I calmed me then, not to make them more sad.", + "That day we all were silent, and the next.", + "Ah! obdurate earth, wherefore didst thou not open?", + "When we had come unto the fourth day, Gaddo", + "Threw himself down outstretched before my feet,", + "Saying, ‘My father, why dost thou not help me?’", + "And there he died; and, as thou seest me,", + "I saw the three fall, one by one, between", + "The fifth day and the sixth; whence I betook me,", + "Already blind, to groping over each,", + "HAnd three days called them after they were dead;", + "Then hunger did what sorrow could not do.”", + "When he had said this, with his eyes distorted,", + "The wretched skull resumed he with his teeth,", + "Which, as a dog’s, upon the bone were strong.", + "Ah! Pisa, thou opprobrium of the people", + "Of the fair land there where the ‘Si’ doth sound,", + "Since slow to punish thee thy neighbours are,", + "Let the Capraia and Gorgona move,", + "And make a hedge across the mouth of Arno", + "That every person in thee it may drown!", + "For if Count Ugolino had the fame", + "Of having in thy castles thee betrayed,", + "Thou shouldst not on such cross have put his sons.", + "Guiltless of any crime, thou modern Thebes!", + "Their youth made Uguccione and Brigata,", + "And the other two my song doth name above!", + "We passed still farther onward, where the ice", + "Another people ruggedly enswathes,", + "Not downward turned, but all of them reversed.", + "Weeping itself there does not let them weep,", + "And grief that finds a barrier in the eyes", + "Turns itself inward to increase the anguish;", + "Because the earliest tears a cluster form,", + "And, in the manner of a crystal visor,", + "Fill all the cup beneath the eyebrow full.", + "And notwithstanding that, as in a callus,", + "Because of cold all sensibility", + "Its station had abandoned in my face,", + "Still it appeared to me I felt some wind;", + "Whence I: “My Master, who sets this in motion?", + "Is not below here every vapour quenched?”", + "Whence he to me: “Full soon shalt thou be where", + "Thine eye shall answer make to thee of this,", + "Seeing the cause which raineth down the blast.”", + "And one of the wretches of the frozen crust", + "Cried out to us: “O souls so merciless", + "That the last post is given unto you,", + "Lift from mine eyes the rigid veils, that I", + "May vent the sorrow which impregns my heart", + "A little, e’er the weeping recongeal.”", + "Whence I to him: “If thou wouldst have me help thee", + "Say who thou wast; and if I free thee not,", + "May I go to the bottom of the ice.”", + "Then he replied: “I am Friar Alberigo;", + "He am I of the fruit of the bad garden,", + "Who here a date am getting for my fig.”", + "“O,” said I to him, “now art thou, too, dead?”", + "And he to me: “How may my body fare", + "Up in the world, no knowledge I possess.", + "Such an advantage has this Ptolomaea,", + "That oftentimes the soul descendeth here", + "Sooner than Atropos in motion sets it.", + "And, that thou mayest more willingly remove", + "From off my countenance these glassy tears,", + "Know that as soon as any soul betrays", + "As I have done, his body by a demon", + "Is taken from him, who thereafter rules it,", + "Until his time has wholly been revolved.", + "Itself down rushes into such a cistern;", + "And still perchance above appears the body", + "Of yonder shade, that winters here behind me.", + "This thou shouldst know, if thou hast just come down;", + "It is Ser Branca d’ Oria, and many years", + "Have passed away since he was thus locked up.”", + "“I think,” said I to him, “thou dost deceive me;", + "For Branca d’ Oria is not dead as yet,", + "And eats, and drinks, and sleeps, and puts on clothes.”", + "“In moat above,” said he, “of Malebranche,", + "There where is boiling the tenacious pitch,", + "As yet had Michel Zanche not arrived,", + "When this one left a devil in his stead", + "In his own body and one near of kin,", + "Who made together with him the betrayal.", + "But hitherward stretch out thy hand forthwith,", + "Open mine eyes;”—and open them I did not,", + "And to be rude to him was courtesy.", + "Ah, Genoese! ye men at variance", + "With every virtue, full of every vice", + "Wherefore are ye not scattered from the world?", + "For with the vilest spirit of Romagna", + "I found of you one such, who for his deeds", + "In soul already in Cocytus bathes,", + "And still above in body seems alive!" + ], + "34": [ + "‘Vexilla Regis prodeunt Inferni’", + "Towards us; therefore look in front of thee,”", + "My Master said, “if thou discernest him.”", + "As, when there breathes a heavy fog, or when", + "Our hemisphere is darkening into night,", + "Appears far off a mill the wind is turning,", + "Methought that such a building then I saw;", + "And, for the wind, I drew myself behind", + "My Guide, because there was no other shelter.", + "Now was I, and with fear in verse I put it,", + "There where the shades were wholly covered up,", + "And glimmered through like unto straws in glass.", + "Some prone are lying, others stand erect,", + "This with the head, and that one with the soles;", + "Another, bow-like, face to feet inverts.", + "When in advance so far we had proceeded,", + "That it my Master pleased to show to me", + "The creature who once had the beauteous semblance,", + "He from before me moved and made me stop,", + "Saying: “Behold Dis, and behold the place", + "Where thou with fortitude must arm thyself.”", + "How frozen I became and powerless then,", + "Ask it not, Reader, for I write it not,", + "Because all language would be insufficient.", + "I did not die, and I alive remained not;", + "Think for thyself now, hast thou aught of wit,", + "What I became, being of both deprived.", + "The Emperor of the kingdom dolorous", + "From his mid-breast forth issued from the ice;", + "And better with a giant I compare", + "Than do the giants with those arms of his;", + "Consider now how great must be that whole,", + "Which unto such a part conforms itself.", + "Were he as fair once, as he now is foul,", + "And lifted up his brow against his Maker,", + "Well may proceed from him all tribulation.", + "O, what a marvel it appeared to me,", + "When I beheld three faces on his head!", + "The one in front, and that vermilion was;", + "Two were the others, that were joined with this", + "Above the middle part of either shoulder,", + "And they were joined together at the crest;", + "And the right-hand one seemed ’twixt white and yellow;", + "The left was such to look upon as those", + "Who come from where the Nile falls valley-ward.", + "Underneath each came forth two mighty wings,", + "Such as befitting were so great a bird;", + "Sails of the sea I never saw so large.", + "No feathers had they, but as of a bat", + "Their fashion was; and he was waving them,", + "So that three winds proceeded forth therefrom.", + "Thereby Cocytus wholly was congealed.", + "With six eyes did he weep, and down three chins", + "Trickled the tear-drops and the bloody drivel.", + "At every mouth he with his teeth was crunching", + "A sinner, in the manner of a brake,", + "So that he three of them tormented thus.", + "To him in front the biting was as naught", + "Unto the clawing, for sometimes the spine", + "Utterly stripped of all the skin remained.", + "“That soul up there which has the greatest pain,”", + "The Master said, “is Judas Iscariot;", + "With head inside, he plies his legs without.", + "Of the two others, who head downward are,", + "The one who hangs from the black jowl is Brutus;", + "See how he writhes himself, and speaks no word.", + "And the other, who so stalwart seems, is Cassius.", + "But night is reascending, and ’tis time", + "That we depart, for we have seen the whole.”", + "As seemed him good, I clasped him round the neck,", + "And he the vantage seized of time and place,", + "And when the wings were opened wide apart,", + "He laid fast hold upon the shaggy sides;", + "From fell to fell descended downward then", + "Between the thick hair and the frozen crust.", + "When we were come to where the thigh revolves", + "Exactly on the thickness of the haunch,", + "The Guide, with labour and with hard-drawn breath,", + "Turned round his head where he had had his legs,", + "And grappled to the hair, as one who mounts,", + "So that to Hell I thought we were returning.", + "“Keep fast thy hold, for by such stairs as these,”", + "The Master said, panting as one fatigued,", + "“Must we perforce depart from so much evil.”", + "Then through the opening of a rock he issued,", + "And down upon the margin seated me;", + "Then tow’rds me he outstretched his wary step.", + "I lifted up mine eyes and thought to see", + "Lucifer in the same way I had left him;", + "And I beheld him upward hold his legs.", + "And if I then became disquieted,", + "Let stolid people think who do not see", + "What the point is beyond which I had passed.", + "“Rise up,” the Master said, “upon thy feet;", + "The way is long, and difficult the road,", + "And now the sun to middle-tierce returns.”", + "It was not any palace corridor", + "There where we were, but dungeon natural,", + "With floor uneven and unease of light.", + "“Ere from the abyss I tear myself away,", + "My Master,” said I when I had arisen,", + "“To draw me from an error speak a little;", + "Where is the ice? and how is this one fixed", + "Thus upside down? and how in such short time", + "From eve to morn has the sun made his transit?”", + "And he to me: “Thou still imaginest", + "Thou art beyond the centre, where I grasped", + "The hair of the fell worm, who mines the world.", + "That side thou wast, so long as I descended;", + "When round I turned me, thou didst pass the point", + "To which things heavy draw from every side,", + "And now beneath the hemisphere art come", + "Opposite that which overhangs the vast", + "Dry-land, and ’neath whose cope was put to death", + "The Man who without sin was born and lived.", + "Thou hast thy feet upon the little sphere", + "Which makes the other face of the Judecca.", + "Here it is morn when it is evening there;", + "And he who with his hair a stairway made us", + "Still fixed remaineth as he was before.", + "Upon this side he fell down out of heaven;", + "And all the land, that whilom here emerged,", + "For fear of him made of the sea a veil,", + "And came to our hemisphere; and peradventure", + "To flee from him, what on this side appears", + "Left the place vacant here, and back recoiled.”", + "A place there is below, from Beelzebub", + "As far receding as the tomb extends,", + "Which not by sight is known, but by the sound", + "Of a small rivulet, that there descendeth", + "Through chasm within the stone, which it has gnawed", + "With course that winds about and slightly falls.", + "The Guide and I into that hidden road", + "Now entered, to return to the bright world;", + "And without care of having any rest", + "We mounted up, he first and I the second,", + "Till I beheld through a round aperture", + "Some of the beauteous things that Heaven doth bear;", + "Thence we came forth to rebehold the stars." + ] +};
\ No newline at end of file diff --git a/norton.js b/norton.js new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a7af2e9 --- /dev/null +++ b/norton.js @@ -0,0 +1,1443 @@ +var nortonData = { + "1": [ + "Midway upon the road of our life I found myself within a dark wood, for the right way had been missed.", + "Ah! how hard a thing it is to tell what this wild and rough and dense wood was, which in thought renews the fear!", + "So bitter is it that death is little more.", + "But in order to treat of the good that there I found, I will tell of the other things that I have seen there.", + "I cannot well recount how I entered it, so full was I of slumber at that point where I abandoned the true way.", + "But after I had arrived at the foot of a hill, where that valley ended which had pierced my heart with fear, I looked on high, and saw its shoulders clothed already with the rays of the planet that leadeth men aright along every path.", + "Then was the fear a little quieted which in the lake of my heart had lasted through the night that I passed so piteously.", + "And even as one who with spent breath, issued out of the sea upon the shore, turns to the perilous water and gazes, so did my soul, which still was flying, turn back to look again upon the pass which never had a living person left.", + "After I had rested a little my weary body I took my way again along the desert slope, so that the firm foot was always the lower.", + "And lo! almost at the beginning of the steep a she-leopard, light and very nimble, which was covered with a spotted coat.", + "And she did not move from before my face, nay, rather hindered so my road that to return I oftentimes had turned.", + "The time was at the beginning of the morning, and the Sun was mounting upward with those stars that were with him when Love Divine first set in motion those beautiful things; so that the hour of the time and the sweet season were occasion of good hope to me concerning that wild beast with the dappled skin.", + "But not so that the sight which appeared to me of a lion did not give me fear.", + "He seemed to be coming against me, with head high and with ravening hunger, so that it seemed that the air was affrighted at him.", + "And a she-wolf, who with all cravings seemed laden in her meagreness, and already had made many folk to live forlorn,—she caused me so much heaviness, with the fear that came from sight of her, that I lost hope of the height.", + "And such as he is who gaineth willingly, and the time arrives that makes him lose, who in all his thoughts weeps and is sad,—such made me the beast without repose that, coming on against me, little by little was pushing me back thither where the Sun is silent.", + "While I was falling back to the low place, before mine eyes appeared one who through long silence seemed hoarse.", + "When I saw him in the great desert, “Have pity on me!” I cried to him, “whatso thou art, or shade or real man.”", + "He answered me: “Not man; man once I was, and my parents were Lombards, and Mantuans by country both.", + "I was born sub Julio, though late, and I lived at Rome under the good Augustus, in the time of the false and lying gods.", + "Poet was I, and sang of that just son of Anchises who came from Troy after proud Ilion had been burned.", + "But thou, why returnest thou to so great annoy? Why dost thou not ascend the delectable mountain which is the source and cause of every joy?”", + "“Art thou then that Virgil and that fount which poureth forth so large a stream of speech?” replied I to him with bashful front: “O honor and light of the other poem I may the long seal avail me, and the great love, which have made me search thy volume!", + "Thou art my master and my author; thou alone art he from whom I took the fair style that hath done me honor.", + "Behold the beast because of which I turned; help me against her, famous sage, for she makes any veins and pulses tremble.”", + "“Thee it behoves to hold another course,” he replied, when he saw me weeping, “if thou wishest to escape from this savage place; for this beast, because of which thou criest out, lets not any one pass along her way, but so hinders him that she kills him! and she has a nature so malign and evil that she never sates her greedy will, and after food is hungrier than before.", + "Many are the animals with which she wives, and there shall be more yet, till the hound shall come that will make her die of grief.", + "He shall not feed on land or goods, but wisdom and love and valor, and his birthplace shall be between Feltro and Feltro.", + "Of that humble Italy shall he be the salvation, for which the virgin Camilla died, and Euryalus, Turnus and Nisus of their wounds.", + "He shall hunt her through every town till he shall have set her back in hell, there whence envy first sent her forth.", + "Wherefore I think and deem it for thy best that thou follow me, and I will be thy guide, and will lead thee hence through the eternal place where thou shalt hear the despairing shrieks, shalt see the ancient spirits woeful who each proclaim the second death.", + "And then thou shalt see those who are contented in the fire, because they hope to come, whenever it may be, to the blessed folk; to whom if thou wilt thereafter ascend, then shall be a soul more worthy than I for that.", + "With her I will leave thee at my departure; for that Emperor who reigneth them above, because I was rebellious to His law, wills not that into His city any one should come through me.", + "In all parts He governs and them He reigns: there in His city and His lofty seat.", + "O happy he whom thereto He elects!” And I to him, “Poet, I beseech thee by that God whom thou didst not know, in order that I may escape this ill and worse, that thou lead me thither whom thou now hast said, so that I may see the gate of St. Peter, and those whom thou makest so afflicted.”", + "Then he moved on, and I behind him kept." + + ], + "2": [ + "The day was going, and the dusky air was taking the living things that are on earth from their fatigues, and I alone was preparing to sustain the war alike of the road, and of the woe which the mind that erreth not shall retrace.", + "O Muses, O lofty genius, now assist me!", + "O mind that didst inscribe that which I saw, here shall thy nobility appear!", + "I began:—“Poet, that guidest me, consider my virtue, if it is sufficient, ere to the deep pass thou trustest me.", + "Thou sayest that the parent of Silvius while still corruptible went to the immortal world and was there in the body.", + "Wherefore if the Adversary of every ill was then courteous, thinking on the high effect that should proceed from him, and on the Who and the What, it seemeth not unmeet to the man of understanding; for in the empyreal heaven he had been chosen for father of revered Rome and of her empire; both which (to say truth indeed) were ordained for the holy place where the successor of the greater Peter hath his seat.", + "Through this going, whereof thou givest him vaunt, he learned things which were the cause of his victory and of the papal mantle.", + "Afterward the Chosen Vessel went thither to bring thence comfort to that faith which is the beginning of the way of salvation.", + "But I, why go I thither?", + "or who concedes it?", + "I am not Aeneas, I am not Paul; me worthy of this, neither I nor others think; wherefore if I give myself up to go, I fear lest the going may be mad.", + "Thou art wise, thou understandest better than I speak.”", + "And as is he who unwills what he willed, and because of new thoughts changes his design, so that he quite withdraws from beginning, such I became on that dark hillside: wherefore in my thought I abandoned the enterprise which had been so hasty in the beginning.", + "“If I have rightly understood thy speech,” replied that shade of the magnanimous one, “thy soul is hurt by cowardice, which oftentimes encumbereth a man so that it turns him back from honorable enterprise, as false seeing does a beast when it is startled.", + "In order that thou loose thee from this fear I will tell thee wherefore I have come, and what I heard at the first moment that I grieved for thee.", + "I was among those who are suspended, and a Lady called me, so blessed and beautiful that I besought her to command.", + "Her eyes were more lucent than the star, and she began to speak to me sweet and low, with angelic voice, in her own tongue: ‘O courteous Mantuan soul, of whom the fame yet lasteth in the world, and shall last so long as the world endureth! a friend of mine and not of fortune upon the desert hillside is so hindered on his road that he has turned for fear, and I am afraid, through that which I have heard of him in heaven, lest already he be so astray that I may have risen late to his succor.", + "Now do thou move, and with thy speech ornate, and with whatever is needful for his deliverance, assist him so that I may be consoled for him.", + "I am Beatrice who make thee go.", + "I come from a place whither I desire to return.", + "Love moved me, and makes me speak.", + "When I shall be before my Lord, I will commend thee often unto Him.’", + "Then she was silent, and thereon I began: ‘O Lady of Virtue, thou alone through whom the human race surpasseth all contained within that heaven which hath the smallest circles! so pleasing unto me is thy command that to obey it, were it already done, were slow to me.", + "Thou hast no need further to open unto me thy will; but tell me the cause why thou guardest not thyself from descending down here into this centre, from the ample place whither thou burnest to return.’", + "‘Since thou wishest to know so inwardly, I will tell thee briefly,’ she replied to me, ‘wherefore I fear not to come here within.", + "One ought to fear those things only that have power of doing harm, the others not, for they are not dreadful.", + "I am made by God, thanks be to Him, such that your misery toucheth me not, nor doth the flame of this burning assail me.", + "A gentle Lady is in heaven who hath pity for this hindrance whereto I send thee, so that stern judgment there above she breaketh.", + "She summoned Lucia in her request, and said, “Thy faithful one now hath need of thee, and unto thee I commend him.”", + "Lucia, the foe of every cruel one, rose and came to the place where I was, seated with the ancient Rachel.", + "She said, “Beatrice, true praise of God, why dost thou not succor him who so loved thee that for thee he came forth from the vulgar throng?", + "Dost thou not hear the pity of his plaint?", + "Dost thou not see the death that combats him beside the stream whereof the sea hath no vaunt?”", + "In the world never were persons swift to seek their good, and to fly their harm, as I, after these words were uttered, came here below, from my blessed seat, putting my trust in thy upright speech, which honors thee and them who have heard it.’", + "After she had said this to me, weeping she turned her lucent eyes, whereby she made me more speedy in coming.", + "And I came to thee as she willed.", + "Thee have I delivered from that wild beast that took from thee the short ascent of the beautiful mountain.", + "What is it then?", + "Why, why dost thou hold back?", + "why dost thou harbor such cowardice in thy heart?", + "why hast thou not daring and boldness, since three blessed Ladies care for thee in the court of Heaven, and my speech pledges thee such good?”", + "As flowerets, bent and closed by the chill of night, after the sun shines on them straighten themselves all open on their stem, so I became with my weak virtue, and such good daring hastened to my heart that I began like one enfranchised: “Oh compassionate she who succored me! and thou courteous who didst speedily obey the true words that she addressed to thee!", + "Thou by thy words hast so disposed my heart with desire of going, that I have returned unto my first intent.", + "Go on now, for one sole will is in us both: Thou Leader, thou Lord, and thou Master.”", + "Thus I said to him; and when he had moved on, I entered along the deep and savage road." + ], + "3": [ + "“Through me is the way into the woeful city; through me is the way into eternal woe; through me is the way among the lost people.", + "Justice moved my lofty maker: the divine Power, the supreme Wisdom and the primal Love made me.", + "Before me were no things created, unless eternal, and I eternal last.", + "Leave every hope, ye who enter!”", + "These words of color obscure I saw written at the top of a gate; whereat I, “Master, their meaning is dire to me.”", + "And he to me, like one who knew, “Here it behoves to leave every fear; it behoves that all cowardice should here be dead.", + "We have come to the place where I have told thee that thou shalt see the woeful people, who have lost the good of the understanding.”", + "And when he had put his hand on mine, with a glad countenance, wherefrom I took courage, he brought me within the secret things.", + "Here sighs, laments, and deep wailings were resounding though the starless air; wherefore at first I wept thereat.", + "Strange tongues, horrible cries, words of woe, accents of anger, voices high and hoarse, and sounds of hands with them, were making a tumult which whirls forever in that air dark without change, like the sand when the whirlwind breathes.", + "And I, who had my head girt with horror, said, “Master, what is it that I hear?", + "and what folk are they who seem in woe so vanquished?”", + "And he to me, “This miserable measure the wretched souls maintain of those who lived without infamy and without praise.", + "Mingled are they with that caitiff choir of the angels, who were not rebels, nor were faithful to God, but were for themselves.", + "The heavens chased them out in order to be not less beautiful, nor doth the depth of Hell receive them, because the damned would have some glory from them.”", + "And I, “Master, what is so grievous to them, that makes them lament so bitterly?”", + "He answered, “I will tell thee very briefly.", + "These have no hope of death; and their blind life is so debased, that they are envious of every other lot.", + "Fame of them the world permitteth not to be; mercy and justice disdain them.", + "Let us not speak of them, but do thou look and pass on.”", + "And I, who was gazing, saw a banner, that whirling ran so swiftly that it seemed to me to scorn all repose, and behind it came so long a train of folk, that I could never have believed death had undone so many.", + "After I had distinguished some among them, I saw and knew the shade of him who made, through cowardice, the great refusal.", + "At once I understood and was certain, that this was the sect of the caitiffs displeasing unto God, and unto his enemies.", + "These wretches, who never were alive, were naked, and much stung by gad-flies and by wasps that were there.", + "These streaked their faces with blood, which, mingled with tears, was harvested at their feet by loathsome worms.", + "And when I gave myself to looking onward, I saw people on the bank of a great river; wherefore I said, “Master, now grant to me that I may know who these are, and what rule makes them appear so ready to pass over, as I discern through the faint light.”", + "And he to me, “The things will be clear to thee, when we shall set our steps on the sad marge of Acheron.”", + "Then with eyes bashful and cast down, fearing lest my speech had been irksome to him, far as to the river I refrained from speaking.", + "And lo! coming toward us in a boat, an old man, white with ancient hair, crying, “Woe to you, wicked souls! hope not ever to see Heaven!", + "I come to carry you to the other bank, into eternal darkness, to heat and frost.", + "And thou who art there, living soul, depart from these that are dead.”", + "But when he saw that I did not depart, he said, “By another way, by other ports thou shalt come to the shore, not here, for passage; it behoves that a lighter bark bear thee.”", + "And my Leader to him, “Charon, vex not thyself, it is thus willed there where is power to do that which is willed; and farther ask not.”", + "Then the fleecy cheeks were quiet of the pilot of the livid marsh, who round about his eyes had wheels of flame.", + "But those souls, who were weary and naked, changed color, and gnashed their teeth soon as they heard his cruel words.", + "They blasphemed God and their parents, the human race, the place, the time and the seed of their sowing and of their birth.", + "Then, bitterly weeping, they drew back all of them together to the evil bank, that waits for every man who fears not God.", + "Charon the demon, with eyes of glowing coal, beckoning them, collects them all; he beats with his oar whoever lingers.", + "As in autumn the leaves fall off one after the other, till the bough sees all its spoils upon the earth, in like wise the evil seed of Adam throw themselves from that shore one by one at signals, as the bird at his call.", + "Thus they go over the dusky wave, and before they have landed on the farther side, already on this a new throng is gathered.", + "“My son,” said the courteous Master, “those who die in the wrath of God, all meet together here from every land.", + "And they are eager to pass over the stream, for the divine justice spurs them, so that fear is turned to desire.", + "This way a good soul never passes; and therefore if Charon snarleth at thee, thou now mayest well know what his speech signifies.”", + "This ended, the dark plain trembled so mightily, that the memory of the terror even now bathes me with sweat.", + "The tearful land gave forth a wind that flashed a vermilion light which vanquished every sense of mine, and I fell as a man whom slumber seizes." + ], + "4": [ + "A heavy thunder broke the deep sleep in my head, so that I started up like a person who by force is wakened.", + "And risen erect, I moved my rested eye round about, and looked fixedly to distinguish the place where I was.", + "True it is, that I found myself on the verge of the valley of the woeful abyss that gathers in thunder of infinite wailings.", + "Dark, profound it was, and cloudy, so that though I fixed my sight on the bottom I did not discern anything there.", + "“Now we descend down here into the blind world,” began the Poet all deadly pale, “I will be first, and thou shalt be second.”", + "And I, who had observed his color, said, “How shall I come, if thou fearest, who art wont to be a comfort to my doubting?”", + "And he to me, “The anguish of the folk who are down here depicts upon my face that pity which thou takest for fear.", + "Let us go on, for the long way urges us.”", + "So he set forth, and so he made me enter within the first circle that girds the abyss.", + "Here, so far as could be heard, there was no plaint but that of sighs which made the eternal air to tremble: this came of the woe without torments felt by the crowds, which were many and great, of infants and of women and of men.", + "The good Master to me, “Thou dost not ask what spirits are these that thou seest.", + "Now I would have thee know, before thou goest farther, that they sinned not; and if they have merits it sufficeth not, because they had not baptism, which is part of the faith that thou believest; and if they were before Christianity, they did not duly worship God: and of such as these am I myself.", + "Through such defects, and not through other guilt, are we lost, and only so far harmed that without hope we live in desire.”", + "Great woe seized me at my heart when I heard him, because I knew that people of much worth were suspended in that limbo.", + "“Tell me, my Master, tell me, Lord,” began I, with wish to be assured of that faith which vanquishes every error, “did ever any one who afterwards was blessed go out from here, either by his own or by another’s merit?”", + "And he, who understood my covert speech, answered, “I was new in this state when I saw a Mighty One come hither crowned with sign of victory.", + "He drew out hence the shade of the first parent, of Abel his son, and that of Noah, of Moses the law-giver and obedient, Abraham the patriarch, and David the King, Israel with his father, and with his offspring, and with Rachel, for whom he did so much, and others many; and He made them blessed: and I would have thee know that before these, human spirits were not saved.”", + "We ceased not going on because he spoke, but all the while were passing through the wood, the wood I mean of crowded spirits.", + "Nor yet had our way been long from where I slept, when I saw a fire, that conquered a hemisphere of darkness.", + "We were still a little distant from it, yet not so far that I could not partially discern that honorable folk possessed that place.", + "“O thou that honorest both science and art, these, who are they, that have such honor that from the condition of the others it sets them apart?”", + "And he to me, “The honorable fame of them which resounds above in thy life wins grace in heaven that so advances them.”", + "At this a voice was heard by me, “Honor the loftiest Poet!", + "his shade returns that was departed.”", + "When the voice had ceased and was quiet, I saw four great shades coming to us: they had a semblance neither sad nor glad.", + "The good Master began to say, “Look at him with that sword in hand who cometh before the three, even as lord.", + "He is Homer, the sovereign poet; the next who comes is Horace, the satirist; Ovid is the third, and the last is Lucan.", + "Since each shares with me the name that the single voice sounded, they do me honor, and in that do well.”", + "Thus I saw assembled the fair school of that Lord of the loftiest song which above the others as an eagle flies.", + "After they had discoursed somewhat together, they turned to me with sign of salutation; and my Master smiled thereat.", + "And far more of honor yet they did me, for they made me of their band, so that I was the sixth amid so much wit.", + "Thus we went on as far as the light, speaking things concerning which silence is becoming, even as was speech there where I was.", + "We came to the foot of a noble castle, seven times circled by high walls, defended round about by a fair streamlet.", + "This we passed as if hard ground; through seven gates I entered with these sages; we came to a meadow of fresh verdure.", + "People were there with eyes slow and grave, of great authority in their looks; they spake seldom, and with soft voices.", + "Thus we drew apart, on one side, into a place open, luminous, and high, so that they all could be seen.", + "There opposite upon the green enamel were shown to me the great spirits, whom to have seen I inwardly exalt myself.", + "I saw Electra with many companions, among whom I knew both Hector and Aeneas, Caesar in armor, with his gerfalcon eyes; I saw Camilla and Penthesilea on the other side, and I saw the King Latinus, who was seated with Lavinia his daughter.", + "I saw that Brutus who drove out Tarquin; Lucretia, Julia, Marcia, and Cornelia; and alone, apart, I saw the Saladin.", + "When I raised my brow a little more, I saw the Master of those who know, seated amid the philosophic family; all regard him, all do him honor.", + "Here I saw both Socrates and Plato, who before the others stand nearest to him; Democritus, who ascribes the world to chance; Diogenes, Anaxagoras, and Thales, Empedocles, Heraclitus, and Zeno; and I saw the good collector of the qualities, Dioscorides, I mean; and I saw Orpheus, Tully, and Linus, and moral Seneca, Euclid the geometer, and Ptolemy, Hippocrates, Avicenna, Galen, and Averrhoes, who made the great comment.", + "I cannot report of all in full, because the long theme so drives me that many times speech comes short of fact.", + "The company of six is reduced to two.", + "By another way the wise guide leads me, out from the quiet, into the air that trembles, and I come into a region where is nothing that can give light." + ], + "5": [ + "Thus I descended from the first circle down into the second, which girdles less space, and so much more woe that it goads to wailing.", + "There abides Minos horribly, and snarls; he examines the sins at the entrance; he judges, and he sends according as he entwines himself.", + "I mean, that, when the miscreant spirit comes there before him, it confesses itself wholly, and that discerner of sins sees what place of Hell is for it; he girdles himself with his tail so many times as the degrees he wills it should be sent down.", + "Always before him stand many of them.", + "They go, in turn, each to the judgment; they speak, and hear, and then are whirled below.", + "“O thou that comest to the woeful inn,” said Minos to me, when he saw me, leaving the act of so great an office, “beware how thou enterest, and to whom thou trustest thyself; let not the amplitude of the entrance deceive thee.”", + "And my Leader to him, “Why then dost thou cry out?", + "Hinder not his fated going; thus is it willed there where is power to do that which is willed; and ask thou no more.”", + "Now the woeful notes begin to make themselves heard; now am I come where much lamentation smites me.", + "I had come into a place mute of all light, that bellows as the sea does in a tempest, if it be combated by opposing winds.", + "The infernal hurricane that never rests carries along the spirits in its rapine; whirling and smiting it molests them.", + "When they arrive before its rushing blast, here are shrieks, and bewailing, and lamenting; here they blaspheme the power divine.", + "I understood that to such torment are condemned the carnal sinners who subject reason to appetite.", + "And as their wings bear along the starlings in the cold season in a troop large and full, so that blast the evil spirits; hither, thither, down, up it carries them; no hope ever comforts them, not of repose, but even of less pain.", + "And as the cranes go singing their lays, making in air a long line of themselves, so saw I come, uttering wails, shades borne along by the aforesaid strife.", + "Wherefore I said, “Master, who are those folk whom the black air so castigates?”", + "“The first of these of whom thou wishest to have knowledge,” said he to me then, “was empress of many tongues.", + "To the vice of luxury was she so abandoned that lust she made licit in her law, to take away the blame she had incurred.", + "She is Semiramis, of whom it is read that she succeeded Ninus and had been his spouse; she held the land which the Soldan rules.", + "That other is she who, for love, killed herself, and broke faith to the ashes of Sichaeus.", + "Next is Cleopatra, the luxurious.", + "See Helen, for whom so long a time of ill revolved; and see the great Achilles, who at the end fought with love.", + "See Paris, Tristan,—", + "and more than a thousand shades he showed me with his finger, and named them, whom love had parted from our life.", + "After I had heard my Teacher name the dames of eld and the cavaliers, pity overcame me, and I was well nigh bewildered.", + "I began, “Poet, willingly would I speak with those two that go together, and seem to be so light upon the wind.”", + "And he to me, “Thou shalt see when they shall be nearer to us, and do thou then pray them by that love which leads them, and they will come.”", + "Soon as the wind sways them toward us I lifted my voice, “O weary souls, come speak to us, if One forbid it not.”", + "As doves, called by desire, with wings open and steady, fly through the air to their sweet nest, borne by their will, these issued from the troop where Dido is, coming to us through the malign air, so strong was the compassionate cry.", + "“O living creature, gracious and benign, that goest through the lurid air visiting us who stained the world blood-red,—if the King of the universe were a friend we would pray Him for thy peace, since thou hast pity on our perverse ill.", + "Of what it pleaseth thee to hear, and what to speak, we will hear and we will speak to you, while the wind, as now, is hushed for us.", + "The city where I was born sits upon the sea-shore, where the Po, with its followers, descends to have peace.", + "Love, that on gentle heart quickly lays hold, seized him for the fair person that was taken from me, and the mode still hurts me.", + "Love, which absolves no loved one from loving, seized me for the pleasing of him so strongly that, as thou seest, it does not even now abandon me.", + "Love brought us to one death.", + "Caina awaits him who quenched our life.”", + "These words were borne to us from them.", + "Soon as I had heard those injured souls I bowed my face, and held it down, until the Poet said to me, “What art thou thinking?”", + "When I replied, I began, “Alas!", + "how many sweet thoughts, how great desire, led these unto the woeful pass.”", + "Then I turned me again to them, and I spoke, and began, “Francesca, thy torments make me sad and piteous to weeping.", + "But tell me, at the time of the sweet sighs by what and how did love concede to you to know the dubious desires?”", + "And she to me, “There is no greater woe than in misery to remember the happy time, and that thy Teacher knows.", + "But if to know the first root of our love thou hast so great a longing, I will do like one who weeps and tells.", + "“We were reading one day, for delight, of Lancelot, how love constrained him.", + "We were alone and without any suspicion.", + "Many times that reading made us lift our eyes, and took the color from our faces, but only one point was that which overcame us.", + "When we read of the longed-for smile being kissed by such a lover, this one, who never from me shall be divided, kissed my mouth all trembling.", + "Galahaut was the book, and he who wrote it.", + "That day we read in it no farther.”", + "While one spirit said this the other was weeping so that through pity I swooned, as if I had been dying, and fell as a dead body falls." + ], + "6": [ + "When the mind returned, which closed itself before the pity of these two kinsfolk, that had all confounded me with sadness, new torments and new tormented souls I see around me wherever I move, and howsoever I turn, and wherever I gaze.", + "I am in the third circle, that of the rain eternal, accursed, cold, and heavy.", + "Its rule and quality are never new.", + "Coarse hail, and foul water and snow pour down through the tenebrous air; the earth that receives them stinks.", + "Cerberus, a beast cruel and monstrous, with three throats barks doglike above the people that are here submerged.", + "He has vermilion eyes, and a greasy and black beard, and a big belly, and hands armed with claws: he tears the spirits, flays them, and rends them.", + "The rain makes them howl like dogs; of one of their sides they make a screen for the other; the profane wretches often turn themselves.", + "When Cerberus, the great worm, observed us he opened his mouths, and showed his fangs to us; not a limb had he that he kept quiet.", + "And my Leader opened wide his hands, took some earth, and with full fists threw it into the ravenous gullets.", + "As the dog that barking craves, and becomes quiet when he bites his food, and is intent and fights only to devour it, such became those filthy faces of the demon Cerberus, who so thunders at the souls that they would fain be deaf.", + "We were passing over the shades whom the heavy rain subdues, and were setting our feet upon their vain show that seems a body.", + "They all of them lay upon the ground, except one who raised himself to sit, quickly as he saw us passing before him.", + "“O thou who art led through this Hell,” he said to me, “recognize me, if thou canst; thou wast made before I was unmade.”", + "And I to him, “The anguish which thou hast perchance withdraws thee from my memory, so that it seems not that I ever saw thee.", + "But tell me who thou art, that in a place so woeful art set, and with such a punishment, that if any other is greater none is so displeasing.”", + "And he to me, “Thy city which is so full of envy, that already the sack runs over, held me in it, in the serene life.", + "You citizens called me Ciacco; for the damnable sin of gluttony, as thou seest, I am broken by the rain.", + "And I, wretched soul, am not alone, for all these endure like punishment, for like sin,” and more he said not.", + "I answered him, “Ciacco, thy trouble so weighs upon me, that it invites me to weeping; but tell me, if thou canst, to what will come the citizens of the divided city; if any one in it is just; and tell me the reason why such great discord has assailed it.”", + "And he to me, “After long contention they will come to blood, and the savage party will chase out the other with great injury.", + "Thereafter within three suns it behoves this to fall, and the other to surmount through the force of one who even now is tacking.", + "It will hold high its front long time, keeping the other under heavy burdens, however it may lament and be shamed thereat.", + "Two men are just, but there they are not heeded; Pride, Envy, Avarice are the three sparks that have inflamed their hearts.”", + "Here he set end unto the lamentable sound.", + "And I to him, “Still I would that thou teach me, and that of more speech thou make a gift to me.", + "Farinata and the Tegghiaio who were so worthy, Jacopo Rusticucci, Arrigo, and the Mosca, and the rest who set their minds on well-doing, tell me where they are, and cause that I may know them, for great desire constrains me to learn if Heaven sweeten them, or Hell envenom.", + "And he, “They are among the blacker souls: a different sin weighs them down to the bottom; if thou so far descendest, thou canst see them.", + "But when thou shalt be in the sweet world I pray thee that thou bring me to the memory of others.", + "More I say not to thee, and more I answer thee not.”", + "His straight eyes he twisted then awry, looked at me a little, and then bent his head, and fell with it level with the other blind.", + "And the Leader said to me, “He wakes no more this side the sound of the angelic trump.", + "When the hostile Sovereign shall come, each one will find again his dismal tomb, will take again his flesh and his shape, will hear that which through eternity reechoes.”", + "Thus we passed along with slow steps through the foul mixture of the shades and of the rain, touching a little on the future life.", + "Wherefore I said, “Master, these torments will they increase after the great sentence, or will they become less, or will they be just as burning?”", + "And he to me, “Return to thy science, which declares that the more perfect a thing is the more it feels the good, and so the pain.", + "Though this accursed people never can attain to true perfection, it expects thereafter to be more than now.”", + "We took a circling course along that road, speaking far more than I repeat; and came to the point where the descent is.", + "Here we found Pluto, the great enemy." + ], + "7": [ + "“Pape Satan, pape Satan aleppe,”—began Pluto with his clucking voice.", + "And that gentle Sage, who knew everything, said to comfort me, “Let not thy fear hurt thee; for whatso power he have shall not take from thee the descent of this rock.”", + "Then he turned to that swollen lip and said, “Be silent, accursed wolf!", + "inwardly consume thyself with thine own rage: not without cause is this going to the abyss; it is willed on high, there where Michael did vengeance on the proud adultery.”", + "As sails swollen by the wind fall in a heap when the mast snaps, so fell to earth the cruel beast.", + "Thus we descended into the fourth hollow, taking more of the woeful bank that gathers in the evil of the whole universe.", + "Ah, Justice of God!", + "Who heapeth up so many new travails and penalties as I saw?", + "And why doth our sin so waste us?", + "As doth the wave, yonder upon Charybdis, which is broken on that which it encounters, so it behoves that here the people counterdance.", + "Here saw I people more than elsewhere many, and from one side and the other with great howls rolling weights by force of chest.", + "They struck against each other, and then just there each turned, rolling backward, crying, “Why keepest thou?” and “Why flingest thou away?”", + "Thus they turned through the dark circle on either hand to the opposite point, still crying out their opprobrious verse; then each, when he had come through his half circle, wheeled round to the other joust.", + "And I, who had my heart well-nigh pierced through, said, “My Master, now declare to me what folk is this, and if all these tonsured ones on our left were clerks.”", + "And he to me, “All of these were so asquint in mind in the first life that they made no spending there with measure.", + "Clearly enough their voices bay it out, when they come to the two points of the circle where the contrary sin divides them.", + "These were clerks who have no hairy covering on their head, and Popes and Cardinals, in whom avarice practices its excess.”", + "And I, “Master, among such as these I ought surely to recognize some who were polluted with these evils.”", + "And he to me, “Vain thought thou harborest; the undiscerning life that made them foul, to all recognition now makes them dim.", + "Forever will they come to the two buttings; these will rise from the sepulchre with closed fist, and these with shorn hair.", + "Ill-giving and ill-keeping have taken from them the fair world, and set them to this scuffle; such as it is, I adorn not words for it.", + "Now canst thou, son, see the brief jest of the goods that are committed unto Fortune, for which the human race so scramble; for all the gold that is beneath the moon, or that ever was, of these weary souls could not make a single one repose.”", + "“Master,” said I to him, “now tell me further; this Fortune, on which thou touchest for me, what is it, that hath the goods of the world so in its clutches?”", + "And he to me, “O creatures foolish, how great is that ignorance that harms you!", + "I would have thee now take in my judgment of her.", + "He whose wisdom transcendeth all made the heavens, and gave them their guides, so that every part on every part doth shine, equally distributing the light.", + "In like wise for the splendors of the world, He ordained a general ministress and guide, who should ever and anon transfer the vain goods from race to race, and from one blood to another, beyond the resistance of human wit.", + "Wherefore one race rules, and the other languishes, pursuant to her judgment, which is occult as the snake in the grass.", + "Your wisdom hath no withstanding of her: she provides, judges and maintains her realm, as theirs the other gods.", + "Her permutations have no truce; necessity compels her to be swift, so often cometh he who obtains a turn.", + "This is she who is so set upon the cross, even by those who ought to give her praise, giving her blame amiss and ill report.", + "But she is blessed and hears this not.", + "With the other Primal Creatures glad she turns her sphere, and blessed she rejoices.", + "But now let us descend to greater woe.", + "Already every star sinks that was rising when I set out, and too long stay is forbidden.”", + "We crossed the circle to the other bank, above a fount that boils and pours down through a cleft that proceeds from it.", + "The water was far darker than perse; and we, in company with the dusky waves, entered down through a strange way.", + "A marsh it makes, that is named Styx, this dismal little stream, when it has descended to the foot of the malign gray slopes.", + "And I, who stood intent to gaze, saw muddy people in that swamp, all naked and with look of hurt.", + "They were smiting each other, not only with hands, but with head, and with chest, and with feet, mangling one another piecemeal with their teeth.", + "The good Master said, “Son, now thou seest the souls of those whom anger overcame; and likewise I would have thee believe for certain that beneath the water are folk who sigh, and make this water bubble at the surface, as thine eye tells thee wherever it turns.", + "Fixed in the slime, they say, ‘Sullen were we in the sweet air that by the Sun is gladdened, bearing within ourselves the sluggish fume; now we are sullen in the black mire.’", + "This hymn they gurgle in their throats, for they cannot speak with entire words.”", + "Thus we circled a great arc of the foul fen, between the dry bank and the slough, with eyes turned on those who guzzle the mire.", + "We came at length to the foot of a tower." + ], + "8": [ + "I say, continuing, that, long before we were at the foot of the high tower, our eyes went upward to its top because of two flamelets that we saw set there, and another giving signal back from so far that hardly could the eye reach it.", + "And I turned me to the Sea of all wisdom; I said, “This one, what says it?", + "and what answers that other fire?", + "and who are they that make it?”", + "And he to me, “Upon the foul waves already thou mayest discern that which is expected, if the fume of the marsh hide it not from thee.”", + "Bowstring never sped arrow from itself that ran so swift a course through the air, as a very little boat which I saw coming through the water toward us at that instant, under the direction of a single ferryman, who was crying out, “Art thou then come, fell soul?”", + "“Phlegyas, Phlegyas, this time thou criest out in vain,” said my Lord; “longer thou shalt not have us than only while crossing the slough.”", + "As one who listens to some great deceit that has been practiced on him, and then chafes at it, such became Phlegyas in his stifled anger.", + "My Leader descended into the bark and then he made me enter after him, and only when I was in did it seem laden.", + "Soon as my Leader and I were in the boat, the antique prow goes its way, cutting more of the water than it is wont with others.", + "While we were running through the dead channel, before me showed himself one full of mud, and said, “Who art thou that comest before the hour?”", + "And I to him, “If I come I stay not; but thou, who art thou that art become so foul?”", + "He answered, “Thou seest that I am one who weeps.”", + "And I to him, “With weeping and with wailing, accursed spirit, do thou remain, for I know thee although thou art all filthy.”", + "Then he stretched to the boat both his hands, whereat the wary Master thrust him back, saying, “Begone there, with the other dogs!”", + "Then with his arms he clasped my neck, kissed my face, and said, “Disdainful soul, blessed be she who bore thee!", + "This one was an arrogant person in the world; no goodness is there that adorns his memory; therefore is his shade so furious here.", + "How many now up there are held great kings who shall stand here like swine in mire, leaving of themselves horrible dispraises.”", + "And I, “Master, I should much like to see him ducked in this broth before we depart from the lake.”", + "And he to me, “Ere the shore allows thee to see it thou shalt be satisfied; it will be fitting that thou enjoy such a desire.”", + "After this a little I saw such rending of him by the muddy folk that I still praise God therefor, and thank Him for it.", + "All cried, “At Filippo Argenti!” and the raging florentine spirit turned upon himself with his teeth.", + "Here we left him; so that I tell no more of him.", + "But on my ears there smote a wailing, whereat forward intent I open wide my eye.", + "And the good Master said, “Now, son, the city draws near that is named Dis, with its heavy citizens, with its great throng.”", + "And I, “Master, already in the valley therewithin I clearly discern its mosques vermillion, as if issuing from fire.”", + "And he said to me, “The eternal fire that blazes within them displays them red as thou seest in this nether Hell.”", + "We at last arrived within the deep ditches that encompass that disconsolate city.", + "The walls seemed to me to be of iron.", + "Not without first making a great circuit did we come to a place where the ferryman loudly shouted to us, “Out with you, here is the entrance.”", + "Upon the gates I saw more than a thousand of those rained down from heaven who angrily were saying, “Who is this, that without death goes through the realm of the dead folk?”", + "And my wise Master made a sign of wishing to speak secretly with them.", + "Then they shut in a little their great scorn, and said, “Come thou alone, and let him be gone who so boldly entered on this realm.", + "Alone let him return on the mad path: let him try if he can; for thou, who hast escorted him through so dark a region, shalt remain here.”", + "Think, Reader, if I was discomforted at the sound of the accursed words, for I did not believe ever to return hither.", + "“O my dear Leader, who more than seven times hast renewed assurance in me, and drawn me from deep peril that stood confronting me, leave me not,” said I, “thus undone; and, if the going farther onward be denied us, let us together retrace our footprints quickly.”", + "And that Lord who had led me thither said to me, “Fear not, for no one can take from us our onward way, by Such an one it is given to us.", + "But here await me, and comfort thy dejected spirit and feed on good hope, for I will not leave thee in the nether world.”", + "So the sweet Father goes away, and here abandons me, and I remain in suspense; and yes and no contend within my head.", + "I could not hear what he set forth to them, but he had not staid there long with them, when each ran vying back within.", + "These our adversaries closed the gates on the breast of my Lord, who remained without, and returned to me with slow steps.", + "He held his eyes upon the ground, and his brow was shorn of all hardihood, and he said in sighs, “Who hath denied to me the houses of woe?”", + "And he said to me, “Thou, because I am wroth, be not dismayed, for I shall win the strife, whoever circle round within for the defence.", + "This their insolence is not new, for of old they used it at a less secret gate, which still is found without a bolt.", + "Above it thou didst see the dead inscription; and already on this side of it descends the steep, passing without escort through the circles, One such that by him the city shall be opened to us.”" + ], + "9": [ + "That color which cowardice painted outwardly on me when I saw my Guide turn back, repressed more speedily his own new color.", + "He stopped attentive, like a man that listens, for the eye could not lead him far through the black air, and through the dense fog.", + "“Yet it must be for us to win the fight,” began he, “unless—Such an one offered herself to us.", + "Oh how slow it seems till Some one here arrive!”", + "I saw well how he covered up the beginning with the rest that came after, which were words different from the first.", + "But nevertheless his speech gave me fear, because I drew his broken phrase perchance to a worse meaning than it held.", + "“Into this depth of the dismal shell does any one ever descend from the first grade who has for penalty only hope cut off?”", + "This question I put, and he answered me, “Seldom it happens that any one of us maketh the journey on which I am going.", + "It is true that another time I was conjured down here by that cruel Erichtho who was wont to call back shades into their bodies.", + "Short while had my flesh been bare of me, when she made me enter within that wall in order to drag out for her a spirit from the circle of Judas.", + "That is the lowest place, and the darkest, and the farthest from the Heaven that encircles all.", + "Well do I know the road: therefore assure thyself.", + "This marsh which breathes out the great stench girds round about the woeful city wherein now we cannot enter without anger.”", + "And more he said, but I hold it not in mind because my eye had wholly attracted me toward the high tower with the ruddy summit, where in an instant were uprisen suddenly three infernal furies, stained with blood, who had the limbs of women and their action, and were girt with greenest hydras.", + "Little serpents and cerastes they had for hair, wherewith their savage brows were bound.", + "And he, who well knew the handmaids of the queen of the eternal lamentation, said to me, “Behold the fell Erinnyes; this is Megaera on the left side, she who weeps on the right is Alecto, Tisiphone is in the middle,” and therewith he was silent.", + "With her nails each was tearing her breast, they beat themselves with their hands, and cried out so loud that I pressed close to the Poet through dread.", + "“Let Medusa come, so we will make him of stone,” they all said, looking down.", + "“Ill was it we avenged not on Theseus his assault.”", + "“Turn thy back, and keep thy sight closed, for if the Gorgon show herself, and thou shouldest see her, no return upward would there ever be.”", + "Thus said the Master, and he himself turned me, and did not so trust to my hands that with his own he did not also blindfold me.", + "O ye who have sound understanding, regard the doctrine that is hidden under the veil of the strange verses.", + "And already was coming across the turbid waves a tumult of a sound full of terror at which both the shores trembled.", + "Not otherwise it was than of a wind, impetuous through the opposing heats, that strikes the forest, and without any stay shatters the branches, beats down and carries them away; forward, laden with dust, it goes superb, and makes the wild beasts and the shepherds fly.", + "My eyes he loosed, and said, “Now direct the nerve of sight across the ancient scum, there yonder where that fume is most bitter.”", + "As frogs before the hostile snake all scatter through the water, till each huddles on the ground, I saw more than a thousand destroyed souls flying thus before one, who at the ford was passing over the Styx with dry feet.", + "From his face he removed that thick air, waving his left hand oft before him, and only with that trouble seemed he weary.", + "Well I perceived that he was sent from Heaven, and I turned me to the Master, and he made sign that I should stand quiet and bow down unto him.", + "Ah, how full of disdain he seemed to me!", + "He reached the gate and with a little rod he opened it, for there was no withstanding.", + "“O outcasts from Heaven, folk despised,” began he upon the horrible threshold, “wherefore is this overweening harbored in you?", + "Why do ye kick against that will from which its end can never be cut short, and which many a time hath increased your grief?", + "What avails it to butt against the fates?", + "Your Cerberus, if ye remember well, still bears his chin and his throat peeled for that.”", + "Then he turned back upon the filthy road and said no word to us, but wore the semblance of a man whom other care constrains and stings, than that of him who is before him.", + "And we moved our feet toward the city, confident after his holy words.", + "Within we entered without any strife, and I, who had desire to observe the condition which such a stronghold locks in, when I was within, sent my eyes round about; and I see on every hand a great plain full of woe and of cruel torment.", + "As at Arles, where the Rhone stagnates, as at Pola, near the Quarnaro that shuts in Italy and bathes its borders, sepulchres make all the place uneven; so did they here on every side, saving that the manner was more bitter here; for among the tombs flames were scattered, by which they were so intensely kindled that no art requires iron more so.", + "All their lids were lifted; and such dire laments were issuing forth from them as truly seemed of wretches and of sufferers.", + "And I, “Master, who are these folk that, buried within those coffers, make themselves heard with their woeful sighs?”", + "And he to me, “Here are the heresiarchs with their followers of every sect, and the tombs are much more laden than thou thinkest.", + "Like with like is buried here, and the monuments are more and less hot.”", + "And when he to the right hand had turned, we passed between the torments and the high battlements." + ], + "10": [ + "Now along a narrow path between the wall of the city and the torments my Master goeth on, and I behind his shoulders.", + "“O Virtue supreme,” I began, “that through the impious circles turnest me, according to thy pleasure, speak to me and satisfy my desires.", + "The folk that are lying in the sepulchres, can they be seen?", + "All the lids are now lifted, and no one keepeth guard.”", + "And he to me, “All shall be locked in when from Jehoshaphat they shall here return with the bodies which they have left on earth.", + "Upon this side Epicurus with all his followers, who make the soul mortal with the body, have their burial place.", + "Therefore as to the demand that thou makest of me, thou shalt soon be satisfied here within; and also as to the desire concerning which thou art silent to me.”", + "And I, “Good Leader, I hold not my heart hidden from thee except in order to speak little; and not only now to that hast thou disposed me.”", + "“O Tuscan, who through the city of fire alive art going, speaking thus modestly, may it please thee to stop in this place.", + "Thy speech makes manifest that thou art native of that noble fatherland to which perchance I was too molestful.”", + "Suddenly this sound issued from one of the coffers, wherefore I drew, in fear, a little nearer to my Leader.", + "And he said to me, “Turn, what dost thou?", + "Behold Farinata who hath uprisen; thou shalt see him all from the girdle up.”", + "I had already fixed my face on his, and he straightened himself up with breast and front as though he had Hell in great scorn.", + "And the bold and ready hands of my Leader pushed me among the sepulchres to him, saying, “Let thy words be choice.”", + "When I was at the foot of his tomb, he looked at me a little, and then, as though disdainful, asked me, “Who were thy ancestors?”", + "I, who was desirous to obey, concealed them not, but disclosed them all to him; whereon he raised his brows a little up, then said, “Fiercely were they adverse to me, and to my fathers, and to my party, so that twice I scattered them.”", + "“If they were driven out, they returned from every side,” replied I to him, “both one and the other time, but yours have not learned well that art.”", + "Then there arose, to view uncovered down to the chin, a shade at the side of this one; I think that it had risen on its knees.", + "Round about me it looked, as if it had desire to see if another were with me, but when its expectancy was quite extinct, weeping it said, “If through this blind dungeon thou goest through loftiness of genius, my son, where is he?", + "and why is he not with thee?”", + "And I to him, “Of myself I come not; he who waits yonder leads me through here, whom perchance your Guido held in scorn.”", + "His words and the mode of the punishment had already read to me the name of this one, wherefore my answer was so full.", + "Suddenly straightening up, he cried, “How didst thou say, ‘he held’?", + "lives he not still?", + "doth not the sweet light strike his eyes?”", + "When he took note of some delay that I made before answering, he fell again supine, and forth appeared no more.", + "But that other magnanimous one, at whose instance I had stayed, changed not aspect, nor moved his neck, nor bent his side.", + "“And if,” he said, continuing his first words, “they have ill learned that art, it torments me more than this bed.", + "But the face of the lady who ruleth here will not be rekindled fifty times ere thou shalt know how much that art weighs.", + "And, so mayest thou return unto the sweet world, tell me wherefore is that people so pitiless against my race in its every law?”", + "Then I to him, “The rout and the great carnage that colored the Arbia red cause such orison to be made in our temple.”", + "After he had, sighing, shaken his head, “In that I was not alone,” he said, “nor surely without cause would I have moved with the rest; but I was alone,—there where it was agreed by every one to lay Florence waste,—he who defended her with open face.”", + "“Ah! so hereafter may your seed repose,” I prayed to him, “loose for me that knot, which here has entangled my judgment.", + "It seems, if I rightly hear, that ye foresee that which time is bringing with him, and as to the present have another way.”", + "“We see,” he said, “like those who have feeble light, the things that are far from us, so much still shineth on us the supreme Leader; when they draw near, or are, our intelligence is all vain, and, if some one report not to us, we know nothing of your human state.", + "Therefore thou canst comprehend that our knowledge will be utterly dead from that moment when the gate of the future shall he closed.”", + "Then, as compunctious for my fault I said, “Now wilt thou therefore tell that fallen one that his son is still conjoined with the living, and if just now I was dumb to answer, make him know that I was so because I was still thinking in that error which you have solved for me.”", + "And now my Master was calling me back, wherefore I prayed the spirit more hastily that he would tell me who was with him.", + "He said to me, “Here with more than a thousand do I lie; here within is the second Frederick and the Cardinal, and of the others I am silent.”", + "Thereon he hid himself; and I toward the ancient Poet turned my steps, reflecting on that speech which seemed hostile to me.", + "He moved on, and then, thus going, he said to me, “Why art thou so distraught?”", + "And I satisfied his demand.", + "“Let thy memory preserve that which thou hast heard against thyself,” commanded me that Sage, “and now attend to this,” and he raised his finger.", + "“When thou shalt be in presence of the sweet radiance of her whose beautiful eye sees everything, from her thou shalt learn the journey of thy life.”", + "Then to the left he turned his step.", + "We left the wall, and went toward the middle by a path which strikes into a valley that even up there its stench made displeasing." + ], + "11": [ + "Upon the edge of a high bank formed by great rocks broken in a circle, we came above a more cruel pen.", + "And here, because of the horrible excess of the stench that the deep abyss throws out, we drew aside behind the lid of a great tomb, whereon I saw an inscription which said, “Pope Anastasius I hold, he whom Photinus drew from the right way.”", + "“Our descent must needs be slow so that the sense may first accustom itself a little to the dismal blast, and then will be no heed of it.”", + "Thus the Master, and I said to him, “Some compensation do thou find that the time pass not lost.”", + "And be, “Behold, I am thinking of that.", + "My son, within these rocks,” he began to say, “are three circlets from grade to grade like those thou leavest.", + "All are full of accursed spirits; but, in order that hereafter sight only may suffice thee, hear how and wherefore they are in constraint.", + "“Of every malice that wins hate in heaven injury is the end, and every such end afflicts others either by force or by fraud.", + "But because fraud is the peculiar sin of man, it most displeaseth God; and therefore the fraudulent are the lower, and more woe assails them.", + "“The first circle is wholly of the violent; but because violence can be done to three persons, in three rounds it is divided and constructed.", + "Unto God, unto one’s self, unto one’s neighbor may violence be done; I mean unto them and unto their belongings, as thou shalt hear in plain discourse.", + "By violence death and grievous wounds are inflicted on one’s neighbor; and on his substance ruins, burnings, and harmful robberies.", + "Wherefore homicides, and every one who smites wrongfully, devastators and freebooters, all of them the first round torments, in various troops.", + "“Man may lay violent hands upon himself and on his goods; and, therefore, in the second round must needs repent without avail whoever deprives himself of your world, gambles away and squanders his property, and laments there where he ought to be joyous.", + "“Violence may be done to the Deity, by denying and blaspheming Him in heart, and despising nature and His bounty: and therefore the smallest round seals with its signet both Sodom and Cahors, and him who despising God speaks from his heart.", + "“Fraud, by which every conscience is bitten, man may practice on one that confides in him, or on one that owns no confidence.", + "This latter mode seemeth to destroy only the bond of love that nature makes; wherefore in the second circle nestle hypocrisy, flatteries, and sorcerers, falsity, robbery, and simony, panders, barrators, and such like filth.", + "“By the other mode that love is forgotten which nature makes, and also that which is thereafter added, whereby special confidence is created.", + "Hence, in the smallest circle, where is the centre of the universe, on which Dis sits, whoso betrays is consumed forever.”", + "And I, “Master, full clearly doth thy discourse proceed, and full well divides this pit, and the people that possess it; but, tell me, they of the fat marsh, and they whom the wind drives, and they whom the rain beats, and they who encounter with such sharp tongues, why are they not punished within the ruddy city if God be wroth with them?", + "and if he be not so, why are they in such plight?”", + "And he said to me, “Wherefore so wanders thine understanding beyond its wont?", + "or thy mind, where else is it gazing?", + "Dost thou not remember those words with which thine Ethics treats in full of the three dispositions that Heaven abides not; in continence, malice, and mad bestiality, and how incontinence less offends God, and incurs less blame?", + "If thou considerest well this doctrine, and bringest to mind who are those that up above, outside, suffer punishment, thou wilt see clearly why from these felons they are divided, and why less wroth the divine vengeance hammers them.”", + "“O Sun that healest every troubled vision, thou dost content me so, when thou explainest, that doubt, not less than knowledge, pleaseth me; yet return a little back,” said I, “there where thou saidst that usury offends the Divine Goodness, and loose the knot.”", + "“Philosophy,” he said to me, “points out to him who understands it, not only in one part alone, how Nature takes her course from the Divine Intellect and from its art.", + "And if thou note thy Physics well thou wilt find after not many pages that your art follows her so far as it can, as the disciple does the master, so that your art is as it were grandchild of God.", + "By means of these two, if thou bringest to mind Genesis at its beginning, it behoves mankind to obtain their livelihood and to thrive.", + "But because the usurer takes another course, he despises Nature in herself, and in her follower, since upon other thing he sets his hope.", + "But follow me now, for to go on pleaseth me; for the Fishes are gliding on the horizon, and the Wain lies quite over Corus, and far yonder is the way down the cliff.”" + ], + "12": [ + "The place where we came to descend the bank was rugged, and, because of what was there besides, such that every eye would be shy of it.", + "As is that ruin which, on this side of Trent, struck the Adige on its flank, either by earthquake or by failure of support,—for from the top of the mountain whence it moved, to the plain, the cliff has so fallen down that it might give a path to one who was above,—so was the descent of that ravine.", + "And on the edge of the broken chasm lay stretched out the infamy of Crete, that was conceived in the false cow.", + "And when he saw us he bit himself even as one whom wrath rends inwardly.", + "My Sage cried out toward him, “Perchance thou believest that here is the Duke of Athens who up in the world brought death to thee?", + "Get thee gone, beast, for this one comes not instructed by thy sister, but he goes to behold your punishments.”", + "As a bull that breaks away at the instant he has now received his mortal stroke, and cannot go, but plunges hither and thither, the Minotaur I saw do the like.", + "And that wary one cried out, “Run to the pass; while he is raging it is well that thou descend.”", + "So we took our way down over the discharge of those stones, which often moved under my feet because of the novel burden.", + "I was going along thinking, and he said, “Thou thinkest perhaps on this ruin which is guarded by that bestial with which I just now quenched.", + "Now would I have thee know that the other time when I descended hither into the nether hell, this cliff had not yet fallen.", + "But in truth, if I discern clearly, a little ere He came, who levied the great spoil on Dis from the supernal circle, in all its parts the deep foul valley trembled so that I thought the universe had felt the love by which, as some believe, oft times the world has been converted into chaos: and, at that moment, this ancient cliff here and elsewhere made this downfall.", + "But fix thine eyes below, for the river of blood is near, in which boils whoso doth harm to others by violence.”", + "Oh blind cupidity, both guilty and mad, that so spurs us in the brief life, and then, in the eternal, steeps us so ill!", + "I saw a broad ditch, bent in an arc, like one that embraces all the plain; according as my Guide had said.", + "And between the foot of the bank and it, in a file were running Centaurs armed with arrows, as they were wont in the world to go to the chase.", + "Seeing us descending, all stopped, and from the troop three detached themselves, with bows and arrows first selected.", + "And one shouted from afar, “To what torment are ye coming, ye who descend the slope?", + "Tell it from there; if not, I draw the bow.”", + "My Master said, “We will make answer unto Chiron near you there: ill was it that thy will was ever thus hasty.”", + "Then he touched me, and said, “That is Nessus, who died for the beautiful Dejanira, and he himself wrought vengeance for himself; and that one in the middle, who is gazing on his breast, is the great Chiron who nurtured Achilles.", + "That other is Pholus, who was so full of wrath.", + "Round about the ditch they go by thousands shooting with their arrows what soul lifts itself from the blood more than its guilt has allotted it.”", + "We drew near to those fleet wild beasts.", + "Chiron took a shaft, and with the notch put his beard backward upon his jaw.", + "When he had uncovered his great mouth he said to his companions, “Are ye aware that the one behind moves what he touches?", + "so are not wont to do the feet of the dead.”", + "And my good Leader, who was now at his breast, where the two natures are conjoined, replied, “Truly he is alive, and thus all alone it behoves me to show him the dark valley: necessity brings him hither and not delight.", + "One withdrew from singing alleluiah who committed unto me this new office; he is no robber, nor I a thievish spirit.", + "But, by that power through which I move my steps along so savage a road, give to us one of thine, to whom we may be close, that he may show us where the ford is, and may carry this one on his back, for he is not a spirit who can go through the air.”", + "Chiron turned upon his right breast, and said to Nessus, “Turn, and guide them thus, and if another troop encounter you, make it give way.”", + "We moved on with the trusty escort along the edge of the crimson boiling, in which the boiled were making loud shrieks.", + "I saw folk under it up to the brow, and the great Centaur said, “These are tyrants who gave themselves to blood and pillage.", + "Here they weep their pitiless offenses: here is Alexander, and cruel Dionysius who caused Sicily to have woeful years.", + "And that front which hath such black hair is Azzolino, and that other who is blond is Opizzo of Esti, who in truth was slain by his stepson up there in the world.”", + "Then I turned me to the Poet, and he said, “Let him now be first, and I second.”", + "A little further on the Centaur stopped above some folk who far as the throat were seen to issue from that boiling stream.", + "He showed to us at one side a solitary shade, and said, “He cleft, in the bosom of God, the heart that still is honored on the Thames.”", + "Then I saw folk, who out of the stream held their head, and even all their chest; and of these I recognized many.", + "Thus ever more and more shallow became that blood, until it cooked only the feet: and here was our passage of the foss.", + "“Even as on this side, thou seest that the boiling stream ever diminishes,” said the Centaur, “I would have thee believe that on this other its bed sinks more and more, until it comes round again where it behoves that tyranny should groan.", + "The divine justice here pierces that Attila who was a scourge on earth, and Pyrrhus and Sextus; and forever milks the tears that with the boiling it unlocks from Rinier of Corneto, and from Rinier Pazzo, who upon the highways made such warfare.”", + "Then he turned back and repassed the ford." + + ], + "13": [ + "Nessus had not yet reached the yonder bank when we set forward through a wood which was marked by no path.", + "Not green leaves but of a dusky color, not smooth boughs but knotty and gnarled, not fruits were there but thorns with poison.", + "Those savage beasts that hold in hate the tilled places between Cecina and Corneto have no thickets so rough or so dense.", + "Here the foul Harpies make their nests, who chased the Trojans from the Strophades with dismal announcement of future calamity.", + "They have broad wings, and human necks and faces, feet with claws, and a great feathered belly.", + "They make lament upon the strange trees.", + "And the good Master, “Before thou enter farther know that thou art in the second round,” he began to say to me, “and wilt be, till thou shalt come unto the horrible sand.", + "Therefore look well around, and so thou shalt see things that would take credence from my speech.”", + "I heard wailings uttered on every side, and I saw no one who might make them, wherefore, I, all bewildered, stopped.", + "I believe that he believed that I believed that all these voices issued amid those stumps from people who because of us had hidden themselves.", + "Therefore said the Master, “If thou break off a twig from one of these plants, the thoughts thou hast will all be cut short.”", + "Then I stretched my hand a little forward and plucked a branchlet from a great thorn-bush, and its trunk cried out, “Why dost thou rend me?”", + "When it had become dark with blood it began again to cry, “Why dost thou tear me?", + "hast thou not any spirit of pity?", + "Men we were, and now we are become stocks; truly thy hand ought to be more pitiful had we been the souls of serpents.”", + "As from a green log that is burning at one of its ends, and from the other drips, and hisses with the air that is escaping, so from that broken splinter came out words and blood together; whereon I let the tip fall, and stood like a man who is afraid.", + "“If he had been able to believe before,” replied my Sage, “O wounded soul, what he has seen only in my verse, he would not upon thee have stretched his hand.", + "But the incredible thing made me prompt him to an act which grieves my very self.", + "But tell him who thou wast, so that, by way of some amends, he may refresh thy fame in the world above, whereto it is allowed him to return.”", + "And the trunk, “So with sweet speech dost thou allure me, that I cannot be silent, and may it not displease you, that I am enticed to speak a little.", + "I am he who held both the keys of the heart of Frederick, and who turned them, locking and unlocking so softly, that from his confidence I kept almost every one.", + "Fidelity so great I bore to the glorious office, that I lost slumber and strength thereby.", + "The harlot, that never from the abode of Caear turned her strumpet eyes,—the common death and vice of courts,—inflamed all minds against me, and they, inflamed, did so inflame Augustus that my glad honors turned to dismal sorrows.", + "My mind, in scornful temper thinking to escape scorn by death, made me unjust toward my just self.", + "By the strange roots of this tree I swear to you, that I never broke faith unto my lord who was so worthy of honor.", + "And if one of you returneth to the world, let him comfort my memory that yet lies prostrate from the blow that envy gave it.”", + "A while he paused, and then, “Since he is silent,” said the Poet to me, “lose not the hour, but speak and ask of him, if more pleaseth thee.”", + "Whereon I to him, “Do thou ask him further of what thou thinkest may satisfy me, for I cannot, such pity fills my heart.”", + "Therefore he began again, “So may this man do for thee freely what thy speech prays, spirit incarcerate, still be pleased to tell us how the soul is bound within these knots, and tell us, if thou canst, if any from such limbs is ever loosed.”", + "Then the trunk puffed strongly, and soon that wind was changed into this voice: “Briefly shall ye be answered.", + "When the ferocious soul departeth from the body wherefrom itself hath torn itself, Minos sends it to the seventh gulf.", + "It falls into the wood, and no part is chosen for it, but where fortune flings it, there it takes root like a grain of spelt; it springs up in a shoot and to a wild plant.", + "The Harpies, feeding then upon its leaves, give pain, and to the pain a window.", + "Like the rest we shall go for our spoils, but not, forsooth, that any one may revest himself with them, for it is not just to have that of which one deprives himself.", + "Hither shall we drag them, and through the melancholy wood shall our bodies be suspended, each on the thorn-tree of his molested shade.”", + "We were still attentive to the trunk, believing that it might wish to say more to us, when we were surprised by an uproar, as one who perceives the wild boar and the chase coming toward his stand and hears the Feasts and the branches crashing.", + "And behold two on the left hand, naked and scratched, flying so violently that they broke all the limbs of the wood.", + "The one in front was shouting, “Now, help, help, Death!”", + "and the other, who seemed to himself too slow, “Lano, thy legs were not so nimble at the jousts of the Toppo:” and when perhaps his breath was failing, of himself and of a bush he made a group.", + "Behind them the wood was full of black bitches, ravenous and running like greyhounds that have been unleashed.", + "On him that had squatted they set their teeth and tore him to pieces, bit by bit, then carried off his woeful limbs.", + "My Guide then took me by the hand, and led me to the bush, which was weeping through its bleeding breaks in vain.", + "“O Jacomo of Sant’ Andrea,” it was saying, “what hath it vantaged thee to make of me a screen?", + "What blame have I for thy wicked life?”", + "When the Master had stopped beside it, he said, “Who wast thou, who through so many wounds blowest forth with blood thy woeful speech?”", + "And he to us, “O souls who art arrived to see the shameful ravage that hath thus disjoined my leaves from me, collect them at the foot of the wretched bush.", + "I was of the city which for the Baptist changed her first patron; wherefore will he always make her sorrowful with his art.", + "And were it not that at the passage of the Arno some semblance of him yet remains, those citizens who afterwards rebuilt it upon the ashes that were left by Attila would have labored in vain.", + "I made a gibbet for myself of my own dwelling.”" + ], + "14": [ + "Because the charity of my native place constrained me, I gathered up the scattered leaves and gave them back to him who was already hoarse.", + "Then we came to the confine, where the second round is divided from the third, and where is seen a horrible mode of justice.", + "To make clearly manifest the new things, I say that we had reached a plain which from its bed removeth every plant.", + "The woeful wood is a garland round about it, even as the dismal foss to that.", + "Here, on the very edge, we stayed our steps.", + "The floor was a dry and dense sand, not made in other fashion than that which of old was trodden by the feet of Cato.", + "O vengeance of God, how much thou oughtest to be feared by every one who readeth that which was manifest unto mine eyes!", + "Of naked souls I saw many flocks, that were all weeping very miserably, and diverse law seemed imposed upon them.", + "Some folk were lying supine on the ground, some were seated all crouched up, and others were going about continually.", + "Those who were going around were far the more, and those the fewer who were lying down under the torment, but they had their tongues more loose for wailing.", + "Over all the sand, with a slow falling, were raining down dilated flakes of fire, as of snow on alps without a wind.", + "As the flames which Alexander in those hot parts of India saw falling upon his host, solid to the ground, wherefore he took care to trample the soil by his troops, because the vapor was better extinguished while it was single; so was descending the eternal glow whereby the sand was kindled, like tinder beneath the steel, for doubling of the dole.", + "Without repose was ever the dance of the wretched hands, now there, now here, brushing from them the fresh burning.", + "I began, “Master, thou that overcomest everything, except the obdurate demons, who at the entrance of the gate came out against us, who is that great one that seemeth not to heed the fire, and lies scornful and contorted, so that the rain seems not to ripen him?”", + "And that same one who had perceived that I was asking my Leader about him, cried out, “Such as I was alive, such am I dead.", + "Though Jove weary his smith, from whom in wrath he took the sharp thunderbolt wherewith on my last day I was smitten, or though he weary the others, turn by turn, in Mongibello at the black forge, crying, ‘Good Vulcan, help, help!’ even as he did at the fight of Phlegra, and should hurl on me with all his might, thereby he should not have glad vengeance.”", + "Then my Leader spoke with force so great that I had not heard him so loud, “O Capaneus, in that thy pride is not quenched, art thou the more punished; no torture save thine own rage would be a pain adequate to thy fury.”", + "Then he turned round to me with better look, saying, “He was one of the Seven Kings that besieged Thebes, and he held, and it appears that he holds God in disdain, and little it appears that he prizes Him; but as I said to him, his own despites are very due adornments for his breast.", + "Now come on behind me, and take heed withal, not to set thy feet upon the burning sand, but keep them always close unto the wood.”", + "Silent we came to where spirts forth from the wood a little streamlet, the redness of which still makes me shudder.", + "As from the Bulicame issues a brooklet, which then the sinful women share among them, so this down across the sand went along.", + "Its bed and both its sloping banks were made of stone, and the margins on the side, whereby I perceived that the crossing was there.", + "“Among all else that I have shown to thee, since we entered through the gate whose threshold is barred to no one, nothing has been discerned by thine eyes so notable as is the present stream which deadens all the flamelets upon it.”", + "These words were of my Leader, wherefore I prayed him, that he should give me largess of the food for which he had given me largess of desire.", + "“In mid sea sits a wasted land,” said he then, “which is named Crete, under whose king the world of old was chaste.", + "A mountain is there that of old was glad with waters and with leaves, which is called Ida; now it is desert, like a thing outworn.", + "Rhea chose it of old for the trusty cradle of her little son, and to conceal him better when he cried had shoutings made there.", + "Within the mountain stands erect a great old man, who holds his shoulders turned towards Damietta, and looks at Rome as if his mirror.", + "His head is formed of fine gold, and pure silver are his arms and breast; then he is of brass far as to the fork.", + "From there downward he is all of chosen iron, save that his right foot is of baked clay, and he stands erect on that more than on the other.", + "Every part except the gold is cleft with a fissure that trickles tears, which collected perforate that cavern.", + "Their course falls from rock to rock into this valley; they form Acheron, Styx, and Phlegethon; then it goes down through this narrow channel far as where there is no more descending.", + "They form Cocytus, and what that pool is, thou shalt see; therefore here is it not told.”", + "And I to him, “If the present rill floweth down thus from our world, why doth it appear to us only at this rim?”", + "And he to me, “Thou knowest that the place is round, and though thou art come far, ever to the left descending toward the bottom, not yet hast thou turned through the whole circle; wherefore if a new thing appears to us, it ought not to bring wonder to thy face.”", + "And I again, “Master, where are Phlegethon and Lethe found, for of the one thou art silent, and of the other thou sayest that it is formed by this rain?”", + "“In all thy questions surely thou pleasest me,” he answered, “but the boiling of the red water ought truly to solve one that thou askest.", + "Lethe thou shalt see, but outside of this ditch, there where souls go to lave themselves when sin repented of is taken away.”", + "Then he said, “Now it is time to depart from the wood; take heed that thou come behind me; the margins afford way, for they are not burning, and above them all the vapor is extinguished.”" + ], + "15": [ + "Now one of the hard margins bears us on, and the fume of the brook overshadows so that it saves the water and the banks from the fire.", + "As the Flemings, between Wissant and Bruges, fearing the flood that is blown in upon them, make the dyke whereby the sea is routed; and as the Paduans along the Brenta, in order to defend their towns and castles, ere Chiarentana feel the heat,—in such like were these made, though neither so high nor so thick had the master, whoever he was, made them.", + "We were now so remote from the wood that I could not have seen where it was though I had turned me round to look, when we encountered a troop of souls which was coming along by the bank, and each of them was looking at us, as at eve one is wont to look at another under the new moon, and they so sharpened their brows toward us as the old tailor does on the needle’s eye.", + "Thus gazed at by that company, I was recognized by one who took me by the hem, and cried out, “What a marvel!”", + "And when he stretched out his arm to me, I fixed my eyes on his baked aspect so that his scorched visage prevented not my mind from recognizing him; and bending down my own to his face, I answered, “Are you here, Sir Brunetto?”", + "And he, “O my son, let it not displease thee if Brunetto Latini turn a little back with thee, and let the train go on.”", + "I said to him, “With all my power I pray this of you, and if you will that I seat myself with you I will do so, if it pleaseth this one, for I go with him.”", + "“O son,” said he, “ whoever of this herd stops for an instant lies then a hundred years without fanning himself when the fire smites him; therefore go onward, I will come at thy skirts, and then I will rejoin my band which goeth weeping its eternal sufferings.”", + "I dared not descend from the road to go level with him, but I held my head bowed like one who goes reverently.", + "He began, “What fortune, or destiny, ere the last day, brings thee down here?", + "and who is this that shows the road?”", + "“There above, in the clear life,” I answered him, “I lost myself in a valley, before my time was full.", + "Only yester morn I turned my back on it; this one appeared to me as I was returning to it, and he is leading me homeward along this path.”", + "And he to me: “If thou follow thy star, thou canst not miss the glorious port, if, in the beautiful life, I discerned aright.", + "And if I had not so untimely died, seeing heaven so benignant unto thee I would have given cheer unto thy work.", + "But that ungrateful populace malign which descended from Fiesole of old, and smacks yet of the mountain and the rock, will hate thee because of thy good deeds; and this is right, for among the bitter sorb trees it is not fitting the sweet fig should bear fruit.", + "Old report in the world calls them blind; it is a people avaricious, envious, and proud; from their customs take heed that thou keep thyself clean.", + "Thy fortune reserves such honor for thee that one party and the other shall hunger for thee; but far from the goat shall be the grass.", + "Let the Fiesolan beasts make litter of themselves, and touch not the plant, if any spring still upon their dungheap, in which may live again the holy seed of those Romans who remained there when it became the nest of so much malice.”", + "“If all my entreaty were fulfilled,” replied I to him, “you would not yet be placed in banishment from human nature; for in my mind is fixed, and now fills my heart, the dear, good, paternal image of you, when in the world hour by hour you taught me how man makes himself eternal and in what gratitude I hold it, so long as I live, it behoves that on my tongue should be discerned.", + "That which you tell me of my course I write, and reserve it to be glossed with other text, by a Lady, who will know how, if I attain to her.", + "Thus much would I have manifest to you: if only that my conscience chide me not, for Fortune, as she will, I am ready.", + "Such earnest is not strange unto my ears; therefore let Fortune turn her wheel as pleases her, and the churl his mattock.”", + "My Master then upon his right side turned himself back, and looked at me; then said, “He listens well who notes it.”", + "Not the less for this do I go on speaking with Sir Brunetto, and I ask, who are his most known and most eminent companions.", + "And he to me, “To know of some is good, of the others silence will be laudable for us, for the time would be short for so much speech.", + "In brief, know that all were clerks, and great men of letters, and of great fame, defiled in the world with one same sin.", + "Priscian goes along with that disconsolate crowd, and Francesco of Accorso; and thou mightest also have seen, hadst thou had desire of such scurf, him who by the Servant of Servants was translated from Arno to Bacchiglione, where he left his ill-strained nerves.", + "Of more would I tell, but the going on and the speech cannot be longer, for I see yonder a new cloud rising from the sand.", + "Folk come with whom I must not be.", + "Let my Tesoro be commended to thee, in which I still am living, and more I ask not.”", + "Then he turned back, and seemed of those who run at Verona for the green cloth across the plain, and of these he seemed the one that wins, and not he that loses." + ], + "16": [ + "Now was I in a place where the resounding of the water that was falling into the next circle was heard, like that hum which the beehives make, when three shades together separated themselves, running, from a troop that was passing under the rain of the bitter torment.", + "They came toward us, and each cried out, “Stop thou, that by thy garb seemest to us to be one from our wicked city!”", + "Ah me! what wounds I saw upon their limbs, recent and old, burnt in by the flames.", + "Still it grieves me for them but to remember it.", + "To their cries my Teacher gave heed; he turned his face toward me, and “Now wait,” he said; “to these one should be courteous, and were it not for the fire that the nature of the place shoots out, I should say that haste better befitted thee than them.”", + "They began again, when we stopped, the old verse, and when they had reached us they made a wheel of themselves all three.", + "As champions naked and oiled are wont to do, watching their hold and their vantage, before they come to blows and thrusts, thus, wheeling, each directed his face on me, so that his neck in contrary direction to his feet was making continuous journey.", + "“Ah! if the misery of this shifting sand bring us and our prayers into contempt,” began one, “and our darkened and blistered aspect, let our fame incline thy mind to tell us who thou art, that so securely plantest thy living feet in Hell.", + "He whose tracks thou seest me trample, though he go naked and singed, was of greater state than thou thinkest.", + "Grandson he was of the good Gualdrada; his name was Guidoguerra, and in his life he did much with counsel, and with the sword.", + "The other who treads the sand behind me is Tegghiaio Aldobrandi, whose fame should be welcome in the world above.", + "And I, who am set with them on the cross, was Jacopo Rusticucci, and surely my savage wife more than aught else injures.", + "If I could have been sheltered from the fire I would have cast myself below among them, and I think that the Teacher would have permitted it; but because I should have been scorched and baked, fear overcame my good will that made me greedy to embrace them.", + "Then I began: “Not contempt, but grief, did your condition fix within me, so that slowly will it be all divested, soon as this my Lord said words to me by which I understood that such folk as ye are might be coming.", + "Of your city I am; and always your deeds and honored names have I retraced and heard with affection.", + "I leave the gall and go for the sweet fruits promised me by my veracious Leader; but far as the centre needs must I first descend.”", + "“So may thy soul long direct thy limbs,” replied he then, “and so may thy fame shine after thee, say if courtesy and valor abide in our city as they were wont, or if they have quite gone forth from it?", + "For Guglielmo Borsiere, who is in torment with us but short while, and goes yonder with our companions, afflicts us greatly with his words.”", + "“The new people and the sudden gains have generated pride and excess, Florence, in thee, so that already thou weepest thereat.”", + "Thus cried I with face uplifted.", + "And the three, who understood that for answer, looked one at the other, as men look at hearing truth.", + "“If other times it costeth thee so little,” replied they all, “to satisfy others, happy thou that thus speakest at thy pleasure.", + "Therefore, if thou escapest from these dark places, and returnest to see again the beautiful stars, when it shall rejoice thee to say, ‘I have been,’ mind thou speak of us unto the people.”", + "Then they broke the wheel, and in flying their swift legs seemed wings.", + "Not an amen could have been said so quickly as they had disappeared; wherefore it seemed good to my Master to depart.", + "I followed him, and we had gone little way before the sound of the water was so near to us, that had we spoken we scarce had heard.", + "As that river on the left slope of the Apennine, which, the first from Monte Veso toward the east, has its proper course,—which is called Acquacheta up above, before it sinks valleyward into its low bed, and at Forli no longer has that name, —reverberates from the alp in falling with a single leap there above San Benedetto, where there ought to be shelter for a thousand; thus down from a precipitous bank we found that dark-tinted water resounding, so that in short while it would have hurt the ears.", + "I had a cord girt around me, and with it I had once thought to take the leopard of the dappled skin.", + "After I had loosed it wholly from me, even as my Leader had commanded me, I reached it to him wound up and coiled.", + "Whereon he turned toward the right, and somewhat far from the edge threw it down into that deep abyss.", + "“And surely some strange thing must needs respond,” said I to myself, “to the strange signal which the Master so follows with his eye.”", + "Ah! how cautious men ought to be near those who see not only the act, but with their wisdom look within the thoughts.", + "He said to me: “Soon will come up that which I await, and what thy thought is dreaming must soon discover itself unto thy sight.”", + "To that truth which has the aspect of falsehood ought one always to close his lips so far as he can, because without fault it causes shame; but here I cannot be silent, and by the notes of this comedy, Reader, I swear to thee,—so may they not be void of lasting grace,—that I saw through that thick and dark air a shape come swimming upwards marvelous to every steadfast heart; like as he returns who goes down sometimes to loose an anchor that grapples either a rock or other thing that in the sea is hid, who stretches upward, and draws in his feet." + ], + "17": [ + "“Behold the wild beast with the pointed tail, that passes mountains, and breaks walls and weapons; behold him that infects all the world.”", + "Thus began my Leader to speak to me; and he beckoned to him that he should come to shore near the end of the trodden marbles.", + "And that loathsome image of fraud came onward, and landed his head and his body, but drew not his tail upon the bank.", + "His face was the face of a just man (so benignant was its skin outwardly), and of a serpent all the trunk beside; he had two paws, hairy to the armpits; his back and breast and both his sides were painted with nooses and circles.", + "With more colors of woof and warp Tartars or Turks never made cloth, nor were such webs woven by Arachne.", + "As sometimes boats lie on the shore, so that they are partly in water and partly on the ground, and as yonder, among the gluttonous Germans, the beaver settles himself to make his war, so lay that worst of beasts upon the rim that closes in the sand with stone.", + "In the void all his tail was quivering, twisting upwards its venomous fork, which like a scorpion’s armed the point.", + "The Leader said: “Now needs must our way bend a little toward that wicked beast that is couching there.”", + "Therefore we descended on the right hand and took ten steps upon the verge quite to avoid the sand and flame.", + "And when we had come to it, I see, a little farther on, people sitting upon the sand near to the void place.", + "Here the Master said to me: “In order that thou mayst bear away complete experience of this round, now go and see their condition.", + "Let thy discourse there be brief.", + "Till thou returnest I will speak with this one, that he may concede to us his strong shoulders.”", + "Thus, still up by the extreme head of that seventh circle, all alone, I went where the sad people were sitting.", + "Through the eyes their woe was bursting forth.", + "This way and that they helped with their hands, sometimes against the vapors, and sometimes against the hot soil.", + "Not otherwise do the dogs in summer, now with muzzle, now with paw, when they are bitten either by fleas, or flies, or gadflies.", + "When I set my eyes on the face of some on whom the woeful fire falls, not one of them I recognized; but I perceived that from the neck of each was hanging a pouch, that had a certain color and a certain device, and thereupon it seems their eyes feed.", + "And as I looking come among them, I saw upon a yellow purse azure that had the face and bearing of a lion.", + "Then as the current of my look proceeded I saw another, red as blood, display a goose whiter than butter.", + "And one, who had his little white bag marked with an azure and pregnant sow, said to me, “What art thou doing in this ditch?", + "Now get thee gone, and since thou art still alive, know that my neighbor, Vitaliano, will sit here at my left side.", + "With these Florentines am I, a Paduan; often they stun my ears shouting, “Let the sovereign cavalier come who will bring the pouch with the three goats.”", + "Then he twisted his mouth, and stuck out his tongue, like an ox that licks his nose.", + "And I, fearing lest longer stay might vex him who had admonished me to stay but little, turned back from these weary souls.", + "I found my Leader, who had already mounted upon the croup of the fierce animal, and he said to me, “Now be strong and courageous; henceforth the descent is by such stairs; mount thou in front, for I wish to be between, so that the tail cannot do thee harm.”", + "As is he who hath the shivering fit of the quartan so near that his nails are already pallid, and he is all of a tremble only looking at the shade, such I became at these words uttered.", + "But his reproaches wrought shame in me, which in presence of a good lord makes a servant strong.", + "I seated myself on those huge shoulders.", + "I wished to speak thus, “Take heed that thou embrace me,” but the voice came not as I had thought.", + "But he who other time had succored me, in other peril, soon as I mounted, clasped and sustained me with his arms: and he said, “Geryon, move on now; let the circles be wide, and the descending slow; consider the strange burden that thou hast.”", + "As a little vessel goeth from its place, backward, backward, so he thence withdrew; and when he felt himself quite at play, he turned his tail to where his breast had been, and moved it, stretched out like an eel, and with his paws gathered the air to himself.", + "Greater fear I do not think there was when Phaethon abandoned the reins, whereby heaven, as is still apparent, was scorched; nor when the wretched Icarus felt his flanks unfeathering through the melting of the wax, his father shouting to him, “Ill way thou holdest,” than mine was, when I saw that I was in the air on every side, and saw every sight vanished, except that of the beast.", + "He goes along swimming very slowly, wheels and descends, but I perceive it not, save by the wind upon my face, and from below.", + "I heard now on the right hand the gorge making beneath us a horrible roar; wherefore I stretch out my head, with my eyes downward.", + "Then I became more afraid to lean over, because I saw fires and heard laments; whereat I, trembling, wholly cowered back.", + "And I saw then, what I had not seen before, the descending and the wheeling, by the great evils that were drawing near on diverse sides.", + "As the falcon which has been long on wing, that, without sight of lure or bird, makes the falconer say, “Ah me, thou stoopest!”", + "descends weary, there whence he had set forth swiftly, through a hundred circles, and lights far from his master, disdainful and sullen; so Geryon set us at the bottom, at the very foot of the scarped rock, and, disburdened of our persons, darted away as arrow from the bowstring." + + ], + "18": [ + "There is a place in Hell called Malebolge, all of stone of the color of iron, as is the encircling wall that surrounds it.", + "Right in the middle of this field malign yawns an abyss exceeding wide and deep, the structure of which I will tell of in its place.", + "That belt, therefore, which remains between the abyss and the foot of the high bank is circular, and it has its ground divided into ten valleys.", + "Such an aspect as where, for guard of the walls, many moats encircle castles, the place where they are presents, such image did these make here.", + "And as in such strongholds from their thresholds to the outer bank are little bridges, so from the base of the precipitous wall started crags which traversed the dykes and the moats far as the abyss that collects and cuts them off.", + "In this place, shaken off from the back of Geryon, we found ourselves; and the Poet held to the left, and I moved on behind.", + "On the right hand I saw new sorrow, new torments, and new scourgers, with which the first pit was replete.", + "At its bottom were the sinners naked.", + "This side the middle they came facing us; on the farther side with us, but with swifter pace.", + "As the Romans, because of the great host in the year of Jubilee, have taken means upon the bridge for the passage of the people, who on one side all have their front toward the Castle, and go to Saint Peter’s, and on the other toward the Mount.", + "Along the gloomy rock, on this side and on that, I saw horned demons with great scourges, who were beating them cruelly from behind.", + "Ah! how they made them lift their heels at the first blows; truly not one waited for the second, or the third.", + "While I was going on, my eyes encountered one, and I said straightway, “Ere now for sight of him I have not fasted;” wherefore to shape him out I stayed my feet, and the sweet Leader stopped with ire, and assented to my going somewhat back.", + "And that scourged one thought to conceal himself by lowering his face, but little it availed him, for I said: “O thou that castest thine eye upon the ground, if the features that thou bearest are not false, thou art Venedico Caccianimico; but what brings thee unto such pungent sauces?”", + "And he to me, “Unwillingly I tell it, but thy clear speech compels me, which makes me recollect the olden world.", + "I was he who brought the beautiful Ghisola to do the will of the Marquis, how ever the shameful tale may be reported.", + "And not the only Bolognese do I weep here, nay, this place is so full of them, that so many tongues are not now taught between Savena and the Reno to say sipa; and if of this thou wishest pledge or testimony, bring to mind our avaricious heart.”", + "As he spoke thus a demon struck him with his scourge and said, “Begone, pandar, here are no women for coining.”", + "I rejoined my Escort; then with few steps we came to where a crag jutted from the bank.", + "Easily enough we ascended it, and turning to the right upon its ridge, from those eternal circles we departed.", + "When we were there where it opens below to give passage to the scourged, the Leader said, “Stop, and let the sight strike on thee of these other miscreants, of whom thou hast not yet seen the face, because they have gone along in the same direction with us.”", + "From the ancient bridge we looked at the train that was coining toward us from the other side, and which the whip in like manner drives on.", + "The good Master, without my asking, said to me, “Look at that great one who is coming, and seems not to shed a tear for pain.", + "What royal aspect he still retains!", + "He is Jason, who by courage and by wit despoiled the Colchians of their ram.", + "He passed by the isle of Lemnos, after the undaunted women pitiless had given all their males to death.", + "There with tokens and with ornate words he deceived Hypsipyle, the maiden, who first had deceived all the rest.", + "There he left her pregnant, and alone; such sin condemns him to such torment; and also for Medea is vengeance done.", + "With him goes whoso in such wise deceives.", + "And let this suffice to know of the first valley, and of those that it holds in its fangs.”", + "Now we were where the narrow path sets across the second dyke, and makes of it shoulders for another arch.", + "Here we heard people moaning in the next pit, and snorting with their muzzles, and with their palms beating themselves.", + "The banks were encrusted with a mould because of the breath from below that sticks on them, and was making quarrel with the eyes and with the nose.", + "The bottom is so hollowed out that no place sufficeth us for seeing it, without mounting on the crest of the arch where the crag rises highest.", + "Hither we came, and thence, down in the ditch, I saw people plunged in an excrement that seemed as if it proceeded from human privies.", + "And while I am searching down there with my eye, I saw one with his head so foul with ordure that it was not apparent whether he were layman or clerk.", + "He shouted to me, “Why art so greedy to look more at me than at the other filthy ones?”", + "And I to him, “Because, if I remember rightly, ere now I have seen thee with dry hair, and thou art Alessio Interminei of Lucca; therefore I eye thee more than all the rest.”", + "And he then, beating his pate, “Down here those flatteries wherewith my tongue was never cloyed have submerged me.”", + "Hereupon my Leader, “Mind thou push thy sight a little farther forward so that with thine eyes thou mayest quite reach the face of that dirty and disheveled creature, who is scratching herself there with her nasty nails, and now is crouching down and now standing on foot.", + "She is Thais the prostitute, who answered her paramour when he said, ‘Have I great thanks from thee?’—‘Nay, marvelous.’”", + "And herewith let our sight be satisfied." + ], + "19": [ + "Oh Simon Magus!", + "Oh ye his wretched followers, who, rapacious, do prostitute for gold and silver the things of God that ought to be the brides of righteousness, now it behoves for you the trumpet sound, since ye are in the third pit!", + "Already were we come to the next tomb, mounted on that part of the crag which just above the middle of the ditch hangs plumb.", + "Oh Supreme Wisdom, how great is the art that Thou displayest in Heaven, on Earth, and in the Evil World!", + "and how justly doth Thy Power distribute!", + "I saw along the sides, and over the bottom, the livid stone full of holes all of one size, and each was circular.", + "They seemed to me not less wide nor larger than those that in my beautiful Saint John are made as place for the baptizers one of which, not many years ago, I broke for sake of one who was stifling in it; and be this the seal to undeceive all men.", + "Forth from the mouth of each protruded the feet of a sinner, and his legs up to the calf, and the rest was within.", + "The soles of all were both on fire, wherefore their joints quivered so violently that they would have snapped withes and bands.", + "As the flaming of things oiled is wont to move only on the outer surface, so was it there from the heels to the toes.", + "“Who is he, Master, that writhes, quivering more than the others his consorts,” said I, “and whom a ruddier flame is sucking?”", + "And he to me, “If thou wilt that I carry thee down there by that bank which slopes the most, from him thou shalt know of himself and of his wrongs.”", + "And I, “Whatever pleaseth thee even so is good to me.", + "Thou art Lord, and knowest that I part me not from thy will, and thou knowest that which is unspoken.”", + "Then we went upon the fourth dyke, turned, and descended on the left hand, down to the bottom pierced with holes, and narrow.", + "And the good Master set me not down yet from his haunch, till he brought me to the cleft of him who was thus lamenting with his shanks.", + "“O whoe’er thou art, that keepest upside down, sad soul, planted like a stake,” I began to say, “speak, if thou canst.”", + "I was standing like the friar who confesses the perfidious assassin, who, after he is fixed, recalls him, in order to delay his death.", + "And he cried out, “Art thou already standing there?", + "Art thou already standing there, Boniface?", + "By several years the record lied to me.", + "Art thou so quickly sated with that having, for which thou didst not fear to seize by guile the beautiful Lady, and then to do her outrage?”", + "Such I became as those that, not comprehending that which is replied to them, stand as if mocked, and know not what to answer.", + "Then Virgil said, “Tell him quickly, I am not he, I am not he thou thinkest.”", + "And I answered as was enjoined on me; whereat the spirit quite twisted his feet.", + "Thereafter, sighing and with tearful voice, he said to me, “Then what dost thou require of me?", + "If to know who I am concerneth thee so much that thou hast crossed the bank therefor, know that I was vested with the Great Mantle; and verily I was a son of the She-Bear, so eager to advance the cubs, that up there I put wealth, and here myself, into the purse.", + "Beneath my head are stretched the others that preceded me in simony, flattened through the fissures of the rock.", + "There below shall I likewise sink, when he shall come whom I believed thou wert, then when I put to thee the sudden question; but already the time is longer that I have cooked my feet, and that I have been thus upside down, than he will stay planted with red feet; for after him will come, of uglier deed, from westward, a shepherd without law, such as must cover him and me again.", + "A new Jason will he be, of whom it is read in Maccabees; and as to that one his king was compliant, so unto this he who rules France shall be.”", + "I know not if here I was too audacious that I only answered him in this strain, “Pray now tell me how much treasure our Lord desired of Saint Peter before he placed the keys in his keeping?", + "Surely he required nothing save ‘Follow me.’", + "Nor did Peter or the others require of Matthias gold or silver, when he was chosen to the place which the guilty soul had lost.", + "Therefore stay thou, for thou art rightly punished, and guard well the ill-gotten money that against Charles made thee to be bold.", + "And were it not that reverence for the Supreme Keys that thou heldest in the glad life still forbiddeth me, I would use words still more grave; for your avarice saddens the world, trampling down the good and exalting the bad.", + "Of you shepherds the Evangelist was aware, when she that sitteth upon the waters was seen by him to fornicate with kings: that woman that was born with the seven heads, and from the ten horns had evidence, so long as virtue pleased her spouse.", + "Ye have made you a god of gold and silver: and what difference is there between you and the idolater save that he worships one and ye a hundred?", + "Ah Constantine! of how much ill was mother, not thy conversion, but that dowry which the first rich Father received from thee!”", + "And, while I was singing these notes to him, whether anger or conscience stung him, he violently quivered with both feet.", + "I believe, forsooth, that it had pleased my Leader, with so contented look be listened ever to the sound of the true words uttered.", + "Thereupon with both his arms he took me, and when he had me wholly on his breast, remounted on the way by which he had descended.", + "Nor did he tire of holding me clasped till he had borne me up to the summit of the arch which is the passage from the fourth to the fifth dyke.", + "Here softly he laid down his burden, softly because of the ragged and steep crag, that would be a difficult pass for goats.", + "Thence another great valley was discovered to me." + ], + "20": [ + "Of a new punishment needs must I make verses, and give matetial to the twentieth canto of the first lay, which is of the submerged.", + "I was now wholly set on looking into the disclosed depth that was bathed with tears of anguish, and I saw folk coming, silent and weeping, through the circular valley, at the pace at which lltanies go in this world.", + "As my sight descended deeper among them, each appeared marvelously distorted from the chin to the beginning of the chest; for toward their reins their face was turned, and they must needs go backwards, because they were deprived of looking forward.", + "Perchance sometimes by force of palsy one has been thus completely twisted, but I never saw it, nor do I think it can be.", + "So may God let thee, Reader, gather fruit from thy reading, now think for thyself how I could keep my face dry, when near by I saw our image so contorted that the weeping of the eyes bathed the buttocks along the cleft.", + "Truly I wept, leaning on one of the rocks of the hard crag, so that my Guide said to me, “Art thou also one of the fools?", + "Here pity liveth when it is quite dead.", + "Who is more wicked than he who feels compassion at the Divine Judgment?", + "Lift up thy head, lift up, and see him for whom the earth opened before the eyes of the Thebans, whereon they shouted all, ‘Whither art thou rushing, Amphiaraus?", + "Why dost thou leave the war?’", + "And he stopped not from falling headlong down far as Minos, who seizes hold of every one.", + "Look, how he has made a breast of his shoulders!", + "Because he wished to see too far before him, he looks behind and makes a backward path.", + "“See Tiresias, who changed his semblance, when from a male he became a female, his members all of them being transformed; and afterwards was obliged to strike once more the two entwined serpents with his rod, ere he could regain his masculine plumage.", + "Aruns is he that to this one’s belly has his back, who on the mountains of Luni (where grubs the Carrarese who dwells beneath), amid white marbles, had a cave for his abode, whence for looking at the stars and the sea his view was not cut off.", + "“And she who with her loose tresses covers her breasts, which thou dost not see, and has on that side all her hairy skin, was Manto, who sought through many lands, then settled there where I was born; whereof it pleases me that thou listen a little to me.", + "After her father had departed from life, and the city of Bacchus had become enslaved, long while she wandered through the world.", + "Up in fair Italy lies a lake, at foot of the alp that shuts in Germany above Tyrol, and it is called Benaco.", + "Through a thousand founts, I think, and more, between Garda and Val Camonica, the Apennine is bathed by the water which settles in that lake.", + "Midway is a place where the Trentine Pastor and he of Brescia and the Veronese might each give his blessing if he took that road.", + "Peschiera, fortress fair and strong, sits to confront the Brescians and Bergamasques, where the shore round about is lowest.", + "Thither needs must fall all that which in the lap of Benaco cannot stay, and it becomes a river down through the verdant pastures.", + "Soon as the water gathers head to run, no longer is it called Benaco, but Mincio, far as Governo, where it falls into the Po.", + "No long course it hath before it finds a plain, on which it spreads, and makes a marsh, and is wont in summer sometimes to be noisome.", + "Passing that way, the cruel virgin saw a land in the middle of the fen without culture and bare of inhabitants.", + "There, to avoid all human fellowship, she stayed with her servants to practice her arts, and lived, and left there her empty body.", + "Afterward the men who were scattered round about gathered to that place, which was strong because of the fen which surrounded it.", + "They built the city over those dead hones, and for her, who first had chosen the place, they called it Mantua, without other augury.", + "Of old its people were more thick within it, before the stupidity of Casalodi had been tricked by Pinamonte.", + "Therefore I warn thee, that if thou ever hearest otherwise the origin of my town, no falsehood may defraud the truth.”", + "And I, “Master, thy discourses are so certain to me, and so lay hold on my faith, that the others would be to me as dead embers.", + "But tell me of the people who are passing, if thou seest any one of them worthy of note; for only unto that my mind reverts.”", + "Then he said to me, “That one, who from his cheek stretches his beard upon his dusky shoulders, was an augur when Greece was so emptied of males that they scarce remained for the cradles, and with Calchas at Aulis he gave the moment for cutting the first cable.", + "Eurypylus was his name, and thus my lofty Tragedy sings him in some place; well knowest thou this, who knowest the whole of it.", + "That other who is so small in the flanks was Michael Scott, who verily knew the game of magical deceptions.", + "See Guido Bonatti, see Asdente, who now would wish he had attended to his leather and his thread, but late repents.", + "See the forlorn women who left the needle, the spool, and the spindle, and became fortune-tellers; they wrought spells with herb and with image.", + "“But come on now, for already Cain with his thorns holds the confines of both the hemispheres, and touches the wave below Seville.", + "And already yesternight was the moon round; well shouldst thou remember it, for it did thee no harm sometimes in the deep wood.”", + "Thus he spoke to me, and we went on the while." + ], + "21": [ + "So from bridge to bridge we went, speaking other things, which my Comedy careth not to sing, and held the summit, when we stopped to see the next cleft of Malebolge and the next vain lamentations; and I saw it wonderfully dark.", + "As in the Arsenal of the Venetians, in winter, the sticky pitch for smearing their unsound vessels is boiling, because they cannot go to sea, and, instead thereof, one builds him a new bark, and one caulks the sides of that which hath made many a voyage; one hammers at the prow, and one at the stern; another makes oars, and another twists the cordage; and one the foresail and the mainsail patches,—so, not by fire, but by divine art, a thick pitch was boiling there below, which belimed the bank on every side.", + "I saw it, but saw not in it aught but the bubbles which the boiling raised, and all of it swelling up and again sinking compressed.", + "While I was gazing down there fixedly, my Leader, saying, “Take heed! take heed!” drew me to himself from the place where I was standing.", + "Then I turned as one who is slow to see what it behoves him to fly, and whom a sudden fear unnerves, and delays not to depart in order to see.", + "And I saw behind us a black devil come running up along the crag.", + "Ah! how fell he was in aspect, and how rough he seemed to me in action, with wings open, and light upon his feet!", + "His shoulder, which was sharp and high, was laden by a sinner with both haunches, the sinew of whose feet he held clutched.", + "“O Malebranche of our bridge,” he said, “lo, one of the Ancients of Saint Zita put him under, for I return again to that city, which I have furnished well with them; every man there is a barrator, except Bonturo: there, for money, of No they make Ay.”", + "He hurled him down, and along the hard crag he turned, and never mastiff loosed was in such haste to follow a thief.", + "That one sank under, and came up back uppermost, but the demons that had shelter of the bridge cried out, “Here the Holy Face avails not; here one swims otherwise than in the Serchio; therefore, if thou dost not want our grapples, make no show above the pitch.”", + "Then they struck him with more than a hundred prongs, and said, “Covered must thou dance here, so that, if thou canst, thou mayst swindle secretly.”", + "Not otherwise cooks make their scullions plunge the meat with their hooks into the middle of the cauldron, so that it may not float.", + "The good Master said to me, “In order that it be not apparent that thou art here, crouch down behind a splinter, that may afford some screen to thee, and at any offense that may be done to me be not afraid, for I have knowledge of these things, because another time I was at such a fray.”", + "Then he passed on beyond the head of the bridge, and when he arrived upon the sixth bank, he had need of a steadfast front.", + "With such fury and with such storm, as dogs run out upon the poor wretch, who of a sudden begs where he stops, they came forth from under the little bridge, and turned against him all their forks.", + "But he cried out, “Be no one of you savage; ere your hook take hold of me, let one of you come forward that he may hear me, and then take counsel as to grappling me.”", + "All cried out, “Let Malacoda go!”", + "Whereon one moved, and the rest stood still; and he came toward him, saying, “What doth this avail him?”", + "“Thinkest thou, Malacoda, to see me come here,” said my Master, “safe hitherto from all your hindrances, except by Will Divine and fate propitious?", + "Let us go on, for in Heaven it is willed that I show another this savage road.”", + "Then was his arrogance so fallen that he let the hook drop at his feet, and said to the rest, “Now let him not be struck.”", + "And my Leader to me, “O thou that sittest cowering among the splinters of the bridge, securely now return to me.”", + "Whereat I moved and came swiftly to him.", + "And the devils all pressed forward, so that I feared they would not keep their compact.", + "And thus I once saw the foot-soldiers afraid, who came out under pledge from Caprona, seeing themselves among so many enemies.", + "I drew with my whole body alongside my Leader, and turned not mine eyes from their look, which was not good.", + "They lowered their forks, and, “Wilt thou that I touch him on the rump?”", + "said one to the other, and they answered, “Yes, see thou nick it for him.”", + "But that demon who was holding speech with my Leader turned very quickly and said, “Stay, stay, Scarmiglione!”", + "Then he said to us, “Further advance along this crag there cannot be, because the sixth arch lies all shattered at the bottom.", + "And if to go forward still is your pleasure, go on along this rocky bank; near by is another crag that affords a way.", + "Yesterday, five hours later than this hour, one thousand two hundred and sixty-six years were complete since the way was broken here.", + "I am sending thitherward some of these of mine, to see if any one is airing himself; go ye with them, for they will not be wicked.", + "Come forward, Alichino and Calcabrina,” began he to say, “and thou, Cagnazzo; and do thou, Barbariccia, guide the ten.", + "Let Libicocco come also, and Draghignazzo, tusked Ciriatto, and Graffiacane, and Farfarello, and mad Rubicante.", + "Search round about the boiling pitch; let these be safe far as the next crag, that all unbroken goes over these dens.”", + "“O me! Master, what is it that I see?”", + "said I; “pray let us go alone without escort, if thou knowest the way, for I desire it not for myself.", + "If thou art as wary as thou art wont to be, dost thou not see that they show their teeth, and threaten harm to us with their brows?”", + "And he to me, “I would not have thee afraid.", + "Let them grin on at their will, for they are doing it at the boiled wretches.”", + "Upon the left bank they wheeled round, but first each had pressed his tongue with his teeth toward their leader for a signal, and he had made a trumpet of his rump." + ], + "22": [ + "I have seen of old horsemen moving camp, and beginning an assault, and making their muster, and sometimes setting forth on their escape; I have seen runners through your land, O Aretines, and I have seen freebooters starting, tournaments struck and jousts run, at times with trumpets, and at times with bells, with drums, and with signals from strongholds, and with native things and foreign,—but never with so strange a pipe did I see horsemen or footmen set forth, or ship by sign of land or star.", + "We went along with the ten demons.", + "Ah, the fell company! but in the church with saints, and in the tavern with gluttons.", + "Ever on the pitch was I intent, to see every aspect of the pit, and of the people that were burning in it.", + "As dolphins, when, by the arching of their back, they give a sign to sailors that they take heed for the safety of their vessel, so, now and then, to alleviate his pain, one of the sinners showed his back and hid in less time than it lightens.", + "And as at the edge of the water of a ditch the frogs stand with only their muzzle out, so that they conceal their feet and the rest of their bulk, thus stood on every side the sinners; but as Barbariccia approached so did they draw back beneath the boiling.", + "I saw, and still my heart shudders at it, one waiting, just as it happens that one frog stays and another jumps.", + "And Graffiacane, who was nearest over against him, hooked him by his pitchy locks, and drew him up so that he seemed to me an otter.", + "I knew now the name of every one of them, so had I noted them when they were chosen, and when they had called each other I had listened how.", + "“O Rubicante, see thou set thy claws upon him so thou flay him,” shouted all the accursed ones together.", + "And I, “My Master, see, if thou canst, that thou find out who is the luckless one come into the hands of his adversaries.”", + "My Leader drew up to his side, asked him whence he was, and he replied, “I was born in the kingdom of Navarre; my mother placed me in service of a lord, for she had borne me to a ribald, destroyer of himself and of his substance.", + "Afterward I was of the household of the good King Thibault; there I set myself to practice barratry, for which I pay reckoning in this heat.”", + "And Ciriatto, from whose mouth protruded on either side a tusk, as in a boar, made him feel how one of them rips.", + "Among evil cats the mouse had come; but Barbariccia clasped him in his arms, and said, “Stand off, while I enfork him,” and to my Master turned his face.", + "“Ask,” said he, “if thou desirest to know more from him, before some other undo him.”", + "The Leader, “Now, then, tell of the other sinners; knowst thou any one under the pitch who is Italian?”", + "And he, “I parted short while since from one who was a neighbor to it; would that with him I still were covered so that I might not fear claw or hook.”", + "And Libicocco said, “We have borne too much,” and seized his arm with his grapple so that, tearing, he carried off a sinew of it.", + "Draghignazzo, also, he wished to give him a clutch down at his legs, whereat their decurion turned round about with evil look.", + "When they were a little appeased, my Leader, without delay, asked him who still was gazing at his wound, “Who was he from whom thou sayest thou madest in parting to come to shore?”", + "And he replied, “It was Brother Gomita, he of Gallura, vessel of all fraud, who held the enemies of his lord in hand, and dealt so with them that they all praise him for it.", + "Money he took, and let them smoothly off, so he says; and in other offices besides he was no little barrator, but sovereign.", + "With him frequents Don Michael Zanche of Logodoro, and in talking of Sardinia their tongues feel not weary.", + "O me! see ye that other who is grinning: I would say more, but I fear lest he is making ready to scratch my itch.”", + "And the grand provost, turning to Farfarello, who was rolling his eyes as if to strike, said, “Get thee away, wicked bird!”", + "“If you wish to see or to hear Tuscans or Lombards,” thereon began again the frightened one, “I will make them come; but let the Malebranche stand a little withdrawn, so that they may not be afraid of their vengeance, and I, sitting in this very place, for one that I am, will make seven of them come, when I shall whistle as is our wont to do whenever one of us comes out.”", + "Cagnazzo at this speech raised his muzzle, shaking his head, and said, “Hear the knavery he has devised for throwing himself under!”", + "Whereon he who had snares in great plenty answered, “Too knavish am I, when I procure for mine own companions greater sorrow.”", + "Alichino held not in, and, in opposition to the others, said to him, “If thou dive, I will not come behind thee at a gallop, but I will beat my wings above the pitch; let the ridge be left, and be the bank a shield, to see if thou alone availest more than we.”", + "O thou that readest! thou shalt hear new sport.", + "Each turned his eyes to the other side, he first who had been most averse to doing it.", + "The Navarrese chose well his time, planted his feet firmly on the ground, and in an instant leaped, and from their purpose freed himself.", + "At this, each of them was pricked with shame, but he most who was the cause of the loss; wherefore he started and cried out, “Thou art caught.”", + "But little it availed, for wings could not outstrip fear.", + "The one went under, and the other, flying, turned his breast upward.", + "Not otherwise the wild duck on a sudden dives when the falcon comes close, and he returns up vexed and baffled.", + "Calcabrina, enraged at the flout, kept flying behind him, desirous that the sinner should escape, that he might have a scuffle; and when the barrator had disappeared he turned his talons upon his companion, and grappled with him above the ditch.", + "But the other was indeed a sparrowhawk full grown to gripe him well, and both fell into the midst of the boiling pool.", + "The heat was a sudden ungrappler, but nevertheless there was no rising from it, they had their wings so glued.", + "Barbariccia, grieving with the rest of his troop, made four of them fly to the other side with all their forks, and very quickly, this side and that, they descended to their post.", + "They stretched out their hooks toward the belimed ones, who were already baked within the crust: and we left them thus embroiled." + ], + "23": [ + "Silent, alone, and without company, we went on, one before, the other behind, as the Minor friars go along the way.", + "My thought was turned by the present brawl upon the fable of Aesop, in which he tells of the frog and the mole; for NOW and THIS INSTANT are not more alike than the one is to the other, if beginning and end are rightly coupled by the attentive mind.", + "And as one thought bursts out from another, so from that then sprang another which made my first fear double.", + "I reflected in this wise: These through us have been flouted, and with such harm and mock as I believe must vex them greatly; if anger to ill-will be added, they will come after us more merciless than the dog upon the leveret which he snaps.", + "Already I was feeling my hair all bristling with fear, and was backwards intent, when I said, “Master, if thou concealest not thyself and me speedily, I am afraid of the Malebranche; we have them already behind us, and I so imagine them that I already feel them.”", + "And he, “If I were of leaded glass, I should not draw thine outward image more quickly to me than thine inward I receive.", + "Even now came thy thoughts among mine, with similar action and with similar look, so that of both one sole design I made.", + "If it be that the right bank lieth so that we can descend into the next pit, we shall escape the imagined chase.”", + "Not yet had he finished reporting this design, when I saw them coming with spread wings, not very far off, with will to take us.", + "My Leader on a sudden took me, as a mother who is wakened by the noise, and near her sees the kindled flames, who takes her son and flies, and, having more care of him than of herself, stays not so long as only to put on a shift.", + "And down from the ridge of the hard bank, supine he gave himself to the sloping rock that closes one of the sides of the next pit.", + "Never ran water so swiftly through a duct, to turn the wheel of a land-mill, when it approaches near est to the paddles, as my Master over that border, bearing me along upon his breast, as his own son, and not as his companion.", + "Hardly had his feet reached the bed of the depth below, when they were on the ridge right over us; but here there was no fear, for the high Providence that willed to set them as ministers of the fifth ditch deprived them all of power of departing thence.", + "There below we found a painted people who were going around with very slow steps, weeping, and in their semblance weary and vanquished.", + "They had cloaks, with hoods lowered before their eyes, made of the same cut as those of the monks in Cluny.", + "Outwardly they are gilded, so that it dazzles, but within all lead, and so heavy that Frederick put them on of straw.", + "Oh mantle wearisome for eternity!", + "We turned, still ever to the left hand, along with them, intent on their sad plaint.", + "But because of the weight that tired folk came so slowly that we had fresh company at every movement of the haunch.", + "Wherefore I to my Leader, “See that thou find some one who may be known by deed or name, and so in going move thy eyes around.”", + "And one who understood the Tuscan speech cried out behind us, “Stay your feet, ye who run thus through the dusky air; perchance thou shalt have from me that which thou askest.”", + "Whereon the Leader turned and said, “Await, and then according to his pace proceed.”", + "I stopped, and saw two show, by their look, great haste of mind to be with me, but their load delayed them, and the narrow way.", + "When they had come up, somewhile, with eye askance, they gazed at me without a word; then they turned to each other, and said one to the other, “This one seems alive by the action of his throat; and if they are dead, by what privilege do they go uncovered by the heavy stole?”", + "Then they said to me, “O Tuscan, who to the college of the wretched hypocrites art come, disdain not to tell who thou art.”", + "And I to them, “I was born and grew up on the fair river of Arno, at the great town, and I am in the body that I have always had.", + "But ye, who are ye, in whom such woe distills, as I see, down your cheeks?", + "and what punishment is on you that so sparkles?”", + "And one of them replied to me, “The orange hoods are of lead so thick that the weights thus make their scales to creak.", + "Jovial Friars were we, and Bolognese; I Catalano, and he Loderingo named, and together taken by thy city, as one man alone is wont to be taken, in order to preserve its peace; and we were such as still is apparent round about the Gardingo.”", + "I began, “O Friars, your evil”—but more I said not, for there struck mine eyes one crucified with three stakes on the ground.", + "When me he saw he writhed all over, blowing into his beard with sighs: and the Friar Catalano, who observed it, said to me, “That transfixed one, whom thou lookest at, counseled the Pharisees that it was expedient to put one man to torture for the people.", + "Crosswise and naked is he on the path, as thou seest, and he first must feel how much whoever passes weighs.", + "And in such fashion his father-in-law is stretched in this ditch, and the others of that Council which for the Jews was seed of ill.”", + "Then I saw Virgil marvelling over him that was extended on a cross so vilely in eternal exile.", + "Thereafter he addressed this speech to the Friar, “May it not displease thee, so it be allowed thee, to tell us if on the right hand lies any opening whereby we two can go out without constraining any of the Black Angels to come to deliver us from this deep.”", + "He answered then, “Nearer than thou hopest is a rock that from the great encircling wall proceeds and crosses all the savage valleys, save that at this one it is broken, and does not cover it.", + "Ye can mount up over the ruin that slopes on the side, and heaps up at the bottom.”", + "The Leader stood a little while with bowed head, then said, “Ill he reported the matter, he who hooks the sinners yonder.”", + "And the Friar, “I once heard tell at Bologna vices enough of the devil, among which I heard that he is false, and the father of lies.”", + "Then the Leader with great steps went on, disturbed a little with anger in his look; whereon I departed from the heavily burdened ones, following the prints of the beloved feet." + ], + "24": [ + "In that part of the young year when the sun tempers his locks beneath Aquarius, and now the nights decrease toward half the day, when the hoar frost copies on the ground the image of her white sister, but the point of her pen lasts little while, the rustic, whose provision fails “gets up and sees the plain all whitened o’er, whereat he strikes his thigh, returns indoors, and grumbles here and there, like the poor wretch who knows not what to do; again goes out and picks up hope again, seeing the world to have changed face in short while, and takes his crook and drives forth his flock to pasture”: in like manner the Master made me dismayed, when I saw his front so disturbed, and in like manner speedily arrived the plaster for the hurt.", + "For when we came to the ruined bridge, the Leader turned to me with that sweet look which I first saw at the foot of the mount.", + "He opened his arms, after some counsel taken with himself, looking first well at the ruin, and laid hold of me.", + "And as one who acts and considers, who seems always to be ready beforehand, so lifting me up toward the top of a great rock, he took note of another splinter, saying, “Seize hold next on that, but try first if it is such that it may support thee.”", + "It was no way for one clothed in a cloak, for we with difficulty, he light and I pushed up, could mount from jag to jag.", + "And had it not been that on that precinct the bank was shorter than on the other side, I do not know about him, but I should have been completely overcome.", + "But because all Malebolge slopes toward the opening of the lowest abyss, the site of each valley is such that one side rises and the other sinks.", + "We came, however, at length, up to the point where the last stone is broken off.", + "The breath was so milked from my lungs when I was up that I could no farther, but sat me down on first arrival.", + "“Now it behoves thee thus to put off sloth,” said the Master, “for, sitting upon down or under quilt, one attains not fame, without which he who consumes his life leaves of himself such trace on earth as smoke in air, or in water the foam.", + "And therefore rise up, conquer the exhaustion with the spirit that conquers every battle, if by its heavy body it be not dragged down.", + "A longer stairway needs must be ascended; it is not enough from these to have departed; if thou understandest me, now act so that it avail thee.”", + "Then I rose up, showing myself furnished better with breath than I felt, and said, “Go on, for I am strong and resolute.”", + "Up along the crag we took the way, which was rugged, narrow, and difficult, and far steeper than the one before.", + "I was going along speaking in order not to seem breathless, and a voice, unsuitable for forming words, came out from the next ditch.", + "I know not what it said, though I was already upon the back of the arch that crosses here; but he who was speaking seemed moved to anger.", + "I had turned downwards, but living eyes could not go to the bottom, because of the obscurity.", + "Wherefore I said, “Master, see that thou go on to the next girth, and let us descend the wall, for as from hence I hear and do not understand, so I look down and shape out nothing.”", + "“Other reply,” he said, “I give thee not than doing, for an honest request ought to be followed by the deed in silence.”", + "We descended the bridge at its head, where it joins on with the eighth bank, and then the pit was apparent to me.", + "And I saw therewithin a terrible heap of serpents, and of such hideous look that the memory still curdles my blood.", + "Let Libya with her sand vaunt herself no more; for though she brings forth chelydri, jaculi, and phareae, and cenchri with amphisboena, she never, with all Ethiopia, nor with the land that lies on the Red Sea, showed either so many plagues or so evil.", + "Amid this cruel and most dismal store were running people naked and in terror, without hope of hole or heliotrope.", + "They had their hands tied behind with serpents, which fixed through the reins their tail and their head, and were knotted up in front.", + "And lo! at one, who was on our side, darted a serpent that transfixed him there where the neck is knotted to the shoulders.", + "Nor O nor I was ever so quickly written as he took fire and burned, and all ashes it behoved him to become in falling.", + "And when upon the ground he lay thus destroyed, the dust drew together of itself, and into that same one instantly returned.", + "Thus by the great sages it is affirmed that the Phoenix dies, and then is reborn when to her five hundredth year she draws nigh.", + "Nor herb nor grain she feeds on in her life, but only on tears of incense and on balsam, and nard and myrrh are her last winding-sheet.", + "And as he who falls and knows not how, by force of demon that drags him to ground, or of other attack that seizeth the man; when he arises and around him gazes, all bewildered by the great anguish that he has suffered, and in looking sighs, such was that sinner after he had risen.", + "Oh power of God! how just thou art that showerest down such blows for vengeance!", + "The Leader asked him then who he was; whereon he answered, “I rained from Tuscany short time ago into this fell gullet.", + "Bestial life, and not human, pleased me, like a mule that I was.", + "I am Vanni Fucci, beast, and Pistoia was my fitting den.”", + "And I to my Leader, “Tell him not to budge, and ask what sin thrust him down here, for I have seen him a man of blood and rages.”", + "And the sinner who heard dissembled not, but directed toward me his mind and his face, and was painted with dismal shame.", + "Then he said, “More it grieves me, that thou hast caught me in the misery where thou seest me, than when I was taken from the other life.", + "I cannot refuse that which thou demandest.", + "I am put so far down because I was robber of the sacristy with the fair furnishings, and falsely hitherto has it been ascribed to another.", + "But that thou enjoy not this sight, if ever thou shalt be forth of these dark places, open thine ears to my announcement and hear.", + "Pistoia first strips itself of the Black, then Florence renovates her people and her customs.", + "Mars draws a flame from Val di Magra wrapped in turbid clouds, and with impetuous and bitter storm shall it be opposed upon Campo Piceno, where it shall suddenly rend the mist, so that every White shall thereby be smitten.", + "And this have I said because it must grieve thee.”" + ], + "25": [ + "At the end of his words the thief raised his hands with both the figs, crying, “Take that, God! for at thee I square them.”", + "Thenceforth the serpents were my friends, for then one coiled around his neck, as if it said, “I will not that thou say more,” and another round his arms and bound them up anew, clinching itself so in front that he could not give a shake with them.", + "Ah Pistoia!", + "Pistoia! why dost thou not decree to make ashes of thyself, so that thou mayest last no longer, since in evil-doing thou surpassest thine own seed?", + "Through all the dark circles of Hell I saw no spirit against God so proud, not he who fell at Thebes down from the walls.", + "He fled away and spake no word more.", + "And I saw a Centaur full of rage come crying out, “Where is, where is that obdurate one?”", + "I do not think Maremma has so many snakes as he had upon his croup up to where our semblance begins.", + "On his shoulders behind the nape a dragon with open wings was lying upon him, and it sets on fire whomsoever it encounters.", + "My Master said, “This is Cacus, who beneath the rock of Mount Aventine made oftentimes a lake of blood.", + "He goes not on one road with his brothers because of the fraudulent theft he committed of the great herd that was in his neighborhood; wherefor his crooked deeds ceased under the club of Hercules, who perhaps dealt him a hundred blows with it, and he felt not ten.”", + "While he was so speaking, and that one had run by, lo! three spirits came below us, of whom neither I nor my Leader was aware till when they cried out, “Who are ye?”", + "whereon our story stopped, and we then attended only unto them.", + "I did not recognize them, but it happened, as it is wont to happen by chance, that one must needs name the other, saying, “Cianfa, where can he have stayed?”", + "Whereupon I, in order that the Leader should attend, put my finger upward from my chin to my nose.", + "If thou art now, Reader, slow to credit that which I shall tell, it will not be a marvel, for I who saw it hardly admit it to myself.", + "As I was holding my brow raised upon them, lo! a serpent with six feet darts in front of one, and grapples close to him.", + "With his middle feet he clasped his paunch, and with his forward took his arms, then struck his fangs in one and the other cheek.", + "His hinder feet he stretched upon the thighs, and put his tail between the two, and behind bent it up along the reins.", + "Ivy was never so bearded to a tree, as the horrible beast through the other’s limbs entwined his own.", + "Then they stuck together as if they had been of hot wax, and mingled their color; nor one nor the other seemed now that which it was; even as before the flame, up along the paper a dark color proceeds which is not yet black, and the white dies away.", + "The other two were looking on, and each cried, “O me! Agnello, how thou changest!", + "Lo, now thou art neither two nor one! Now were the two heads become one, when there appeared to us two countenances mixed in one face wherein the two were lost.", + "Of four strips the two arms were made; the thighs with the legs, the belly and the chest became members that were never seen before.", + "Each original aspect there was cancelled; both and neither the perverse image appeared, and such it went away with slow step.", + "As the lizard under the great scourge of the dog days, changing from hedge to hedge, seems a flash, if it crosses the way, so seemed, coming toward the belly of the two others, a little fiery serpent, livid, and black as a grain of pepper.", + "And that part whereby our nourishment is first taken it transfixed in one of them, then fell down stretched out before him.", + "The transfixed one gazed at it, but said nothing; nay rather, with feet fixed, he yawned even as if sleep or fever had assailed him.", + "He looked at the serpent, and that at him; one through his wound, the other through his mouth, smoked violently, and their smoke met.", + "Let Lucan henceforth be silent, where he tells of the wretched Sabellus, and of Nasidius, and wait to hear that which now is uttered.", + "Let Ovid be silent concerning Cadmus and Arethusa, for if, poetizing, he converts him into a serpent and her into a fountain, I envy him not; for two natures front to front never did he transmute, so that both the forms were prompt to exchange their matter.", + "To one another they responded by such rules, that the serpent made his tail into a fork, and the wounded one drew together his feet.", + "The legs and the very thighs with them so stuck together, that in short while the juncture made no sign that was apparent.", + "The cleft tail took on the shape that was lost there, and its skin became soft, and that of the other hard.", + "I saw the arms draw in through the armpits, and the two feet of the beast which were short lengthen out in proportion as those shortened.", + "Then the hinder feet, twisted together, became the member that man conceals, and the wretched one from his had two stretched forth.", + "While the smoke is veiling both with a new color, and generates hair on the one, and from the other strips it, one rose up, and the other fell down, not however turning aside their pitiless lights, beneath which each was changing his visage.", + "He who was erect drew his in toward the temples, and, from the excess of material that came in there, issued the ears on the smooth cheeks; that which did not run backwards but was retained, of its superfluity made a nose for the face, and thickened the lips so far as was needful.", + "He who was lying down drives his muzzle forward, and draws in his ears through his skull, as the snail doth his horns.", + "And his tongue, which erst was united and fit for speech, cleaves itself, and the forked one of the other closes up; and the smoke stops.", + "The soul that had become a brute fled hissing along the valley, and behind him the other speaking spits.", + "Then he turned upon him his new shoulders, and said to the other, “I will that Buoso run, as I have done, groveling along this path.”", + "Thus I saw the seventh ballast change and rechange, and here let the novelty be my excuse, if my pen straggle a little.", + "And although my eyes were somewhat confused, and my mind bewildered, those could not flee away so covertly but that I clearly distinguished Puccio Sciancato, and he it was who alone, of the three companions that had first come, was not changed; the other was he whom thou, Gaville, weepest." + ], + "26": [ + "Rejoice, Florence, since thou art so great that over sea and land thou beatest thy wings, and thy name is spread through Hell.", + "Among the thieves I found five such, thy citizens, whereat shame comes to me, and thou unto great honor risest not thereby.", + "But, if near the morning one dreams the truth, thou shalt feel within little time what Prato, as well as others, craves for thee.", + "And if now it were, it would not be too soon.", + "Would that it were so!", + "since surely it must be; for the more it will weigh on me the more I age.", + "We departed thence, and up along the stairs that the bourns had made for our descent before, my Leader remounted and dragged me.", + "And pursuing the solitary way mid the splinters and rocks of the crag, the foot without the hand sped not.", + "Then I grieved, and now I grieve again when I direct my mind to what I saw; and I curb my genius more than I am wont, that it may not run unless virtue guide it; so that if a good star, or better thing, has given me of good, I may not grudge it to myself.", + "As the rustic who rests him on the bill in the season when he that brightens the world keepeth his face least hidden from us, what time the fly yieldeth to the gnat, sees many fireflies down in the valley, perhaps there where he makes his vintage and ploughs,—with as many flames all the eighth pit was resplendent, as I perceived soon as I was there where the bottom became apparent.", + "And as he who was avenged by the bears saw the chariot of Elijah at its departure, when the horses rose erect to heaven, and could not so follow it with his eyes as to see aught save the flame alone, even as a little cloud, mounting upward: thus each was moving through the gulley of the ditch, for not one shows its theft, and every flame steals away a sinner.", + "I was standing on the bridge, risen up to look, so that if I had not taken hold of a rock I should have fallen below without being pushed.", + "And the Leader, who saw me thus attent, said, “Within these fires are the spirits; each is swathed by that wherewith he is enkindled.”", + "“My Master,” I replied, “by hearing thee am I more certain, but already I deemed that it was so, and already I wished to say to thee, Who is in that fire that cometh so divided at its top that it seems to rise from the pyre on which Eteocles was put with his brother?”", + "He answered me, “There within are tormented Ulysses and Diomed, and thus together they go in punishment, as of old in wrath.", + "And within their flame they groan for the ambush of the horse that made the gate, whence the gentle seed of the Romans issued forth.", + "Within it they lament for the artifice whereby the dead Deidamia still mourns for Achilles, and there for the Palladium they bear the penalty.”", + "“If they can speak within those sparkles,” said I, “Master, much I pray thee, and repray that the prayer avail a thousand, that thou make not to me denial of waiting till the horned flame come hither; thou seest that with desire I bend me toward it.”", + "And he to me, “Thy prayer is worthy of much praise, and therefore I accept it, but take heed that thy tongue restrain itself.", + "Leave speech to me, for I have conceived what thou wishest, for, because they are Greeks, they would be shy, perchance, of thy words.”", + "When the flame had come there where it seemed to my Leader time and place, in this form I heard him speak to it: “O ye who are two within one fire, if I deserved of you while I lived, if I deserved of you much or little, when in the world I wrote the lofty verses, move not, but let one of you tell us, where, having lost himself, he went away to die.”", + "The greater horn of the ancient flame began to waver, murmuring, even as a flame that the wind wearies.", + "Then moving its tip hither and thither, as it had been the tongue that would speak, it cast forth a voice, and said,—", + "“When I departed from Circe, who had retained me more than a year there near to Gaeta, before Aeneas had so named it, neither fondness for my son, nor piety for my old father, nor the due love that should have made Penelope glad, could overcome within me the ardor that I had to gain experience of the world, and of the vices of men, and of their valor.", + "But I put forth on the deep, open sea, with one vessel only, and with that little company by which I had not been deserted.", + "One shore and the other I saw as far as Spain, far as Morocco and the island of Sardinia, and the rest which that sea bathes round about.", + "I and my companions were old and slow when we came to that narrow strait where Hercules set up his bounds, to the end that man may not put out beyond.", + "On the right hand I left Seville, on the other already I had left Ceuta.", + "‘O brothers,’ said I, ‘who through a hundred thousand perils have reached the West, to this so little vigil of your senses that remains be ye unwilling to deny, the experience, following the sun, of the world that hath no people.", + "Consider ye your origin; ye were not made to live as brutes, but for pursuit of virtue and of knowledge.’", + "With this little speech I made my companions so eager for the road that hardly afterwards could I have held them back.", + "And turning our stern to the morning, with our oars we made wings for the mad flight, always gaining on the left hand side.", + "The night saw now all the stars of the other pole, and ours so low that it rose not forth from the ocean floor.", + "Five times rekindled and as many quenched was the light beneath the moon, since we had entered on the deep pass, when there appeared to us a mountain dim through the distance, and it appeared to me so high as I had not seen any.", + "We rejoiced thereat, and soon it turned to lamentation, for from the strange land a whirlwind rose, and struck the fore part of the vessel.", + "Three times it made her whirl with all the waters, the fourth it made her stern lift up, and the prow go down, as pleased Another, till the sea had closed over us.”" + ], + "27": [ + "Now was the flame erect and quiet, through not speaking more, and now was going from us, with the permission of the sweet poet, when another that was coming behind it made us turn our eyes to its tip, by a confused sound that issued forth therefrom.", + "As the Sicilian bull—that bellowed first with the plaint of him (and that was right) who had shaped it with his file—was wont to bellow with the voice of the sufferer, so that, although it was of brass, yet it appeared transfixed with pain, thus, through not at first having way or outlet from the fire, the disconsolate words were converted into its language.", + "But when they had taken their course up through the point, giving it that vibration which the tongue had given in their passage, we heard say, “O thou, to whom I direct my voice, thou that wast just speaking Lombard, saying, ‘Now go thy way, no more I urge thee,’ although I may have arrived perchance somewhat late, let it not irk thee to stop to speak with me, behold, it irks not me, and I am burning.", + "If thou but now into this blind world art fallen from that sweet Italian land whence I bring all my sin, tell me if the Romagnuoli have peace or war; for I was from the mountains there between Urbino and the chain from which Tiber is unlocked.”", + "I was still downward attent and leaning over when my Leader touched me on the side, saying, “Speak thou, this is an Italian.”", + "And I, who even now had my answer ready, without delay began to speak, “O soul, that art hidden there below, thy Romagna is not, and never was, without war in the hearts of her tyrants, but open war none have I left there now.", + "Ravenna is as it hath been for many years; the eagle of Polenta is brooding there, so that he covers Cervia with his wings.", + "The city that made erewhile the long struggle, and of the French a bloody heap, finds itself again beneath the green paws.", + "And the old mastiff and the new of Verrucchio, who made the ill disposal of Montagna, make an anger of their teeth there where they are wont.", + "The little lion of the white lair governs the city of Lamone and of Santerno, and changes side from summer to winter.", + "And she whose flank the Savio bathes, even as she sits between the plain and the mountain, lives between tyranny and a free state.", + "Now who thou art, I pray thee that thou tell us; be not harder than another hath been, so may thy name in the world hold front.”", + "After the fire had somewhat roared according to its fashion, the sharp point moved this way and that, and then gave forth this breath: “If I could believe that my answer might be to a person who should ever return unto the world, this flame would stand without more quiverings; but inasmuch as, if I hear truth, never from this depth did any living man return, without fear of infamy I answer thee.", + "“I was a man of arms, and then became a cordelier, trusting, thus girt, to make amends; and surely my trust had been fulfilled but for the Great Priest, whom may ill betide! who set me back into my first sins; and how and wherefore, I will that thou hear from me.", + "While I was that form of bone and flesh that my mother gave me, my works were not leonine, but of the fox.", + "The wily practices, and the covert ways, I knew them all, and I so plied their art that to the earth’s end the sound went forth.", + "When I saw me arrived at that part of my age where every one ought to strike the sails and to coil up the ropes, what erst was pleasing to me then gave me pain, and I yielded me repentant and confessed.", + "Alas me wretched! and it would have availed.", + "The Prince of the new Pharisees having war near the Lateran,—and not with Saracens nor with Jews, for every enemy of his was Christian, and none of them had been to conquer Acre, nor a trafficker in the land of the Soldan,—regarded in himself neither his supreme office, nor the holy orders, nor in me that cord which is wont to make those girt with it more lean; but as Constantine besought Sylvester within Soracte to cure his leprosy, so this one besought me as master to cure his proud fever.", + "He asked counsel of me, and I kept silence, because his words seemed drunken.", + "And then he said to me, ‘Let not thy heart mistrust; from now I absolve thee, and do thou teach me to act so that I may throw Palestrina to the ground.", + "Heaven can I lock and unlock, as thou knowest; for two are the keys that my predecessor held not dear.’", + "Then his grave arguments pushed me to where silence seemed to me the worst, and I said, ‘Father, since thou washest me of that sin wherein I now must fall, long promise with short keeping will make thee triumph on the High Seat.’", + "Francis came for me afterwards, when I was dead, but one of the Black Cherubim said to him, ‘Bear him not away; do me not wrong; he must come down among my drudges because he gave the fraudulent counsel, since which till now I have been at his hair; for he who repents not cannot be absolved, nor can repentance and will exist together, because of the contradiction that allows it not.’", + "O woeful me! how I shuddered when he took me, saying to me, ‘Perhaps thou didst not think that I was a logician.’", + "To Minos he bore me; and he twined his tail eight times round his hard back, and, after he had bitten it in great rage, he said, ‘This is one of the sinners of the thievish fire.’", + "Therefore I, where thou seest, am lost, and going thus robed I rankle.”", + "When he had thus completed his speech the flame, sorrowing, departed, twisting and flapping its sharp horn.", + "We passed onward, I and my Leader, along the crag, far as upon the next arch that covers the ditch in which the fee is paid by those who, sowing discord, win their burden.”" + ], + "28": [ + "Who, even with words unfettered, could ever tell in full of the blood and of the wounds that I now saw, though many times narrating?", + "Every tongue assuredly would come short, by reason of our speech and our memory that have small capacity to comprise so much.", + "If all the people were again assembled, that of old upon the fateful land of Apulia lamented for their blood shed by the Trojans, and in the long war that made such high spoil of the rings, as Livy writes, who erreth not; with those that, by resisting Robert Guiscard, felt the pain of blows, and the rest whose bones are still heaped up at Ceperano, where every Apullian was false, and there by Tagliacozzo, where without arms the old Alardo conquered,—and one should show his limb pierced through, and one his lopped off, it would be nothing to equal the grisly mode of the ninth pit.", + "Truly cask, by losing mid-board or cross-piece, is not so split open as one I saw cleft from the chin to where the wind is broken: between his legs were hanging his entrails, his inner parts were visible, and the dismal sack that makes ordure of what is swallowed.", + "Whilst all on seeing him I fix myself, he looked at me, and with his hands opened his breast, saying, “Now see how I rend myself, see how mangled is Mahomet.", + "Ali goeth before me weeping, cleft in the face from chin to forelock; and all the others whom thou seest here were, when living, sowers of scandal and of schism, and therefore are they so cleft.", + "A devil is here behind, that adjusts us so cruelly, putting again to the edge of the sword each of this crew, when we have turned the doleful road, because the wounds are closed up ere one passes again before him.", + "But thou, who art thou, that musest on the crag, perchance to delay going to the punishment that is adjudged on thine own accusations?”", + "“Nor death hath reached him yet,” replied my Master, “nor doth sin lead him to torment him; but, in order to give him full experience, it behoves me, who am dead, to lead him through Hell down here, from circle to circle; and this is true as that I speak to thee.”", + "More than a hundred there were that, when they heard him, stopped in the ditch to look at me, forgetting the torment in their wonder.", + "“Now, say to Fra Dolcino, then, thou who perchance shalt shortly see the sun, if he wish not soon to follow me here, so to arm himself with supplies that stress of snow bring not the victory to the Novarese, which otherwise to gain would not be easy”:—after he had lifted one foot to go on Mahomet said to me these words, then on the ground he stretched it to depart.", + "Another who had his throat pierced and his nose cut off up under his brows, and had but one ear only, having stopped to look in wonder with the rest, before the rest opened his gullet, which outwardly was all crimson, and said, “O thou whom sin condemns not, and whom of old I saw above in the Latian land, if too great resemblance deceive me not, remember Pier da Medicina if ever thou return to see the sweet plain that from Vercelli slopes to Marcabb, and make known to the two best of Fano, to Messer Guido and likewise to Angiolello, that, if foresight here be not vain, they will be cast forth from their vessel and drowned near to the Cattolica, by treachery of a fell tyrant.", + "Between the islands of Cyprus and Majorca Neptune never saw so great a crime, not of the pirates, nor of the Argolic people.", + "That traitor who sees only with one eye, and holds the city from sight of which one who is here with me would fain have fasted, will make them come to parley with him; then will act so that against the wind of Focara they will not need or vow or prayer.”", + "And I to him, “Show to me and declare, if thou wishest that I carry up news of thee, who is he of the bitter sight?”", + "Then he put his hand on the jaw of one of his companions, and opened the mouth of him, crying, “This is he, and he speaks not; this outcast stifled the doubt in Caesar, by affirming that the man prepared always suffered harm from delay.”", + "Oh, how dismayed, with his tongue slit in his gorge, seemed to me Curio, who in speech had been so hardy!", + "And one who had both hands lopped off, lifting the stumps through the murky air so that the blood made his face foul, cried out, “Thou shalt remember Mosca, too, who said, alas! ‘Thing done has an end,’ which was the seed of ill for the Tuscan people.”", + "And I added thereto, “And death to thine own race.”", + "Whereat he, accumulating woe on woe, went away like a person sad and distracted.", + "But I remained to look at the crowd, and I saw a thing that I should be afraid, without more proof, only to tell, were it not that conscience reassures me, the good companion that emboldens man under the hauberk of feeling himself pure.", + "I saw in truth, and still I seem to see it, a trunk without a head going along even as the others of the dismal flock were going.", + "And it was holding the cut-off head by its hair, dangling in hand like a lantern.", + "And it gazed on us, and said, “O me!”", + "Of itself it was making for itself a lamp; and they were two in one, and one in two.", + "How it can be He knows who so ordains.", + "When it was right at the foot of the bridge, it lifted its arm high with the whole head, in order to approach its words to us, which were, “Now see the dire punishment, thou that, breathing, goest seeing the dead: see thou if any other is great as this!", + "And that thou mayest carry news of me, know that I am Bertran de Born, he that gave to the young king the ill encouragements.", + "I made father and son rebellious to each other.", + "Ahithophel did not more with Absalom and with David by his wicked goadings.", + "Because I divided persons so united, I bear my brain, alas! divided from its source which is in this trunk.", + "Thus retaliation is observed in me.”" + ], + "29": [ + "The many people and the diverse wounds had so inebriated mine eyes that they were fain to stay for weeping.", + "But Virgil said to me, “What art thou still watching?", + "why is thy sight still fixed down there among the dismal mutilated shades?", + "Thou hast not done so at the other pits; consider if thou thinkest to count them, that the valley circles two and twenty miles; and already the moon is beneath our feet; the time is little now that is conceded to us, and other things are to be seen than thou seest.”", + "“If thou hadst,” replied I thereupon, “attended to the reason why I was looking perhaps thou wouldst have permitted me yet to stay.”", + "Meanwhile my Leader went on, and I behind him went, already waking reply, and adding, “Within that cavern where I just now was holding my eyes so fixedly, I think that a spirit of my own blood weeps the sin that down there costs so dear.”", + "Then said the Master, “Let not thy thought henceforth reflect on him; attend to other thing, and let him there remain, for I saw him at the foot of the little bridge pointing at thee, and threatening fiercely with his finger, and I heard him called Geri del Bello.", + "Thou wert then so completely engaged on him who of old held Hautefort that thou didst not look that way till he had departed.”", + "“O my Leader,” said I, “the violent death which is not yet avenged for him by any who is sharer in the shame made him indignant, wherefore, as I deem, he went on without speaking to me, and thereby has he made me pity him the more.”", + "Thus we spake far as the place on the crag which first shows the next valley, if more light were there, quite to the bottom.", + "When we were above the last cloister of Malebolge so that its lay brothers could appear to our sight, divers lamentations pierced me, that had their arrows barbed with pity; wherefore I covered my ears with my hands.", + "Such pain as there would be if, between July and September, from the hospitals of Valdichiana and of Maremma and of Sardinia the sick should all be in one ditch together, such was there here; and such stench came forth therefrom, as is wont to come from putrescent limbs.", + "We descended upon the last bank of the long crag, ever to the left hand, and then my sight became more vivid down toward the bottom, where the ministress of the High Lord—infallible Justice—punishes the falsifiers whom on earth she registers.", + "I do not think it was a greater sorrow to see the whole people in Egina sick, when the air was so full of pestilence that the animals, even to the little worm, all fell dead (and afterwards the ancient people, according as the poets hold for sure, were restored by seed of ants), than it was to see the spirits languishing in different heaps through that dark valley.", + "This one over the belly, and that over the shoulders of another was lying, and this one, crawling, was shifting himself along the dismal path.", + "Step by step we went without speech, looking at and listening to the sick, who could not lift their persons.", + "I saw two seated leaning on each other, as pan is leaned against pan to warm, spotted from head to foot with scabs; and never did I see currycomb plied by a boy for whom his lord is waiting nor by one who keeps awake unwillingly, as each often plied the bite of his nails upon himself, because of the great rage of his itching which has no other relief.", + "And the nails dragged down the scab, even as a knife the scales of bream or of other fish that may have them larger.", + "“O thou, that with thy fingers dost dismail thyself,” began my Leader unto one of them, “and who sometimes makest pincers of them, tell me if any Latian is among those who are here within: so may thy nails suffice thee eternally for this work.”", + "“Latians are we whom here thou seest so defaced, both of us,” replied one weeping, “but thou, who art thou that hast asked of us?”", + "And the Leader said, “I am one that descends with this living man down from ledge to ledge, and I intend to show Hell to him.”", + "Then their mutual support was broken; and trembling each turned to me, together with others that heard him by rebound.", + "The good Master inclined himself wholly toward me, saying, “Say to them what thou wilt;” and I began, since he was willing, “So may memory of you not steal away in the first world from human minds, but may it live under many suns, tell me who ye are, and of what race; let not your disfiguring and loathsome punishment fright you from disclosing yourselves unto me.”", + "“I was from Arezzo,” replied one of them, “and Albero of Siena had me put in the fire; but that for which I died brings me not here.", + "True it is that I said to him, speaking in jest, I knew how to raise myself through the air in flight, and he, who had vain desire and little wit, wished that I should show him the art, and only because I did not make him Daedalus, made me be burned by one that held him as a son; but to the last pit of the ten, for the alchemy that I practiced in the world, Minos, to whom it is not allowed to err, condemned me.”", + "And I said to the Poet, “Now was ever people so vain as the Sienese?", + "surely not so the French by much.”", + "Whereon the other leprous one, who heard me, replied to my words, “Except Stricca who knew how to make moderate expenditure, and Niccolo, who first invented the costly custom of the clove in the garden where such seed takes root; and except the brigade in which Caccia of Asciano wasted his vineyard and his great wood, and the Abbagliato showed his wit.", + "But that thou mayest know who thus seconds thee against the Sienese, so sharpen thine eye toward me that my face may answer well to thee, so shalt thou see that I am the shade of Capocchio, who falsified the metals by alchemy; and thou shouldst recollect, if I descry thee aright, how I was a good ape of nature.”" + ], + "30": [ + "At the time when Juno was wroth because of Semele against the Theban blood, as she showed more than once, Athamas became so insane, that seeing his wife come laden on either hand with her two sons, cried out, “Spread we the nets, so that I may take the lioness and the young lions at the pass,” and then he stretched out his pitiless talons, taking the one who was named Learchus, and whirled him and struck him on a rock; and she drowned herself with her other burden.", + "And when Fortune turned downward the all-daring loftiness of the Trojans, so that together with the kingdom the king was undone, Hecuba, sad, wretched, and captive, when she saw Polyxena dead, and woeful descried her Polydorus on the sea-bank, frantic, barked like a dog,—to such degree had grief distraught her mind.", + "But neither the furies of Thebes, nor the Trojan, were ever seen toward any one so cruel, whether in goading beasts or human limbs, as I saw two shades pallid and naked who, biting, were running in the way that a boar does when from the sty he breaks loose.", + "One came at Capocchio, and on the nape of his neck struck his teeth, so that dragging him he made his belly scratch along the solid bottom.", + "And the Aretine, who remained trembling, said to me, “That goblin is Gianni Schicchi, and rabid he goes thus maltreating others.”", + "“Oh,” said I to him, “so may time other not fix his teeth on thee, let it not weary thee to tell who it is ere it start hence.”", + "And he to me, “That is the ancient soul of profligate Myrrha, who became her father’s lover beyond rightful love.", + "She came to sinning with him by falsifying herself in another’s form, even as the other, who goes off there, undertook, in order to gain the lady of the herd, to counterfeit Buoso Donati, making a will and giving to the will due form.”", + "And after the two rabid ones upon whom I had kept my eye had disappeared, I turned it to look at the other miscreants.", + "I saw one made in fashion of a lute, had he but only had his groin cut off at the part where man is forked.", + "The heavy hydropsy which, with the humor that it ill digests, so unmates the members that the face corresponds not with the belly, was making him hold his lips open as the hectic does, who for thirst turns one toward his chin, the other upward.", + "“Oh ye, who are without any punishment, and I know not why, in the dismal world,” said he to us, “look and attend to the misery of Master Adam.", + "Living, I had enough of what I wished, and now, alas! I long for a drop of water.", + "The rivulets that from the green hills of the Casentino descend into the Arno, making their channels cool and soft, stand ever before me, and not in vain; for their image dries me up far more than the disease which strips my face of flesh.", + "The rigid justice that scourges me draws occasion from the place where I sinned to put my sighs the more in flight.", + "There is Romena, where I falsified the alloy stamped with the Baptist, for which on earth I left my body burned.", + "But if here I could see the wretched soul of Guido or of Alessandro, or of their brother, for Fount Branda I would not give the sight.", + "One of them is here within already, if the rating shades who go around speak true.", + "But what does it avail me who have my limbs bound?", + "If I were only yet so light that in a hundred years I could go an inch, I should already have set out along the path, seeking for him among this disfigured folk, although it circles round eleven miles, and is not less than half a mile across.", + "Because of them I am among such a family; they induced me to strike the forms that had full three carats of base metal.”", + "And I to him, “Who are the two poor wretches that are smoking like a wet hand in winter, lying close to your confines on the right?”", + "“Here I found them,” he answered, “when I rained down into this trough, and they have not since given a turn, and I do not believe they will give one to all eternity.", + "One is the false woman that accused Joseph, the other is the false Sinon the Greek, from Troy; because of their sharp fever they throw out such great reek.”", + "And one of them who took it ill perchance at being named so darkly, with his fist struck him on his stiff paunch; it sounded as if it were a drum; and Master Adam struck him on the face with his arm that did not seem less hard, saying to him, “Though, because of my heavy limbs, moving hence be taken from me, I have an arm free for such need.”", + "Whereon he replied, “When thou wast going to the fire thou hadst it not thus ready, but so and more thou hadst it when thou wast coining.”", + "And the hydropic, “Thou sayst true in this, but thou wast not so true a witness there where thou wast questioned of the truth at Troy.”", + "“If I spake false, thou didst falsify the coin,” said Sinon, “and I am here for a single sin, and thou for more than any other demon.”", + "“Remember, perjured one, the horse,” answered he who had the puffed up paunch, “and be it ill for thee that the whole world knows it.”", + "“And be ill for thee the thirst which cracks thy tongue,” said the Greek, “and the putrid water that makes thy belly thus a hedge before thine eyes.”", + "Then the coiner, “So yawns thy mouth for its own harm as it is wont, for if I am thirsty, and humor stuffs me out, thou hast the burning, and the head that pains thee, and to lick the mirror of Narcissus thou wouldst not want many words of invitation.”", + "To listen to them was I wholly fixed, when the Master said to me, “Now then look, for it wants but little that I quarrel with thee.”", + "When I heard him speak to me with anger, I turned me toward him with such shame that still it circles through my memory.", + "And as is he that dreams of his harm, and, dreaming, desires to dream, so that that which is he craves as if it were not, such I became, not being able to speak, for I desired to excuse myself, and I was indeed excusing myself, and did not think that I was doing it.", + "“Less shame doth wash away a greater fault than thine hath been,” said the Master; therefore disburden thyself of all regret, and make reckoning that I am always at thy side, if again it happen that fortune find thee where people are in similar brawl; for the wish to hear it is a base wish.”" + ], + "31": [ + "One and the same tongue first stung me, so that it tinged both my cheeks, and then supplied the medicine to me.", + "Thus do I hear that the lance of Achilles and of his father was wont to be cause first of a sad and then of a good gift.", + "We turned our back to the wretched valley, up along the bank that girds it round, crossing without any speech.", + "Here it was less than night and less than day, so that my sight went little forward; but I heard a horn sounding so loud that it would have made every thunder faint, which directed my eyes, following its course counter to it, wholly to one place.", + "After the dolorous rout when Charlemagne lost the holy gest, Roland sounded not so terribly.", + "Shortwhile did I carry my head turned thitherward, when it seemed to me I saw many high towers; whereon I, “Master, say, what city is this?”", + "And he to me, “Because too far away thou peerest through the darkness, it happens that thou dost err in thy imagining.", + "Thou shalt see well, if thou arrivest there, how much the sense at distance is deceived; therefore somewhat more spur thyself on.”", + "Then tenderly he took me by the hand, and said, “Before we go further forward, in order that the fact may seem less strange to thee, know that they are not towers, but giants, and they are in the abyss round about the bank, from the navel downward, one and all of them.”", + "As when the mist is dissipating, the look little by little shapes out what the vapor that thickens the air conceals, so, as I pierced the gross and dark air as we drew nearer and nearer to the verge, error fled from me and fear grew upon me.", + "For as above its circular enclosure Montereggione crowns itself with towers, so with half their body the horrible giants, whom Jove still threatens from heaven when he thunders, betowered the bank that surrounds the abyss.", + "And I discerned now the face of one, his shoulders, and his breast, and great part of his belly, and down along his sides both his arms.", + "Nature, surely, when she left the art of such like creatures, did exceeding well in taking such executers from Mars; and if she repent not of elephants and of whales, he who looks subtly holds her more just and more discreet therefor; for where the faculty of the mind is added to evil will and to power, the human race can make no defense against it.", + "His face seemed to me long and huge as the pine-cone of St. Peter at Rome, and in its proportion were his other bones; so that the bank, which was an apron from his middle downward, showed of him fully so much above, that to reach to his hair three Frieslanders would have made ill vaunt.", + "For I saw of him thirty great palms down from the place where one buckles his cloak.", + "“Raphel mai amech zabi almi,” the fierce mouth, to which sweeter psalms were not befitting, began to cry.", + "And my Leader toward him, “Foolish soul!", + "Keep to thy horn, and with that vent thyself when anger or other passion touches thee; seek at thy neck, and thou wilt find the cord that holds it tied, O soul confused!", + "and see it lying athwart thy great breast.”", + "Then he said to me, “He himself accuses himself; this is Nimrod, because of whose evil thought the world uses not one language only.", + "Let us leave him, and let us not speak in vain, for so is every language to him, as his to others, which to no one is known.”", + "Then turning to the left, we pursued our way, and at a crossbow’s shot we found the next, far more fierce and larger.", + "Who the master was for binding him I cannot tell; but he had his right arm fastened behind, and the other in front, by a chain that held him entwined from the neck downward, so that upon his uncovered part it was wound as far as the fifth coil.", + "“This proud one wished to make trial of his power against the supreme Jove,” said my Leader, “wherefore he has such reward; Ephialtes is his name, and he made his great endeavors when the giants made the Gods afraid; the arms which he plied he moves nevermore.”", + "And I to him, “If it may be, I should like my eyes to have experience of the huge Briareus.”", + "Whereon he answered, “Thou shalt see Antaeus close at hand here, who speaks, and is unbound, and will set us at the bottom of all sin.", + "Him whom thou wishest to see is much farther on, and is bound and fashioned like this one, save that he seems more ferocious in his look.”", + "Never was earthquake so mighty that it shook a tower as violently as Ephialtes was quick to shake himself.", + "Then more than ever did I fear death; and there had been no need of more than the fright, if I had not seen his bonds.", + "We then proceeded further forward, and came to Antaeus, who full five ells, besides his head, issued forth from the cavern.", + "“O thou that, in the fateful valley which made Scipio the heir of glory when Hannibal and his followers turned their backs, didst bring of old a thousand lions for booty,—and it still seems credible that hadst thou been at the high war of thy brothers, the sons of the Earth would have conquered,—set us below, and disdain thou not to do so, where the cold locks up Cocytus.", + "Make us not go to Tityus, nor to Typhon; this one can give of that which here is longed for; therefore stoop, and curl not thy snout.", + "He yet can restore fame to thee in the world; for he is living, and still expects long life, if Grace doth not untimely call him to itself.”", + "Thus said the Master; and he in haste stretched out those hands, whose strong grip Hercules once felt, and took my Leader.", + "Virgil, when he felt himself taken up, said to me, “Come hither so that I take thee.”", + "Then he made one bundle of himself and me.", + "As beneath its leaning side, the Carisenda seems to look when a cloud is going over so that the tower hangs counter to it, thus seemed Antaeus to me that stood attent to see him bend; and it was a moment when I could have wished to go by another road.", + "But lightly on the bottom that swallows Lucifer with Judas he set us down; nor, thus bent, did he there make stay, and like a mast in a ship he raised himself." + ], + "32": [ + "If I had rhymes both harsh and raucous, such as would befit the dismal hole on which thrust all the other rocks, I would press out the juice of my conception more fully; but since I have them not, not without fear I bring myself to speak; for to describe the bottom of the whole universe is no enterprise to take up in jest, nor a tongue that cries mamma or babbo.", + "But may those Dames aid my verse who aided Amphion to close in Thebes; so that from the fact the speech be not diverse.", + "O populace miscreant above all, that art in the place whereof to speak is hard, better had ye been here or sheep or goats!", + "When we were down in the dark abyss beneath the feet of the giant, but far lower, and I was gazing still at the high wall, I heard say to me, “Beware how thou steppest; take heed thou trample not with thy soles the heads of the wretched weary brethren.”", + "Whereat I turned, and saw before me, and under my feet, a lake which through frost had semblance of glass and not of water.", + "The Danube in Austria makes not for its current so thick a veil in winter, nor the Don yonder under the cold sky, as there was here; for if Tambernich had fallen thereupon, or Pietrapana, it would not even at the edge have given a creak.", + "And as to croak the frog lies with muzzle out of the water, what time oft dreams the peasant girl of gleaning, so, livid up to where shame appears, were the woeful shades within the ice, setting their teeth to the note of the stork.", + "Every one held his face turned downward; from the mouth the cold, and from the eyes the sad heart compels witness of itself among them.", + "When I had looked round awhile, I turned to my feet, and saw two so close that they had the hair of their heads mixed together.", + "“Tell me, ye who so press tight your breasts,” said I, “who are ye?”", + "And they bent their necks, and after they had raised their faces to rue, their eyes, which before were moist only within, gushed up through the lids, and the frost bound the tears between them, and locked them up again.", + "Clamp never girt board to board so strongly; wherefore they like two he goats butted together, such anger overcame them.", + "And one who had lost both his ears through the cold, still with his face downward, said to me, “Why dost thou so mirror thyself on us?", + "If thou wouldst know who are these two, the valley whence the Bisenzio descends belonged to their father Albert, and to them.", + "From one body they issued, and all Caina thou mayst search, and thou wilt not find shade more worthy to be fixed in ice; not he whose breast and shadow were broken by one and the same blow by the hand of Arthur; not Focaccia; not he who encumbers me with his head, so that I cannot see beyond, and was named Sassol Mascheroni: if thou art Tuscan, well knowest thou now who he was.", + "And that thou mayst not put me to more speech, know that I was Camicion de’ Pazzi, and I await Carlino that he may exonerate me.”", + "Then I saw a thousand faces made currish by the cold, whence shuddering comes to me, and will always come, at frozen pools.", + "And while we were going toward the centre to which tends every weight, and I was trembling in the eternal shade, whether it was will or destiny, or fortune I know not, but, walking among the heads, I struck my foot hard in the face of one.", + "Wailing he cried out to me, “Why dost thou trample me?", + "If thou comest not to increase the vengeance of Mont’ Aperti, why dost thou molest me?”", + "And I, “My Master, now wait here for me, so that I may free me from a doubt by means of this one, then thou shalt make me hasten as much as thou wilt.”", + "The Leader stopped, and I said to that shade who was bitterly blaspheming still, “Who art thou that thus railest at another?”", + "“Now thou, who art thou, that goest through the Antenora,” he answered, “smiting the cheeks of others, so that if thou wert alive, it would be too much?”", + "“Alive I am, and it may be dear to thee,” was my reply, “if thou demandest fame, that I should set thy name amid the other notes.”", + "And he to me, “For the contrary do I long; take thyself hence, and give me no more trouble, for ill thou knowest to flatter on this plain.”", + "Then I took him by the hair of the crown, and said, “It shall needs be that thou name thyself, or that not a hair remain upon thee here.”", + "Whereon he to me, “Though thou strip me of hair, I will not tell thee who I am, nor will I show it to thee if a thousand times thou fallest on my head.”", + "I already had his hair twisted in my hand, and had pulled out more than one shock, he barking, with his eyes kept close down, when another cried out, “What ails thee, Bocca?", + "Is it not enough for thee to make music with thy jaws, but thou must bark?", + "What devil has hold of thee?”", + "“Now,” said I, “I would not have thee speak, accursed traitor, for to thy shame will I carry true news of thee.”", + "“Begone,” he answered, “and relate what thou wilt, but be not silent, if from here within thou goest forth, of him who now had his tongue so ready.", + "He weeps here the money of the French; I saw, thou canst say, him of Duera, there where the sinners stand cooling.", + "Shouldst thou be asked who else was there, thou hast at thy side that Beccheria whose gorget Florence cut.", + "Gianni del Soldanier I think is farther on with Ganellon and Tribaldello, who opened Faenza when it was sleeping.”", + "We had now parted from him when I saw two frozen in one hole, so that the head of one was a hood for the other.", + "And as bread is devoured in hunger, so the uppermost one set his teeth upon the other where the brain joins with the nape.", + "Not otherwise Tydeus gnawed for spite the temples of Menalippus than this one did the skull and the other parts.", + "“O thou! that by so bestial a sign showest hatred against him whom thou dost eat, tell me the wherefore,” said I, “with this compact, that if thou rightfully of him complainest, I, knowing who ye are, and his sin, may yet recompense thee for it in the world above, if that with which I speak be not dried up.”" + ], + "33": [ + "From his savage repast that sinner raised his mouth, wiping it with the hair of the head that he had spoiled behind: then he began, “Thou willest that I renew a desperate grief that oppresses my heart already only in thinking ere I speak of it.", + "But, if my words are to be seed that may bear fruit of infamy for the traitor whom I gnaw, thou shalt see me speak and weep at once.", + "I know not who thou art, nor by what mode thou art come down hither, but Florentine thou seemest to me truly when I hear thee.", + "Thou hast to know that I was the Count Ugolino and he the Archbishop Ruggieri.", + "Now will I tell thee why I am such a neighbor.", + "That by the effect of his evil thoughts, I, trusting to him, was taken and then put to death, there is no need to tell.", + "But that which thou canst not have heard, namely, how cruel was my death, thou shalt hear, and shalt know if he hath wronged me.", + "“A narrow slit in the mew, which from me has the name of Famine, and in which others yet must be shut up, had already shown me through its opening many moons, when I had the bad dream that rent for me the veil of the future.", + "“This one appeared to me master and lord, chasing the wolf and his whelps upon the mountain for which the Pisans cannot see Lucca.", + "With lean, eager, and trained hounds, Gualandi with Sismondi and with Lanfranchi he had put before him at the front.", + "After short course, the father and his sons seemed to me weary, and it seemed to me I saw their flanks torn by the sharp fangs.", + "“When I awoke before the morrow, I heard my sons, who were with me, wailing in their sleep, and asking for bread.", + "Truly thou art cruel if already thou grievest not, thinking on what my heart foretold; and if thou weepest not, at what art thou wont to weep?", + "Now they were awake, and the hour drew near when food was wont to be brought to us, and because of his dream each one was apprehensive.", + "And I heard the door below of the horrible tower locking up; whereat I looked on the faces of my sons without saying a word.", + "I wept not, I was so turned to stone within.", + "They wept; and my poor little Anselm said, ‘Thou lookest so, father, what aileth thee?’", + "Yet I did not weep; nor did I answer all that day, nor the night after, until the next sun came out upon the world.", + "When a little ray entered the woeful prison, and I discerned by their four faces my own very aspect, both my hands I bit for woe; and they, thinking I did it through desire of eating, of a sudden rose, and said, ‘Father, it will be far less pain to us if thou eat of us; thou didst clothe us with this wretched flesh, and do thou strip it off.’", + "I quieted me then, not to make them more sad: that day and the next we all stayed dumb.", + "Ah, thou hard earth! why didst thou not open?", + "After we had come to the fourth day, Gaddo threw himself stretched out at my feet, saying, ‘My father, why dost thou not help me?’", + "Here he died: and, even as thou seest me, I saw the three fall one by one between the fifth day and the sixth; then I betook me, already blind, to groping over each, and two days I called them after they were dead: then fasting had more power than grief.”", + "When he had said this, with his eyes distorted, he seized again the wretched skull with his teeth, that were strong as a dog’s upon the bone.", + "Ah Pisa! reproach of the people of the fair country where the si doth sound, since thy neighbors are slow to punish thee, let Caprara and Gorgona move and make a hedge for Arno at its mouth, so that it drown every person in thee; for if Count Ugolino had repute of having betrayed thee in thy towns, thou oughtest not to have set his sons on such a cross.", + "Their young age, thou modern Thebes! made Uguccione and the Brigata innocent, and the other two that the song names above.", + "We passed onward to where the ice roughly enswathes another folk, not turned downward, but all upon their backs.", + "Their very weeping lets them not weep, and the pain that finds a barrier on the eyes turns inward to increase the anguish; for the first tears form a block, and like a visor of crystal fill all the cup beneath the eyebrow.", + "And although, because of the cold, as from a callus, all feeling had left its abode in my face, it now seemed to me I felt some wind, wherefore I, “My Master, who moves this?", + "Is not every vapor quenched here below?”", + "Whereon he to me, “Speedily shalt thou be where thine eye shall make answer to thee of this, beholding the cause that rains down the blast.”", + "And one of the wretches of the cold crust cried out to us, “O souls so cruel that the last station is given to you, lift from my eyes the hard veils, so that I may vent the grief that swells my heart, a little ere the weeping re-congeal!”", + "Wherefore I to him, “If thou wilt that I relieve thee, tell me who thou art, and if I rid thee not, may it be mine to go to the bottom of the ice.”", + "He replied then, “I am friar Alberigo; I am he of the fruits of the bad garden, and here I receive a date for a fig.”", + "“Oh!” said I to him; “art thou now already dead?”", + "And he to me, “How it may go with my body in the world above I bear no knowledge.", + "Such vantage hath this Ptolomaea that oftentime the soul falls hither ere Atropos hath given motion to it.", + "And that thou may the more willingly scrape the glassy tears from my face, know that soon as the soul betrays, as I did, its body is taken from it by a demon, who thereafter governs it until its time be all revolved.", + "The soul falls headlong into this cistern, and perchance the body of the shade that here behind me winters still appears above; thou oughtest to know him if thou comest down but now.", + "He is Ser Branca d’ Oria, and many years have passed since he was thus shut up.”", + "“I think,” said I to him, “that thou deceivest me, for Branca d’ Oria is not yet dead, and he eats, and drinks, and sleeps, and puts on clothes.”", + "“In the ditch of the Malebranche above,” he said, “there where the tenacious pitch is boiling, Michel Zanche had not yet arrived when this one left in his own stead a devil in his body, and in that of one of his near kin, who committed the treachery together with him.", + "But now stretch out hither thy hand; open my eyes for me.”", + "And I opened them not for him, and to be rude to him was courtesy.", + "Ah Genoese! men strange to all morality and full of all corruption, why are ye not scattered from the world?", + "For with the worst spirit of Romagna I found one of you such that for his deeds in soul he is bathed in Cocytus, and in body he seems still alive on earth." + ], + "34": [ + "Vexilla regis prodeunt inferni, toward us; therefore look in front,” said my Master; “if thou discernest him.”", + "As a mill that the wind turns seems from afar when a thick fog breathes, or when our hemisphere grows dark with night, such a structure then it seemed to me I saw.", + "Then, because of the wind, I drew me behind my Leader; for there was no other shelter.", + "I was now, and with fear I put it in verse, there where the shades were wholly covered, and showed through like a straw in glass.", + "Some are lying; some stand erect, this on his head, and that on his soles; another like a bow inverts his face to his feet.", + "When we had gone so far forward that it pleased my Master to show me the creature that had the fair semblance, from before me he took himself and made me stop, saying, “Behold Dis, and behold the place where it is needful that with fortitude thou arm thee.”", + "How I became then chilled and hoarse, ask it not, Reader, for I write it not, because all speech would be little.", + "I did not die, and I did not remain alive.", + "Think now for thyself, if thou hast grain of wit, what I became, deprived of one and the other.", + "The emperor of the woeful realm from his midbreast issued forth from the ice; and I match better with a giant, than the giants do with his arms.", + "See now how great must be that whole which corresponds to such parts.", + "If he was as fair as he now is foul, and against his Maker lifted up his brow, surely may all tribulation proceed from him.", + "Oh how great a marvel it seemed to me, when I saw three faces on his head!", + "one in front, and that was red; the others were two that were joined to this above the very middle of each shoulder, and they were joined together at the place of the crest; and the right seemed between white and yellow, the left was such to sight as those who come from where the Nile flows valleyward.", + "Beneath each came forth two great wings, of size befitting so huge a bird.", + "Sails of the sea never saw I such.", + "They had no feathers, but their fashion was of a bat; and he was flapping them so that three winds went forth from him, whereby Cocytus was all congealed.", + "With six eyes he was weeping, and over three chins trickled the tears and bloody drivel.", + "With each mouth he was crushing a sinner with his teeth, in manner of a brake, so that he thus was making three of them woeful.", + "To the one in front the biting was nothing to the clawing, so that sometimes his spine remained all stripped of skin.", + "“That soul up there which has the greatest punishment,” said the Master, “is Judas Iscariot, who has his head within, and plies his legs outside.", + "Of the other two who have their heads down, he who hangs from the black muzzle is Brutus; see how he writhes and says no word; and the other is Cassius, who seems so large-limbed.", + "But the night is rising again, and now we must depart, for we have seen the whole.”", + "As was his pleasure, I clasped his neck, and he took opportunity of time and place, and when the wings were opened wide he caught hold on the shaggy flanks; from shag to shag he then descended between the bushy hair and the frozen crusts.", + "When we were just where the thigh turns on the thick of the haunch, my Leader, with effort and stress of breath, turned his head where he had his shanks, and clambered by the hair as a man that ascends, so that I thought to return again to hell.", + "“Cling fast hold,” said the Master, panting like one weary, “for by such stairs it behoves to depart from so much evil.”", + "Then he came forth through the opening of a rock, and placed me upon its edge to sit; then stretched toward me his cautious step.", + "I raised my eyes, and thought to see Lucifer as I had left him, and I saw him holding his legs upward.", + "And if I then became perplexed, let the dull folk think it that see not what that point is that I had passed.", + "“Rise up,” said the Master, “on thy feet; the way is long and the road is difficult, and already the sun unto mid-tierce returns.”", + "It was no hallway of a palace where we were, but a natural dungeon that had a bad floor, and lack of light.", + "“Before I tear me from the abyss,” said I when I had risen up, “my Master, speak a little to me to draw me out of error.", + "Where is the ice? and this one, how is he fixed thus upside down? and how in such short while has the sun from eve to morn made transit?”", + "And he to me, “Thou imaginest that thou still art on the other side of the centre where I laid hold on the hair of the guilty Worm that pierces the world.", + "On that side wast thou so long as I descended; when I turned thou didst pass the point to which from all parts whatever has weight is drawn; and thou art now arrived beneath the hemisphere opposite to that which the great dry land covers, and beneath whose zenith the Man was slain who was born and lived without sin.", + "Thou hast thy feet upon the little sphere which forms the other face of the Judecca.", + "Here it is morning when there it is evening; and he who made for us a stairway with his hair is still fixed even as he was before.", + "Upon this side he fell down from heaven, and the earth, which before was spread out here, through fear of him made of the sea a veil, and came to your hemisphere; and perchance to flee from him that land which on this side appears left here this empty space and upward ran back.”", + "A place is there below, stretching as far from Beelzebub as his tomb extends, which not by sight is known, but by the sound of a rivulet that here descends along the hollow of a rock that it has gnawed with its course that winds and little falls.", + "My Leader and I entered through that hidden way, to return to the bright world.", + "And without care, to have any repose, we mounted up, he first and I second, till through a round opening I saw of those beauteous things which heaven bears, and thence we came forth to see again the stars." + ] +};
\ No newline at end of file diff --git a/script.js b/script.js new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5548570 --- /dev/null +++ b/script.js @@ -0,0 +1,165 @@ +let showTranslations = true; +let showHighlights = true; + +const caryPassages = window.caryData; +const longfellowPassages = window.longfellowData; +const nortonPassages = window.nortonData; +const cantos = window.cantosData; +const highlighting = window.highlightingData; + +function highlightMatchingLines(translationName, canto, lineNumber) { + if (!showHighlights) return; + clearHighlights(); + const matching = highlighting[canto]; + if (!matching) return; + + let translationIndex; + if (translationName === 'cary') { + translationIndex = 0; + } else if (translationName === 'longfellow') { + translationIndex = 1; + } else if (translationName === 'norton') { + translationIndex = 2; + } + + let matchingLineGroup = null; + const allLineGroups = Object.values(matching); + for (let i = 0; i < allLineGroups.length; i++) { + const lineGroup = allLineGroups[i]; + const lineReference = lineGroup[translationIndex]; + const lineNumbers = parseLineReference(lineReference); + if (lineNumbers.includes(lineNumber)) { + matchingLineGroup = lineGroup; + break; + } + } + if (!matchingLineGroup) return; + + const translationNames = ['cary', 'longfellow', 'norton']; + for (let i = 0; i < matchingLineGroup.length; i++) { + const lineReference = matchingLineGroup[i]; + if (lineReference === null) continue; + const lineNumbers = parseLineReference(lineReference); + for (let j = 0; j < lineNumbers.length; j++) { + const lineId = getLineId(translationNames[i], canto, lineNumbers[j]); + const lineElement = document.getElementById(lineId); + if (lineElement) lineElement.classList.add('highlighted'); + } + } +} + +function renderCantos() { + const container = document.getElementById('cantos-container'); + const select = document.getElementById('cantoSelect'); + if (!cantos || !caryPassages || !longfellowPassages || !nortonPassages || !highlighting) { + container.innerHTML = '<div class="error">Failed to load required data files</div>'; + return; + } + + let html = ''; + for (let i = 0; i < 34; i++) { + const canto = cantos[i]; + const cantoNumber = canto.number.toString(); + const option = document.createElement('option'); + option.value = canto.number; + option.textContent = 'Canto ' + canto.number; + select.appendChild(option); + + html += `<div class="canto" id="canto-${canto.number}">`; + html += '<div class="canto-header">'; + html += `<div class="canto-title">${canto.title}</div>`; + html += `<div class="canto-subtitle">${canto.subtitle}</div>`; + html += '</div>'; + + html += '<div class="translations">'; + html += '<div class="translation"><h4>Cary Translation</h4>'; + if (caryPassages[cantoNumber]) { + for (let lineIndex = 0; lineIndex < caryPassages[cantoNumber].length; lineIndex++) { + const line = caryPassages[cantoNumber][lineIndex]; + const lineId = getLineId('cary', cantoNumber, lineIndex); + html += '<div class="line" id="' + lineId + '" '; + html += `onmouseenter="highlightMatchingLines('cary', '${cantoNumber}', ${lineIndex})"`; + html += 'onmouseleave="clearHighlights()">' + line + '</div>'; + } + } + html += '</div>'; + + html += '<div class="translation"><h4>Longfellow Translation</h4>'; + if (longfellowPassages[cantoNumber]) { + for (let lineIndex = 0; lineIndex < longfellowPassages[cantoNumber].length; lineIndex++) { + const line = longfellowPassages[cantoNumber][lineIndex]; + const lineId = getLineId('longfellow', cantoNumber, lineIndex); + html += '<div class="line" id="' + lineId + '" '; + html += `onmouseenter="highlightMatchingLines('longfellow', '${cantoNumber}', ${lineIndex})"`; + html += 'onmouseleave="clearHighlights()">' + line + '</div>'; + } + } + html += '</div>'; + + html += '<div class="translation"><h4>Norton Translation</h4>'; + if (nortonPassages[cantoNumber]) { + for (let lineIndex = 0; lineIndex < nortonPassages[cantoNumber].length; lineIndex++) { + const line = nortonPassages[cantoNumber][lineIndex]; + const lineId = getLineId('norton', cantoNumber, lineIndex); + html += '<div class="line" id="' + lineId + '" '; + html += `onmouseenter="highlightMatchingLines('norton', '${cantoNumber}', ${lineIndex})"`; + html += `onmouseleave="clearHighlights()">${line}</div>`; + } + } + html += '</div></div>'; + + html += '<div class="commentary">'; + html += `<div class="commentary"><h4>Subtext</h4><p>${canto.subtext}</p></div>`; + html += `<div class="commentary"><h4>Themes</h4><p>${canto.themes}</p></div>`; + html += `<div class="commentary"><h4>References</h4><p>${canto.references}</p></div>`; + html += `<div class="commentary"><h4>Characters</h4><p>${canto.characters}</p></div>`; + html += '</div></div>'; + } + container.innerHTML = html; +} + +function getLineId(translation, canto, lineIndex) { + return `${translation}-${canto}-${lineIndex}`; +} + +function clearHighlights() { + const highlighted = document.querySelectorAll('.line.highlighted'); + for (let i = 0; i < highlighted.length; i++) { + highlighted[i].classList.remove('highlighted'); + } +} + +function parseLineReference(lineRef) { + if (typeof lineRef === 'number') return [lineRef]; + const parts = lineRef.split('-'); + const start = parseInt(parts[0]); + const end = parseInt(parts[1]); + const lines = []; + for (let i = start; i <= end; i++) { + lines.push(i); + } + return lines; +} + +function toggleTranslations() { + const translations = document.getElementsByClassName('translations'); + const button = document.getElementById('translationToggle') + showTranslations = !showTranslations; + for (let i = 0; i < translations.length; i++) { + translations[i].style.display = showTranslations ? 'grid' : 'none'; + } + button.textContent = showTranslations ? "Hide All Translations" : "Show All Translations" +} + +function toggleHighlighting() { + const button = document.getElementById('highlightToggle'); + showHighlights = !showHighlights; + if (!showHighlights) clearHighlights(); + button.textContent = showHighlights ? "Disable Highlighting" : "Enable Highlighting" +} + +document.getElementById('cantoSelect').onchange = function() { + if (this.value) document.getElementById('canto-' + this.value).scrollIntoView(); +}; + +document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', renderCantos());
\ No newline at end of file diff --git a/styles.css b/styles.css new file mode 100644 index 0000000..66ef572 --- /dev/null +++ b/styles.css @@ -0,0 +1,20 @@ +body { font-family: Georgia, serif; max-width: 1200px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 20px; line-height: 1.6; } +.about-section { border-left: 5px solid #666; padding-left: 20px; margin: 25px 0; font-size: 0.9em; color: #555; } +.additional-study { border-left: 5px solid #666; padding-left: 20px; margin: 25px 0; color: #555; } +.nav { top:0; position: sticky; background: white; padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; margin-bottom: 20px; } +.nav select { margin-right: 10px; padding: 5px; } +.canto { margin-bottom: 40px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; padding-bottom: 20px; } +.canto-header { margin-bottom: 20px; } +.canto-title { font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 5px; } +.canto-subtitle { font-style: italic; color: #666; margin-bottom: 15px; } +.translations { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr; gap: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; } +.translation { border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; } +.translation h4 { margin: 0 0 10px 0; font-size: 0.9em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #333; } +/* norton */ +.translation:nth-child(3) .line { font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 1.4; } +.line { margin-bottom: 5px; font-size: 0.95em; padding: 2px 4px; cursor: pointer; } +.line:hover { background-color: #e6f3ff; } +.line.highlighted { background-color: #ffeb3b; } +.commentary { margin-top: 20px; } +.commentary h4 { color: #444; margin-bottom: 5px; } +.error { color: red; } |