| 1 |
The place where we came to descend the bank was mountainous, and, because of what else was there, such that every sight would shun it. |
| 4 |
Like that landslide which struck the flank of the Adige this side of Trento, because of an earthquake or the failing of support, |
| 7 |
where from the summit of the mountain, whence they fell, down to the plain, the rocks lie so strewn that they would provide a path for one who was above: |
| 10 |
such was the descent into that valley; and at the very point where the slope had broken, the infamy of Crete was stretched out, |
| 13 |
the one conceived in the false cow; and when he saw us, he bit himself like one broken within by anger. |
| 16 |
My wise one shouted toward him: “Perhaps you believe the duke of Athens is here, who put you to death up in the world? |
| 19 |
Away, beast, for this man does not come taught by your sister, but goes to see your punishments.” |
| 22 |
Like a bull that wrenches free at the moment it has received the mortal blow, that is unable to walk but jumps here and there, |
| 25 |
so I saw the Minotaur do; and that alert one cried: “Run to the crossing; it is good to go down while he is in his fit.” |
| 28 |
So we took our way down along that scree, and the stones kept moving under my feet, because of their new burden. |
| 31 |
I walked thoughtful; and he said: “You are thinking perhaps of this landslide, guarded by that bestial anger I just now put out. |
| 34 |
Now I would have you know that the other time I came down here into lower Hell, this cliff had not yet fallen. |
| 37 |
But certainly, if I remember well, a little before he came who took from Dis the great spoils of the highest circle, |
| 40 |
on every side this deep, foul valley trembled so that I thought the universe must be feeling love, by which, some believe, |
| 43 |
the world has often been turned back into chaos: and at that point this ancient cliff, here and elsewhere, was broken down. |
| 46 |
But probe the valley with your sight, for we are approaching the river of blood, in which are boiling those who harm others with violence.” |
| 49 |
Oh blind cupidity and mad rage, that so spur us in this short life, and then in the eternal one cook us so evilly! |
| 52 |
I saw an ample, curving ditch that embraces the entire plain, according to what my guide had said; |
| 55 |
and between the foot of the cliff and it, centaurs were running in file, armed with arrows, as they used to go hunting in the world. |
| 58 |
Seeing us come down, each stopped, and from the file three came forth with bows and with arrows they had selected first; |
| 61 |
and one cried from afar: “To what punishment do you come, you who are climbing down the bank? Speak from there; otherwise I draw my bow.” |
| 64 |
My master said: “The reply will we make to Chiron, close over there; to your harm has your will always been so hasty.” |
| 67 |
Then he nudged me and said: “That is Nessus, who died because of fair Deianira and himself avenged himself. |
| 70 |
The one in the middle, who is gazing at his breast, is the great Chiron, who brought up Achilles; that other is Pholus, who was so full of anger. |
| 73 |
Around the ditch they go by thousands, shooting with arrows whatever soul emerges from the blood more than his guilt allots.” |
| 76 |
We drew near those swift beasts: Chiron took an arrow, and with the notch he moved his beard back from his jaw. |
| 79 |
When he had uncovered his great mouth, he said to his companions: “Have you noticed that the one behind moves what he touches? |
| 82 |
The feet of the dead usually do not so.” And my good leader, who already stood at his breast, where the two natures are wedded, |
| 85 |
replied: “He is indeed alive; and thus alone I must show him the dark valley; necessity induces us, and not pleasure. |
| 88 |
One left off singing hallelujah who entrusted me with this strange task: he is not a robber nor I a thievish soul. |
| 91 |
But by that Power through which I move my steps along so wild a road, give us one of yours to guide us |
| 94 |
and show us where the ford is, and carry this one on his rump, for he is not a spirit that can walk upon the air.” |
| 97 |
Chiron turned on his right breast, and said to Nessus: “Go back and guide them, and, if you meet another company, make them give way ” |
| 100 |
Now we go with our trusty escort along the bank of the red boiling, where the boiled ones were uttering high shrieks. |
| 103 |
I saw people immersed as far as the brow, and the great centaur said. “They are tyrants who put their hands to blood and to others’ goods. |
| 106 |
There they weep for their pitiless crimes there is Alexander and fierce Dionysius, who gave Sicily such grievous years |
| 109 |
And that forehead with such black hair is Azzolino; and that other blond one is Obizzo da Este, who truly |
| 112 |
was murdered by his bastard up in the world.” Then I turned to my poet, and he said: “Let him now be first for you, and I second.” |
| 115 |
A little further along, the centaur stopped above people who seemed to emerge from the boiling stream as far as the throat. |
| 118 |
He pointed to a soul by itself to one side, saying: “That one cleft, in the bosom of God, the heart that still drips blood along the Thames.” |
| 121 |
Then I saw people who held their heads out of the river and then all their trunks; and of them I recognized many. |
| 124 |
Thus the blood became shallower and shallower, until it was cooking only feet; and there was our passing of the ditch. |
| 127 |
“Just as on this side you see the boiling stream diminish,” said the centaur, “I would have you believe |
| 130 |
that on this other side it lowers its bed deeper and deeper, until it reaches the depth where tyranny must moan. |
| 133 |
Over there God’s justice pierces that Attila who was a scourge on earth, and Pyrrhus and Sextus, and for eternity milks |
| 136 |
the tears unlocked by the boiling from Rinier da Corneto and Rinier Pazzo, who waged such war on the roads.” |
| 139 |
Then he turned and passed back over the ford. |
