| 1 |
I say, continuing, that well before we reached the foot of the high tower, our eyes went up to its summit |
| 4 |
because of two small flames we saw placed there, and another replying from so far away that the eye could hardly seize it. |
| 7 |
And I turned toward the sea of all wisdom; I said: “What does this one say? and what does that other fire answer? and who are those doing this?” |
| 10 |
And he to me: “Over the slimy waves you can already make out what they are waiting for, if the fumes of the swamp do not hide it.” |
| 13 |
A bowstring never propelled an arrow to fly through the air so swiftly as a little boat I saw |
| 16 |
come toward us in that instant over the water, governed by a single oarsman, who was shouting:“Now you are caught, wicked soul!” |
| 19 |
“Phlegyas, Phlegyas, you are shouting uselessly,”said my lord, “this time; you will have us no longer than passing over the bog.” |
| 22 |
As one who hears of a great deception done to him and then mutters of it, so became Phlegyas in his contained anger. |
| 25 |
My leader stepped down into the boat and then had me enter after him; and only when I was aboard did it seem laden. |
| 28 |
As soon as my leader and I were in the bark, the ancient prow set forth, cutting more of the water than it does with others. |
| 31 |
While we were coursing the dead channel, before me rose up one covered with mud, who said: “Who are you, who come before your hour?” |
| 34 |
And I to him: “If I come, I do not remain; but who are you, who have become so foul?” He replied:“You see that I am one who weeps.” |
| 37 |
And I to him: “With weeping and mourning,cursed spirit, now remain; for I recognize you,though you are filthy all over.” |
| 40 |
Then he stretched out toward the boat both his hands; but my master, alert, pushed him off, saying:“Away, over there with the other dogs!” |
| 43 |
My neck then with his arm he embraced; he kissed my face and said: “Disdainful soul, blessed be she who was pregnant with you! |
| 46 |
In the world he was a person filled with pride;there is no act of goodness to adorn his memory:therefore his shade is so furious here. |
| 49 |
How many consider themselves great kings up above, who here will be like pigs in the mire, leaving behind horrible dispraise of themselves!” |
| 52 |
And I: “Master, much would I desire to see him ducked in this broth before we leave the lake.” |
| 55 |
And he to me: “Before the shore lets itself be seen,you will be satisfied: it is fitting that such a desire be fulfilled.” |
| 58 |
A little later I saw him torn apart by those muddy people in such a way that I still praise God and thank him for it. |
| 61 |
All were crying: “At Filippo Argenti!” and the wild Florentine spirit turned on himself with his teeth. |
| 64 |
There we left him, I tell no more of him; for my ears were now struck by a shrieking that made me open wide my eyes, intent on what lay ahead. |
| 67 |
My good master said: “Now, my son, we approach the city whose name is Dis, with the weighty citizens, the great host.” |
| 70 |
And I: “Master, already I discern its mosques there clearly within the moat, as red as if they had just come out of the fire.” |
| 73 |
And he said to me: “The eternal fire that burns within it makes them glow red, as you see in this lower Hell.” |
| 76 |
Now we arrived within the deep moats that fortify that unconsolable city; the walls seemed to me to be of iron. |
| 79 |
Not without first making a large circle did we reach a place where the pilot loudly cried: “Get out.Here is the entrance.” |
| 82 |
At the gate I saw more than a thousand that had rained down from Heaven, who were saying angrily:“Who is he there, that without death |
| 85 |
goes through the kingdom of the dead?“ And my wise master made a sign that he wished to speak with them secretly. |
| 88 |
Then they restrained somewhat their great disdain and said: “You come alone, and send him away, who so boldly entered this kingdom. |
| 91 |
Let him return alone along his foolhardy path; let him try if he can; for you will remain here, who have escorted him across so dark a territory.” |
| 94 |
Think, reader, if I became weak at the sound of those cursed words, for I did not believe I would ever return here. |
| 97 |
“O my dear leader, who more than seven times have kept me safe and saved me from deep peril that stood against me, |
| 100 |
do not leave me,” I said, “so undone; and if passing further is denied us, let us retrace our footsteps quickly together.” |
| 103 |
And that lord who had led me there, said: “Do not fear, for our passage no one can prevent, it is granted by such a one. |
| 106 |
But here await me, and strengthen your weary spirit, feeding it with good hope, for I will not leave you in the underworld.” |
| 109 |
Thus my sweet father goes off and abandons me there, and I remain in doubt, for “yes” and “no” quarrel in my head. |
| 112 |
I could not hear what he proffered them; but he hardly stood with them there, before they vied to run back inside. |
| 115 |
They closed the gate, those adversaries of ours, in my lord’s face, who remained outside and turned back to me with slow steps. |
| 118 |
His eyes were on the ground, his brow shorn of all boldness, and he was saying, as he sighed: “Who has denied me the sorrowing houses?” |
| 121 |
And to me he said: “You, though I am angered, do not be dismayed, for I will overcome this test, however they scurry about inside to prevent it. |
| 124 |
This overweening of theirs is not new; they used it once before at a less secret gate, which still cannot be barred: |
| 127 |
above it you saw the dead writing. And already, on this side of it, there comes down the slope, passing through the circles without a guide, |
| 130 |
such a one that by him the city will be opened to us.” |
