Always before him many stand: they go, Each in his turn, and one by one, to judgment: Be not deceived by the broad entrance way.' It lieth not with thee his course to stay. 'Tis thus by fate decreed, and will'd where power Effectuates will forbear; and ask no more.' Thereon the notes of woe began to sound Nearer and yet more near, till we alight There where loud anguish smites upon the ear. I found me in a place void of all light, 15 20 25 That moaneth as the troubled ocean moaneth, When roused in conflict with the tempest's might. 30 The infernal hurricane, that never resteth, Gathers the spirits in its swift career, And turns about and drives them where it listeth. When yawns the precipice before their eyes, Shrieks, moans, and lamentations rend the air, 35 And blasphemies against the heavenly Power. I understood that to this torment dire The souls of carnal sinners were condemn'd, Nor any hope their wretchedness allays Or of repose, or of less grievous pain : And like as cranes chanting their dolorous lays Drift thro' the air in far extending train; So came they uttering long drawn wailings drear— Those shadows urged by the wild hurricane : 40 45 Whereat I said; 'O Master, who are these 50 Spirits whom the black whirlwind scourges thus?' And he then said to me; The first of these, Of whom thou seekest to have knowledge, held Imperial sway o'er many languages. She was so lapsed in lawless wantonness, All lust she licensed by her laws, in faith 55 Thus to remove the shame wherein she was— Semiramis, of whom the legend saith That she gave suck to Ninus, and was his spouse: She held the land which now the Sultan swayeth. 60 Next cometh one by hapless love self-slain— She, who broke faith with the ashes of Sichæus : 1 Helen I saw, for whom so many years Of wasteful strife prevail'd; and great Achilles, And shown to me—whom love bereft of life. By name the knights and dames of ancient time, My grief o'ercame me, and I almost swoon'd. At length I spake thus; 'Poet, I would fain 3 Converse with yonder pair, 3 who come together, By that love which is theirs, and they will come.' I lifted up my voice; 'O wearied ones, Come hither, and speak with us, if nought forbids.' 65 70 75 80 Then, as two doves that by desire call'd With moveless wings outspread to their sweet nest Who comest thro' the black wind visiting Us, who by violent hands erewhile were slain ; That gleams along that coast, where Po descends, 85 90 95 100 105 Love brought us to one grave: the lowest hell After some pause, I thus began; 'Alas! What yearnings, and what blissful reveries impelled them to that lamentable pass!' And then I turn'd to them, and thus again My speech renewed; 'Francesca, thy afflictions : In misery and this thy Teacher 4 knows. But if thou hast so great desire to know 120 How that entrancing love began to sway 125 4 Boëthius. In omni adversitate fortunæ infelicissimum genus infortunii est fuisse felicem et non esse.' De Consolatione. L. ii. pr. 4. |