We chanced to read for our delight one day Of Lancelot, how love enthrallèd him : Alone we read, all unsuspectingly. And many times that tale our eyes made dim 130 With tears, and paled our cheeks; but 'twas one place Alone that vanquish'd us: for when we came To where it was narrated how that fair Enchanting face was kiss'd by one so fond, So dear, he, who from me will never be Speechless, but moan'd, and wept. I at that tale 135 140 5 Galahad was the name of the person who acted as go-between to Guinevere and Lancelot. 40 CANTO VI. Al tornar della mente. ARGUMENT. The Poets enter the third circle, where, under a ceaseless tempest of rain, hail, and snow, the souls of the Gluttonous are tormented by Cerberus. Dante here converses with Ciacco, a Florentine, who predicts the expulsion of the Neri from Florence, and their return within three years. Dante inquires whether the torments of the lost will be increased or diminished after the day of judgment. In reply Virgil refers him to the maxim of Aristotle, that beings are more or less sensible of good and evil in proportion as they have attained a greater or less degree of perfection. After the judgment the lost will recover their bodies, and will thus, in accordance with this maxim, experience an increase of suffering. On the descent towards the fourth circle they find Plutus—the arch-enemy. When life and sense return'd, erewhile suspended In presence of the kindred shades, whose anguish New torments I behold, and new tormented 5 Where'er I turn, or bend my wistful gaze. I found myself in the third circle, where In rule and quality. Large hail and snow And ink-black rain pours thro' the darken'd air : The foul earth stinks whereon that deluge falls. The savage-hearted monster multiform, Cerberus, with his three throats dog-like bayeth His visage grim—huge paunch—and talon'd hands— With one side making shelter for the other, And shifting oft—those hapless spirits profane. When Cerberus, the great worm, us descried, He open'd wide his mouths, and show'd his fangs, Of that foul earth, and flung whole handfuls down Of hunger yelps and howls, but ceaseth soon, Over the wish'd-for meal, intent thereon; So brought to silence were the three foul throats Of demon Cerberus, who dins alway The souls until they fain would lose the sense Of hearing. Onward o'er the spirits, that lay Prostrate beneath the rain, we went, and placed Our steps on shadowy forms that substance seem'd. 35 They lay diffused upon the ground—all who Were there, save one, who raised himself to sit, When he beheld us passing near. 'Thou who Art borne thro' this infernal pit,' he said 40 To me, 'bethink thee who I am, if yet Thou can'st. Thy life began ere mine was sped.' And I replied; 'Perhaps it is thy state Of agony withdraws thee from my mind So that it seemeth that I never saw thee. But tell me who thou art, that in this blind Abode art placed, and with such pain that, if There be more grievous, none hath more distaste.' And he replied; Thy city, which is rife With envy so that it hath now excell'd 45 50 All bounds, possess'd me in the light of life. 1 Florence, divided into the factions of the Bianchi, to which the Poet belonged, and the Neri. By you, my townsmen, I was Ciacco call'd. I welter, as thou seest, beneath the rain : 55 These hapless souls unto like pain are doom'd For like offence.' He ended here, and I Thus made response; 'Ciacco, thy troublous state Afflicts me so that I am moved to tears. But tell me, if thou knowest, whereunto The citizens of the divided state 60 Will come; if any there be just; and say Whence grew this factious spirit to such height?' And he replied; 'After long struggle they Will come to bloodshed, when the forest party 3 65 His head on high, weighing with heavy hand 2 Ciacco is described by Landino as 'un uomo pieno d'urbanità e di motti e di facezie e di soavissima conversazione.' A gloss adds that he was 'homo de curiâ gulosus valdè.' 3 The Bianchi. 4 The Neri. Between the two factions, siding |