CANTO XXI. ARGUMENT. In the fifth partition are punished Barterers and Peculators. They are plunged into a lake of boiling pitch, and guarded by Demons, who thrust them back whenever they appear above. These Demons prepare to attack Virgil, who calms them by his undaunted manner, and prevails upon their leader to give them an escort on their way. CONVERSING, as we went from bridge to bridge, And wondrous was the darkness that prevailed. Tenacious pitch in winter, to repair Boiled up thick pitch throughout the gloomy vale, I saw, save bubbles rise, and now and then The whole swell up-then settle and subside While I was looking down with stedfast gaze, Back on the instant was I forced again, 66 Look, look!" my guide exclaiming.—In amaze, That which, beheld, compels him to draw back- That e'en to look, he may not check his flight: And in our rear I saw a Demon black Swiftly advancing o'er the rocky height. Alas, how fierce and savage was his face! 1 7 13 19 How frightful too the gestures he displayed! Stretched were his wings, and rapid was his pace. His shoulder, proudly rising and acute, And hard he grasped the sinew of his foot. Whilst from beneath the bridge the fiends repeat Here swim you not as erst in Serchio's tide; Their scullions teach to thrust the floating stew, go A calm and dauntless countenance he needed : For with such anger and tempestuous roar, 67 37. i. e. "O Demons of the evil arms, who have the care of our bridge behold one of the Elders of Lucca." Santa Zita was held in reverence there. 41. Bonturo de' Dati,—the greatest peculator in Lucca 48 The "Santo Volto" is an image of our Saviour at Lucca, near which runs the river Serchio. So from beneath the bridge-enraged and hot-- ye cast And then consider if to strike ye dare." "Go, Malacoda go"-exclaimed they all; Whereat one moved, (meanwhile the rest did stay.) And coming to him said; "What means your call?" "Believest thou, Malacoda, I had made My way so far," to him my master said, When came the fiends with such precipitation, I trembled lest their compact they should break. So once I saw the infantry alarmed, Who left Caprona on capitulation, 73 79 35 91 Seeing so many foes around them armed. Close to my guide attaching me, I stood 97 Much terrified-nor from their faces black Turned I mine eyes,-they boded nothing good. Lowering their hooks, one to the other said, "What think you if I touch him on the back ?" "Be sure you hit him," was the answer made. But that chief fiend who had addressed my guide, All in an instant turned himself around:And said; Scarmiglion, be thou pacified;" Then spake to us: "Ye travellers-be it known 66 76. i. e. Fiend of the evil tail. 103 95. The Castle of Caprona, be longing to the Pisans, surrendered to the Guelf forces of Florence and Lucca, in 1289, on condition that the garrison should march out in safety. Dante is believed to have served at the siege. No further road may o'er this bridge be found; Along this rock securely may ye hie; Twelve hundred three score years and six gone by, To watch if any show themselves above: Ciriatto with thy tusks, and Graffiacan, Make good your search around the boiling pitch, 109 115 121 127 Thou knowest it well-I ask no guide but thee: If, as is wont, thou art quick-sighted now, Canst thou not see how fierce their teeth they grind, And he to me: "I charge thee not to fear; 133 E'en let them grind their savage teeth accurst,— O'er the left bank their steps they then incline, With tongue between his teeth had made a sign,— When from behind, the sound of trumpet burst. 139 See 111. This falsehood is an instance of Malacoda's treachery. canto xxiii. 133. 112. To 1266 add 34 (the age of our Saviour at the time of his death) and it gives 1300, the date of Dante's vision. He supposes the convulsion at our Saviour's death was felt even in the depths of hell. 138. They believe that Virgil and Dante are taken in:-hence this sign. |