INFERNO.

CANTO XXVII.

ARGUMENT.

COUNT Guido di Montefeltro, another evil counsellor, holds a conversation with Dante from within the fire. The Count attributes his wretched fate to the artful persuasions of Pope Boniface, who had promised him absolution for the crime he required him to commit.

INFERNO.

CANTO XXVII.

Now calm and tranquil rose the flame on high,
Its speech concluded-and was moving on,
Since the sweet poet gave it liberty,—
When from behind, another came in sight,
Which, sending forth a low tumultuous moan,
Our eyes attracted to its curling height.

As the Sicilian bull (which roar'd of old

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First with his shrieks, as justly came to pass, Whose cruel hand had wrought the monstrous mould) Rebellow'd loudly with the sufferer's cry,

So that, all fashion'd as it was of brass,

It seem'd to be transpierced by agony;

Thus-at the first, no way or outlet found

From 'mid th' enclosing fire-the words of woe Into its language changed their proper sound. But when, a passage won, the flames display'd Their summits—quivering, as the tongue below Imparted the direction they obey'd—

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These words broke forth: "O thou, to whom I speak,
In Lombard phrase but lately heard to say:
'Thou may'st depart from thee no more I seek'—
Though somewhat tardily to thee I came,

Grieve not to pause and hold discourse, I pray;

Thou seest it grieves not me, though wrapt in flame.

If to this glooming world thou hast of late

Been hurried downward from fair Italy,

That land belov'd, whence all my crimes I date

Say, if Romagna is at peace or war?

For from the hills that 'twixt Urbino lie

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And those whence Tiber springs, my birth I draw." Still was I bending down to hear the flame,

When suddenly mine escort touch'd my side,

Saying: "Speak thou, for he from Latium came." And I, whose answer was already framed, Without delay obey'd my faithful guide: "O thou secreted spirit!" I exclaim'd,

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