INFERNO.

CANTO XXIX.

ARGUMENT.

HAVING passed by Geri del Bello, a relation of Dante, they proceed into the tenth gulf, from which arise shrieks of woe, as from an hospital. Here are punished the Alchymists with divers diseases.

INFER N O.

CANTO XXIX.

THE numerous tribes and various gashes deep

Had to the brim with tears so fill'd mine eyes,

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I gladly would have stood awhile to weep. But Virgil said to me; Why gazest thou? Why fix thy looks in melancholy guise

On the disfigured shades that lie below?— Not so thy wont in any former cell :

But, if to count them all, thy wish may be,

Think-two and twenty miles extends the vale.

The moon already lies beneath our feet;

To journey on but little time have we ;

And things as yet unseen thine eye will meet."

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"Did'st thou," I answer'd him, "the reason weigh, 13

Why such a close attention I bestow'd,

Thou might'st perhaps have pardon'd my delay."

My guide mov'd on, as I this answer gave,
Behind him still continuing my road,

And adding this; "I deem within that cave,
Whereon my eyes were so intently bent,

Dwells a sad spirit, one to me allied,

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Who rues his dear bought crimes with deep lament.”

"Let not compassion for his woes detain

Thy pensive soul; but turn," exclaim'd my guide, "To other objects; and let him remain,

Whom at the bridge's foot I chanced to see.

Pointing, and threat'ning thee with look enraged;
Geri del Bello, as I heard, was he.

With him, who er'st in Altafort bore sway,

Thy thoughts so wholly were the while engaged,
That Geri pass'd unnoticed on his way."

"His violent death, dear leader," I exclaim,
"Yet unavenged on earth by those who shared,

And still remain partakers of the shame,
Inspired his scorn;-so that in contumely

He silent pass'd, nor to accost me cared;
Hence for his fate I feel more sympathy."

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