Then, shooting forth a bright vermillion flame,
Sped from that land of tears a fearful blast,
Which all my senses instantly o'ercame :-
Prostrate I fell, like one by sleep opprest.

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INFERNO.

CANTO IV.

ARGUMENT.

DANTE is roused from his slumber by a confused sound of lamentations which burst like thunder from the abyss. He follows his guide into Limbo, the first circle of Hell, where he finds the souls of those, who, though they have lived virtuously, and have not to answer for great sins, nevertheless, through lack of Baptism, may not be admitted into Paradise.

INFERNO.

CANTO IV.

BROKE the deep slumber in my brain, a hoarse
And heavy thunder:-starting I awoke,
E'en like to one who is aroused by force:
And straightway rising up, around I turn
My rested eye, and gaze with stedfast look,
The place wherein I found me to discern.
Beneath me lay, in truth, the Vale of Woe,
In whose abyss eternal groans unite,

And blend their thunders in the depth below.
Obscure it was, so cloudy-deep--and dense,

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That though to pierce the gloom I strain'd my sight, Nought could I see within the gulf immense.

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