INFERNO.

CANTO VIII.

ERE we had reach'd the lofty castle's base (My wondrous history I here renew)

Our eyes were raised, upon its top to trace Two little flames, which there were seen to rise; Another answer'd, so remote to view,

We scarce discern'd the glimmer with our eyes. Then to the sea of knowledge turn'd,-I said: "Wherefore this signal? why that answering light? And who are they by whom these flames are fed?" "What now advances o'er the gloomy tide,

Is surely," he exclaim'd, " within thy sight,
Unless indeed the marshy vapours hide."

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With greater speed did never arrow fly

Forth from the string, and cut the yielding air,

Than, o'er the stream approaching, met mine eye A little bark, that skimm'd along in haste,

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Steer'd by a single boatman; who, aware,

Cried out: " Fell soul, art thou arrived at last?"
Flegias, Flegias, the outcry thou dost make

For once avails thee not," exclaim'd the sire;
"We stay not with thee but to cross the lake."
As one, who hearing some egregious fraud

Practised upon him, gives his soul to ire;
So Flegias stood enraged before my lord.
Into the boat descended then the guide,
And, as he enter'd, bade me follow too:
Till I embark'd no burden press'd the tide.
Soon as we both were seated in the punt,

Away it went ;-and with its ancient prow

Cut the black wave more deeply than 'twas wont: Whilst we were hurrying o'er the stagnant slime, One rose before me, smear'd with mud, and cried :

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Say who art thou who com'st before thy time?" "I come not to remain :-but who," quoth I,

"Art thou who hast thyself so brutified?” "Lo! one I am who weeps," was his reply.

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And I to him: "With weeping and with woe,
Thy fitting company, cursed soul, remain;
All muddy though thou art, thy face I know."
Then to the boat his hands in rage were thrown:
Whereat the master drove him back again,

Exclaiming :

"To the other dogs begone."

Around my neck his loving arms he flung,

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And kiss'd my cheek: "Indignant soul," said he, "How blest the mother from whose womb you sprung.

He, when alive, was arrogant, and proud;

No deed of goodness decks his memory;

Therefore his shade assumes this furious mood.

On earth how many deem themselves great kings, 49 Who here like swine shall wallow in a sty,

And leave a name that vile remembrance brings !"

"O what delight would it afford my heart

To see him plunged within the pool," said I, "Ere from the filthy waters we depart!" Then he to me: "Thou shalt be satisfied,

Before the infernal shore appear in sight;
'Tis meet that such a wish be not denied."
Soon after, I beheld the muddy crew

Set on him with such violence and might,
That God I thank for granting me the view.

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"Down with Argenti!" shouted one and all;
And with his teeth his savage wrath to vent,
Himself this furious Florentine did maul:
We journied on,-so him no more I name.

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Then 'smote mine ear a loud and shrill lament,
Whereat I stretch'd mine eye to whence it came.
Behold, my son," to me the master cried,

"We now draw near the city named of Dis,
Where crowds of wretched citizens reside."
Master," quoth I, " already I discern

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Its bright vermillion mosques in the abyss,
Which, as in furnace heated, seem to burn."

"The fire," he said, " that glows eternally

Within the walls, that ruddy hue supplies,
Which in the infernal valley thou may'st see."
Then we arrived within the trench profound
That compasseth this wretched land of sighs;
And framed of iron seem'd the walls around.
A tedious circuit made, at last we came

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Where, "Lo the entrance-quit ye now the boat,”— We heard the pilot's thundering voice exclaim. More than a thousand on the gates I spied,

Rain'd down from heaven;-disdainfully they shout:

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Say who is this, that (death's dread power untried)

Stalks through the dusky regions of the dead?"

His wish for secret conference to show,

My sapient guide to them a signal made. Their mighty wrath they somewhat then forbare; "Come thou alone," they said, " and let him go

Who so audaciously hath enter'd here;

Let him retrace his foolish steps again,

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With none to lead him through this darksome land,

For thou his escort shalt with us remain.”

Think, reader, how disconsolate was I,

Hearing the malice that their words contain'd:

I thought I never should return on high.

"O thou, dear guide, who safety hast bestow'd

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Sev'n times at least, and borne me scathless through,

When direst peril hath beset

my road

O leave me not," I said, "in this dismay;

And if such dreaded obstacles ensue,

Together let us speed our backward way."

Then answer'd he—my kind and faithful guide: 103
"Fear not, for none a passage can deny,
By One so potent is our strength supplied:
Wait my return, and feed thy heavy sprite
With goodly hope;-for be assured that I
Will ne'er desert thee in these realms of night."