ARGUMENT. DANTE passes among the tombs of the Heretics, and converses with Farinata and Cavalcanti. The former predicts his exile from Florence. INFERNO. CANTO X. Now by a path that was confined and rude, Between the tombs and wall that girds the plain, 66 "Virtue supreme!" I then began, "O thou 1 Who guidest me throughout these realms of pain!— Speak, and inform me what I wish to know. The spirits in these sepulchres who lieMay they be seen?-their lids, as I discern, E'en now are raised, and none to guard are nigh." "All will be fasten'd down," the bard replied, "When from Jehosaphat they shall return Clothed in the bodies they have laid aside. 7 "Here Epicurus hath his fiery tomb, 13 And with him all his followers, who maintain That soul and body share one common doom. Wherefore within this place, to the request 19 Thou hast made known, an answer shalt thou gain; And likewise to the wish thou hast suppress'd." Then I: "From thee I ne'er conceal a thought, Unless, dear guide, to shorten what I say;A lesson thou thyself hast lately taught." "Tuscan, who through this city fraught with fire, Speaking so modestly, dost wend thy way,Here may it please thee stay at my desire. Thy words full clearly make it manifest 25 Thou art a native of that noble land, Which I perhaps too sorely did molest:" Sudden from out a vault, upon mine ear These accents burst; whereat I took my stand Still nearer to my master's side, through fear. And he exclaim'd: "Turn round; what would'st thou do? Lo Farinata!-upwards from the waist His form behold, apparent to thy view." Already on his face my eyesight fell; And he uprear'd his forehead and his breast, 32 Towards him, with prompt and animated hand, 66 37 And said- Speak clear, that he may understand." When nearer to the sepulchre I came, He gazed awhile;-anon in haughty tone Exclaim'd: "Who were thine ancestors?" Their name, Full anxious to obey, I let him know, And gladly told him who my fathers were: At which incensed, he somewhat raised his brow: "To me, and mine, and to my party, erst 43 So fierce," he said, "the hatred which they bare, That more than once their forces I dispersed." "Though vanquish'd, still they fear'd not to return 49 Each time," quoth I, "from every part again ;A happy art which thine have fail'd to learn." Then at his side another shade arose, Of whom no more than to the chin was seen; (Upon his knees he rested, I suppose.) He look'd around me, e'en as if he sought Another in my company to find; But, when he saw how vain the pleasing thought, Weeping he said: "If lofty genius be Thy passport hither through this prison blind Where is my son? why comes he not with thee?" 55 I answer'd him: "I come not here alone: Lo! yonder is my faithful escort, whom Guido thy son perhaps had scorn'd to own." (Already was made known to me his name, Both by his words, and his appropriate doom; Whence from my lips so full an answer came.) Then on a sudden starting up-he cries, "Had! didst thou tell me ?-ceases he to live?Strikes not the genial light upon his When he observed a short delay ensue, eyes?" Ere I an answer to his speech could give, Supine he fell, nor more appear'd to view. But he that noble and exalted shade 61 67 73 Who bade me stay, changed not his look the whileBent not his either side, nor moved his head: "And if," continuing his speech, he said, "The art thou speak'st of, they have learnt so ill, That more torments me than this fiery bed. But the fair Lady, who here beareth sway, 79 Not fifty times her silver face shall light, Ere thou wilt know how much that art doth weigh. And mayst thou see the beauteous world again, |