They left above.1 On this side lie interr'd, Who with the body make the soul to die. So shall that wish which thou unfoldest not.' 2 Whence I replied; 'I do not keep conceal'd My thought from thee, kind Guide, save that I may Speak little, as thou oft hast warnèd me.' 'Tuscan, who thro' the fiery city thus Rovest alive such sweet speech uttering, O stay thy course, and rest awhile with us. That voice of thine declareth thee to be A native of that noble land wherein I wrought perhaps with a too troublous hand.' Suddenly from among the sepulchres Issued this utterance, whereat I clung In fear somewhat more closely to my Guide; 15 20 25 30 1 That is, after the day of judgment. I will gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there.' Joel iii. 2. See also Inf. vi. 95; xiii. 103. 2 Probably the wish to see Farinata, already mentioned in Canto vi. And thus he added; Let thy speech be plain.' At me he gazed, and then with lips of scorn I, who was all desirous to obey, Conceal'd them not, but straight unfolded all; Whence he his eye-brows somewhat raised, and then Forthwith made answer; 'Fiercely opposed were they To me, and to my kith, and to my party : 3 'If they Once and again I drave them forth!' Return,' I answer'd swift, once and again! But yours it seems have yet that art to learn.' Then rose there to the view-but not beneath The chin disclosed-near where he stood-the shade Of one who seem'd to rest upon his knees. 4 40 45 50 3 'The ancestors of Dante, and Dante himself, were Guelfs. He did not become a Ghibelline till after his banishment.' Longfellow. 4 Cavalcante Cavalcanti. Round me he gazed a while, as tho' he were But, when his surmise was all spent, with tears Thou goest by loftiness of mind, O say 55 My son-where is he? and wherefore not with thee?' 60 To whom I answer'd; 'Of myself I come not, But led by him who tarries there—one whom 'How said'st thou " held in light esteem?" Lives he But he of stronger mind, at whose request I linger'd, neither changed his countenance, 65 70 Nor moved his neck, nor from his state inclined. 75 5 Guido Cavalcanti was more addicted to philosophy than to poetry. And, as a Guelf, he would naturally be hostile to the teaching of Virgil, the poet of the Empire. 'Nathless it shall be ours to win this fight,' He thus began; 'if not our help is sure. Ah me! why tarries yet that other one?' I noticed how he cover'd o'er the doubt At first express'd, and that his after-thought I found a ghastlier import than he meant. 'It seldom comes to pass that one of us Maketh this journey whereon we are bound. 'Tis true that once before I was conjured 1 Down here by that fierce Erito, 1 who call'd 25 That is the lowest place, and most obscure, And furthest from the heaven that circleth all. 2 I know the road; therefore rest thou secure. 30 20 155 IO This lake, which breathes the baleful stench around, Where none can enter without wrath.' And more Because mine eyes were now drawn wholly towards Infernal Furies, smear'd with blood, who seem'd With hydras all of greenest hue, and curl'd 35 About their angry brows with cerasts horn'd 40 And serpents thick entwined.-And he, who knew Full well the ministers of her who sways The realm of everlasting wailings, said To me; 'Behold the fell Erinnyes ! Here on the left hand is Megara: there Wailing upon the right Alecto drear : Midst is Tisiphone.' And then he ceased. Their talons rent their breasts; and with their palms They smote each other, and exclaim'd so loud, That I in terror to the Poet clung. 45 50 1 Or Erictho, a Thessalian sorceress, referred to by Lucan. Phars. vi. 589. 2 The Primum Mobile, the outermost of the heavenly spheres. |