Classic Poem

CANTO VIII

I SAY , continuing, that as on we went,
Long ere the base of that high tower we hit,
Our eyes were drawn up to its battlement
Because of two flames that we saw there lit,
And yet another answering them discerned
So far, the eye scarcely could distinguish it.
To the Sea of all Intelligence I turned,
And spoke: " What says this beacon, and what replies
That other fire, and by whom are they burned? "
And he to me: " Over the foul wave flies
What is awaited: save it be withheld
By the marsh-mist, thou'lt see it with thine eyes. "
Never did arrow from the string propelled
With such a vehemence the air divide
As the small pinnace that I now beheld
Over the water toward us lightly glide;
And at the helm a single steersman was.
" Art thou arrived, fell spirit? " aloud he cried.
And my Lord answered, " Phlegyas, Phlegyas,
Thou criest this time in vain. Take us for freight,
But for no more than ferry of the morass. "
As one who hearkens to some great deceit
Done to him, and his spirit is fiercely frayed,
So Phlegyas swelled in chafe of his defeat.
My Guide stept down into the boat, and made
Me to enter after him; nor till I trod
Within it, did that vessel seem down-weighed.
Soon as my Guide and I the thwart bestrode,
The ancient prow began to cleave anew
The water, deeper than with other load.
As the dead channel we were running through,
Before me rose one full of mud, and cried,
" Who art thou, come before thy time is due? "
And I to him: " I come, but not abide.
But thou, who art thou, so beastly that has grown? "
" I am one who weeps, thou seist, " he replied.
And I to him: " With weeping and with moan
Stay on, accursed spirit! For though thou roll
In all thy filth, yet thou to me art known. "
Then he stretched both hands out to clutch the thole.
Whereat, watchful, the Master at him struck,
Saying, " Off! Away, with the other dogs to growl! "
And put his arms about my neck, and took
And kissed my face. " Indignant soul, " he said,
" Blessed be she that bore thee and gave thee suck!
Arrogant in your world he held his head:
Now there is none to speak of him good things.
So is his shadow upon rages fed.
How many above there deem themselves great kings
Now, who shall lie wallowing in mire like swine,
Leaving a name that with dishonour rings! "
And I, " Master, my wishes much incline
To see him plunged into this broth, before
We pass the ferry and this lagoon's confine. "
And he to me: " Ere that thou see the shore
Thou shalt be satisfied. Fit it is, my son,
That thou enjoy this thing thou cravest for. "
A little after I saw such mangling done
Upon him by the foul folk muddy-cheeked,
I still praise God that sight to have looked upon.
" Have at Filippo Argenti! " they all shrieked.
The spirit of the outrageous Florentine
Turned biting and on himself his fury wreaked.
We left him. He gets no more word of mine.
But on mine ears now smote a wailful din,
And I peered forth, its meaning to divine.
Said my good Master: " Now, Son, we begin
To approach near to the city named of Dis.
Sad citizens, vast throngs it hath within. "
" Already, " I said, " mine eye distinguishes
Clearly its minarets within the vale,
All red, as if they had come from furnaces. "
And he to me: " This their exterior shell
The eternal fire within them maketh red,
Even as thou seest, in this low hollow of Hell. "
We now arrived in the deep fosses' bed
That moat about that place disconsolate.
Of iron seemed the walls above my head.
Not before making circuit long and late,
We came to a stop, and loud the boatman there
Cried out to us: " Land ye now. Here is the gate. "
Above I saw a thousand spirits in air
Rained down from heaven, who angry as if betrayed
Cried: " Who is this who without death doth dare
The kingdom of the dead folk to invade? "
And my sage Master, making sign to them
Of his desire, a secret parley essayed.
Their great scorn then did they a little stem,
And said: " Alone come! let that other plod
Back, who so bold into this kingdom came.
Let him return the way his folly trod.
Try, if he can: for here shalt thou remain
Who hast brought him hither by so dark a road. "
Think, Reader, if my heart misgave me then
To hear the accursed words, for from that shore
I thought not ever to return again.
" O my loved Guide, who seven times and more
Hast me from peril that stood before me freed,
And didst to sweet security restore,
Leave me not so undone in my hard need,
And if we may no farther go, retrace
The path, " I cried, " with all we can of speed. "
And that Lord, who had led me to this place,
Said to me: " Fear not, for our passage none
Can take from us! 'twas given us by such Grace.
But thou, wait for me here. Thy spirit fordone
Feed upon good hope, and be comforted.
I will not leave thee in the low world alone. "
Thus goes away and leaves me to my dread
The gentle Father, and I with doubting dwell,
For Yes and No contend within my head.
What then he proffered them I could not tell;
But not long stood he among them in debate
When all rushed suddenly in again pell-mell.
So did our adversaries close the gate
Upon my Lord's breast, who, shut out in scorn
To me with slow steps turned back desolate.
His eyes upon the ground, and eyebrows shorn
Of all boldness, " Oh, " he exclaimed with sighs,
" Who is it excludes me from the abodes forlorn? "
And he to me said: " Though my anger rise,
Be not dismayed, for I shall bring thee through,
Whatever hindrance they within devise.
This frowardness of theirs is nothing new.
They used it once at a less secret door
Which standeth still without bars to undo.
Thou sawest the dead writing that it bore.
And now, this side of it, comes hitherward
Down the steep circles, dreadless, one before
Whose might the city shall be to us unbarred. "