Within this place, down shaken from the back Of Geryon, we found us; and the Poet Held to the left, and I moved on behind. Upon my right hand I beheld new anguish, New torments, and new wielders of the lash, This side the middle came they facing us, The Have chosen a mode to pass the people over; For all upon one side towards the Castle Their faces have, and go unto Saint Peter's; On the other side they go towards the Mountain. This side and that, along the livid stone Beheld I horned demons with great scourges, Ah me! how they did make them lift their legs The second waited for, nor for the third. While I was going on, mine eyes by one 40 Encountered were; and straight I said: "Already With sight of this one I am not unfed." Therefore I stayed my feet to make him out, And with me the sweet Guide came to a stand, And to my going somewhat back assented ; And he, the scourged one, thought to hide himself, Lowering his face, but little it availed him ; For said I: "Thou that castest down thine eyes, If false are not the features which thou bearest, Thou art Venedico Caccianimico; But what doth bring thee to such pungent sauces?" And he to me: "Unwillingly I tell it ; But forces me thine utterance distinct, Which makes me recollect the ancient world. 45 50 I was the one who the fair Ghisola 55 Induced to grant the wishes of the Marquis, Howe'er the shameless story may be told. Not the sole Bolognese am I who weeps here; Nay, rather is this place so full of them, That not so many tongues to-day are taught "Twixt Reno and Savena to say sipa; And if thereof thou wishest pledge or proof, A demon smote him, and said: "Get thee gone, 60 65 I joined myself again unto mine Escort; Thereafterward with footsteps few we came And turning to the right along its ridge, When we were there, where it is hollowed out The Guide said: "Wait, and see that on thee strike 75 The vision of those others evil-born, Of whom thou hast not yet beheld the faces, Because together with us they have gone." From the old bridge we looked upon the train Which tow'rds us came upon the other border, Said to me: "See that tall one who is coming Still what a royal aspect he retains! That Jason is, who by his heart and cunning He by the isle of Lemnos passed along After the daring women pitiless Had unto death devoted all their males. 80 85 90 There with his tokens and with ornate words Who first, herself, had all the rest deceived. Such sin unto such punishment condemns him, With him go those who in such wise deceive; We were already where the narrow path Crosses athwart the second dike, and forms Of that a buttress for another arch. In the next Bolgia, snorting with their muzzles, By exhalation from below, that sticks there, The bottom is so deep, no place suffices To give us sight of it, without ascending The arch's back, where most the crag impends. Thither we came, and thence down in the moat I saw a people smothered in a filth That out of human privies seemed to flow; And whilst below there with mine eye I search, It was not clear if he were clerk or layman. And I to him: "Because, if I remember, I have already seen thee with dry hair, And thou 'rt Alessio Interminei of Lucca ; "The flatteries have submerged me here below, Of that uncleanly and dishevelled drab, Who there doth scratch herself with filthy nails, And crouches now, and now on foot is standing. Thais the harlot is it, who replied Unto her paramour, when he said, 'Have I 115 120 125 130 Great gratitude from thee?'-'Nay, marvellous'; 135 And herewith let our sight be satisfied." |