Inferno: Canto XVIII

A PLACE there is in Hell that bears the name
Of Malebolge, all of iron-hued stone,
As is the circle which surrounds its frame:

I' the midst of that malignant region thrown,
Yawns wide a well exceeding wide and deep,
Whose structure shall in season due be shown.

Round, then, is that enclosure which doth keep
Its place between the pit and that stern shore,
And it is cut by ten broad trenches steep.

As where, to guard a fortress more and more,
Wide fosses girdle round a castle's height,
They form a figure as the eye looks o'er.

Just such an image these formed to our sight;
And as in such a fortress, from the gates
To the outer bank, are flung the bridges light,

So from the base of rock precipitate
Crags started, and o'er dikes and moats made track.
On to the pit where they converge, truncate.

Within this place, down shaken from the back
Of Geryon, we found us, and the Bard
Turned to the left, I following on his track.

There, on our right, new woes the prospect marred.
New torments there, and novel scourgers too.
Which that first Bolgia did within it guard;

Below, the sinners naked came in view,"
And this side from the midst our path they crossed;
On that, with us, but swifter course pursue.

E'en as the Romans, for the countless host
That cross the bridge in year of Jubilee,
Of their new way of passing o'er may boast;"

For on one side all turn their face to see
The Castle, as to Peter's shrine they go.
And on the other to the Mount move free.

This side and that, along the dark rock's brow.
Saw I horned demons with great scourge in hand,
Who with it on their backs laid many a blow.

Ah me! how soon they made that tortured band
At the first stroke lift up their legs, and none
To wait a second or a third would stand.

And as I went my glances fell on one,
Whom soon as I perceived, I to him said,
"Not for the first time now that face I've known."

Wherefore to see him clear my feet I stayed.
And my sweet Master would with me abide,
And to my turning back no hindrance made.

And he, that scourged one, thought himself to hide.
Lowering his face; but little that availed.
For said I, " Thou whose eyes to earth are tied.

Unless thy face to tell the truth hath failed,
Venedigo Caccianimico thou art,
But what to such sharp pickle thee hath haled?"

And he: "Against my will I that impart.
But thy clear accents do my speech constrain,
And waken old-world memories in my heart.

Twas I that fair Ghisola's heart did gain
The proud Marchese's will in all to bear,
However men that story foul explain.

Nor of Bologna I alone weep here;
Nay, with them rather so is filled the place.
That not as many are the lips taught there,

Twixt Reno and Savena, Sipa's phrase.
And if of this thou askest evidence,
Our greedy spirit in thy mind retrace."

And, as he spake, a demon drove him thence
With knotted scourge, and said, " Away, away,
Pander; no women here are sold for pence."

I then drew back to where my Guide did stay,
And then a few steps farther we passed by.
Where from the bank a bold rock forced its way.

With nimble feet upon it we leapt high,
And on its ridge then turning to the right.
Ceased on those timeless rounds our path to try.

When we came there, where, underneath the height.
Opens a path, where those poor scourged ones go.
My Master said, " Take good heed to the sight

Of those, the others born for sin and woe,
Of whom thou hast not seen as yet the face,
Because with us they walked in even row."

From the old bridge we saw towards us pace,
As from the other side, another band,
Whom in like mode the cruel scourge did chase.

My Master kind, not waiting for demand.
Said to me, " See yon lofty form draw near.
Who sheds no tear, though sorely pained he stand!

What kingly greatness still doth linger there!"
That same is Jason, who by craft and skill
From Colchian shores the wondrous ram did bear.

By Lemnos' isle he passed in moment ill.
When the bold women, by fierce daring pressed.
Swore all their males in ruthless rage to kill."

With tokens there and words full subtly dressed
Hypsipyle he cheated, maiden fair.
Who had already cheated all the rest.

Forlorn and great with child, he left her there.
Such crime now dooms him to such punishment:
Medea too finds ample vengeance here

With him are those who use like blandishment.
Let it suffice thee thus much of this glen
To know, and those who in its jaws are pent."

Already stood we where the strait path then
Crosses the second causeway, passing o'er.
And forms a buttress arching o'er the den.

There heard we moans and cries of travail sore
In the next pit, from those who snort in pain.
And with their hands themselves smite evermore.

Its sloping banks a crusted scurf did stain.
Formed by the vapours clinging from below,
Which both o'er eyes and nose doth mastery gain.

So deep the bottom is, that nought doth show.
Unless one mounteth to the arch's span,
Where the rock forward most its mass doth throw.

Thither we came, and thence, where deep fosse ran,
I saw a tribe in such filth suffocate.
As festers in draught-houses made by man.

And whilst I sought with glance to penetrate,"
One I beheld with head so foul with mire,
I could not tell if lay or priest his state.

He cried to me, " Why dost thou so desire
Rather on me than my foul mates to gaze?"
And I to him: " Because, with tresses drier,

If memory serve, I knew thee in old days:
Alessio Interminei I note.
Of Lucca; hence on thee my vision stays

More than the rest." Then, as his pate he smote,
"Thy flattering words," he said, " have sunk me low,
Wherewith was never surfeited my throat."

And then my Guide: " Take heed that thou bend now
Thy head a little forward, that thine eyes
May reach to look upon that face, and know

That foul dishevelled strumpet who there lies,
And tears her flesh with nails in foul filth dyed.
And now stands up, now sitteth squatting-wise.

Thais is she, the harlot, who replied,
Her lover asking, ' Dost thou thank me then
Truly? ' ' Ah! yes, and wondrously beside.'

Enough for this our gaze be what we've seen."