Inferno: Canto VIII

I say continuing, that, long before we reached the foot of the high tower, our eyes went upwards to its summit,

because of two flamelets, that we saw put there, and another from far give signal back, so far that the eye could scarcely catch it.

And I turn[ed] to the Sea of all intelligence; [I] said: “What says this? and what replies yon other fire? And who are they that made it?”

And he to me: “Over the squalid waves, already thou mayest discern what is expected, if the vapour of the fen conceal it not from thee.”

Never did cord impel from itself an arrow, that ran through the air so quickly, as a little bark which I saw

come towards us then [through the water], under the guidance of a single steersman, who cried:

“Now art thou arrived, fell spirit?” “Phlegyas, Phlegyas,” said my Lord, “this time thou criest in vain; thou shalt not have us longer than while we pass the wash.”

As one who listens to some great deceit which has been done to him, and then sore resents it: such grew Phlegyas in his gathered rage.

My Guide descended into the skiff, and then made me enter after him; and not till I was in, did it seem laden.

Soon as my Guide and I were in the boat, its ancient prow went on, cutting more of the water than it is wont with others.

Whilst we were running through the dead channel, there rose before me one full of mud, and said:

“Who art thou, that comest before thy time?” And I to him: “If I come, I remain not; but thou, who art thou, that hast become so foul?” He answered: “Thou seest that I am one who weep.”

And I to him: “With weeping, and with sorrow, accursed spirit, remain thou! for I know thee, all filthy as thou art.”

Then he stretched both hands to the boat, whereat the wary Master thrust him off, saying: “Away there with the other dogs!”

And he put his arms about my neck, kissed my face, and said: “Indignant soul! blessed be she that bore thee.

In your world, that was an arrogant personage; good there is none to ornament the memory of him: so is his shadow here in fury.

How many up there now think themselves great kings, that shall lie here like swine in mire, leaving behind them horrible reproaches!”

And I: “Master, I should be glad to see him dipped in this swill, ere we quit the lake.”

And he to me: “Before the shore comes to thy view, thou shalt be satisfied; it is fitting that thou shouldst be gratified in such a wish.”

A little after this, I saw the muddy people make such rending of him, that even now I praise and thank God for it.

All cried: “At Filippo Argenti!” The passionate Florentine spirit turned with his teeth upon himself.

Here we left him, so that of him I tell no more; but in my ears a wailing smote me, whereat I bent my eyes intently forward.

The kind Master said: “Now, Son, the city that is named of Dis draws nigh, with its grave citizens, with its great company.”

And I: “Master, already I discern its mosques, distinctly there within the valley, red as if they had come out of fire.”

And to me he said: “The eternal fire, which causes them to glow within, shows them red, as thou seest, in this low Hell.”

We now arrived in the deep fosses, which moat that joyless city; the walls seemed to me as if they were of iron.

Not before making a long circuit, did we come to a place where the boatman loudly cried to us: “Go out: here is the entrance.”

Above the gates I saw more than a thousand spirits, rained from [the] Heaven [s], who angrily exclaimed: “Who is that, who, without death,

goes through the kingdom of the dead?” And my sage Master made a sign of wishing to speak with them in secret.

Then they somewhat shut up their great disdain, and said: “Come thou alone; and let that one go, who has entered so daringly into this kingdom.

Let him return alone his foolish way; try, if he can: for thou shalt stay here, that hast escorted him through so dark a country.”

Judge, Reader, if I was discouraged at the sound of the accursed words: for I believed not that I ever should return [hither].

“O my loved Guide, who more than seven times hast restored me to safety, and rescued from deep peril that stood before me,

leave me not so undone,” I said; “and if to go farther be denied us, let us retrace our steps together rapidly.”

And that Lord, who had led me thither, said to me: “Fear not, for our passage none can him take from us: by Such has it been given to us.

But thou, wait here for me; and comfort and feed thy wearied spirit with good hope: for I will not forsake thee in the low world.”

Thus the gentle Father goes, and leaves me here, and I remain in doubt: for yes and no contend within my head.

I could not hear that which [was] offered to them; but he had not long stood with them, when they all, vying with one another, rushed in again.

These our adversaries closed the gates on the breast of my [Lord] who remained without; and turned to me with slow steps.

He had his eyes upon the ground, and his eyebrows shorn of all boldness, and said with sighs:

“Who hath denied me the doleful houses?” And to me he said: “Thou, be not dismayed, though I get angry: for I will master the trial, whatever be contrived within for hindrance.

This insolence of theirs is nothing new: for they shewed it once at a less secret gate, which still is found unbarred.

Over it thou sawest the dead inscription; and already, on this side of it, comes down the steep, passing the circles without escort, one by whom the city shall be opened to us.”