Inferno: Canto XXI

Advancing thus from bridge to bridge we went.
Speaking of things I care not now to tell
In this my Comedy: the steep ascent

We reach'd, and paused to view the next profound
In Malebolge: — here vain cries prevail;
And marvellous the darkness spread around.

As in the arsenal of Venice boils
The adhesive pitch in winter, to repair
The bark disabled by long watery toils;

For since they cannot put to sea — instead
One here his vessel builds, another there
Calks that which many voyages hath made; —

One strikes the prow — one hammers at the poop,
One mends a main — and one a mizen sail.
One makes an oar — another twists a rope; —

So, not by fire beneath, but art divine,
Boil'd up thick pitch throughout the gloomy vale.
Whose viscous spatterings all the margin line.

Nought on the surface of the boiling tide
I saw save bubbles rise, and now and then
The whole swell up — then settle and subside.

While down I gazed in one continued stare.
Back on a sudden was I drawn again,
My guide exclaiming: "Oh beware, beware!"

I turn'd around, like one who tardily
Sees that, from which he needs escape must make,
O'erwhelm'd with terror and perplexity —

To look not daring — all intent on flight:
For in my rear I saw a devil black
Come running swiftly o'er the rocky height.

Alas how fierce and savage was his face!
How frightful too the gestures he display'd!
Stretch'd were his wings, and rapid was his pace.

His shoulders, proudly rising and acute,
Were laden with a miserable shade;
And hard he grasp'd the sinew of his foot.

"O Malebranche of our bridge, lo one."
Quoth he, "of Santa Zita's Elders here:
Haste — plunge him under; — I return anon

To that same town which plenty more doth hold:
Except Bonturo all are barterers there.
And 'No' is quickly turn'd to 'Yes' for gold."

His load cast down — so swift he turn'd him back
O'er the rough rock, that never mastiff fleet
Sprang with such haste a flying thief to track.

The sinner sank, then rose with prostrate face.
Whilst from beneath the bridge the fiends repeat,
"Here hath the holy countenance no place;

Here swim you not as erst in Serchio's tide;
And if you relish not our hooks — take care
That in the boiling pitch your back you hide."

Then with a hundred hooks the wretch they maul.
And cry: "To dance in secret now prepare,
And pilfer if you can unseen by all."

So cooks instruct their menials, in the pot
With their long ladles to thrust down the stew.
From time to time, when it may chance to float —

To me the master: "Lest it should be seen
That thou art here, conceal thyself from view;
Some rock will haply serve thee for a screen:

And let no insult fill thee with dismay
That may be offered me —prepared I go —
Aforetime have I been in like affray."

Beyond the bridge's head he then proceeded.
And when he reach'd the sixth embankment — lo!
A calm and dauntless countenance he needed.

With furious tempest, and with loud alarms,
As dogs rush forth on one of squalid looks.
Who sudden takes his stand, and asks for alms;

So from beneath the bridge — enraged and hot
Rush'd on my guide the demons with their hooks;
But he exclaim'd: "I charge you, touch me not:

Before ye cast your hooks my flesh to tear,
Let one of you come forth my speech to hear.
And then consider if to strike ye dare."

"Go, Malacoda — go!" — they all exclaim;
Whereat one moved, the rest remaining there; —
And — "What avails it?" cried he as he came:

"Believ'st thou, Malacoda, on my way
Thus far I had arrived," my master said,
"As yet unharm'd amid your hellish fray.

Unless the will divine had sanction given?
Let me proceed; — for through this region dread
That I should guide him is ordained in heaven."

Then in a moment fell his crest of pride, —
Down at his feet he dropt the iron hooks.
And to the others: "Strike him not," he cried.

To me my lord: "O thou who sittest there,
Conceal'd beneath the bridge among the rocks.
Now mayst thou come to me devoid of fear."

Him then with speed I strove to overtake;
When came the fiends with such precipitation,
I trembled lest their compact they should break.

So once I saw the infantry alarm'd.
Who left Caprona on capitulation.
Seeing so many foes around them arm'd.

Close to my guide attaching me, I stood
Much terrified — nor from their faces black
Turn'd I my eyes, — they boded nothing good.

Lowering their hooks, one to the other said,
"What think you if I touch him on the back?
"Be sure you hit him," was the answer made.

The demon, who the while addressed my guide,
Turn'd on a sudden to the recreant fiend: —
"Scarmiglion, peace, I say — be still," he cried.

Then spake to us: "Ye travellers — be it known.
That o'er the bridge no road may be obtain'd.
The sixth arch hence is wholly overthrown.

But if it please you farther to proceed,
Along this rock securely may ye hie.
Another bridge that's near will serve your need.

Just five hours later yesterday than this.
Twelve hundred three score years and six gone by.
The road was broken which leads down th' abyss,

And thither will I send some scouts of mine
To watch if any show themselves above;
Depart with them — they will not prove malign.

Come, Alichino — come!" exclaim'd he then,
"Cagnazzo, Calcabrina, quickly move;
And Barbariccia, thou conduct the ten.

Come, Libicocco, Draghinazzo fell,
Ciriatto arm'd with tusks, and Graffiacan,
Thou furious Rubicant, and Farfarell

Make good your search around the boiling pitch.
And lead these safely to that bridge, whose span
Unbroken runs o'er all th' adjoining ditch."

"Master," I said, "O what is this I see?
Our way without an escort let us find;
Thou know'st it well — I ask no guide but thee:

If, as is wont, thou art quick sighted now.
Canst thou not see them how their teeth they grind.
And scowl upon us with a threatening brow?"

And he to me: "I charge thee not to fear;
E'en let them grind their savage teeth accurst, —
They do it at the suffering spirits here."

O'er the left pier their steps they then incline,
But to their leader every demon first
Put forth his tongue, as looking for a sign, —

When from behind, the sound of trumpet burst.