Inferno: Canto VI

Soon as my mind its wonted powers renewed.
Which, at the sufferings of that kindred pair.
By overwhelming sorrow were subdued; —

New torments all around me I descry;
Tormented spirits I behold, where'er
I move or turn, where'er I cast mine eye.

Now the third circle have I reach'd, where rain
Accursed — heavy — cold — eternal flows;
No change — no respite in this dread domain.

Dark water tumbled through the gloom profound,
. With snow and hail terrific; whence arose
A noisome stench from all the putrid ground.

Cerberus, that cruel beast, devoid of form,
Stands barking, like a dog, with triple jaw.
O'er the sad souls forced downwards by the storm.

Red are his eyes, large belly he displays,
A black and greasy beard: with savage claw
He seizes on the spirits, tears, and flays.

Like whelps they howl beneath the inclement rain;
And with one side the other side defending
Oft turn themselves these wretched souls profane.

When Cerberus view'd us, as we nearer came,
Th' enormous worm, his triple mouth extending.
Showed his huge tusks, and shook through all his frame.

My guide outstretch'd his hands, and in them both
Gathered some earth, which, soon as he had done.
He threw within the monster's greedy mouth.

E'en as a ravenous dog, which barking loud.
Ceases, the moment that he gripes the bone, —
Impatient only to devour his food;

His filthy jaws so Cerberus ceased to use,
Who stuns the spirits with such hoarse alarms.
That they full gladly would their hearing lose.

Now o'er the shades, close pent to shun the sleet.
We took our road, and on their empty forms,
'Which seem'd substantial, did we place our feet.

Stretch'd on the ground, they all recumbent lay,
Save one, who from his seat uprose in haste.
As soon as he beheld us pass that way.

"O thou who visitest these realms," he said,
"Recall me to thy memory, if thou mayst.
For thou wert born before my spirit fled."

"The pain thou sufferest doth perhaps erase
Thy form," I said, "so wholly from my mind,
That it appears I ne'er beheld thy face:

But tell me who thou art, thus sadly thrust
Within this place of woe; — though one may find
Pangs more intense, yet none can more disgust." '

"Thy city," answer'd he, "where envy base
Overflows all bounds that would its force restrain.
In life's sweet season was my dwelling place.

Ye, O my citizens, to mark my taste.
Erst named me Ciacco: here amid the rain
For gluttony thou see'st my body waste:

Nor I alone am miserable here; —
All these unhappy souls, condemned to smart
For like offences, like affliction share."

"O Ciacco," I replied, "thy misery
So weighs me down, it makes the tears to start:
But tell me, if thou knowest, what will be

Attempted in the factious city next?
Can any just one there be found? and tell.
Why by such fearful discord it is vext?"

"After long struggle, blood," he said, "shall flow;
The woodland party shall at last prevail.
And with dire slaughter chase away their foe.

Yet, ere three years are past, shall fall their pride;
The other shall prove victor, by his aid
Who now cajoling, flatters either side.

Long time shall these their foreheads lift on high.
And hold the others down in bondage dread.
Though fierce their rage, and pitiful their cry.

Two just ones are there, but unheard their call; —
Envy, and Pride, and Avarice combine —
Three fatal sparks — to fire the hearts of all."

Here ended he his lamentable strain.
Then I: "More knowledge to impart be thine.
And farther converse I entreat thee deign.

Tegghiaio, and Farinata, names of worth,
And Rusticucci, Mosca, with the rest
Who bent their minds to working good on earth —

Say where they are, in answer to my prayers;
And tell, to satisfy my longing breast.
If bliss in heaven, or woe in hell is theirs."

"'Mid blacker souls," he said, "they're doom'd to dwell;
If thou descend, for crimes of various dye
Thou wilt behold them buried deep in hell.

But when to the sweet world thou shalt return,
I pray thee to revive my memory:
No more I say; — no more seek thou to learn."

His stedfast eyes askance he then inclined; —
A moment gazed on me, — then bent his head.
And falling, join'd his other comrades blind.

"Ne'er shall he rise again," the master said,
"Till, when the power of vengeance is displayed,
Th' angelic trumpet wake him from the dead.

Each soul shall then regain its mournful tomb;
Each shall its flesh and pristine form resume.
And hear pronounced the everlasting doom."

O'er rain and shadows thus we took our road —
A mixture foul; — and on the life to come
Some converse, journeying forward, we bestow'd:

When I: "O master, will these pangs be made
More sharp, when sentence hath been past by heaven.
Or lessen'd, or remain thus fierce?" He said:

"Remember, that the nearer each attains
A perfect state, a finer sense is given
To thrill with pleasures or to throb with pains.

Though true perfection never can be theirs,
Yet for this race accurst, in misery bound,
Heav'n, after judgment, worthier doom prepares."

Then speaking more than to repeat I care.
We made a circuit that sad coast around;
We reach'd the point, whence downward leads the stair.

And Plutus there, the mighty foe, we found.