Inferno: Canto VII

"Pape Satan, Pape Satan Aleppe," cried
The voice of Plutus, thundering loud and hoarse;
Whereat, apprized of all, my sapient guide

Exclaim'd, to comfort me: "Let not dismay
Confound thy senses, for his utmost force
Shall nought avail to check thy downward way."

Then turning round: "Be silent, wolf accurst,"
He sternly said to that swoll'n lip abhorred;
"And let thy furious rage within thee burst.

Not without sanction we descend below; —
For thus 'tis will'd on high, where Michael's sword
On the proud rebels struck the vengeful blow."

As sweeping round, when sudden cracks the mast,
Sails bellying with the wind come headlong down;
So quickly fell to earth the monster vast.

To the fourth circle thus we made descent.
Still gaining on that mournful bank of stone.
In which the ills of all the world are pent.

Justice divine! of the dire toils I saw,
And novel punishments, oh! who can speak? —
Why bring we on ourselves such fearful law?

As rising o'er Charybdis' rocky height
Waves meeting waves in dreadful conflict break.
Thus whirling round, these souls are doom'd to fight.

Elsewhere I saw not such a numerous crowd: —
Enormous weights they with their breasts impell'd
From side to side, nor ceased to yell aloud.

Clashing they met: — then turn'd; and harsh abuse
Each on the other pouring, fiercely rail'd:
"Thou, why so niggard?" "Thou, why so profuse?"

Round the dark circle till they met again,
Thus they pursued their course on either band.
Vociferating still their taunting strain.

Midway arriving — to renew the fight.
Back o'er the semicircle turns each band:
And I, whose heart was stricken at the sight.

Exclaim'd: "O thou, my master, tell, I pray,
What race is this? and these upon the left
With closely shaven heads — all priests were they?"

To me he said: "All these before thy view.
Whilst upon earth, of reason were so reft.
No medium in the use of wealth they knew.

This by their words is clearly proved, each time
They meet, as round the circle they repair.
Parting anon — so opposite their crime.

Priests once, both Popes and Cardinals were they.
Whose heads uncover'd are devoid of hair;
O'er them foul avarice held unbounded sway."

"Amid so many, master," I replied,
"I surely ought to recognize some few.
Who, when alive, were with these vices dyed."

Then he: "Thou hast devised a project vain; —
Since that inglorious life, which now they rue,
Permitteth none to know them here again.

For ever will they clash with double shocks; —
These from the grave with clenched hands shall rise;
And these appear again with shaven locks.

From the fair world excluded, thus they fight, —
Due recompense for waste and avarice:
Words need I not to paint their evil plight.

Now see the gifts to Fortune's care consign'd; —
How swift, my son, how variable their gale, —
Sought with such anxious labour by mankind:

For all the gold that is beneath the moon.
Or all that ever was, could not avail
These weary souls, nor purchase rest for one."

"Tell me," I said, "O master, if thou may'st,—
This Fortune, that thou speak'st of, what is she.
In whose control all worldly goods are placed? "

Then answer'd he: "O creatures weak and blind.
How led astray by ignorance are ye!
Now let my maxims sink into thy mind.

He, whose transcendent wisdom hath no bound,
Fashion'd the heavens, and gave to them a guide;
Distributing an equal light around.

So that each part to other part might shine:
And thus o'er earthly splendours to preside
A ministering power did he assign.

To deal life's fleeting goods with varying hand;
And, spite th' impediments of human skill.
To change from race to race, from land to land:

Hence is it, that the nations fall or rise.
Obedient to her all-controlling will.
Who, like a snake, conceal'd in herbage lies.

In vain 'gainst her your earthly wisdom vies;
With foresight and with judgment she maintains
Her destined sway, like other Deities,

Her changes have no rest — for ever new:
To speed her on. Necessity constrains;
And hence vicissitudes so oft ensue.

And she it is, on whose devoted head
Are heap'd such vile reproach and calumny
By those whose praise she rather merited.

But she is blest, and hears not what they say;
With other primal beings, joyously
She rolls' her sphere, exulting on her way. —

Now go we down to realms of greater pain:
Each star, which at my outset was ascending.
Is sinking, and forbids us to remain."

We cross'd the circle to the other side.
Above a boiling fount our footsteps bending.
From whence a sluice convey'd the gushing tide.

More dark than purple was that water's flow;
And we beside the mournful river dun
Proceeded by a rugged path below:

A lake is form'd (the Stygian named of old)
By this sad stream, when downward it hath run
'Neath the grey rocks that hem the baleful hold,

Wondering I stood, and saw within the lake
A crew all naked, and in mud immers'd.
Whose threatening looks their inward rage bespake.

Not with their hands alone fierce blows they lent.
But with the head, the feet, and breast accurst,
And with the teeth, themselves they piecemeal rent.

"My son," the gracious master said, "behold
The shades of those who were overcome by wrath.
And give belief to what I now unfold.

Beneath the stream are souls that utter sighs.
From whence such frequent bubbles issue forth.
As may be seen where'er you cast your eyes.

Deep fix'd in mud, 'Sad were we,' they exclaim,
'There, where the sun sends forth his gladsome ray,
Bearing within a foul and smother'd flame;

Sad are we now within this filthy lake.'
They gurgle in their throats this dismal lay.
Since utterance more distinct they cannot make."

Thus circling round the noisome pool we went,
Between the centre and the solid shore.
On those who drank the mud our sight intent:

At last we came before a lofty tower.