The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri

CANTO XVIII. A description of the eighth circle, which is divided into ten wards, in which are punished those who have committed frauds of ten different kinds. Virgil and Dante pass through the first two wards ; in the first are punished those who have deceived' women, who are naked and lashed by demons ; in the second all flatterers, who are doomed to wallow in human excrement. Wbouoht all of rock, with colouring of iron, A place called Malebolge is in Hell, So the steep cliffs which all its site environ. Eight in the centre of the region fell A pit there sinketh, somewhat large and deep, ^ Of which the arrangement its due place will tell. Line 2. " Malebolge." Literally evil pits, the name of the eighth circle. Line 5. The pit in the centre is the nmth and last circle of HeU, whi(^ is described in the closing Cantos. The description of the eighth circle in plain prose is this : it is divided into ten valleys, separated by high ridges of rock, and an arched bridge crosses over each vaUey up to the last, where the ninth cirde again sinks pveoipitously into the very centre of the world.

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Cahto XVIII. HELL. 67 The site remaining then is round, and sweep The circles 'twixt the pit and high banks barred, And are divided in ten valleys steep. Like as to fortify some castle ward, Circumvallations more and more they raise The precincts with security to guard. In such a fashion were constructed these ; And as from gates of fortresses there jut Small bridges leading to the outer ways. So from the bottom of the rock abut Arches that cross the steeps and hollows black, TJp to the pit by which they all are cut. This was the place where shaken from the back Of Gerion did we find ourselves, the bard Turned to the left, I followed on his track. To the right new cause for pity I regard. Torments all novel and flagellants new, With which Was wholly filled the opening ward. In the bottom were the naked sinners' crew. With faces towards us those on this side ran, Beyond they went with us but swifber flew. Like as the Eomans for the hosts that wonne Across their bridge upon the Jubilee year. To pass the people have devised a plan. Who towards the Castle and St. Peter's steer Have one side wholly to themselves assigned, The other for those bound to the mount is clear. As from each end o'er that black rock they wind, I saw the homM demons with a whip. Scourging them onwards cruelly behind. Ah ! how they made them lift their legs and skip At the first blows ! amongst them certes none Ere waited to receive a second flip. Whilst I walked onwards there my eyes with one Chanced to encounter, and at once I said. Surely this man ere this I must have known. Wherefore my eyes on him I closely laid. And my kind leader with me there stood still, And to turn backwards his permission made.

so

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LineB 26, 27. Thoee in the half of the circle near Dante were driven along in an oppofiite direction to that which Virgil was leading him ; those in the other half of the cirde were driven in the same direction as the poets were themselves going. The simile of the arrangement made by the Pope in the ^ear of the JabiJee, a.d.

1200. to pass the vast crowds who came to the festival m safety over the bridge of Saint Angelo, aptiy illustrates and makes clear the somewhat brief description of these two lines.