The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri

118 HELL. Cabto XXXI. For where the assistance of the intellect " Is added unto evil will and power, 'Gainst it no refuge could mankind erect. More long and big his face did seem to lower Than is St. Peter's bronzen pine at Eome ; While the other bones in due proportion tower ; ^ So that the bank which, covering him, did come Up to his middle, quite enough displayed Above, that if three lofty Swiss had clomb, His hair they'd reach not, one on the other laid ; For of his length I saw thirty great palms ^ Down from the place where the cloak's clasp is made. Bafel, mai amech, zahi alms. Shouting, that savage mouth began to roll, For which were never suited sweeter psalms. And towards him spake my leader : " Foolish soul, ^® Stick to your horn ; in that pour out your wrong. When ire or other passions you control. Seek at your neck and you will find the thong That ties it to you, O you soul confused, And see, it lies your brawny breast along.'* ^* Then said to me : " He has himself accused : This one is Nimrod who did Babel rear. Whence in the world one language is not used. Leave him alone, nor speak to empty air ; For such to him does every language sound ^^ As his to others, he has none we're 'ware." A little farther then our way we wound. And towards the left, at a balestra's throw, Another greater and more fierce we found. Who may have been the master who could so *^ Bind him I cannot say, but he had bound One arm before, the right behind I know Within a chain that him did so surround From the neck downwards, in the part we spy It twisted round him up to the fifth round. ^ ** This is the proud one who desired to try His power against the might of highest Jove, Whence he has this desert," my chief did cry : Line 59. The bronzen oone which once crowned the arch of Adrian, and was afterwards placed above St. Peter^s, from whence it was thrown down by lightoiog. Line 67< Gibberish, written as in the original, except the final termination, being altered to suit the English rhyme. It is meant to represent the confusion of tongues at the Tower of Babel.

Cahto XXXI. HELL. 119 '' His name is Fialte, he great deeds did proves When to the gods the giants gave alarm : ^ The arms which then he swung no more can move." And I to him : ** If huge Briareus* arm To look on now were possible for me, Experience of such sight my eyes would charm." He answered then : '' Antssus you shall see, ^^ Who speaks and is loose, not £iir from here, And who within the pit will place us free. He whom you would behold is not so near, And he is bound, and like to this is made. Save that his face more savage does appear." ^^ Never was yet by terrible earthquake swayed. Or rocked a turret its wild shock beneath. As Fialte then to shake himself essayed. Then did I fear, far more than ever. Death, And never had I greater cause for dread "^ Had I not seen the bands still round him wreathe. A little farther onwards then we sped, And to Antaeus came, five ells in height He issued &om the pit, besides his head. " O you who in the fortunate vale, where bright "^ With glory Scipio won the victor's bay, When Hannibal retreated from the fight, A thousand lions seizedst for your prey, And had you only at the great war been Amongst your brethren, still there are who say, ^^® The sons of earth had victors there been seen : Bear us below (let this no slur be thought). There, where Cocitus' stream the cold does chain. To Tizio, or to Tifo, send us not ; But bow you down, nor twist your mouth with shame : ^^ This one can give you that which here is sought ; Still in the world can he procure you fame. For he does Uve, and long life has in store. Unless before the time grace him should claim." So spake my guide : AntsBUs stretched before ^^ His hand in haste, and on my leader laid. Whence Hercules erst felt the pressure sore. When Virgil felt himself ta'en up he said To me, " Now manage that I you may hold," Then of himself and me one link he made. ^^* Line 115. The territory of Utica, on the coast of Tunis.

120 HELL. Cahto XXXIL As when the Oarisenda we behold From 'neath its leaning tower what time a cloud Thwarts it, the tower itself appears onrolled, So seemed Antseus to me as he bowed While I was gazing, and caused such effray ^^ That I had gladly chosen another road ; But lightly to the pit which holds its prey Judas and Lucifer, he us did bear. Nor so bent downwards did he make delay, But like a ship's tall mast arose in air. ^^ Line 186. The Carisenda is the name of the falling tower at Pisa.