The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri

CANTO XXXII. Dante finds himself in the bottomless pit, in which is the frozen lake of Gocitus. In the onter circle are frozen the first class of traitors, their heads alone being raised above the ice. This circle is called Gaina, after the first murderer. Camiccione 4e' Fazzi names to Dante several of those punished in this circle. The poets then advance to the second circle, called Antenora, after Antenor, the betrayer of Troy, where are punished in like manner traitors to their country. Bocca degli Abbati names to Dante several of his companions in suffering. Finally Dante sees two forms frozen, the head of one overlapping the other, and devour<« ing the lower skull with fierce hatred. If I possessed the rhymes so rough and hoarse As would be suited to the dreary hole Whither the rocks of Hell all point their course, Of my conceit I could express the whole Sap more completely, but these not possest, * I venture not all free from fear's control, For 'tis no enterprise to take in jest To paint the depths of all the universe, Nor with a tongue that childish words addrest. But let those ladies now assist my verse Who helped Amphion Thebes's wall to rear. So that my speech from fact be not diverse. people more than all create for fear. Who stand within the place to paint so hard. Better had ye been sheep or goats when here. WJien we were sunk within the gloomy ward Beneath the giant's feet, and even more low. The while the lofty wall I still regard, 1 heard one say ; '' Take care how thou dost go. Endeavour not to trample with thy feet ^ The wretched brothers' heads, all worn with woe." Line 21. The wretched brothers, as we are told afterwards, are Allessandro and Napoleone, sons of Alberto Alberti, who killed each other.

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Canto XXXII. HELL. 121 On which I turned, and saw beneath my feet, And stretcht before, a lake, which through the cold Appeared not water, but a glassy sheet. In winter time the Danube never rolled ^ n Over its course a veil of ice so thick, Nor 'neath its frozen sky the Tanais old.

As there was here, for if Mount Tabemich Had fallen upon it, or Mount Pietrripane, It had not from its border sounded crick. ^ And as a frog that croaks doth but remain With nose above the water, when there dream Oftenest the peasant girls of gleaning grain. So livid to their faces, showing shame. The grieving souls are buried in the ice, ^ Their t^eth, like storks' notes, chattering in their frame.

Each one held down his face, and from their eyes Of their sad heart, and from their mouth of cold. Amongst them all the evidence doth rise. When I had somewhat round my vision rolled '*^ I turned down to my feet, and there saw two So close their hair was mixt in mingling fold, ** Say to me, ye whose breasts so closely glue," I said, " who are ye ?" and their necks they bent.

And when they'd raised their faces me to view, Their eyes, whose moisture was not inwards pent. Flowed over through the lids, and as they flow The tears are frozen ere they make descent. Two bits of wood were never dovetailed so As were their eyelids, whence like he- goats there ^* They butted, so overcome by anger's glow. Then one, to whom had perished either ear By the sharp cold, with face still bent down low.

Said, " Wherefore upon us dost thou so stare ? If who this couple were thou wouldest know, ^^ r the valley where Bisenzio's stream doth fall Their father Albert and themselves did grow. One body bore them both ; and Caina all Thou mayst search o'er and will not find a shade More fitly fixed within this gelid caul. ^ Line 28. Mount Tabemich, in Slavonia, and Pietrapana, a mountain in the territory of Modena. Line 33.

The spirits are immersed in the ice np to the throat, like frogs iu water in the summer season, when the gleaners follow the harvest. Line 56. The Bisenzio falls into the Arno shortly below Florence.

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122 HELL. Cahto XXXn. Not he whose shadow waas all open laid At a single blow by royal Arthur's hand, Foccaccia, no ; nor he who with his head My sight obstructing doth before me stand, And Sassol Mascheroni was his name ; ^ If Tuscan, who he was thou'lt understand, And that more words from me thou mayst not claim, Know Oamicion de' Pazzi erst was I. Carlin I wait, who's lessened so my blame." A thousand dog-like faces I descry, ^^ Grinning with cold, which make me shudder o'er, Crossing that frozen ford in memory. And whilst we wended towards the central shore. Where, gravitating on, all things advance. And I was trembling in the eternal frore, '' Whether 'twas will, or destiny, or chance, I know not, but in passing 'twixt each head Against a face my foot did heavily glance. Wailing, he shrieked out : ** Why on me dost tread ? Unless thou comest to increase my pain ^ For Mont' Aperti, why dost work me dread ?" And I : " My master, here awhile remain So that through this one I remove a doubt. Then quickly as thou wilt I'll onwards strain." The leader pausing, I to him spake out, Who with his horrible cursing still did strive, '* What man art thou who thus doth others flout ?" *' Who, then, art thou who thus thy feet dost drive 'Gainst others' cheeks, through Antenora here P Too hard 'twould be if thou wert still alive." ^ ** I am alive ; to thee it might be dear," Was my reply, " if thou demandest fame, That I 'mid well-known names thy own should rear.

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