Canto VIII
CANTO VIII
Before reaching the tower’s base, the Poets spy upon its summit two small flames signaling to a distant tower, which beacons in return. As if in answer to the first, a small boat comes shooting towards them, its helmsman shouting angrily at what he takes for his catch. But Virgil quells his predatory spite by saying that he is only to ferry them across the swamp (1–30). As they furrow through the marsh, one soul rears its muddy head. When Dante recognizes the spirit and curses him, he struggles to seize the Poet, but Virgil repels him. The ancient Bard affectionately approves of this righteous indignation in Dante, who expresses his will to see that spirit punished again. His wish is immediately gratified as a mob tears the rabid shade to pieces. (31–64). A wailing then turns Dante’s attention to the flaming mosques of the City of Dis, as Phlegyas steers them up to the entrance through the deep-cut moats encircling its iron ramparts (65–8l). The Pilgrim beholds above its gates more than a thousand fallen angels, clamoring to know what living man dares to invade their realm. Virgil motions them aside to a parley, but they insist that he advance alone while Dante returns as best he can (82–93). Utterly downcast, the Traveler pleads with his Guide not to abandon him. Virgil, however, reassures him with the divine origin of their mission and then goes forth, leaving Dante to vacillate. After but brief converse with him, the demons scramble back into their fortress, slamming the doors in the face of Virgil, who trudges back dismayed and dejected (94–120). He exhorts Dante, though, to be of good hope, trusting that he will overcome the obstacles with the aid of a heavenly messenger already on his way (121–130).
1 Continuing, I say that long before
We two had reached the lofty tower’s base
Our eyes were drawn up to its highest floor
4 By two small flames we saw there set in place.
From far, another signaled in return,
So far the eye could scarcely catch a trace.
7 And to that Sea of sense I had to turn[126]
And say: “What does this mean? And what will be
The other’s answer? And who makes them burn?”
10 “Above the filthy waters you can see
Already that which lies in wait nearby,
If marshy fumes don’t hide it still,” said he.
13 No bowstring ever let an arrow fly
That through the air so swiftly ran its way
As when a little bark I saw draw nigh
16 Came skimming towards us through the waterway
Beneath a solitary pilot’s reign.
“Fell soul,” he cried, “you now are captured prey!”
19 “O Phlegyas, O Phlegyas, in vain[127]
You shout this time,” my Lord replied, “you hold
Us only as we pass this marshy plane.”
22 As one resents it when he hears it told
That great deceit was done to him, just so
Grew Phlegyas, his pent-up rage controlled.
25 My Guide descended to the bark below,
Then had me enter after on the spot,
And only thus did it seem laden, though.
28 No sooner than my Guide and I had got
Inside the boat, the ancient prow so flew
It cut more waves than with another lot.
31 As we were running through the stagnant slew,
One rose before me full of mud who pried:
“Who are you, come before your time is due?”
34 I told him: “If I come, I won’t abide.
But who are you, who’ve turned so foul all through?”
“You see I am one weeping,” he replied.
37 And I to him: “May you remain here too,
Accursèd soul, with grief and tears you shed.
Though you are filthy, still I know of you.”
40 Then towards our boat he stretched both hands outspread;
The wary Master, though, thrust off that pest.
“Away there with the other dogs!” he said.
43 He put his arms around my neck, caressed
And kissed my face. “Indignant soul,” said he,
“How she who bore you in her womb is blest!
46 That one was proud when in the world, but see
Just how his shadow here in fury wrings,
Because no good can grace his memory.
49 How many count themselves above as kings
Who here will be like swine immersed in mire
And leave behind dispraise from horrid things.”
52 I said: “O Master, much would I desire
To see him thrust beneath the soupy tide
Before we leave the lake,” at which my Sire
55 Replied to me: “You will be satisfied
Before the other shore comes into view;
It’s right that such a wish be gratified.”
58 Soon after that, I saw a muddy crew
Work such a mangling on his shade that I
Still thank the Lord for it and praise him too.
61 “Now at Filipp’ Argenti!” came their cry,[128]
At which the Florentine in frenzy bent
His teeth upon his flesh. We left him by
64 Himself at that, and so this tale is spent.
But when a wailing sound had struck my ear,
I turned wide eyes ahead and peered, intent.
67 The kindly Master said: “There now draws near,
My son, a town whose name is Dis; that’s where[129]
Grave townsmen and great armies will appear.”
70 And I: “O Master, in the valley there,
I now can spy its crimson mosques quite well;
It seems that they have issued from a flare.”
73 “Eternal fire,” so he began to tell,
“Which burns inside of them has made them red,
As you can witness in this nether Hell.”
76 We entered in the deep-cut moat, whose bed
Begirds that wretched land as its redoubt;
It seemed the walls were iron overhead.
79 And not till we had circled round about
Did we come up to where the boatman cried:
“This is the entrance way, you two. Get out!”
82 More than a thousand on its gates were spied,[130]
Who—rained from Heaven—in their anger said:
“And who is this, who, though he has not died,
85 Now journeys through the kingdom of the dead?”
However, my sage Master’s sign made plain
That he would speak with them apart instead.
88 So they confined somewhat their great disdain
And said: “You come alone; with him away,
Who made so bold to enter in this reign!
91 Let him return alone his foolish way,
Or try to, if he can, for in this den
His escort through dark lands will have to stay.”
94 Think, Reader, if I was discouraged when
The cursèd words he spoke had sounded, for
I thought that I would not return again.
97 “Belovèd Guide, who seven times and more
Restored my confidence and drew me past
Deep dangers that had lain for me in store,
100 Don’t leave me so undone,” I said at last.
“But if our further passage is denied,
Let us retrace our steps together fast.”
103 At this, the Lord who’d led me there replied:
“Now do not be afraid, because no foe
Can block our pass, which such a One supplied.[131]
106 And you, wait here for me, but comfort though
Your weary soul, and with good hope be fed;
I won’t forsake you in this world below.”
109 The gentle Father thus goes on ahead
And leaves me there, while I remain in doubt,
For “yes” and “no” contend within my head.
112 Although I could not hear what he set out
For them, he’d stood there but a little space
When all ran back inside in such a bout.
115 Our adversaries slammed doors in the face
Of my dear Master, who remained outside,
Returning to me with a languid pace.
118 And with his eyes upon the ground, he sighed;
Then he, his brow now shorn of boldness, said:
“By whom was this sad house to me denied?[132]
121 Don’t be dismayed, though I am vexed,” he pled;
“For I shall overcome this contest too,
Whatever obstacle in there is bred.
124 This arrogance of theirs is nothing new:
They used it at a not so secret gate,[133]
Which still is found without its bolt, and you
127 Have seen the deadly script on it of late.
Already there descends one on this side[134]
Who passes through these rings without a mate;
130 By him that land will soon be opened wide.”