INFERNO VIII
INFERNO VIII
To continue, let me say that long before →
we reached the foot of that high tower
3 our eyes had noted at its top
two flaming lights displayed up there →
to which another, so far off the eye
6 could hardly make it out, sent back a signal.
And turning to that sea of wisdom, I asked: →
‘What does this mean? And that other fire,
9 what does it answer? And who are they that made it?’
And he to me: ‘Over the filthy waves
you may already glimpse what is to come,
12 if the marsh-fumes do not hide it from you.’
Never did a bowstring loose an arrow
that whipped away more swiftly through the air
15 than, even as I watched, a skiff came skimming →
straight toward us on the water,
under the guidance of a single helmsman,
18 crying: ‘Now you are caught, damned spirit!’ →
‘Phlegyas, Phlegyas, this time you shout in vain,’ →
replied my lord: ‘You’ll not have us any longer →
21 than it takes to cross this bog.’
Like one who learns of a deceitful plot →
that has been hatched against him and begins to fret,
24 such was Phlegyas in his stifled wrath.
My leader stepped into the boat, →
and had me follow after.
27 And only then did it seem laden.
As soon as he and I were in the bark
the ancient prow moves off, cutting deeper
30 through the water than when it carries souls.
While we crossed the stagnant swamp →
one cloaked in mud rose up to say: →
33 ‘Who are you that you come before your time?’
And I to him: ‘If I come, I do not stay.
But you, who are you, now become so foul?’
36 He answered: ‘As you can see, I am one who weeps.’
And I to him: ‘In weeping and in misery, →
accursèd spirit, may you stay.
39 I know you, for all your filth.’
When he stretched both his hands toward the boat, →
the wary master thrust him off, saying:
42 ‘Away there with the other dogs!’
Then my master put his arms around my neck,
kissed my face and said: ‘Indignant soul,
45 blessed is she that bore you in her womb!
‘In the world this man was full of arrogance. →
Not one good deed adorns his memory.
48 That is why his shade is so enraged.
‘How many now above who think themselves
great kings will lie here in the mud, like swine,
51 leaving behind nothing but ill repute!’
And I: ‘Master, I would be most eager
to see him pushed deep down into this soup
54 before we leave the lake.’
And he to me: ‘Before the shore
comes into view you’ll have your satisfaction.
57 Your wish deserves to be fulfilled.’
Soon I watched him get so torn to pieces
by the muddy crew, I still give praise
60 and thanks to God for it.
All cried: ‘Get Filippo Argenti!’ →
And that spiteful Florentine spirit →
63 gnawed at himself with his own teeth. →
Of him I say no more. Then we moved on,
when such a sound of mourning struck my ears
66 I opened my eyes wide to look ahead.
The good master said: ‘Now, my son,
we approach the city known as Dis, →
69 with its vast army and its burdened citizens.’
And I: ‘Master, I can clearly see its mosques →
within the ramparts, glowing red
72 as if they’d just been taken from the fire.’
And he to me: ‘The eternal fire
that burns inside them here in nether Hell
75 makes them show red, as you can see.’
At last we reached the moats
dug deep around the dismal city.
78 Its walls seemed made of iron. →
Not until we’d made a wide approach
did we come to a place where the boatman bellowed:
81 ‘Out with you here, this is the entrance.’ →
At the threshold I saw more than a thousand angels →
fallen from Heaven. Angrily they shouted:
84 ‘Who is this, who is not dead,
‘yet passes through the kingdom of the dead?’
At this my prudent master made a sign
87 that he would speak with them apart.
Then they reined in their great disdain
enough to say: ‘You come—alone. Let him be gone,
90 who has so boldly made his way into this kingdom.
‘Let him retrace his reckless path alone—
let him see if he can, for you shall stay,
93 you who have led him through this gloomy realm.’
Reader, how could I not lose heart →
at the sound of these accursèd words?
96 I thought I would never make it back.
‘O my dear leader, who seven times and more →
have braced my confidence and rescued me
99 from the grave dangers that assailed me,
‘do not leave me,’ I cried, ‘helpless now!
If going farther is denied us,
102 let us at once retrace our steps.’
But the mentor who had brought me there replied:
‘Have no fear. None can prevent our passage, →
105 so great a power granted it to us.
‘Wait for me here. Comfort your weary spirit →
and feed it with good hope.
108 I will not forsake you in the nether world.’
He goes away and leaves me there,
my gentle father, and I remain in doubt,
111 ‘yes’ and ‘no’ at war within my mind.
I could not hear what he proposed,
but it was not long he stayed with them
114 before they pushed and scrambled back inside.
Then our adversaries slammed shut the gates →
against my master, who, left outside,
117 came back to me with halting steps.
He had his eyes upon the ground, his brows
shorn of all confidence. Sighing, he muttered:
120 ‘Who dares deny me access to the realm of pain?’
To me he said: ‘Be not dismayed →
at my vexation. In this contest I’ll prevail,
123 whatever they contrive to keep us out.
‘This insolence of theirs is nothing new:
they showed it once before, at another gate.
126 It still stands open without lock or bolt.
‘Over it you saw the deadly writing. →
Even now, making his unescorted way →
down through the circles, one descends
130 by whom the city shall be opened.’