Outhne: Inferno Xxi

continuation of the conversation that ends Canto XX

weeping and darkness in the fifth bolgia

simile: the pitch and that in the arsenal at Venice

Virgil’s first warning to Dante and Dante’s reaction

a nameless devil laden with an anonymous sinner

the devil will return to Lucca for more like him

the devil departs

the new victim pronged by the sporting devils

simile: cooks prodding meat down in their cauldrons

Virgil’s second warning and claim of expertise

Virgil advances to meet the foe

simile: Virgil as beggar, devils as watchdogs

Virgil’s command to the “dogs”

Malacoda summoned and arriving

Virgil’s vaunt and Malacoda’s apparent servility

Virgil summons Dante from his hiding-place

simile: the truce at Caprona

these “troops” do not look peaceful to Dante

Malacoda restrains Scarmiglione

Malacoda lies about the condition of the bridges

Malacoda assembles his squad of ten

Malacoda lies about the purpose of their mission

Dante, terrified, longs for other guides than these

Virgil’s reassurance

the decuria readies itself; the diabolic signal