Outhne: Inferno Xxiii

Virgil and Dante continue, walking as Franciscans do

Aesopic second-thoughts on the preceding scene

simile: one thought springing from another

Dante’s reflection on his present condition

his resultant request to Virgil that they hide

Virgil’s plan to escape into the next bolgia

the Malebranche are back in force

similes: mother escaping with babe; water through sluice (Virgil seizes Dante and carries him)

view of the Malebranche from floor of sixth bolgia

the hypocrites in their gilded leaden cloaks

Dante hopes Virgil will find a being familiar to him

Dante’s Tuscan speech catches the interest of two

Dante explains his origin and condition and asks of their identities and punishment

Catalano identifies Loderingo and responds

Dante’s interrupted apostrophe of evil friars

Caiaphas and Catalano’s gloss on him

Virgil’s wonderment at Caiaphas

Virgil asks Catalano for directions

Catalano reveals what Malacoda concealed

Virgil’s response and Catalano’s rejoinder

Virgil, in some anger, departs, with Dante following