now lie we sullen here in the black mire.' 26 This hymn they gurgle in their throats, for they can not speak it in full words." 27 Thus between the dry bank and the putrid fen," we compassed a large arc of that loathly slough, with eyes turned toward those that swallow of its filth. We came to the foot of a tower at last. Or ci attristiam nella belletta negra. Quest' inno si gorgoglian nella strozza, Grand' arco, tra la ripa secca e il mezzo, 124. Belletta, deposit, settlings of muddy water. 125 130 26 "He hath cast me into the mire." | e), a term applied to an apple when Job xxx. 19. "I sink in deep mire." it is beginning to rot; and from that Ps. lxix. 2. transferred to other things in the same 21 Mezzo (with the e stretta, or close state. See Landino, Vellutello, &c. ARGUMENT. BEFORE reaching the high tower, the Poets have observed two flamesignals rise from its summit, and another make answer at a great distance; and now they see Phlegyas, coming with angry rapidity to ferry them over. They enter his bark; and sail across the broad marsh, or Fifth Circle. On the passage, a spirit, all covered with mud, addresses Dante, and is recognized by him. It is Filippo Argenti, of the old Adimari family; who had been much noted for his ostentation, arrogance, and brutal anger. After leaving him, Dante begins to hear a sound of lamentation; and Virgil tells him that the City of Dis (Satan, Lucifer) is getting near. He looks forward, through the grim vapor; and discerns its pinnacles, red, as if they had come out of fire. Phlegyas lands them at the gates. These they find occupied by a host of fallen angels, who deny them admittance. CANTO VIII. 2 I SAY Continuing,' that, long before we reached the foot of the high tower, our eyes went upward to its summit, because of two flamelets, that we saw put there, and another from far give signal back; so far that the eye could scarcely catch it. And I, turning to the Sea of all knowledge, said: "What says this? and what replies yon other light? And who are they that made it ?" And he to me: "Upon the squalid waves, already thou mayest discern what is expected, if the vapor of the fen conceal it not from thee." Never did cord impel from itself an arrow, that ran Io dico seguitando, ch' assai prima Che noi fussimo al pie dell' alta torre, 5 Tanto, che a pena il potea l'occhio torre. Ed io, rivolto al mar di tutto il senno, Dissi: Questo che dice? e che risponde Quell' altro foco? e chi son quei che il fenno? Ed egli a me: Su per le sucide onde 10 Già puoi scorgere quello che s' aspetta, Se il fummo del pantan nol ti nasconde. 1 Continuing the account of the outpost of the city of Lucifer; and is Wrathful, &c., begun in the preced-separated from it by the wide marsh. ing canto; which is the first that ends * Virgil, "who knew all" (canto vii without completing the subject treat-3); who "did honor to every art and ed in it. science." Canto iv. 73. a The two flames indicate that two persons are come to be ferried over. The tower, with its sentinels is an What the signals have been made for. through the air so quickly, as a little bark which I saw come toward us then, under the guidance of a single steersman, who cried: "Now art thou arrived, fell spirit ?" "Phlegyas," Phlegyas," said my Lord, "this time thou criest in vain. Thou shalt not have us longer than while we pass the wash.". And as one who hears some great deceit which has been done to him, and then deeply grieves thereat; such grew Phlegyas in his gathered rage." My Guide descended into the skiff, and then made me enter after him; and not till I was in, did it seem laden." Soon as my Guide and I were in the boat, Che sì corresse via per l' aer snella, 15 Che gridava: Or se' giunta, animi fella? 20 Flegiàs, Flegiàs, tu gridi a vôto, Disse lo mio Signore, a questa volta: Che gli sia fatto, e poi se ne rammarca, E poi mi fece entrare appresso lui, 21. Il loto, the wash. 25 Phlegyas, the angry ferryman of | prey, is changed into bitter sadness the marsh, is he who burnt the tem- when he hears that the Poets are not ple of Apollo. Phlegyasque miserri- doomed to remain. mus omnes Admonet, et magnâ testatur voce per umbras, &c. Æn. vi. 618. The eager rage that had come upon Phlegyas in his expectation of "By the weight of his living body. Gemuit sub pondere cymba Sutilis, &c. En. vi. 413. its ancient prow went on, cutting more of the water than it is wont with others. While we were running through the dead channel, there rose before me one full of mud, and said: "Who art thou, that comest before thy time?" And I to him: "If I come, I stay not. But thou, who art thou, that hast become so foul?" He answered: "Thou seest that I am one who And I to him: "With weeping, and with sorrow, accursed spirit, continue thou! For I know thee, all filthy as thou art." Then he stretched both hands to the boat; whereat the wary Master thrust him off, saying: "Away there, among the other dogs!" 9 And he put his arms about my neck, kissed my face, and said: Segando se ne va l'antica prora E disse: Chi se' tu, che vieni anzi ora? 30 35 40 Per che il Maestro accorto lo sospinse, Lo collo poi con le braccia mi cinse, Baciommi il volto, e disse: Alma sdegnosa, Will not tell his name; which | Canto xxxii. 76–112. none but the basest spirits refuse to • Among thy fellows, that keep do: such as Bocca degli Abbati. worrying one another like dogs. |
