The Divine Comedy ~ English Edition, translated by H.F. Cary - Inferno

Canto VIII
English Edition, translated by H.F. Cary

Circle Five: Styx
Circle Six: Dis

The Wrathful, Phlegyas
The Fallen Angels

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1	MY theme pursuing, I relate that ere
2	We reach'd the lofty turret's base, our eyes
3	Its height ascended, where two cressets hung

4	We mark'd, and from afar another light
5	Return the signal, so remote, that scarce
6	The eye could catch its beam. I turning round

7	To the deep source of knowledge, thus inquir'd:
8	Say what this means? and what that other light
9	In answer set? what agency doth this?

10	There on the filthy waters, he replied,
11	E'en now what next awaits us mayst thou see,
12	If the marsh-gender'd fog conceal it not.

13	Never was arrow from the cord dismiss'd,
14	That ran its way so nimbly through the air,
15	As a small bark, that through the waves I spied

16	Toward us coming, under the sole sway
17	Of one that ferried it, who cried aloud:
18	Art thou arriv'd, fell spirit?--Phlegyas, Phlegyas,

19	This time thou criest in vain, my lord replied;
20	No longer shalt thou have us, but while o'er
21	The slimy pool we pass. As one who hears

22	Of some great wrong he hath sustain'd, whereat
23	Inly he pines; so Phlegyas inly pin'd
24	In his fierce ire. My guide descending stepp'd

25	Into the skiff, and bade me enter next
26	Close at his side; nor till my entrance seem'd
27	The vessel freighted. Soon as both embark'd,

28	Cutting the waves, goes on the ancient prow,
29	More deeply than with others it is wont.
30	While we our course o'er the dead channel held.

31	One drench'd in mire before me came, and said;
32	Who art thou, that thou comest ere thine hour?
33	I answer'd: Though I come, I tarry not;

34	But who art thou, that art become so foul?
35	One, as thou seest, who mourn: he straight replied.
36	To which I thus: In mourning and in woe,

37	Curs'd spirit! tarry thou. I know thee well,
38	E'en thus in filth disguis'd. Then stretch'd he forth
39	Hands to the bark; whereof my teacher sage

40	Aware, thrusting him back: Away! down there
41	To the' other dogs! then, with his arms my neck
42	Encircling, kiss'd my cheek, and spake: O soul

43	Justly disdainful! blest was she in whom
44	Thou was conceiv'd! He in the world was one
45	For arrogance noted; to his memory

46	No virtue lends its lustre; even so
47	Here is his shadow furious. There above
48	How many now hold themselves mighty kings

49	Who here like swine shall wallow in the mire,
50	Leaving behind them horrible dispraise!
51	I then: Master! him fain would I behold

52	Whelm'd in these dregs, before we quit the lake.
53	He thus: Or ever to thy view the shore
54	Be offer'd, satisfied shall be that wish,

55	Which well deserves completion. Scarce his words
56	Were ended, when I saw the miry tribes
57	Set on him with such violence, that yet

58	For that render I thanks to God and praise
59	To Filippo Argenti: cried they all:
60	And on himself the moody Florentine

61	Turn'd his avenging fangs. Him here we left,
62	Nor speak I of him more. But on mine ear
63	Sudden a sound of lamentation smote,

64	Whereat mine eye unbarr'd I sent abroad.
65	And thus the good instructor: Now, my son!
66	Draws near the city, that of Dis is nam'd,

67	With its grave denizens, a mighty throng.
68	I thus: The minarets already, Sir!
69	There certes in the valley I descry,

70	Gleaming vermilion, as if they from fire
71	Had issu'd. He replied: Eternal fire,
72	That inward burns, shows them with ruddy flame

73	Illum'd; as in this nether hell thou seest.
74	We came within the fosses deep, that moat
75	This region comfortless. The walls appear'd

76	As they were fram'd of iron. We had made
77	Wide circuit, ere a place we reach'd, where loud
78	The mariner cried vehement: Go forth!

79	The' entrance is here! Upon the gates I spied
80	More than a thousand, who of old from heaven
81	Were hurl'd. With ireful gestures, Who is this,

82	They cried, that without death first felt, goes through
83	The regions of the dead? My sapient guide
84	Made sign that he for secret parley wish'd;

85	Whereat their angry scorn abating, thus
86	They spake: Come thou alone; and let him go
87	Who hath so hardily enter'd this realm.

88	Alone return he by his witless way;
89	If well he know it, let him prove. For thee,
90	Here shalt thou tarry, who through clime so dark

91	Hast been his escort. Now bethink thee, reader!
92	What cheer was mine at sound of those curs'd words.
93	I did believe I never should return.

94	O my lov'd guide! who more than seven times
95	Security hast render'd me, and drawn
96	From peril deep, whereto I stood expos'd,

97	Desert me not, I cried, in this extreme.
98	And if our onward going be denied,
99	Together trace we back our steps with speed.

100	My liege, who thither had conducted me,
101	Replied: Fear not: for of our passage none
102	Hath power to disappoint us, by such high

103	Authority permitted. But do thou
104	Expect me here; meanwhile thy wearied spirit
105	Comfort, and feed with kindly hope, assur'd

106	I will not leave thee in this lower world.
107	This said, departs the sire benevolent,
108	And quits me. Hesitating I remain

109	At war 'twixt will and will not in my thoughts.
110	I could not hear what terms he offer'd them,
111	But they conferr'd not long, for all at once

112	To trial fled within. Clos'd were the gates
113	By those our adversaries on the breast
114	Of my liege lord: excluded he return'd

115	To me with tardy steps. Upon the ground
116	His eyes were bent, and from his brow eras'd
117	All confidence, while thus with sighs he spake:

118	Who hath denied me these abodes of woe?
119	Then thus to me: That I am anger'd, think
120	No ground of terror: in this trial I

121	Shall vanquish, use what arts they may within
122	For hindrance. This their insolence, not new,
123	Erewhile at gate less secret they display'd,

124	Which still is without bolt; upon its arch
125	Thou saw'st the deadly scroll: and even now
126	On this side of its entrance, down the steep,

127	Passing the circles, unescorted, comes
128	One whose strong might can open us this land.

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