ILTweb: Dante:

Previous or Next Canto

INFERNO CANTO 08
Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr. Notes Ann.

I say, continuing, that long before we two had reached the foot of that tall tower, our eyes had risen upward, toward its summit, I SAY, continuing, that long before We to the foot of that high tower had come, Our eyes went upward to the summit of it,

08.001 08.003

because of two small flames that flickered there, while still another flame returned their signal, so far off it was scarcely visible. By reason of two flamelets we saw placed there, And from afar another answer them, So far, that hardly could the eye attain it.

08.004 08.006

And I turned toward the sea of all good sense; I said: "What does this mean? And what reply comes from that other fire? Who kindled it?" And, to the sea of all discernment turned, I said: "What sayeth this, and what respondeth That other fire ? and who are they that made it?"

08.009

And he to me: "Above the filthy waters you can already see what waits for us, if it's not hid by vapors from the marsh." And he to me: "Across the turbid waves What is expected thou canst now discern, If reek of the morass conceal it not."

08.012

Bowstring has not thrust from itself an arrow that ever rushed as swiftly through the air as did the little bark that at that moment Cord never shot an arrow from itself That sped away athwart the air so swift, As I beheld a very little boat

08.015

I saw as it skimmed toward us on the water, a solitary boatman at its helm. I heard him howl: "Now you are caught, foul soul!" Come o'er the water tow'rds us at that moment, Under the guidance of a single pilot, Who shouted, "Now art thou arrived, fell soul ?"

08.018

"O Phlegyas, Phlegyas, such a shout is useless this time," my master said; "we're yours no longer than it will take to cross the muddy sluice." "Phlegyas, Phlegyas, thou criest out in vain For this once," said my Lord; "thou shalt not have Longer than in the passing of the slough."

08.019 08.021

And just as one who hears some great deception was done to him, and then resents it, so was Phlegyas when he had to store his anger. As he who listens to some great deceit That has been done to him, and then resents it, Such became Phlegyas, in his gathered wrath.

08.024

My guide preceded me into the boat. Once he was in, he had me follow him; there seemed to be no weight until I boarded. My Guide descended down into the boat, And then he made me enter after him, And only when I entered seemed it laden.

08.027

No sooner were my guide and I embarked than off that ancient prow went, cutting water more deeply than it does when bearing others. Soon as the Guide and I were in the boat, The antique prow goes on its way, dividing More of the water than 'tis wont with others.

08.030

And while we steered across the stagnant channel, before me stood a sinner thick with mud, saying: "Who are you, come before your time?" While we were running through the dead canal, Uprose in front of me one full of mire, And said, "Who 'rt thou that comest ere the hour ?"

08.033

And I to him: "I've come, but I don't stay; but who are you, who have become so ugly?" He answered: "You can see-I'm one who weeps." And I to him: "Although I come, I stay not; But who art thou that hast become so squalid ?" "Thou seest that I am one who weeps," he answered.

08.036

And I to him: "In weeping and in grieving, accursed spirit, may you long remain; though you're disguised by filth, I know your name." And I to him: "With weeping and with wailing, Thou spirit maledict, do thou remain; For thee I know, though thou art all defiled."

08.039

Then he stretched both his hands out toward the boat, at which my master quickly shoved him back, saying: "Be off there with the other dogs!" Then stretched he both his hands unto the boat; Whereat my wary Master thrust him back, Saying, "Away there with the other dogs !"

08.042

That done, he threw his arms around my neck and kissed my face and said: "Indignant soul, blessed is she who bore you in her womb! Thereafter with his arms he clasped my neck; He kissed my face, and said: "Disdainful soul, Blessed be she who bore thee in her bosom.

08.045

When in the world, he was presumptuous; there is no good to gild his memory, and so his shade down here is hot with fury. That was an arrogant person in the world; Goodness is none, that decks his memory; So likewise here his shade is furious.

08.048

How many up above now count themselves great kings, who'll wallow here like pigs in slime, leaving behind foul memories of their crimes!" How many are esteemed great kings up there, Who here shall be like unto swine in mire, Leaving behind them horrible dispraises !"

08.049 08.051

And I: "O master, I am very eager to see that spirit soused within this broth before we've made our way across the lake." And I: "My Master, much should I be pleased, If I could see him soused into this broth, Before we issue forth out of the lake."

08.054

And he to me: "Before the other shore comes into view, you shall be satisfied; to gratify so fine a wish is right." And he to me: "Ere unto thee the shore Reveal itself, thou shalt be satisfied; Such a desire 'tis meet thou shouldst enjoy."

08.057

Soon after I had heard these words, I saw the muddy sinners so dismember him that even now I praise and thank God for it. A little after that, I saw such havoc Made of him by the people of the mire, That still I praise and thank my God for it.

08.060

They all were shouting: "At Filippo Argenti!" At this, the Florentine, gone wild with spleen, began to turn his teeth against himself. They all were shouting, "At Philippo Argenti !" And that exasperate spirit Florentine Turned round upon himself with his own teeth.

08.061 08.063

We left him there; I tell no more of him. But in my ears so loud a wailing pounded that I lean forward, all intent to see. We left him there, and more of him I tell not; But on mine ears there smote a lamentation, Whence forward I intent unbar mine eyes.

08.066

The kindly master said: "My son, the city that bears the name of Dis is drawing near, with its grave citizens, its great battalions." And the good Master said: "Even now, my Son, The city draweth near whose name is Dis, With the grave citizens, with the great throng."

08.069

I said: "I can already see distinctly- master-the mosques that gleam within the valley, as crimson as if they had just been drawn And I: "Its mosques already, Master, clearly Within there in the valley I discern Vermilion, as if issuing from the fire

08.070 08.072

out of the fire." He told me: "The eternal flame burning there appears to make them red, as you can see, within this lower Hell." They were." And he to me: "The fire eternal That kindles them within makes them look red, As thou beholdest in this nether Hell."

08.075

So we arrived inside the deep-cut trenches that are the moats of this despondent land: the ramparts seemed to me to be of iron. Then we arrived within the moats profound, That circumvallate that disconsolate city; The walls appeared to me to be of iron.

08.078

But not before we'd ranged in a wide circuit did we approach a place where that shrill pilot shouted: "Get out; the entrance way is here." Not without making first a circuit wide, We came unto a place where loud the pilot Cried out to us, "Debark, here is the entrance."

08.081

About the gates I saw more than a thousand- who once had rained from Heaven-and they cried in anger: "Who is this who, without death, More than a thousand at the gates I saw Out of the Heavens rained down, who angrily Were saying, "Who is this that without death

08.084

can journey through the kingdom of the dead?" And my wise master made a sign that said he wanted to speak secretly to them. Goes through the kingdom of the people dead ?" And my sagacious Master made a sign Of wishing secretly to speak with them.

08.087

Then they suppressed-somewhat-their great disdain and said: "You come alone; let him be gone- for he was reckless, entering this realm. A little then they quelled their great disdain, And said: "Come thou alone, and he begone Who has so boldly entered these dominions.

08.090

Let him return alone on his mad road- or try to, if he can, since you, his guide across so dark a land, you are to stay." Let him return alone by his mad road; Try, if he can; for thou shalt here remain, Who hast escorted him through such dark regions."

08.093

Consider, reader, my dismay before the sound of those abominable words: returning here seemed so impossible. Think, Reader, if I was discomforted At utterance of the accursed words; For never to return here I believed.

08.096

"O my dear guide, who more than seven times has given back to me my confidence and snatched me from deep danger that had menaced, "O my dear Guide, who more than seven times Hast rendered me security, and drawn me From imminent peril that before me stood,

08.099

do not desert me when I'm so undone; and if they will not let us pass beyond, let us retrace our steps together, quickly." Do not desert me," said I, "thus undone; And if the going farther be denied us, Let us retrace our steps together swiftly."

08.102

These were my words; the lord who'd led me there replied: "Forget your fear, no one can hinder our passage; One so great has granted it. And that Lord, who had led me thitherward, Said unto me: "Fear not; because our passage None can take from us, it by Such is given.

08.105

But you wait here for me, and feed and comfort your tired spirit with good hope, for I will not abandon you in this low world." But here await me, and thy weary spirit Comfort and nourish with a better hope; For in this nether world I will not leave thee."

08.108

So he goes on his way; that gentle father has left me there to wait and hesitate, for yes and no contend within my head. So onward goes and there abandons me My Father sweet, and I remain in doubt, For No and Yes within my head contend.

08.111

I could not hear what he was telling them; but he had not been long with them when each ran back into the city, scrambling fast. I could not hear what he proposed to them; But with them there he did not linger long, Ere each within in rivalry ran back.

08.114

And these, our adversaries, slammed the gates in my lord's face; and he remained outside, then, with slow steps, turned back again to me. They closed the portals, those our adversaries, On my Lord's breast, who had remained without And turned to me with footsteps far between.

08.117

His eyes turned to the ground, his brows deprived of every confidence, he said with sighs: "See who has kept me from the house of sorrow!' His eyes cast down, his forehead shorn had he Of all its boldness, and he said, with sighs, "Who has denied to me the dolesome houses ?"

08.120

To me he added: "You-though I am vexed- must not be daunted; I shall win this contest, whoever tries-within-to block our way. And unto me: "Thou, because I am angry, Fear not, for I will conquer in the trial, Whatever for defence within be planned.

08.123

This insolence of theirs is nothing new; they used it once before and at a gate less secret-it is still without its bolts- This arrogance of theirs is nothing new; For once they used it at less secret gate, Which finds itself without a fastening still.

08.124 08.125 08.126

the place where you made out the fatal text; and now, already well within that gate, across the circles-and alone-descends O'er it didst thou behold the dead inscription; And now this side of it descends the steep, Passing across the circles without escort,

08.129

the one who will unlock this realm for us." One by whose means the city shall be opened."

08.130

Previous or Next Canto

INFERNO CANTO 08 Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr.	*Notes*	*Ann.*
I say, continuing, that long before we two had reached the foot of that tall tower, our eyes had risen upward, toward its summit, I SAY, continuing, that long before We to the foot of that high tower had come, Our eyes went upward to the summit of it,	08.001 08.003
because of two small flames that flickered there, while still another flame returned their signal, so far off it was scarcely visible. By reason of two flamelets we saw placed there, And from afar another answer them, So far, that hardly could the eye attain it.	08.004 08.006
And I turned toward the sea of all good sense; I said: "What does this mean? And what reply comes from that other fire? Who kindled it?" And, to the sea of all discernment turned, I said: "What sayeth this, and what respondeth That other fire ? and who are they that made it?"	08.009
And he to me: "Above the filthy waters you can already see what waits for us, if it's not hid by vapors from the marsh." And he to me: "Across the turbid waves What is expected thou canst now discern, If reek of the morass conceal it not."	08.012
Bowstring has not thrust from itself an arrow that ever rushed as swiftly through the air as did the little bark that at that moment Cord never shot an arrow from itself That sped away athwart the air so swift, As I beheld a very little boat	08.015
I saw as it skimmed toward us on the water, a solitary boatman at its helm. I heard him howl: "Now you are caught, foul soul!" Come o'er the water tow'rds us at that moment, Under the guidance of a single pilot, Who shouted, "Now art thou arrived, fell soul ?"	08.018
"O Phlegyas, Phlegyas, such a shout is useless this time," my master said; "we're yours no longer than it will take to cross the muddy sluice." "Phlegyas, Phlegyas, thou criest out in vain For this once," said my Lord; "thou shalt not have Longer than in the passing of the slough."	08.019 08.021
And just as one who hears some great deception was done to him, and then resents it, so was Phlegyas when he had to store his anger. As he who listens to some great deceit That has been done to him, and then resents it, Such became Phlegyas, in his gathered wrath.	08.024
My guide preceded me into the boat. Once he was in, he had me follow him; there seemed to be no weight until I boarded. My Guide descended down into the boat, And then he made me enter after him, And only when I entered seemed it laden.	08.027
No sooner were my guide and I embarked than off that ancient prow went, cutting water more deeply than it does when bearing others. Soon as the Guide and I were in the boat, The antique prow goes on its way, dividing More of the water than 'tis wont with others.	08.030
And while we steered across the stagnant channel, before me stood a sinner thick with mud, saying: "Who are you, come before your time?" While we were running through the dead canal, Uprose in front of me one full of mire, And said, "Who 'rt thou that comest ere the hour ?"	08.033
And I to him: "I've come, but I don't stay; but who are you, who have become so ugly?" He answered: "You can see-I'm one who weeps." And I to him: "Although I come, I stay not; But who art thou that hast become so squalid ?" "Thou seest that I am one who weeps," he answered.	08.036
And I to him: "In weeping and in grieving, accursed spirit, may you long remain; though you're disguised by filth, I know your name." And I to him: "With weeping and with wailing, Thou spirit maledict, do thou remain; For thee I know, though thou art all defiled."	08.039
Then he stretched both his hands out toward the boat, at which my master quickly shoved him back, saying: "Be off there with the other dogs!" Then stretched he both his hands unto the boat; Whereat my wary Master thrust him back, Saying, "Away there with the other dogs !"	08.042
That done, he threw his arms around my neck and kissed my face and said: "Indignant soul, blessed is she who bore you in her womb! Thereafter with his arms he clasped my neck; He kissed my face, and said: "Disdainful soul, Blessed be she who bore thee in her bosom.	08.045
When in the world, he was presumptuous; there is no good to gild his memory, and so his shade down here is hot with fury. That was an arrogant person in the world; Goodness is none, that decks his memory; So likewise here his shade is furious.	08.048
How many up above now count themselves great kings, who'll wallow here like pigs in slime, leaving behind foul memories of their crimes!" How many are esteemed great kings up there, Who here shall be like unto swine in mire, Leaving behind them horrible dispraises !"	08.049 08.051
And I: "O master, I am very eager to see that spirit soused within this broth before we've made our way across the lake." And I: "My Master, much should I be pleased, If I could see him soused into this broth, Before we issue forth out of the lake."	08.054
And he to me: "Before the other shore comes into view, you shall be satisfied; to gratify so fine a wish is right." And he to me: "Ere unto thee the shore Reveal itself, thou shalt be satisfied; Such a desire 'tis meet thou shouldst enjoy."	08.057
Soon after I had heard these words, I saw the muddy sinners so dismember him that even now I praise and thank God for it. A little after that, I saw such havoc Made of him by the people of the mire, That still I praise and thank my God for it.	08.060
They all were shouting: "At Filippo Argenti!" At this, the Florentine, gone wild with spleen, began to turn his teeth against himself. They all were shouting, "At Philippo Argenti !" And that exasperate spirit Florentine Turned round upon himself with his own teeth.	08.061 08.063
We left him there; I tell no more of him. But in my ears so loud a wailing pounded that I lean forward, all intent to see. We left him there, and more of him I tell not; But on mine ears there smote a lamentation, Whence forward I intent unbar mine eyes.	08.066
The kindly master said: "My son, the city that bears the name of Dis is drawing near, with its grave citizens, its great battalions." And the good Master said: "Even now, my Son, The city draweth near whose name is Dis, With the grave citizens, with the great throng."	08.069
I said: "I can already see distinctly- master-the mosques that gleam within the valley, as crimson as if they had just been drawn And I: "Its mosques already, Master, clearly Within there in the valley I discern Vermilion, as if issuing from the fire	08.070 08.072
out of the fire." He told me: "The eternal flame burning there appears to make them red, as you can see, within this lower Hell." They were." And he to me: "The fire eternal That kindles them within makes them look red, As thou beholdest in this nether Hell."	08.075
So we arrived inside the deep-cut trenches that are the moats of this despondent land: the ramparts seemed to me to be of iron. Then we arrived within the moats profound, That circumvallate that disconsolate city; The walls appeared to me to be of iron.	08.078
But not before we'd ranged in a wide circuit did we approach a place where that shrill pilot shouted: "Get out; the entrance way is here." Not without making first a circuit wide, We came unto a place where loud the pilot Cried out to us, "Debark, here is the entrance."	08.081
About the gates I saw more than a thousand- who once had rained from Heaven-and they cried in anger: "Who is this who, without death, More than a thousand at the gates I saw Out of the Heavens rained down, who angrily Were saying, "Who is this that without death	08.084
can journey through the kingdom of the dead?" And my wise master made a sign that said he wanted to speak secretly to them. Goes through the kingdom of the people dead ?" And my sagacious Master made a sign Of wishing secretly to speak with them.	08.087
Then they suppressed-somewhat-their great disdain and said: "You come alone; let him be gone- for he was reckless, entering this realm. A little then they quelled their great disdain, And said: "Come thou alone, and he begone Who has so boldly entered these dominions.	08.090
Let him return alone on his mad road- or try to, if he can, since you, his guide across so dark a land, you are to stay." Let him return alone by his mad road; Try, if he can; for thou shalt here remain, Who hast escorted him through such dark regions."	08.093
Consider, reader, my dismay before the sound of those abominable words: returning here seemed so impossible. Think, Reader, if I was discomforted At utterance of the accursed words; For never to return here I believed.	08.096
"O my dear guide, who more than seven times has given back to me my confidence and snatched me from deep danger that had menaced, "O my dear Guide, who more than seven times Hast rendered me security, and drawn me From imminent peril that before me stood,	08.099
do not desert me when I'm so undone; and if they will not let us pass beyond, let us retrace our steps together, quickly." Do not desert me," said I, "thus undone; And if the going farther be denied us, Let us retrace our steps together swiftly."	08.102
These were my words; the lord who'd led me there replied: "Forget your fear, no one can hinder our passage; One so great has granted it. And that Lord, who had led me thitherward, Said unto me: "Fear not; because our passage None can take from us, it by Such is given.	08.105
But you wait here for me, and feed and comfort your tired spirit with good hope, for I will not abandon you in this low world." But here await me, and thy weary spirit Comfort and nourish with a better hope; For in this nether world I will not leave thee."	08.108
So he goes on his way; that gentle father has left me there to wait and hesitate, for yes and no contend within my head. So onward goes and there abandons me My Father sweet, and I remain in doubt, For No and Yes within my head contend.	08.111
I could not hear what he was telling them; but he had not been long with them when each ran back into the city, scrambling fast. I could not hear what he proposed to them; But with them there he did not linger long, Ere each within in rivalry ran back.	08.114
And these, our adversaries, slammed the gates in my lord's face; and he remained outside, then, with slow steps, turned back again to me. They closed the portals, those our adversaries, On my Lord's breast, who had remained without And turned to me with footsteps far between.	08.117
His eyes turned to the ground, his brows deprived of every confidence, he said with sighs: "See who has kept me from the house of sorrow!' His eyes cast down, his forehead shorn had he Of all its boldness, and he said, with sighs, "Who has denied to me the dolesome houses ?"	08.120
To me he added: "You-though I am vexed- must not be daunted; I shall win this contest, whoever tries-within-to block our way. And unto me: "Thou, because I am angry, Fear not, for I will conquer in the trial, Whatever for defence within be planned.	08.123
This insolence of theirs is nothing new; they used it once before and at a gate less secret-it is still without its bolts- This arrogance of theirs is nothing new; For once they used it at less secret gate, Which finds itself without a fastening still.	08.124 08.125 08.126
the place where you made out the fatal text; and now, already well within that gate, across the circles-and alone-descends O'er it didst thou behold the dead inscription; And now this side of it descends the steep, Passing across the circles without escort,	08.129
the one who will unlock this realm for us." One by whose means the city shall be opened."	08.130