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INFERNO CANTO 12
Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr. Notes Ann.

The place that we had reached for our descent along the bank was alpine; what reclined upon that bank would, too, repel all eyes. THE place where to descend the bank we came Was alpine, and from what was there, moreover, Of such a kind that every eye would shun it.

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Just like the toppled mass of rock that struck- because of earthquake or eroded props- the Adige on its flank, this side of Trent, Such as that ruin is which in the flank Smote, on this side of Trent, the Adige, Either by earthquake or by failing stay,

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where from the mountain top from which it thrust down to the plain, the rock is shattered so that it permits a path for those above: For from the mountain's top, from which it moved, Unto the plain the cliff is shattered so, Some path 'twould give to him who was above;

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such was the passage down to that ravine. And at the edge above the cracked abyss, there lay outstretched the infamy of Crete, Even such was the descent of that ravine, And on the border of the broken chasm The infamy of Crete was stretched along,

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conceived within the counterfeited cow; and, catching sight of us, he bit himself like one whom fury devastates within. Who was conceived in the fictitious cow; And when he us beheld, he bit himself, Even as one whom anger racks within.

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Turning to him, my sage cried out: "Perhaps you think this is the Duke of Athens here, who, in the world above, brought you your death. My Sage towards him shoutedw: "Peradventure Thou think'st that here may be the Duke of Athens, Who in the world above brought death to thee ?

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Be off, you beast; this man who comes has not been tutored by your sister; all he wants in coming here is to observe your torments." Get thee gone, beast, for this one cometh not Instructed by thy sister, but he comes In order to behold your punishments."

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Just as the bull that breaks loose from its halter the moment it receives the fatal stroke, and cannot run but plunges back and forth, As is that bull who breaks loose at the moment In which he has received the mortal blow, Who cannot walk, but staggers here and there,

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so did I see the Minotaur respond; and my alert guide cried: "Run toward the pass; it's better to descend while he's berserk." The Minotaur beheld I do the like; And he, the wary, cried: "Run to the passage; While he wroth, 'tis well thou shouldst descend."

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And so we made our way across that heap of stones, which often moved beneath my feet because my weight was somewhat strange for them. Thus down we took our way o'er that discharge Of stones, which oftentimes did move themselves Beneath my feet, from the unwonted burden.

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While climbing down, I thought. He said: "You wonder, perhaps, about that fallen mass, watched over by the inhuman rage I have just quenched. Thoughtful I went ; and he said: "Thou art thinking Perhaps upon this ruin, which is guarded By that brute anger which just now I quenched.

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Now I would have you know: the other time that I descended into lower Hell, this mass of boulders had not yet collapsed; Now will I have thee know, the other time I here descended to the nether Hell, This precipice had not yet fallen down.

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but if I reason rightly, it was just before the coming of the One who took from Dis the highest circle's splendid spoils But truly, if I well discern, a little Before His coming who the mighty spoil Bore off from Dis, in the supernal circle,

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that, on all sides, the steep and filthy valley had trembled so, I thought the universe felt love (by which, as some believe, the world Upon all sides the deep and loathsome valley Trembled so, that I thought the Universe Was thrilled with love, by which there are who think

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has often been converted into chaos); and at that moment, here as well as elsewhere, these ancient boulders toppled, in this way. The world ofttimes converted into chaos; And at that moment this primeval crag Both here and elsewhere made such overthrow.

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But fix your eyes below, upon the valley, for now we near the stream of blood, where those who injure others violently, boil." But fix thine eyes below; for draweth near The river of blood, within which boiling is Whoe'er by violence doth injure others."

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O blind cupidity and insane anger, which goad us on so much in our short life, then steep us in such grief eternally! O blind cupidity, O wrath insane, That spurs us onward so in our short life, And in the eternal then so badly steeps us !

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I saw a broad ditch bent into an arc so that it could embrace all of that plain, precisely as my guide had said before; I saw an ample moat bent like a bow, As one which all the plain encompasses, Conformable to what my Guide had said.

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between it and the base of the embankment raced files of Centaurs who were armed with arrows, as, in the world above, they used to hunt. And between this and the embankment's foot Centaurs in file were running, armed with arrows, As in the world they used the chase to follow.

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On seeing us descend, they all reined in; and, after they had chosen bows and shafts, three of their number moved out from their ranks; Beholding us descend, each one stood still, And from the squadron three detached themselves, With bows and arrows in advance selected;

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and still far off, one cried: "What punishment do you approach as you descend the slope? But speak from there; if not, I draw my bow." And from afar one cried: "Unto what torment Come ye, who down the hillside are descending ? Tell us from there; if not, I draw the bow."

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My master told him: "We shall make reply only to Chiron, when we reach his side; your hasty will has never served you well." My Master said: "Our answer will we make To Chiron, near you there; in evil hour, That will of thine was evermore so hasty."

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Then he nudged me and said: "That one is Nessus, who died because of lovely Deianira and of himself wrought vengeance for himself. Then touched he me, and said: "This one is Nessus, Who perished for the lovely Dejanira, And for himself, himself did vengeance take.

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And in the middle, gazing at his chest, is mighty Chiron, tutor of Achilles; the third is Pholus, he who was so frenzied. And he in the midst, who at his breast is gazing, Is the great Chiron, who brought up Achilles; That other Pholus is, who was so wrathful.

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And many thousands wheel around the moat, their arrows aimed at any soul that thrusts above the blood more than its guilt allots." Thousands and thousands go about the moat Shooting with shafts whatever soul emerges Out of the blood, more than his crime allots."

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By now we had drawn near those agile beasts; Chiron drew out an arrow; with the notch, he parted his beard back upon his jaws. Near we approached unto those monsters fleet; Chiron an arrow took, and with the notch Backward upon his jaws he put his beard.

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When he'd uncovered his enormous mouth, he said to his companions: "Have you noticed how he who walks behind moves what he touches? After he had uncovered his great mouth, He said to his companions: "Are you ware That he behind moveth whate'er he touches ?

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Dead soles are not accustomed to do that." And my good guide-now near the Centaur's chest, the place where his two natures met-replied: Thus are not wont to do the feet of dead men." And my good Guide, who now was at his breast, Where the two natures are together joined,

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"He is indeed alive, and so alone it falls to me to show him the dark valley. Necessity has brought him here, not pleasure. Replied: "Indeed he lives, and thus alone Me it behoves to show him the dark valley; Necessity, and not delight, impels us.

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For she who gave me this new task was one who had just come from singing halleluiah: he is no robber; I am not a thief. Some one withdrew from singing Halleluja, Who unto me committed this new office; No thief is he, nor I a thievish spirit.

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But by the Power that permits my steps to journey on so wild a path, give us one of your band, to serve as our companion; But by that virtue through which I am moving My steps along this savage thoroughfare, Give us some one of thine, to be with us,

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and let him show us where to ford the ditch, and let him bear this man upon his back, for he's no spirit who can fly through air." And who may show us where to pass the ford, And who may carry this one on his back; For 'tis no spirit that can walk the air."

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Then Chiron wheeled about and right and said to Nessus: "Then, return and be their guide; if other troops disturb you, fend them off." Upon his right breast Chiron wheeled about, And said to Nessus: "Turn and do thou guide them, And warn aside, if other band may meet you."

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Now, with our faithful escort, we advanced along the bloodred, boiling ditch's banks, beside the piercing cries of those who boiled. We with our faithful escort onward moved Along the brink of the vermilion boiling, Wherein the boiled were uttering loud laments.

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I saw some who were sunk up to their brows, and that huge Centaur said: "These are the tyrants who plunged their hands in blood and plundering. People I saw within up to the eyebrows, And the great Centaur said: "Tyrants are these, Who dealt in bloodshed and in pillaging.

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Here they lament their ruthless crimes; here are both Alexander and the fierce Dionysius, who brought such years of grief to Sicily. Here they lament their pitiless mischiefs; here Is Alexander, and fierce Dionysius Who upon Sicily brought dolorous years.

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That brow with hair so black is Ezzelino; that other there, the blonde one, is Obizzo of Este, he who was indeed undone, That forehead there which has the hair so black Is Azzolin; and the other who is blond, Obizzo is of Esti, who, in truth,

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within the world above, by his fierce son." Then I turned to the poet, and he said: "Now let him be your first guide, me your second." Up in the world was by his stepson slain." Then turned I to the Poet; and he said, "Now he be first to thee, and second I."

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A little farther on, the Centaur stopped above a group that seemed to rise above the boiling blood as far up as their throats. A little farther on the Centaur stopped Above a folk, who far down as the throat Seemed from that boiling stream to issue forth.

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He pointed out one shade, alone, apart, and said: "Within God's bosom, he impaled the heart that still drips blood upon the Thames." A shade' he showed us on one side alone, Saying: "He cleft asunder in God's bosom The heart that still upon the Thames is honoured."

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Then I caught sight of some who kept their heads and even their full chests above the tide; among them-many whom I recognized. Then people saw I, who from out the river Lifted their heads and also all the chest; And many among these I recognised.

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And so the blood grew always shallower until it only scorched the feet; and here we found a place where we could ford the ditch. Thus ever more and more grew shallower That blood, so that the feet alone it covered; And there across the moat our passage was.

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"Just as you see that, on this side, the brook continually thins," the Centaur said, "so I should have you know the rivulet, "Even as thou here upon this side beholdest The boiling stream, that aye diminishes," The Centaur said,"I wish thee to believe

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along the other side, will slowly deepen its bed, until it reaches once again the depth where tyranny must make lament. That on this other more and more declines Its bed, until it reunites itself Where it behoveth tyranny to groan.

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And there divine justice torments Attila he who was such a scourge upon the earth, and Pyrrhus, Sextus; to eternity Justice divine, upon this side, is goading That Attila, who was a scourge on earth, And Pyrrhus, and Sextus; and for ever milks

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it milks the tears that boiling brook unlocks from Rinier of Corneto, Rinier Pazzo, those two who waged such war upon the highroads." The tears which with the boiling it unseals In Rinier da Corneto and Rinier Pazzo, Who made upon the highways so much war."

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Then he turned round and crossed the ford again. Then back he turned, and passed again the ford.

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Previous or Next Canto

INFERNO CANTO 12 Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr.	*Notes*	*Ann.*
The place that we had reached for our descent along the bank was alpine; what reclined upon that bank would, too, repel all eyes. THE place where to descend the bank we came Was alpine, and from what was there, moreover, Of such a kind that every eye would shun it.	12.001 12.002 12.003
Just like the toppled mass of rock that struck- because of earthquake or eroded props- the Adige on its flank, this side of Trent, Such as that ruin is which in the flank Smote, on this side of Trent, the Adige, Either by earthquake or by failing stay,	12.005 12.006
where from the mountain top from which it thrust down to the plain, the rock is shattered so that it permits a path for those above: For from the mountain's top, from which it moved, Unto the plain the cliff is shattered so, Some path 'twould give to him who was above;	12.009
such was the passage down to that ravine. And at the edge above the cracked abyss, there lay outstretched the infamy of Crete, Even such was the descent of that ravine, And on the border of the broken chasm The infamy of Crete was stretched along,	12.012
conceived within the counterfeited cow; and, catching sight of us, he bit himself like one whom fury devastates within. Who was conceived in the fictitious cow; And when he us beheld, he bit himself, Even as one whom anger racks within.	12.015
Turning to him, my sage cried out: "Perhaps you think this is the Duke of Athens here, who, in the world above, brought you your death. My Sage towards him shoutedw: "Peradventure Thou think'st that here may be the Duke of Athens, Who in the world above brought death to thee ?	12.018
Be off, you beast; this man who comes has not been tutored by your sister; all he wants in coming here is to observe your torments." Get thee gone, beast, for this one cometh not Instructed by thy sister, but he comes In order to behold your punishments."	12.020 12.021
Just as the bull that breaks loose from its halter the moment it receives the fatal stroke, and cannot run but plunges back and forth, As is that bull who breaks loose at the moment In which he has received the mortal blow, Who cannot walk, but staggers here and there,	12.024
so did I see the Minotaur respond; and my alert guide cried: "Run toward the pass; it's better to descend while he's berserk." The Minotaur beheld I do the like; And he, the wary, cried: "Run to the passage; While he wroth, 'tis well thou shouldst descend."	12.027
And so we made our way across that heap of stones, which often moved beneath my feet because my weight was somewhat strange for them. Thus down we took our way o'er that discharge Of stones, which oftentimes did move themselves Beneath my feet, from the unwonted burden.	12.030
While climbing down, I thought. He said: "You wonder, perhaps, about that fallen mass, watched over by the inhuman rage I have just quenched. Thoughtful I went ; and he said: "Thou art thinking Perhaps upon this ruin, which is guarded By that brute anger which just now I quenched.	12.033
Now I would have you know: the other time that I descended into lower Hell, this mass of boulders had not yet collapsed; Now will I have thee know, the other time I here descended to the nether Hell, This precipice had not yet fallen down.	12.036
but if I reason rightly, it was just before the coming of the One who took from Dis the highest circle's splendid spoils But truly, if I well discern, a little Before His coming who the mighty spoil Bore off from Dis, in the supernal circle,	12.039
that, on all sides, the steep and filthy valley had trembled so, I thought the universe felt love (by which, as some believe, the world Upon all sides the deep and loathsome valley Trembled so, that I thought the Universe Was thrilled with love, by which there are who think	12.042
has often been converted into chaos); and at that moment, here as well as elsewhere, these ancient boulders toppled, in this way. The world ofttimes converted into chaos; And at that moment this primeval crag Both here and elsewhere made such overthrow.	12.045
But fix your eyes below, upon the valley, for now we near the stream of blood, where those who injure others violently, boil." But fix thine eyes below; for draweth near The river of blood, within which boiling is Whoe'er by violence doth injure others."	12.048
O blind cupidity and insane anger, which goad us on so much in our short life, then steep us in such grief eternally! O blind cupidity, O wrath insane, That spurs us onward so in our short life, And in the eternal then so badly steeps us !	12.051
I saw a broad ditch bent into an arc so that it could embrace all of that plain, precisely as my guide had said before; I saw an ample moat bent like a bow, As one which all the plain encompasses, Conformable to what my Guide had said.	12.054
between it and the base of the embankment raced files of Centaurs who were armed with arrows, as, in the world above, they used to hunt. And between this and the embankment's foot Centaurs in file were running, armed with arrows, As in the world they used the chase to follow.	12.056 12.057
On seeing us descend, they all reined in; and, after they had chosen bows and shafts, three of their number moved out from their ranks; Beholding us descend, each one stood still, And from the squadron three detached themselves, With bows and arrows in advance selected;	12.060
and still far off, one cried: "What punishment do you approach as you descend the slope? But speak from there; if not, I draw my bow." And from afar one cried: "Unto what torment Come ye, who down the hillside are descending ? Tell us from there; if not, I draw the bow."	12.063
My master told him: "We shall make reply only to Chiron, when we reach his side; your hasty will has never served you well." My Master said: "Our answer will we make To Chiron, near you there; in evil hour, That will of thine was evermore so hasty."	12.066
Then he nudged me and said: "That one is Nessus, who died because of lovely Deianira and of himself wrought vengeance for himself. Then touched he me, and said: "This one is Nessus, Who perished for the lovely Dejanira, And for himself, himself did vengeance take.	12.068 12.069
And in the middle, gazing at his chest, is mighty Chiron, tutor of Achilles; the third is Pholus, he who was so frenzied. And he in the midst, who at his breast is gazing, Is the great Chiron, who brought up Achilles; That other Pholus is, who was so wrathful.	12.071 12.072
And many thousands wheel around the moat, their arrows aimed at any soul that thrusts above the blood more than its guilt allots." Thousands and thousands go about the moat Shooting with shafts whatever soul emerges Out of the blood, more than his crime allots."	12.075
By now we had drawn near those agile beasts; Chiron drew out an arrow; with the notch, he parted his beard back upon his jaws. Near we approached unto those monsters fleet; Chiron an arrow took, and with the notch Backward upon his jaws he put his beard.	12.077 12.078
When he'd uncovered his enormous mouth, he said to his companions: "Have you noticed how he who walks behind moves what he touches? After he had uncovered his great mouth, He said to his companions: "Are you ware That he behind moveth whate'er he touches ?	12.081
Dead soles are not accustomed to do that." And my good guide-now near the Centaur's chest, the place where his two natures met-replied: Thus are not wont to do the feet of dead men." And my good Guide, who now was at his breast, Where the two natures are together joined,	12.084
"He is indeed alive, and so alone it falls to me to show him the dark valley. Necessity has brought him here, not pleasure. Replied: "Indeed he lives, and thus alone Me it behoves to show him the dark valley; Necessity, and not delight, impels us.	12.087
For she who gave me this new task was one who had just come from singing halleluiah: he is no robber; I am not a thief. Some one withdrew from singing Halleluja, Who unto me committed this new office; No thief is he, nor I a thievish spirit.	12.090
But by the Power that permits my steps to journey on so wild a path, give us one of your band, to serve as our companion; But by that virtue through which I am moving My steps along this savage thoroughfare, Give us some one of thine, to be with us,	12.093
and let him show us where to ford the ditch, and let him bear this man upon his back, for he's no spirit who can fly through air." And who may show us where to pass the ford, And who may carry this one on his back; For 'tis no spirit that can walk the air."	12.096
Then Chiron wheeled about and right and said to Nessus: "Then, return and be their guide; if other troops disturb you, fend them off." Upon his right breast Chiron wheeled about, And said to Nessus: "Turn and do thou guide them, And warn aside, if other band may meet you."	12.099
Now, with our faithful escort, we advanced along the bloodred, boiling ditch's banks, beside the piercing cries of those who boiled. We with our faithful escort onward moved Along the brink of the vermilion boiling, Wherein the boiled were uttering loud laments.	12.102
I saw some who were sunk up to their brows, and that huge Centaur said: "These are the tyrants who plunged their hands in blood and plundering. People I saw within up to the eyebrows, And the great Centaur said: "Tyrants are these, Who dealt in bloodshed and in pillaging.	12.105
Here they lament their ruthless crimes; here are both Alexander and the fierce Dionysius, who brought such years of grief to Sicily. Here they lament their pitiless mischiefs; here Is Alexander, and fierce Dionysius Who upon Sicily brought dolorous years.	12.107 12.108
That brow with hair so black is Ezzelino; that other there, the blonde one, is Obizzo of Este, he who was indeed undone, That forehead there which has the hair so black Is Azzolin; and the other who is blond, Obizzo is of Esti, who, in truth,	12.110 12.111
within the world above, by his fierce son." Then I turned to the poet, and he said: "Now let him be your first guide, me your second." Up in the world was by his stepson slain." Then turned I to the Poet; and he said, "Now he be first to thee, and second I."	12.114
A little farther on, the Centaur stopped above a group that seemed to rise above the boiling blood as far up as their throats. A little farther on the Centaur stopped Above a folk, who far down as the throat Seemed from that boiling stream to issue forth.	12.117
He pointed out one shade, alone, apart, and said: "Within God's bosom, he impaled the heart that still drips blood upon the Thames." A shade' he showed us on one side alone, Saying: "He cleft asunder in God's bosom The heart that still upon the Thames is honoured."	12.119 12.120
Then I caught sight of some who kept their heads and even their full chests above the tide; among them-many whom I recognized. Then people saw I, who from out the river Lifted their heads and also all the chest; And many among these I recognised.	12.123
And so the blood grew always shallower until it only scorched the feet; and here we found a place where we could ford the ditch. Thus ever more and more grew shallower That blood, so that the feet alone it covered; And there across the moat our passage was.	12.126
"Just as you see that, on this side, the brook continually thins," the Centaur said, "so I should have you know the rivulet, "Even as thou here upon this side beholdest The boiling stream, that aye diminishes," The Centaur said,"I wish thee to believe	12.129
along the other side, will slowly deepen its bed, until it reaches once again the depth where tyranny must make lament. That on this other more and more declines Its bed, until it reunites itself Where it behoveth tyranny to groan.	12.132
And there divine justice torments Attila he who was such a scourge upon the earth, and Pyrrhus, Sextus; to eternity Justice divine, upon this side, is goading That Attila, who was a scourge on earth, And Pyrrhus, and Sextus; and for ever milks	12.134 12.135
it milks the tears that boiling brook unlocks from Rinier of Corneto, Rinier Pazzo, those two who waged such war upon the highroads." The tears which with the boiling it unseals In Rinier da Corneto and Rinier Pazzo, Who made upon the highways so much war."	12.137 12.138
Then he turned round and crossed the ford again. Then back he turned, and passed again the ford.	12.139