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INFERNO CANTO 13
Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr. Notes Ann.

Nessus had not yet reached the other bank when we began to make our way across a wood on which no path had left its mark. NOT yet had Nessus reached the other side, When we had put ourselves within a wood, That was not marked by any path whatever.

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No green leaves in that forest, only black; no branches straight and smooth, but knotted, gnarled; no fruits were there, but briers bearing poison. Not foliage green, but of a dusky colour, Not branches smooth, but gnarled and intertangled, Not apple-trees were there, but thorns with poison.

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Even those savage beasts that roam between Cecina and Corneto, beasts that hate tilled lands, do not have holts so harsh and dense. Such tangled thickets have not, nor so dense, Those savage wild beasts, that in hatred hold 'Twixt Cecina and Corneto the tilled places.

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This is the nesting place of the foul Harpies, who chased the Trojans from the Strophades with sad foretelling of their future trials. There do the hideous Harpies make their nests, Who chased the Trojans from the Strophades, With sad announcement of impending doom;

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Their wings are wide, their necks and faces human; their feet are taloned, their great bellies feathered; they utter their laments on the strange trees. Broad wings have they, and necks and faces human, And feet with claws, and their great bellies fledged; They make laments upon the wondrous trees.

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And my kind master then instructed me: "Before you enter farther know that now you are within the second ring and shall And the good Master: "Ere thou enter farther, Know that thou art within the second round," Thus he began to say,"and shalt be, till

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be here until you reach the horrid sand; therefore look carefully; you'll see such things as would deprive my speech of all belief." Thou comest out upon the horrible sand; Therefore look well around, and thou shalt see Things that will credence give unto my speech."

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From every side I heard the sound of cries, but I could not see any source for them, so that, in my bewilderment, I stopped. I heard on all sides lamentations uttered, And person none beheld I who might make them, Whence, utterly bewildered, I stood still.

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I think that he was thinking that I thought so many voices moaned among those trunks from people who had been concealed from us. I think he thought that I perhaps might think So many voices issued through those trunks From people who concealed themselves from us;

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Therefore my master said: "If you would tear a little twig from any of these plants, the thoughts you have will also be cut off." Therefore the Master said: "If thou break off Some little spray from any of these trees, The thoughts thou hast will wholly be made vain."

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Then I stretched out my hand a little way and from a great thornbush snapped off a branch, at which its trunk cried out: "Why do you tear me?" Then stretched I forth my hand a little forward, And plucked a branchlet off from a great thorn, And the trunk cried, "Why dost thou mangle me ?"

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And then, when it had grown more dark with blood, it asked again: "Why do you break me off? Are you without all sentiment of pity? After it had become embrowned with blood, It recommenced its cry: "Why dost thou rend me Hast thou no spirit of pity whatsoever ?

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We once were men and now are arid stumps: your hand might well have shown us greater mercy had we been nothing more than souls of serpents." Men once we were, and now are changed to trees; Indeed, thy hand should be more pitiful, Even if the souls of serpents we had been."

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As from a sapling log that catches fire along one of its ends, while at the other it drips and hisses with escaping vapor, As out of a green brand, that is on fire At one of the ends, and from the other drips And hisses with the wind that is escaping;

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so from that broken stump issued together both words and blood; at which I let the branch fall, and I stood like one who is afraid. So from that splinter issued forth together Both words and blood; whereat I let the tip Fall, and stood like a man who is afraid.

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My sage said: "Wounded soul, if, earlier, he had been able to believe what he had only glimpsed within my poetry, "Had he been able sooner to believe," My Sage made answer, "O thou wounded soul, What only in my verses he has seen,

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then he would not have set his hand against you; but its incredibility made me urge him to do a deed that grieves me deeply. Not upon thee had he stretched forth his hand; Whereas the thing incredible has caused me To put him to an act which grieveth me.

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But tell him who you were, so that he may, to make amends, refresh your fame within the world above, where he can still return." But tell him who thou wast, so that by way Of some amends thy fame he may refresh Up in the world, to which he can return."

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To which the trunk: "Your sweet speech draws me so that I cannot be still; and may it not oppress you, if I linger now in talk. And the trunk said: "So thy sweet words allure me, I cannot silent be; and you be vexed not, That I a little to discourse am tempted.

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I am the one who guarded both the keys of Frederick's heart and turned them, locking and unlocking them with such dexterity I am the one who both keys had in keeping Of Frederick's heart, and turned them to and fro So softly in unlocking and in locking,

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that none but I could share his confidence; and I was faithful to my splendid office, so faithful that I lost both sleep and strength. That from his secrets most men I withheld; Fidelity I bore the glorious office So great, I lost thereby my sleep and pulses.

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The whore who never turned her harlot's eyes away from Caesar's dwelling, she who is the death of all and vice of every court, The courtesan who never from the dwelling Of Caesar turned aside her strumpet eyes, Death universal and the vice of courts,

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inflamed the minds of everyone against me; and those inflamed, then so inflamed Augustus that my delighted honors turned to sadness. Inflamed against me all the other minds, And they, inflamed, did so inflame Augustus, That my glad honours turned to dismal mournings.

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My mind, because of its disdainful temper, believing it could flee disdain through death, made me unjust against my own just self. My spirit, in disdainful exultation, Thinking by dying to escape disdain, Made me unjust against myself, the just.

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I swear to you by the peculiar roots of this thornbush, I never broke my faith with him who was so worthy-with my lord. I, by the roots unwonted of this wood, Do swear to you that never broke I faith Unto my lord, who was so worthy of honour;

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If one of you returns into the world, then let him help my memory, which still lies prone beneath the battering of envy." And to the world if one of you return, Let him my memory comfort, which is lying Still prostrate from the blow that envy dealt it."

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The poet waited briefly, then he said to me: "Since he is silent, do not lose this chance, but speak and ask what you would know." Waited awhile, and then: "Since he is silent," The Poet said to me, "lose not the time, But speak, and question him, if more may please thee."

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And I: "Do you continue; ask of him whatever you believe I should request; I cannot, so much pity takes my heart." Whence I to him: "Do thou again inquire Concerning what thou thinks't will satisfy me; For I cannot, such pity is in my heart."

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Then he began again: "Imprisoned spirit, so may this man do freely what you ask, may it please you to tell us something more Therefore he recommenced: "So may the man Do for thee freely what thy speech implores, Spirit incarcerate, again be pleased

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of how the soul is bound into these knots; and tell us, if you can, if any one can ever find his freedom from these limbs." To tell us in what way the soul is bound Within these knots; and tell us, if thou canst If any from such members e'er is freed."

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At this the trunk breathed violently, then that wind became this voice: "You shall be answered promptly. When the savage spirit quits Then blew the trunk amain, and afterward The wind was into such a voice converted: "With brevity shall be replied to you.

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the body from which it has torn itself, then Minos sends it to the seventh maw. It falls into the wood, and there's no place When the exasperated soul abandons The body whence it rent itself away, Minos consigns it to the seventh abyss.

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to which it is allotted, but wherever fortune has flung that soul, that is the space where, even as a grain of spelt, it sprouts. It falls into the forest, and no part Is chosen for it; but where Fortune hurls it, There like a grain of spelt it germinates.

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It rises as a sapling, a wild plant; and then the Harpies, feeding on its leaves, cause pain and for that pain provide a vent. It springs a sapling, and a forest tree; The Harpies, feeding then upon its leaves, Do pain create, and for the pain an outlet.

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Like other souls, we shall seek out the flesh that we have left, but none of us shall wear it; it is not right for any man to have Like others for our spoils shall we return; But not that any one may them revest, For 'tis not just to have what one casts off.

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what he himself has cast aside. We'll drag our bodies here; they'll hang in this sad wood, each on the stump of its vindictive shade." Here we shall drag them, and along the dismal Forest our bodies shall suspended be, Each to the thorn of his molested shade."

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And we were still intent upon the trunk- believing it had wanted to say more- when we were overtaken by a roar, We were attentive still unto the trunk, Thinking that more it yet might wish to tell us, When by a tumult we were overtaken,

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just as the hunter is aware of chase and boar as they draw near his post-he hears the beasts and then the branches as they crack. In the same way as he is who perceives The boar and chase approaching to his stand, Who hears the crashing of the beasts and branches;

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And there upon the left were two who, scratched and naked, fled so violently that they tore away each forest bough they passed. And two behold ! upon our left-hand side, Naked and scratched, fleeing so furiously, That of the forest, every fan they broke.

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The one in front: "Now come, death, quickly come!" The other shade, who thought himself too slow, was shouting after him: "Lano, your legs He who was in advance: "Now help, Death, help !" And the other one, who seemed to lag too much, Was shouting: "Lano, were not so alert

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were not so nimble at the jousts of Toppo!" And then, perhaps because he'd lost his breath, he fell into one tangle with a bush. Those legs of thine at joustings of the Toppo !" And then, perchance because his breath was failing, He grouped himself together with a bush.

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Behind these two, black bitches filled the wood, and they were just as eager and as swift as greyhounds that have been let off their leash. Behind them was the forest full of black She-mastiffs, ravenous, and swift of foot As greyhounds, who are issuing from the chain.

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They set their teeth in him where he had crouched; and, piece by piece, those dogs dismembered him and carried off his miserable limbs. On him who had crouched down they set their teeth, And him they lacerated piece by piece, Thereafter bore away those aching members.

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Then he who was my escort took my hand; he led me to the lacerated thorn that wept in vain where it was bleeding, broken. Thereat my Escort took me by the hand, And led me to the bush, that all in vain Was weeping from its bloody lacerations.

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"O Jacopo," it said, "da Santo Andrea, what have you gained by using me as screen? Am I to blame for your indecent life?" "O Jacopo,"it said,"of Sant' Andrea, What helped it thee of me to make a screen ? What blame have I in thy nefarious life ?"

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When my good master stood beside that bush, he said: "Who were you, who through many wounds must breathe with blood your melancholy words?" When near him had the Master stayed his steps, He said: "Who wast thou, that through wounds so many Art blowing out with blood thy dolorous speech ?"

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And he to us: "O spirits who have come to witness the outrageous laceration that leaves so many of my branches torn, And he to us: "O souls, that hither come To look upon the shameful massacre That has so rent away from me my leaves,

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collect them at the foot of this sad thorn. My home was in the city whose first patron gave way to John the Baptist; for this reason, Gather them up beneath the dismal bush; I of that city was which to the Baptist Changed its first patron, wherefore he for this

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he'll always use his art to make it sorrow; and if-along the crossing of the Arno- some effigy of Mars had not remained, Forever with his art will make it sad. And were it not that on the pass of Arno Some glimpses of him are remaining still,

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those citizens who afterward rebuilt their city on the ashes that Attila had left to them, would have travailed in vain. Those citizens, who afterwards rebuilt it Upon the ashes left by Attila, In vain had caused their labour to be done.

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I made-of my own house-my gallows place." Of my own house I made myself a gibbet."

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INFERNO CANTO 13 Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr.	*Notes*	*Ann.*
Nessus had not yet reached the other bank when we began to make our way across a wood on which no path had left its mark. NOT yet had Nessus reached the other side, When we had put ourselves within a wood, That was not marked by any path whatever.	13.001 13.002 13.003
No green leaves in that forest, only black; no branches straight and smooth, but knotted, gnarled; no fruits were there, but briers bearing poison. Not foliage green, but of a dusky colour, Not branches smooth, but gnarled and intertangled, Not apple-trees were there, but thorns with poison.	13.006
Even those savage beasts that roam between Cecina and Corneto, beasts that hate tilled lands, do not have holts so harsh and dense. Such tangled thickets have not, nor so dense, Those savage wild beasts, that in hatred hold 'Twixt Cecina and Corneto the tilled places.	13.009
This is the nesting place of the foul Harpies, who chased the Trojans from the Strophades with sad foretelling of their future trials. There do the hideous Harpies make their nests, Who chased the Trojans from the Strophades, With sad announcement of impending doom;	13.011 13.012
Their wings are wide, their necks and faces human; their feet are taloned, their great bellies feathered; they utter their laments on the strange trees. Broad wings have they, and necks and faces human, And feet with claws, and their great bellies fledged; They make laments upon the wondrous trees.	13.015
And my kind master then instructed me: "Before you enter farther know that now you are within the second ring and shall And the good Master: "Ere thou enter farther, Know that thou art within the second round," Thus he began to say,"and shalt be, till	13.018
be here until you reach the horrid sand; therefore look carefully; you'll see such things as would deprive my speech of all belief." Thou comest out upon the horrible sand; Therefore look well around, and thou shalt see Things that will credence give unto my speech."	13.021
From every side I heard the sound of cries, but I could not see any source for them, so that, in my bewilderment, I stopped. I heard on all sides lamentations uttered, And person none beheld I who might make them, Whence, utterly bewildered, I stood still.	13.024
I think that he was thinking that I thought so many voices moaned among those trunks from people who had been concealed from us. I think he thought that I perhaps might think So many voices issued through those trunks From people who concealed themselves from us;	13.027
Therefore my master said: "If you would tear a little twig from any of these plants, the thoughts you have will also be cut off." Therefore the Master said: "If thou break off Some little spray from any of these trees, The thoughts thou hast will wholly be made vain."	13.030
Then I stretched out my hand a little way and from a great thornbush snapped off a branch, at which its trunk cried out: "Why do you tear me?" Then stretched I forth my hand a little forward, And plucked a branchlet off from a great thorn, And the trunk cried, "Why dost thou mangle me ?"	13.033
And then, when it had grown more dark with blood, it asked again: "Why do you break me off? Are you without all sentiment of pity? After it had become embrowned with blood, It recommenced its cry: "Why dost thou rend me Hast thou no spirit of pity whatsoever ?	13.036
We once were men and now are arid stumps: your hand might well have shown us greater mercy had we been nothing more than souls of serpents." Men once we were, and now are changed to trees; Indeed, thy hand should be more pitiful, Even if the souls of serpents we had been."	13.039
As from a sapling log that catches fire along one of its ends, while at the other it drips and hisses with escaping vapor, As out of a green brand, that is on fire At one of the ends, and from the other drips And hisses with the wind that is escaping;	13.040 13.042
so from that broken stump issued together both words and blood; at which I let the branch fall, and I stood like one who is afraid. So from that splinter issued forth together Both words and blood; whereat I let the tip Fall, and stood like a man who is afraid.	13.045
My sage said: "Wounded soul, if, earlier, he had been able to believe what he had only glimpsed within my poetry, "Had he been able sooner to believe," My Sage made answer, "O thou wounded soul, What only in my verses he has seen,	13.048
then he would not have set his hand against you; but its incredibility made me urge him to do a deed that grieves me deeply. Not upon thee had he stretched forth his hand; Whereas the thing incredible has caused me To put him to an act which grieveth me.	13.051
But tell him who you were, so that he may, to make amends, refresh your fame within the world above, where he can still return." But tell him who thou wast, so that by way Of some amends thy fame he may refresh Up in the world, to which he can return."	13.054
To which the trunk: "Your sweet speech draws me so that I cannot be still; and may it not oppress you, if I linger now in talk. And the trunk said: "So thy sweet words allure me, I cannot silent be; and you be vexed not, That I a little to discourse am tempted.	13.057
I am the one who guarded both the keys of Frederick's heart and turned them, locking and unlocking them with such dexterity I am the one who both keys had in keeping Of Frederick's heart, and turned them to and fro So softly in unlocking and in locking,	13.058 13.060
that none but I could share his confidence; and I was faithful to my splendid office, so faithful that I lost both sleep and strength. That from his secrets most men I withheld; Fidelity I bore the glorious office So great, I lost thereby my sleep and pulses.	13.063
The whore who never turned her harlot's eyes away from Caesar's dwelling, she who is the death of all and vice of every court, The courtesan who never from the dwelling Of Caesar turned aside her strumpet eyes, Death universal and the vice of courts,	13.066
inflamed the minds of everyone against me; and those inflamed, then so inflamed Augustus that my delighted honors turned to sadness. Inflamed against me all the other minds, And they, inflamed, did so inflame Augustus, That my glad honours turned to dismal mournings.	13.069
My mind, because of its disdainful temper, believing it could flee disdain through death, made me unjust against my own just self. My spirit, in disdainful exultation, Thinking by dying to escape disdain, Made me unjust against myself, the just.	13.072
I swear to you by the peculiar roots of this thornbush, I never broke my faith with him who was so worthy-with my lord. I, by the roots unwonted of this wood, Do swear to you that never broke I faith Unto my lord, who was so worthy of honour;	13.075
If one of you returns into the world, then let him help my memory, which still lies prone beneath the battering of envy." And to the world if one of you return, Let him my memory comfort, which is lying Still prostrate from the blow that envy dealt it."	13.078
The poet waited briefly, then he said to me: "Since he is silent, do not lose this chance, but speak and ask what you would know." Waited awhile, and then: "Since he is silent," The Poet said to me, "lose not the time, But speak, and question him, if more may please thee."	13.081
And I: "Do you continue; ask of him whatever you believe I should request; I cannot, so much pity takes my heart." Whence I to him: "Do thou again inquire Concerning what thou thinks't will satisfy me; For I cannot, such pity is in my heart."	13.084
Then he began again: "Imprisoned spirit, so may this man do freely what you ask, may it please you to tell us something more Therefore he recommenced: "So may the man Do for thee freely what thy speech implores, Spirit incarcerate, again be pleased	13.087
of how the soul is bound into these knots; and tell us, if you can, if any one can ever find his freedom from these limbs." To tell us in what way the soul is bound Within these knots; and tell us, if thou canst If any from such members e'er is freed."	13.090
At this the trunk breathed violently, then that wind became this voice: "You shall be answered promptly. When the savage spirit quits Then blew the trunk amain, and afterward The wind was into such a voice converted: "With brevity shall be replied to you.	13.093
the body from which it has torn itself, then Minos sends it to the seventh maw. It falls into the wood, and there's no place When the exasperated soul abandons The body whence it rent itself away, Minos consigns it to the seventh abyss.	13.096
to which it is allotted, but wherever fortune has flung that soul, that is the space where, even as a grain of spelt, it sprouts. It falls into the forest, and no part Is chosen for it; but where Fortune hurls it, There like a grain of spelt it germinates.	13.099
It rises as a sapling, a wild plant; and then the Harpies, feeding on its leaves, cause pain and for that pain provide a vent. It springs a sapling, and a forest tree; The Harpies, feeding then upon its leaves, Do pain create, and for the pain an outlet.	13.102
Like other souls, we shall seek out the flesh that we have left, but none of us shall wear it; it is not right for any man to have Like others for our spoils shall we return; But not that any one may them revest, For 'tis not just to have what one casts off.	13.105
what he himself has cast aside. We'll drag our bodies here; they'll hang in this sad wood, each on the stump of its vindictive shade." Here we shall drag them, and along the dismal Forest our bodies shall suspended be, Each to the thorn of his molested shade."	13.108
And we were still intent upon the trunk- believing it had wanted to say more- when we were overtaken by a roar, We were attentive still unto the trunk, Thinking that more it yet might wish to tell us, When by a tumult we were overtaken,	13.111
just as the hunter is aware of chase and boar as they draw near his post-he hears the beasts and then the branches as they crack. In the same way as he is who perceives The boar and chase approaching to his stand, Who hears the crashing of the beasts and branches;	13.112 13.114
And there upon the left were two who, scratched and naked, fled so violently that they tore away each forest bough they passed. And two behold ! upon our left-hand side, Naked and scratched, fleeing so furiously, That of the forest, every fan they broke.	13.117
The one in front: "Now come, death, quickly come!" The other shade, who thought himself too slow, was shouting after him: "Lano, your legs He who was in advance: "Now help, Death, help !" And the other one, who seemed to lag too much, Was shouting: "Lano, were not so alert	13.120
were not so nimble at the jousts of Toppo!" And then, perhaps because he'd lost his breath, he fell into one tangle with a bush. Those legs of thine at joustings of the Toppo !" And then, perchance because his breath was failing, He grouped himself together with a bush.	13.123
Behind these two, black bitches filled the wood, and they were just as eager and as swift as greyhounds that have been let off their leash. Behind them was the forest full of black She-mastiffs, ravenous, and swift of foot As greyhounds, who are issuing from the chain.	13.125 13.126
They set their teeth in him where he had crouched; and, piece by piece, those dogs dismembered him and carried off his miserable limbs. On him who had crouched down they set their teeth, And him they lacerated piece by piece, Thereafter bore away those aching members.	13.129
Then he who was my escort took my hand; he led me to the lacerated thorn that wept in vain where it was bleeding, broken. Thereat my Escort took me by the hand, And led me to the bush, that all in vain Was weeping from its bloody lacerations.	13.132
"O Jacopo," it said, "da Santo Andrea, what have you gained by using me as screen? Am I to blame for your indecent life?" "O Jacopo,"it said,"of Sant' Andrea, What helped it thee of me to make a screen ? What blame have I in thy nefarious life ?"	13.133 13.135
When my good master stood beside that bush, he said: "Who were you, who through many wounds must breathe with blood your melancholy words?" When near him had the Master stayed his steps, He said: "Who wast thou, that through wounds so many Art blowing out with blood thy dolorous speech ?"	13.138
And he to us: "O spirits who have come to witness the outrageous laceration that leaves so many of my branches torn, And he to us: "O souls, that hither come To look upon the shameful massacre That has so rent away from me my leaves,	13.141
collect them at the foot of this sad thorn. My home was in the city whose first patron gave way to John the Baptist; for this reason, Gather them up beneath the dismal bush; I of that city was which to the Baptist Changed its first patron, wherefore he for this	13.143 13.144
he'll always use his art to make it sorrow; and if-along the crossing of the Arno- some effigy of Mars had not remained, Forever with his art will make it sad. And were it not that on the pass of Arno Some glimpses of him are remaining still,	13.147
those citizens who afterward rebuilt their city on the ashes that Attila had left to them, would have travailed in vain. Those citizens, who afterwards rebuilt it Upon the ashes left by Attila, In vain had caused their labour to be done.	13.149 13.150
I made-of my own house-my gallows place." Of my own house I made myself a gibbet."	13.151