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INFERNO CANTO 22
Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr. Notes Ann.

Before this I've seen horsemen start to march and open the assault and muster ranks and seen them, too, at times beat their retreat; I HAVE erewhile seen horsemen moving camp, Begin the storming, and their muster make, And sometimes starting off for their escape;

22.001 22.003

and on your land, o Aretines, I've seen rangers and raiding parties galloping, the clash of tournaments, the rush of jousts, Vaunt-couriers have I seen upon your land, O Aretines, and foragers go forth, Tournaments stricken, and the joustings run,

22.005 22.006

now done with trumpets, now with bells, and now with drums, and now with signs from castle walls, with native things and with imported ware; Sometimes with trumpets and sometimes with bells, With kettle-drums, and signals of the castles, And with our own, and with outlandish things,

22.007 22.009

but never yet have I seen horsemen or seen infantry or ship that sails by signal of land or star move to so strange a bugle! But never yet with bagpipe so uncouth Did I see horsemen move, nor infantry, Nor ship by any sign of land or star.

22.012

We made our way together with ten demons: ah, what ferocious company! And yet "in church with saints, with rotters in the tavern." We went upon our way with the ten demons; Ah, savage company ! but in the church With saints, and in the tavern with the gluttons!

22.015

But I was all intent upon the pitch, to seek out every feature of the pouch and of the people who were burning in it. Ever upon the pitch was my intent, To see the whole condition of that Bolgia, And of the people who therein were burned.

22.018

Just as the dolphins do, when with arched back, they signal to the seamen to prepare for tempest, that their vessel may be spared, Even as the dolphins, when they make a sign To mariners by arching of the back, That they should counsel take to save their vessel,

22.021

so here from time to time, to ease his torment, some sinner showed his back above the surface, then hid more quickly than a lightning flash. Thus sometimes, to alleviate his pain, One of the sinners would display his back, And in less time conceal it than it lightens.

22.024

And just as on the margin of a ditch, frogs crouch, their snouts alone above the water, so as to hide their feet and their plump flesh, As on the brink of water in a ditch The frogs stand only with their muzzles out, So that they hide their feet and other bulk.

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so here on every side these sinners crouched; but faster than a flash, when Barbariccia drew near, they plunged beneath the boiling pitch. So upon every side the sinners stood; But ever as Barbariccia near them came, Thus underneath the boiling they withdrew.

22.030

I saw-my heart still shudders in recall- one who delayed, just as at times a frog is left behind while others dive below; I saw, and still my heart doth shudder at it, One waiting thus, even as it comes to pass One frog remains, and down another dives;

22.033

and Graffiacane, who was closest to him, then hooked him by his pitch-entangled locks and hauled him up; he seemed to me an otter. And Graffiacan, who most confronted him, Grappled him by his tresses smeared with pitch, And drew him up, so that he seemed an otter.

22.036

By now I knew the names of all those demons- I'd paid attention when the fiends were chosen; I'd watched as they stepped forward one by one. I knew, before, the names of all of them, So had I noted them when they were chosen, And when they called each other, listened how.

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"O Rubicante, see you set your talons right into him, so you can flay his flesh!" So did those cursed ones cry out together. "O Rubicante, see that thou do lay Thy claws upon him, so that thou mayst flay him," Cried all together the accursed ones.

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And I: "My master, if you can, find out what is the name of that unfortunate who's fallen victim to his enemies." And I: "My Master, see to it, if thou canst, That thou mayst know who is the luckless wight, Thus come into his adversaries' hands."

22.045

My guide, who then drew near that sinner's side, asked him to tell his birthplace. He replied: "My homeland was the kingdom of Navarre. Near to the side of him my Leader drew, Asked of him whence he was; and he replied: "I in the kingdom of Navarre was born;

22.048

My mother, who had had me by a wastrel, destroyer of himself and his possessions, had placed me in the service of a lord. My mother placed me servant to a lord, For she had borne me to a ribald knave, Destroyer of himself and of his things.

22.051

Then I was in the household of the worthy King Thibault; there I started taking graft; with this heat I pay reckoning for that." Then I domestic was of good King Thibault; I set me there to practise barratry, For which I pay the reckoning in this heat."

22.052 22.054

And Ciriatto, from whose mouth there bulged to right and left two tusks like a wild hog's, then let him feel how one of them could mangle. And Ciriatto, from whose mouth projected, On either side, a tusk, as in a boar, Caused him to feel how one of them could rip.

22.057

The mouse had fallen in with evil cats; but Barbariccia clasped him in his arms and said: "Stand off there, while I fork him fast." Among malicious cats the mouse had come; But Barbariccia clasped him in his arms, And said: "Stand ye aside, while I enfork him."

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And turning toward my master then, he said: "Ask on, if you would learn some more from him before one of the others does him in." And to my Master he turned round his head; "Ask him again," he said, "if more thou wish To know from him, before some one destroy him."

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At which my guide: "Now tell: among the sinners who hide beneath the pitch, are any others Italian?" And he: "I have just left The Guide: "Now tell then of the other culprits; Knowest thou any one who is a Latian, Under the pitch ?" And he: "I separated

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one who was nearby there; and would I were still covered by the pitch as he is hidden, for then I'd have no fear of hook or talon." Lately from one who was a neighbour to it; Would that I still were covered up with him, For I should fear not either claw nor hook !"

22.069

And Libicocco said, "We've been too patient!" and, with his grapple, grabbed him by the arm and, ripping, carried off a hunk of flesh. And Libicocco: "We have borne too much;" And with his grapnel seized him by the arm, So that, by rending, he tore off a tendon.

22.072

But Draghignazzo also looked as if to grab his legs; at which, their captain wheeled and threatened all of them with raging looks. Eke Draghignazzo wished to pounce upon him Down at the legs; whence their Decurion Turned round and round about with evil look.

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When they'd grown somewhat less tumultuous, without delay my guide asked of that one who had his eyes still fixed upon his wound: When they again somewhat were pacified, Of him, who still was looking at his wound, Demanded my Conductor without stay:

22.078

"Who was the one you left to come ashore- unluckily-as you just said before?" He answered: "Fra Gomita of Gallura, "Who was that one, from whom a luckless parting Thou sayest thou hast made, to come ashore?" And he replied "It was the Friar Gomita,

22.081

who was a vessel fit for every fraud; he had his master's enemies in hand, but handled them in ways that pleased them all. He of Gallura, vessel of all fraud, Who had the enemies of his Lord in hand, And dealt so with them each exults thereat;

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He took their gold and smoothly let them off, as he himself says; and in other matters, he was a sovereign, not a petty, swindler. Money he took, and let them smoothly off, As he says; and in other offices A barrator was he, not mean but sovereign.

22.087

His comrade there is Don Michele Zanche of Logodoro; and their tongues are never too tired to talk of their Sardinia. Foregathers with him one Don Michael Zanche Of Logodoro; and of Sardinia To gossip never do their tongues feel tired.

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Ah me, see that one there who grinds his teeth! If I were not afraid, I'd speak some more, but he is getting set to scratch my scurf." O me ! see that one, how he grinds his teeth; Still farther would I speak, but am afraid Lest he to scratch my itch be making ready."

22.093

And their great marshal, facing Farfarello- who was so hot to strike he rolled his eyes, said: "Get away from there, you filthy bird!" And the grand Provost, turned to Farfarello, Who rolled his eyes about as if to strike, Said: "Stand aside there, thou malicious bird."

22.096

"If you perhaps would like to see or hear," that sinner, terrified, began again, "Lombards or Tuscans, I can fetch you some; "If you desire either to see or hear," The terror-stricken recommenced thereon, "Tuscans or Lombards. I will make them come.

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but let the Malebranche stand aside so that my comrades need not fear their vengeance. Remaining in this very spot, I shall, But let the Malebranche cease a little, So that these may not their revenges fear, And I, down sitting in this very place,

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although alone, make seven more appear when I have whistled, as has been our custom when one of us has managed to get out." For one that I am will make seven come, When I shall whistle, as our custom is To do whenever one of us comes out."

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At that, Cagnazzo lifted up his snout and shook his head, and said: "Just listen to that trick by which he thinks he can dive back!" Cagnazzo at these words his muzzle lifted, Shaking his head, and said: "Just hear the trick Which he has thought of, down to throw himself !

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To this, he who was rich in artifice replied: "Then I must have too many tricks, if I bring greater torment to my friends." Whence he, who snares in great abundance had, Responded: "I by far too cunning am, When I procure for mine a greater sadness."

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This was too much for Alichino and, despite the others, he cried out: "If you dive back, I shall not gallop after you Alichin held not in, but running counter Unto the rest, said to him: "If thou dive, I will not follow thee upon the gallop,

22.114

but beat my wings above the pitch; we'll leave this height; with the embankment as a screen, we'll see if you-alone-can handle us." But I will beat my wings above the pitch; The height be left, and be the bank a shield To see if thou alone dost countervail us."

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O you who read, hear now of this new sport: each turned his eyes upon the other shore, he first who'd been most hesitant before. O thou who readest, thou shalt hear new sport ! Each to the other side his eyes averted; He first, who most reluctant was to do it.

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The Navarrese, in nick of time, had planted his feet upon the ground; then in an instant he jumped and freed himself from their commander. The Navarrese selected well his time; Planted his feet on land, and in a moment Leaped, and released himself from their design.

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At this each demon felt the prick of guilt, and most, he who had led his band to blunder; so he took off and shouted: "You are caught!" Whereat each one was suddenly stung with shame, But he most who was cause of the defeat; Therefore he moved, and cried: "Thou art o'ertakern."

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But this could help him little; wings were not more fast than fear; the sinner plunged right under; the other, flying up, lifted his chest: But little it availed, for wings could not Outstrip the fear; the other one went under, And, flying, upward he his breast directed;

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not otherwise the wild duck when it plunges precipitously, when the falcon nears and then-exhausted, thwarted-flies back up. Not otherwise the duck upon a sudden Dives under, when the falcon is approaching, And upward he returneth cross and weary.

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But Calcabrina, raging at the trick, flew after Alichino; he was keen to see the sinner free and have a brawl; Infuriate at the mockery, Calcabrina Flying behind him followed close, desirous The other should escape, to have a quarrel.

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and once the Navarrese had disappeared, he turned his talons on his fellow demon and tangled with him just above the ditch. And when the barrator had disappeared, He turned his talons upon his companion, And grappled with him right above the moat.

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But Alichino clawed him well-he was indeed a full-grown kestrel; and both fell into the middle of the boiling pond. But sooth the other was a doughty sparhawk To clapperclaw him well; and both of them Fell in the middle of the boiling pond.

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The heat was quick to disentangle them, but still there was no way they could get out; their wings were stuck, enmeshed in glue-like pitch. A sudden intercessor was the heat; But ne'ertheless of rising there was naught, To such degree they had their wings belimed.

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And Barbariccia, grieving with the rest, sent four to fly out toward the other shore with all their forks, and speedily enough Lamenting with the others, Barbariccia Made four of them fly to the other side With all their gaffs, and very speedily

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on this side and on that they took their posts; and toward those two-stuck fast, already cooked beneath that crust-they stretched their grappling hooks. This side and that they to their posts descended; They stretched their hooks towards the pitch-ensnared, Who were already baked within the crust,

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We left them still contending with that mess. And in this manner busied did we leave them.

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Previous or Next Canto

INFERNO CANTO 22 Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr.	*Notes*	*Ann.*
Before this I've seen horsemen start to march and open the assault and muster ranks and seen them, too, at times beat their retreat; I HAVE erewhile seen horsemen moving camp, Begin the storming, and their muster make, And sometimes starting off for their escape;	22.001 22.003
and on your land, o Aretines, I've seen rangers and raiding parties galloping, the clash of tournaments, the rush of jousts, Vaunt-couriers have I seen upon your land, O Aretines, and foragers go forth, Tournaments stricken, and the joustings run,	22.005 22.006
now done with trumpets, now with bells, and now with drums, and now with signs from castle walls, with native things and with imported ware; Sometimes with trumpets and sometimes with bells, With kettle-drums, and signals of the castles, And with our own, and with outlandish things,	22.007 22.009
but never yet have I seen horsemen or seen infantry or ship that sails by signal of land or star move to so strange a bugle! But never yet with bagpipe so uncouth Did I see horsemen move, nor infantry, Nor ship by any sign of land or star.	22.012
We made our way together with ten demons: ah, what ferocious company! And yet "in church with saints, with rotters in the tavern." We went upon our way with the ten demons; Ah, savage company ! but in the church With saints, and in the tavern with the gluttons!	22.015
But I was all intent upon the pitch, to seek out every feature of the pouch and of the people who were burning in it. Ever upon the pitch was my intent, To see the whole condition of that Bolgia, And of the people who therein were burned.	22.018
Just as the dolphins do, when with arched back, they signal to the seamen to prepare for tempest, that their vessel may be spared, Even as the dolphins, when they make a sign To mariners by arching of the back, That they should counsel take to save their vessel,	22.021
so here from time to time, to ease his torment, some sinner showed his back above the surface, then hid more quickly than a lightning flash. Thus sometimes, to alleviate his pain, One of the sinners would display his back, And in less time conceal it than it lightens.	22.024
And just as on the margin of a ditch, frogs crouch, their snouts alone above the water, so as to hide their feet and their plump flesh, As on the brink of water in a ditch The frogs stand only with their muzzles out, So that they hide their feet and other bulk.	22.027
so here on every side these sinners crouched; but faster than a flash, when Barbariccia drew near, they plunged beneath the boiling pitch. So upon every side the sinners stood; But ever as Barbariccia near them came, Thus underneath the boiling they withdrew.	22.030
I saw-my heart still shudders in recall- one who delayed, just as at times a frog is left behind while others dive below; I saw, and still my heart doth shudder at it, One waiting thus, even as it comes to pass One frog remains, and down another dives;	22.033
and Graffiacane, who was closest to him, then hooked him by his pitch-entangled locks and hauled him up; he seemed to me an otter. And Graffiacan, who most confronted him, Grappled him by his tresses smeared with pitch, And drew him up, so that he seemed an otter.	22.036
By now I knew the names of all those demons- I'd paid attention when the fiends were chosen; I'd watched as they stepped forward one by one. I knew, before, the names of all of them, So had I noted them when they were chosen, And when they called each other, listened how.	22.039
"O Rubicante, see you set your talons right into him, so you can flay his flesh!" So did those cursed ones cry out together. "O Rubicante, see that thou do lay Thy claws upon him, so that thou mayst flay him," Cried all together the accursed ones.	22.042
And I: "My master, if you can, find out what is the name of that unfortunate who's fallen victim to his enemies." And I: "My Master, see to it, if thou canst, That thou mayst know who is the luckless wight, Thus come into his adversaries' hands."	22.045
My guide, who then drew near that sinner's side, asked him to tell his birthplace. He replied: "My homeland was the kingdom of Navarre. Near to the side of him my Leader drew, Asked of him whence he was; and he replied: "I in the kingdom of Navarre was born;	22.048
My mother, who had had me by a wastrel, destroyer of himself and his possessions, had placed me in the service of a lord. My mother placed me servant to a lord, For she had borne me to a ribald knave, Destroyer of himself and of his things.	22.051
Then I was in the household of the worthy King Thibault; there I started taking graft; with this heat I pay reckoning for that." Then I domestic was of good King Thibault; I set me there to practise barratry, For which I pay the reckoning in this heat."	22.052 22.054
And Ciriatto, from whose mouth there bulged to right and left two tusks like a wild hog's, then let him feel how one of them could mangle. And Ciriatto, from whose mouth projected, On either side, a tusk, as in a boar, Caused him to feel how one of them could rip.	22.057
The mouse had fallen in with evil cats; but Barbariccia clasped him in his arms and said: "Stand off there, while I fork him fast." Among malicious cats the mouse had come; But Barbariccia clasped him in his arms, And said: "Stand ye aside, while I enfork him."	22.060
And turning toward my master then, he said: "Ask on, if you would learn some more from him before one of the others does him in." And to my Master he turned round his head; "Ask him again," he said, "if more thou wish To know from him, before some one destroy him."	22.063
At which my guide: "Now tell: among the sinners who hide beneath the pitch, are any others Italian?" And he: "I have just left The Guide: "Now tell then of the other culprits; Knowest thou any one who is a Latian, Under the pitch ?" And he: "I separated	22.065 22.066
one who was nearby there; and would I were still covered by the pitch as he is hidden, for then I'd have no fear of hook or talon." Lately from one who was a neighbour to it; Would that I still were covered up with him, For I should fear not either claw nor hook !"	22.069
And Libicocco said, "We've been too patient!" and, with his grapple, grabbed him by the arm and, ripping, carried off a hunk of flesh. And Libicocco: "We have borne too much;" And with his grapnel seized him by the arm, So that, by rending, he tore off a tendon.	22.072
But Draghignazzo also looked as if to grab his legs; at which, their captain wheeled and threatened all of them with raging looks. Eke Draghignazzo wished to pounce upon him Down at the legs; whence their Decurion Turned round and round about with evil look.	22.075
When they'd grown somewhat less tumultuous, without delay my guide asked of that one who had his eyes still fixed upon his wound: When they again somewhat were pacified, Of him, who still was looking at his wound, Demanded my Conductor without stay:	22.078
"Who was the one you left to come ashore- unluckily-as you just said before?" He answered: "Fra Gomita of Gallura, "Who was that one, from whom a luckless parting Thou sayest thou hast made, to come ashore?" And he replied "It was the Friar Gomita,	22.081
who was a vessel fit for every fraud; he had his master's enemies in hand, but handled them in ways that pleased them all. He of Gallura, vessel of all fraud, Who had the enemies of his Lord in hand, And dealt so with them each exults thereat;	22.082 22.084
He took their gold and smoothly let them off, as he himself says; and in other matters, he was a sovereign, not a petty, swindler. Money he took, and let them smoothly off, As he says; and in other offices A barrator was he, not mean but sovereign.	22.087
His comrade there is Don Michele Zanche of Logodoro; and their tongues are never too tired to talk of their Sardinia. Foregathers with him one Don Michael Zanche Of Logodoro; and of Sardinia To gossip never do their tongues feel tired.	22.088 22.090
Ah me, see that one there who grinds his teeth! If I were not afraid, I'd speak some more, but he is getting set to scratch my scurf." O me ! see that one, how he grinds his teeth; Still farther would I speak, but am afraid Lest he to scratch my itch be making ready."	22.093
And their great marshal, facing Farfarello- who was so hot to strike he rolled his eyes, said: "Get away from there, you filthy bird!" And the grand Provost, turned to Farfarello, Who rolled his eyes about as if to strike, Said: "Stand aside there, thou malicious bird."	22.096
"If you perhaps would like to see or hear," that sinner, terrified, began again, "Lombards or Tuscans, I can fetch you some; "If you desire either to see or hear," The terror-stricken recommenced thereon, "Tuscans or Lombards. I will make them come.	22.099
but let the Malebranche stand aside so that my comrades need not fear their vengeance. Remaining in this very spot, I shall, But let the Malebranche cease a little, So that these may not their revenges fear, And I, down sitting in this very place,	22.102
although alone, make seven more appear when I have whistled, as has been our custom when one of us has managed to get out." For one that I am will make seven come, When I shall whistle, as our custom is To do whenever one of us comes out."	22.105
At that, Cagnazzo lifted up his snout and shook his head, and said: "Just listen to that trick by which he thinks he can dive back!" Cagnazzo at these words his muzzle lifted, Shaking his head, and said: "Just hear the trick Which he has thought of, down to throw himself !	22.108
To this, he who was rich in artifice replied: "Then I must have too many tricks, if I bring greater torment to my friends." Whence he, who snares in great abundance had, Responded: "I by far too cunning am, When I procure for mine a greater sadness."	22.111
This was too much for Alichino and, despite the others, he cried out: "If you dive back, I shall not gallop after you Alichin held not in, but running counter Unto the rest, said to him: "If thou dive, I will not follow thee upon the gallop,	22.114
but beat my wings above the pitch; we'll leave this height; with the embankment as a screen, we'll see if you-alone-can handle us." But I will beat my wings above the pitch; The height be left, and be the bank a shield To see if thou alone dost countervail us."	22.117
O you who read, hear now of this new sport: each turned his eyes upon the other shore, he first who'd been most hesitant before. O thou who readest, thou shalt hear new sport ! Each to the other side his eyes averted; He first, who most reluctant was to do it.	22.120
The Navarrese, in nick of time, had planted his feet upon the ground; then in an instant he jumped and freed himself from their commander. The Navarrese selected well his time; Planted his feet on land, and in a moment Leaped, and released himself from their design.	22.123
At this each demon felt the prick of guilt, and most, he who had led his band to blunder; so he took off and shouted: "You are caught!" Whereat each one was suddenly stung with shame, But he most who was cause of the defeat; Therefore he moved, and cried: "Thou art o'ertakern."	22.126
But this could help him little; wings were not more fast than fear; the sinner plunged right under; the other, flying up, lifted his chest: But little it availed, for wings could not Outstrip the fear; the other one went under, And, flying, upward he his breast directed;	22.129
not otherwise the wild duck when it plunges precipitously, when the falcon nears and then-exhausted, thwarted-flies back up. Not otherwise the duck upon a sudden Dives under, when the falcon is approaching, And upward he returneth cross and weary.	22.132
But Calcabrina, raging at the trick, flew after Alichino; he was keen to see the sinner free and have a brawl; Infuriate at the mockery, Calcabrina Flying behind him followed close, desirous The other should escape, to have a quarrel.	22.135
and once the Navarrese had disappeared, he turned his talons on his fellow demon and tangled with him just above the ditch. And when the barrator had disappeared, He turned his talons upon his companion, And grappled with him right above the moat.	22.138
But Alichino clawed him well-he was indeed a full-grown kestrel; and both fell into the middle of the boiling pond. But sooth the other was a doughty sparhawk To clapperclaw him well; and both of them Fell in the middle of the boiling pond.	22.141
The heat was quick to disentangle them, but still there was no way they could get out; their wings were stuck, enmeshed in glue-like pitch. A sudden intercessor was the heat; But ne'ertheless of rising there was naught, To such degree they had their wings belimed.	22.144
And Barbariccia, grieving with the rest, sent four to fly out toward the other shore with all their forks, and speedily enough Lamenting with the others, Barbariccia Made four of them fly to the other side With all their gaffs, and very speedily	22.147
on this side and on that they took their posts; and toward those two-stuck fast, already cooked beneath that crust-they stretched their grappling hooks. This side and that they to their posts descended; They stretched their hooks towards the pitch-ensnared, Who were already baked within the crust,	22.150
We left them still contending with that mess. And in this manner busied did we leave them.	22.151