Canto 8

I say, continuing, that, long before we were at the foot of the high tower, our eyes went upward to its top because of two flamelets that we saw set there, and another giving signal back from so far that hardly could the eye reach it. And I turned me to the Sea of all wisdom; I said, “This one, what says it? and what answers that other fire? and who are they that make it?” And he to me, “Upon the foul waves already thou mayest discern that which is expected, if the fume of the marsh hide it not from thee.”

I continue my account. Long before we reached the foot of the high tower, we looked up at its top. We had seen two small flames there, and another flame answering from so far away that we could hardly see it. I turned to the Sea of all wisdom and asked, “What does this signal say? What does the other fire answer? And who is making the signals?” He replied, “You may already see what is expected on the foul waves, if the mist from the marsh does not hide it from you.”

Bowstring never sped arrow from itself that ran so swift a course through the air, as a very little boat which I saw coming through the water toward us at that instant, under the direction of a single ferryman, who was crying out, “Art thou then come, fell soul?”

No arrow ever flew through the air as swiftly as the little boat I saw coming toward us across the water. A lone ferryman steered it, crying out, “Have you come at last, wicked soul?”

“Phlegyas, Phlegyas, this time thou criest out in vain,” said my Lord; “longer thou shalt not have us than only while crossing the slough.” As one who listens to some great deceit that has been practiced on him, and then chafes at it, such became Phlegyas in his stifled anger.

“Phlegyas, Phlegyas, this time you cry out in vain,” said my Lord. “You will have us only long enough to cross the swamp.” Phlegyas was filled with stifled anger, like someone who learns of a great deception played on him and resents it.

My Leader descended into the bark and then he made me enter after him, and only when I was in did it seem laden. Soon as my Leader and I were in the boat, the antique prow goes its way, cutting more of the water than it is wont with others.

My guide climbed into the boat and then had me follow him. Only when I was aboard did the boat seem weighed down. As soon as we were both aboard, the ancient boat set off, riding lower in the water than it usually did with others.

While we were running through the dead channel, before me showed himself one full of mud, and said, “Who art thou that comest before the hour?” And I to him, “If I come I stay not; but thou, who art thou that art become so foul?” He answered, “Thou seest that I am one who weeps.” And I to him, “With weeping and with wailing, accursed spirit, do thou remain, for I know thee although thou art all filthy.” Then he stretched to the boat both his hands, whereat the wary Master thrust him back, saying, “Begone there, with the other dogs!” Then with his arms he clasped my neck, kissed my face, and said, “Disdainful soul, blessed be she who bore thee! This one was an arrogant person in the world; no goodness is there that adorns his memory; therefore is his shade so furious here. How many now up there are held great kings who shall stand here like swine in mire, leaving of themselves horrible dispraises.” And I, “Master, I should much like to see him ducked in this broth before we depart from the lake.” And he to me, “Ere the shore allows thee to see it thou shalt be satisfied; it will be fitting that thou enjoy such a desire.” After this a little I saw such rending of him by the muddy folk that I still praise God therefor, and thank Him for it. All cried, “At Filippo Argenti!” and the raging florentine spirit turned upon himself with his teeth. Here we left him; so that I tell no more of him.

As we traveled through the dead channel, a man covered in mud appeared before me. He said, “Who are you, coming before your time?” I replied, “I may come, but I do not stay. But who are you, so covered in filth?” He answered, “You can see that I am one who weeps.” I said, “Stay here weeping and wailing, accursed spirit. I know you, even though you are covered in filth.” Then he stretched both hands toward the boat. My watchful Master pushed him back, saying, “Get away with the other dogs!” Then he put his arms around my neck, kissed my face, and said, “Disdainful soul, blessed be the woman who bore you! This man was arrogant in life. No goodness honors his memory, which is why his shade rages here. How many great kings are honored up there now! Yet they will stand here like pigs in mud, leaving behind a name people will speak of with horror.” I said, “Master, I would very much like to see him dunked in this broth before we leave the lake.” He replied, “Before the shore comes into sight, you will be satisfied. It is fitting that you should have your wish.” A little later, I saw the muddy people tear at him so fiercely that I still praise and thank God for it. They all cried, “Get Filippo Argenti!” And the raging Florentine spirit turned his teeth on himself. We left him there, so I will say no more about him.

But on my ears there smote a wailing, whereat forward intent I open wide my eye. And the good Master said, “Now, son, the city draws near that is named Dis, with its heavy citizens, with its great throng.” And I, “Master, already in the valley therewithin I clearly discern its mosques vermillion, as if issuing from fire.” And he said to me, “The eternal fire that blazes within them displays them red as thou seest in this nether Hell.”

But a wail struck my ears, and I opened my eyes wide, looking ahead. The good Master said, “Now, son, we are approaching the city called Dis, with its vast throng of burdened citizens.” And I said, “Master, I can already see its mosques clearly in the valley within. They are bright red, as if they had come out of a fire.” He said to me, “The eternal fire blazing inside them makes them glow red, as you see them here in lower Hell.”

We at last arrived within the deep ditches that encompass that disconsolate city. The walls seemed to me to be of iron. Not without first making a great circuit did we come to a place where the ferryman loudly shouted to us, “Out with you, here is the entrance.”

At last, we reached the deep ditches surrounding that bleak city. The walls looked like iron to me. We made a long detour before reaching a place where the ferryman shouted to us, “Get out, this is the entrance.”

Upon the gates I saw more than a thousand of those rained down from heaven who angrily were saying, “Who is this, that without death goes through the realm of the dead folk?” And my wise Master made a sign of wishing to speak secretly with them. Then they shut in a little their great scorn, and said, “Come thou alone, and let him be gone who so boldly entered on this realm. Alone let him return on the mad path: let him try if he can; for thou, who hast escorted him through so dark a region, shalt remain here.”

On the gates I saw more than a thousand of those who had been cast down from heaven. They were saying angrily, “Who is this who passes through the realm of the dead without dying?” My wise master signaled that he wanted to speak privately with them. Then they held back some of their scorn and said, “Come alone, and let the one who entered this realm so boldly go away. Let him return alone by that mad path, if he can. For you, who have guided him through such a dark region, will stay here.”

Think, Reader, if I was discomforted at the sound of the accursed words, for I did not believe ever to return hither.²¹

Reader, imagine how distressed I was to hear those cursed words, for I did not believe I would ever return here.²¹

“O my dear Leader, who more than seven times hast renewed assurance in me, and drawn me from deep peril that stood confronting me, leave me not,” said I, “thus undone; and, if the going farther onward be denied us, let us together retrace our footprints quickly.” And that Lord who had led me thither said to me, “Fear not, for no one can take from us our onward way, by Such an one it is given to us. But here await me, and comfort thy dejected spirit and feed on good hope, for I will not leave thee in the nether world.”

“My dear leader, you have reassured me more than seven times and saved me from grave dangers that confronted me. Do not leave me helpless like this,” I said. “If we cannot go farther, let us quickly retrace our steps together.” And the lord who had led me there said to me, “Do not fear. No one can keep us from going forward, for such a one has granted us the way. But wait for me here. Comfort your downcast spirit and hold on to hope, for I will not leave you in the world below.”

So the sweet Father goes away, and here abandons me, and I remain in suspense; and yes and no contend within my head. I could not hear what he set forth to them, but he had not staid there long with them, when each ran vying back within. These our adversaries closed the gates on the breast of my Lord, who remained without, and returned to me with slow steps. He held his eyes upon the ground, and his brow was shorn of all hardihood, and he said in sighs, “Who hath denied to me the houses of woe?” And he said to me, “Thou, because I am wroth, be not dismayed, for I shall win the strife, whoever circle round within for the defence. This their insolence is not new, for of old they used it at a less secret gate, which still is found without a bolt. Above it thou didst see the dead inscription; and already on this side of it descends the steep, passing without escort through the circles, One such that by him the city shall be opened to us.”

So my dear Father goes away and leaves me here. I remain in suspense, torn between hope and doubt. I could not hear what he said to them, but he had not been there long when they all raced back inside. Our enemies shut the gates in my Lord’s face. He stayed outside and returned to me with slow steps. He kept his eyes on the ground, and his face had lost all its boldness. With a sigh, he said, “Who has denied me entry to the houses of woe?” Then he said to me, “Do not be dismayed because I am angry. I will win this struggle, whoever gathers inside to defend the city. Their defiance is nothing new. Long ago, they showed it at a less hidden gate, which still stands unbolted. Above it you saw the inscription of death. And already, on this side of that gate, someone is descending the steep slope. He passes through the circles without an escort, and he is such a one that he will open the city to us.”