Canto 12

The place where we came to descend the bank was rugged, and, because of what was there besides, such that every eye would be shy of it.

The place where we came to descend the bank was rugged. Because of what else was there, everyone would shrink from looking at it.

As is that ruin which, on this side of Trent, struck the Adige on its flank, either by earthquake or by failure of support,—for from the top of the mountain whence it moved, to the plain, the cliff has so fallen down that it might give a path to one who was above,—so was the descent of that ravine. And on the edge of the broken chasm lay stretched out the infamy of Crete, that was conceived in the false cow. And when he saw us he bit himself even as one whom wrath rends inwardly. My Sage cried out toward him, “Perchance thou believest that here is the Duke of Athens who up in the world brought death to thee? Get thee gone, beast, for this one comes not instructed by thy sister, but he goes to behold your punishments.”

On this side of Trent, a landslide struck the side of the Adige, caused either by an earthquake or by a loss of support. From the top of the mountain where the landslide began down to the plain, the cliff has collapsed. The fallen rocks might provide a path for someone descending from above. The descent into that ravine was like that landslide. At the edge of the broken chasm lay the shame of Crete, conceived in the false cow. When he saw us, he bit himself like someone torn by rage. My guide called out to him, “Perhaps you think this is the Duke of Athens, who killed you in the world above? Go away, beast. This man was not guided here by your sister, but has come to see your punishments.”

As a bull that breaks away at the instant he has now received his mortal stroke, and cannot go, but plunges hither and thither, the Minotaur I saw do the like.

A bull breaks loose the moment it receives a fatal blow. Unable to move forward, it thrashes from side to side. I saw the Minotaur do the same.

And that wary one cried out, “Run to the pass; while he is raging it is well that thou descend.” So we took our way down over the discharge of those stones, which often moved under my feet because of the novel burden.

The wary one cried out, “Run to the pass. While he is raging, you should descend.” So we made our way down the pile of fallen stones. The stones often shifted under my feet because they were not used to the weight.

I was going along thinking, and he said, “Thou thinkest perhaps on this ruin which is guarded by that bestial with which I just now quenched. Now would I have thee know that the other time when I descended hither into the nether hell, this cliff had not yet fallen. But in truth, if I discern clearly, a little ere He came, who levied the great spoil on Dis from the supernal circle, in all its parts the deep foul valley trembled so that I thought the universe had felt the love by which, as some believe, oft times the world has been converted into chaos:³⁷ and, at that moment, this ancient cliff here and elsewhere made this downfall. But fix thine eyes below, for the river of blood is near, in which boils whoso doth harm to others by violence.”

I was walking along, thinking, when he said, “Perhaps you are thinking about this ruined cliff, guarded by that beast whose fury I just now quelled. I want you to know that the other time I came down here into lower Hell, this cliff had not yet fallen. But if I remember correctly, a little before he came and took the great spoil from Dis to the upper circle, the whole deep, foul valley trembled. It shook so much that I thought the universe had felt the love that, as some believe, has often turned the world into chaos:³⁷ at that moment, this ancient cliff collapsed here and elsewhere. But look down, for the river of blood is near. In it boils everyone who harms others through violence.”

Oh blind cupidity, both guilty and mad, that so spurs us in the brief life, and then, in the eternal, steeps us so ill!

Oh blind greed, guilty and mad, you drive us so hard in this brief life, then plunge us into such misery in eternity!

I saw a broad ditch, bent in an arc, like one that embraces all the plain; according as my Guide had said. And between the foot of the bank and it, in a file were running Centaurs armed with arrows, as they were wont in the world to go to the chase. Seeing us descending, all stopped, and from the troop three detached themselves, with bows and arrows first selected. And one shouted from afar, “To what torment are ye coming, ye who descend the slope? Tell it from there; if not, I draw the bow.” My Master said, “We will make answer unto Chiron near you there: ill was it that thy will was ever thus hasty.”

I saw a broad ditch curving in an arc around the whole plain, just as my Guide had said. Between the foot of the bank and the ditch, Centaurs ran in single file, armed with arrows. They went as they had gone hunting in the world. When they saw us descending, they all stopped. Three left the group, having first chosen their bows and arrows. One shouted from a distance, “What torment are you coming to, you who are descending the slope? Tell us from there. If you do not, I will draw my bow.” My Master said, “We will answer Chiron, who is near you. It was wrong of you to be so hasty.”

Then he touched me, and said, “That is Nessus, who died for the beautiful Dejanira, and he himself wrought vengeance for himself; and that one in the middle, who is gazing on his breast, is the great Chiron who nurtured Achilles. That other is Pholus, who was so full of wrath. Round about the ditch they go by thousands shooting with their arrows what soul lifts itself from the blood more than its guilt has allotted it.”

Then he touched me and said, “That is Nessus, who died for the beautiful Dejanira and took his own revenge. The one in the middle, looking down at his chest, is the great Chiron, who raised Achilles. The other is Pholus, who was so full of rage. Thousands of them circle the ditch, shooting arrows at any soul that rises higher from the blood than its guilt allows.”

We drew near to those fleet wild beasts. Chiron took a shaft, and with the notch put his beard backward upon his jaw. When he had uncovered his great mouth he said to his companions, “Are ye aware that the one behind moves what he touches? so are not wont to do the feet of the dead.” And my good Leader, who was now at his breast, where the two natures are conjoined, replied, “Truly he is alive, and thus all alone it behoves me to show him the dark valley: necessity brings him hither and not delight. One withdrew from singing alleluiah who committed unto me this new office; he is no robber, nor I a thievish spirit. But, by that power through which I move my steps along so savage a road, give to us one of thine, to whom we may be close, that he may show us where the ford is, and may carry this one on his back, for he is not a spirit who can go through the air.”

We approached the swift wild beasts. Chiron took an arrow and used its notch to push his beard back along his jaw. When he had uncovered his great mouth, he said to his companions, “Do you see that the one behind moves whatever he touches? The feet of the dead do not usually do that.” My good Leader had now reached Chiron’s chest, where his two natures meet. He replied, “He is indeed alive. I must show him the dark valley, and I must do it alone. Necessity brings him here, not pleasure. One who left the singing of alleluia gave me this new task. He is no robber, nor am I a thieving spirit. But by the power that lets me travel such a savage road, give us one of your companions to stay close to us. Let him show us where the ford is and carry this man on his back. For he is not a spirit who can pass through the air.”

Chiron turned upon his right breast, and said to Nessus, “Turn, and guide them thus, and if another troop encounter you, make it give way.”

Chiron turned to his right and said to Nessus, “Turn and guide them along this way. If you meet another troop, make them give way.”

We moved on with the trusty escort along the edge of the crimson boiling, in which the boiled were making loud shrieks. I saw folk under it up to the brow, and the great Centaur said, “These are tyrants who gave themselves to blood and pillage. Here they weep their pitiless offenses: here is Alexander, and cruel Dionysius who caused Sicily to have woeful years. And that front which hath such black hair is Azzolino, and that other who is blond is Opizzo of Esti, who in truth was slain by his stepson up there in the world.”

We walked on with our trusted escort along the edge of the boiling crimson river. Those being boiled in it were shrieking loudly. I saw people submerged up to their brows, and the great Centaur said, “These are tyrants who devoted themselves to bloodshed and plunder. Here they weep for their pitiless crimes. Here is Alexander, and cruel Dionysius, who brought years of misery to Sicily. The one with such black hair is Azzolino. The blond one is Opizzo of Esti, who was indeed killed by his stepson up in the world.”

Then I turned me to the Poet, and he said, “Let him now be first, and I second.” A little further on the Centaur stopped above some folk who far as the throat were seen to issue from that boiling stream. He showed to us at one side a solitary shade, and said, “He cleft, in the bosom of God, the heart that still is honored on the Thames.”³⁸ Then I saw folk, who out of the stream held their head, and even all their chest; and of these I recognized many. Thus ever more and more shallow became that blood, until it cooked only the feet: and here was our passage of the foss.

Then I turned to the Poet, and he said, “Let him go first now, and I will follow.” A little farther on, the Centaur stopped above some people who were visible up to their throats in the boiling stream. He pointed out a lone shade to one side and said, “In the heart of God’s house, he split open the heart that is still honored on the Thames.”³⁸ Then I saw people whose heads and even their whole chests rose above the stream. I recognized many of them. The blood grew shallower and shallower until it cooked only their feet. Here we crossed the ditch.

“Even as on this side, thou seest that the boiling stream ever diminishes,” said the Centaur, “I would have thee believe that on this other its bed sinks more and more, until it comes round again where it behoves that tyranny should groan. The divine justice here pierces that Attila who was a scourge on earth, and Pyrrhus and Sextus; and forever milks the tears that with the boiling it unlocks from Rinier of Corneto, and from Rinier Pazzo, who upon the highways made such warfare.”

“Just as you see the boiling stream grow shallower on this side,” said the Centaur, “believe that on the other side its bed grows deeper and deeper. It continues until it circles back to where tyrants must groan. Here divine justice torments Attila, who was a scourge on earth, as well as Pyrrhus and Sextus. It forever draws tears from Rinier of Corneto and Rinier Pazzo, who waged such warfare on the highways. The boiling stream brings those tears forth.”

Then he turned back and repassed the ford.

Then he turned back and crossed the ford again.