ARGUMENT. BEFORE reaching the high tower, the Poets have observed two flamesignals rise from its summit, and another make answer at a great distance; and now they see Phlegyas, coming with angry rapidity to ferry them over. They enter his bark; and sail across the broad marsh, or Fifth Circle. On the passage, a spirit, all covered with mud, addresses Dante, and is recognized by him. It is Filippo Argenti, of the old Adimari family; who had been much noted for his ostentation, arrogance, and brutal anger. After leaving him, Dante begins to hear a sound of lamentation; and Virgil tells him that the City of Dis (Satan, Lucifer) is getting near. He looks forward, through the grim vapor; and discerns its pinnacles, red, as if they had come out of fire. Phlegyas lands them at the gates. These they find occupied by a host of fallen angels, who deny them admittance. CANTO VIII. I SAY continuing,' that, long before we reached the foot of the high tower, our eyes went upward to its summit, because of two flamelets, that we saw put there, and another from far give signal back; so far that the eye could scarcely catch it. And I, turning to the Sea of all knowledge, said: "What says this? and what replies yon other light? And who are they that made it?" 3 4 And he to me: "Upon the squalid waves, already thou mayest discern what is expected, if the vapor of the fen conceal it not from thee." Never did cord impel from itself an arrow, that ran Io dico seguitando, ch' assai prima Che noi fussimo al pie dell' alta torre, E un' altra da lungi render cenno, 5 Tanto, che a pena il potea l'occhio torre. Dissi: Questo che dice? e che risponde Quell' altro foco ? e chi son quei che il fenno? Ed egli a me: Su per le sucide onde 10 1 Continuing the account of the outpost of the city of Lucifer; and is Wrathful, &c., begun in the preced- separated from it by the wide marsh. ing canto; which is the first that ends 3 Virgil, "who knew all" (canto vii without completing the subject treat-3); who did honor to every art and ed in it. 2 The two flames indicate that two persons are come to be ferried over. The tower, with its sentinels is an science." Canto iv. 73. 4 What the signals have been made for. through the air so quickly, as a little bark which I saw come toward us then, under the guidance of a single steersman, who cried: "Now art thou arrived, fell spirit ?" "Phlegyas, Phlegyas," said my Lord, "this time thou criest in vain. Thou shalt not have us longer than while we pass the wash." And as one who hears some great deceit which has been done to him, and then deeply grieves thereat; such grew Phlegyas in his gathered rage. My Guide descended into the skiff, and then made me enter after him; and not till I was in, did it seem laden." Soon as my Guide and I were in the boat, Che sì corresse via per l' aer snella, Venir per Τ acqua verso noi in quella, 15 Che gridava: Or se' giunta, animi fella? Flegiàs, Flegiàs, tu gridi a vôto, Disse lo mio Signore, a questa volta : 20 Più non ci avrai, se non passando il loto. Che gli sia fatto, e poi se ne rammarca, E poi mi fece entrare appresso lui, 21. Il loto, the wash. • Phlegyas, the angry ferryman of the marsh, is he who burnt the temple of Apollo. Phlegyasque miserrimus omnes Admonet, et magná testatur voce per umbras, &c. En. vi. 618. The eager rage that had come upon Phlegyas in his expectation of 25 prey, is changed into bitter sadness when he hears that the Poets are not doomed to remain. 7 By the weight of his living body. Gemuit sub pondere cymba Sutilis, &c. En. vi. 413. its ancient prow went on, cutting more of the water than it is wont with others. While we were running through the dead channel, there rose before me one full of mud, and said: "Who art thou, that comest before thy time ?" And I to him: "If I come, I stay not. thou, who art thou, that hast become so foul?" But He answered: "Thou seest that I am one who weep." 8 And I to him: "With weeping, and with sorrow, accursed spirit, continue thou! For I know thee, all filthy as thou art." Then he stretched both hands to the boat; whereat the wary Master thrust him off, saying: "Away there, among the other dogs!" 9 And he put his arms about my neck, kissed my face, and said: Segando se ne va l'antica prora Dinanzi mi si fece un pien di fango, E disse Chi se' tu, che vieni anzi ora? Spirito maledetto, ti rimani; Ch' io ti conosco, ancor sie lordo tutto, Per che il Maestro accorto lo sospinse, Baciommi il volto, e disse: Alma sdegnosa, 8 Will not tell his name; which | Canto xxxii. 76-112. 30 35 40 none but the basest spirits refuse to 9 Among thy fellows, that keep do: such as Bocca degli Abbati. worrying one another like dogs. 10 11 "Indignant soul! blessed be she that bore thee.1o In your world, that was an arrogant personage. Good there is none to ornament the memory of him : so is his shadow here in fury. now deem themselves great here like swine in mire, leaving behind them horrible contemnings!" How many up there kings, 12 that shall lie And I "Master, I should be glad 13 to see him. dipped in this lee, ere we quit the lake." And he to me: "Before the shore comes to thy view, thou shalt be satisfied. It is fitting that thou shouldst be gratified in such a wish." A little after this, I saw the muddy people make such rending of him, that even now I praise and thank God for it. Benedetta colei che in te s' incinse. Quei fu al mondo persona orgogliosa : 45 Quanti si tengon or lassù gran regi, Che qui staranno come porci in brago, 50 Di se lasciando orribili dispregi ! Ed io Maestro, molto sarei vago Di vederlo attuffare in questa broda, Ti si lasci veder tu saria sazio: Dopo ciò poco, vidi quello strazio Far di costui alle fangose genti, Che Dio ancor ne lodo e ne ringrazio. 10 Virgil commends Dante for the high indignation and disgust which he manifests on recognizing this chief representative of empty arrogance, rage, and disorder. 55 60 comments of Boccaccio, Landini, &c. Regem non faciunt opes. Non aura nitida fores: Rex est, qui possuit metus, Et diri mala pectoris, &c. Seneca, Thyestes, chorus, act ii. 11 "There above;" in your world. 13 Glad to see his brutal rage have 12 Kings in a general sense: men its due consummation in the vile prominent for their great qualities, mud, though infinitely above caring and worthy to be kings. See the for him personally. |