The Divine Comedy (Illustrated Edition). Dante Alighieri

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The Divine Comedy (Illustrated Edition) - Dante Alighieri


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a craggy steep we found,

      That this dark wave resounded, roaring loud,

      So that the ear its clamour soon had stunn’d.

      Wherewith I erst had thought fast bound to take

      The painted leopard. This when I had all

      Unloosen’d from me (so my master bade)

      I gather’d up, and stretch’d it forth to him.

      Then to the right he turn’d, and from the brink

      Standing few paces distant, cast it down

      Into the deep abyss. “And somewhat strange,”

      Thus to myself I spake, “signal so strange

      Betokens, which my guide with earnest eye

      Thus follows.” Ah! what caution must men use

      With those who look not at the deed alone,

      But spy into the thoughts with subtle skill!

      “Quickly shall come,” he said, “what I expect,

      Thine eye discover quickly, that whereof

      Thy thought is dreaming.” Ever to that truth,

      Which but the semblance of a falsehood wears,

      A man, if possible, should bar his lip;

      Since, although blameless, he incurs reproach.

      But silence here were vain; and by these notes

      Which now I sing, reader! I swear to thee,

      So may they favour find to latest times!

      That through the gross and murky air I spied

      A shape come swimming up, that might have quell’d

      The stoutest heart with wonder, in such guise

      As one returns, who hath been down to loose

      An anchor grappled fast against some rock,

      Or to aught else that in the salt wave lies,

      Who upward springing close draws in his feet.

      Footnotes

      Canto XVII

       Table of Contents

      ARGUMENT.—The monster Geryon is described; to whom while Virgil is speaking in order that he may carry them both down to the next circle, Dante, by permission, goes further along the edge of the void, to descry the third species of sinners contained in this compartment, namely, those who have done violence to Art; and then returning to his master, they both descend, seated on the back of Geryon.

      Who passes mountains, breaks through fenced walls

      And firm embattled spears, and with his filth

      Taints all the world!” Thus me my guide address’d,

      And beckon’d him, that he should come to shore,

      Near to the stony causeway’s utmost edge.

      Forthwith that image vile of fraud appear’d,

      His head and upper part expos’d on land,

      But laid not on the shore his bestial train.

      His face the semblance of a just man’s wore,

      So kind and gracious was its outward cheer;

      The rest was serpent all: two shaggy claws

      Reach’d to the armpits, and the back and breast,

      And either side, were painted o’er with nodes

      And orbits. Colours variegated more

      Nor Turks nor Tartars e’er on cloth of state

      With


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