Part 14 (1/2)

[329] _Who dare, etc._: Virgil knows the hindrance is only temporary, but wonders what superior devilish power can have incited the demons to deny him entrance. The incident displays the fallen angels as being still rebellious, and is at the same time skilfully conceived to mark a pause before Dante enters on the lower Inferno.

[330] _They showed it, etc._: At the gate of Inferno, on the occasion of Christ's descent to Limbo. The reference is to the words in the Missal service for Easter Eve: 'This is the night in which, having burst the bonds of death, Christ victoriously ascended from h.e.l.l.'

CANTO IX.

The hue which cowardice on my face did paint When I beheld my guide return again, Put his new colour[331] quicker 'neath restraint.

Like one who listens did he fixed remain; For far to penetrate the air like night, And heavy mist, the eye was bent in vain.

'Yet surely we must vanquish in the fight;'

Thus he, 'unless[332]--but with such proffered aid-- O how I weary till he come in sight!'

Well I remarked how he transition made, 10 Covering his opening words with those behind, Which contradicted what at first he said.

Nath'less his speech with terror charged my mind, For, haply, to the word which broken fell Worse meaning than he purposed, I a.s.signed.

Down to this bottom[333] of the dismal sh.e.l.l Comes ever any from the First Degree,[334]

Where all their pain is, stripped of hope to dwell?

To this my question thus responded he: 'Seldom it haps to any to pursue 20 The journey now embarked upon by me.

Yet I ere this descended, it is true, Beneath a spell of dire Erichtho's[335] laid, Who could the corpse with soul inform anew.

Short while my flesh of me was empty made When she required me to o'erpa.s.s that wall, From Judas' circle[336] to abstract a shade.

That is the deepest, darkest place of all, And furthest from the heaven[337] which moves the skies; I know the way; fear nought that can befall. 30 These fens[338] from which vile exhalations rise The doleful city all around invest, Which now we reach not save in angry wise.'

Of more he spake nought in my mind doth rest, For, with mine eyes, my every thought had been Fixed on the lofty tower with flaming crest, Where, in a moment and upright, were seen Three h.e.l.lish furies, all with blood defaced, And woman-like in members and in mien.

Hydras of brilliant green begirt their waist; 40 Snakes and cerastes for their tresses grew, And these were round their dreadful temples braced.

That they the drudges were, full well he knew, Of her who is the queen of endless woes, And said to me: 'The fierce Erynnyes[339] view!

Herself upon the left Megaera shows; That is Alecto weeping on the right; Tisiphone's between.' Here made he close.

Each with her nails her breast tore, and did smite Herself with open palms. They screamed in tone 50 So fierce, I to the Poet clove for fright.

'Medusa,[340] come, that we may make him stone!'

All shouted as they downward gazed; 'Alack!

Theseus[341] escaped us when he ventured down.'

'Keep thine eyes closed and turn to them thy back, For if the Gorgon chance to be displayed And thou shouldst look, farewell the upward track!'

Thus spake the Master, and himself he swayed Me round about; nor put he trust in mine But his own hands upon mine eyelids laid. 60 O ye with judgment gifted to divine Look closely now, and mark what hidden lore Lies 'neath the veil of my mysterious line![342]

Across the turbid waters came a roar And crash of sound, which big with fear arose: Because of it fell trembling either sh.o.r.e.

The fas.h.i.+on of it was as when there blows A blast by cross heats made to rage amain, Which smites the forest and without repose The shattered branches sweeps in hurricane; 70 In clouds of dust, majestic, onward flies, Wild beasts and herdsmen driving o'er the plain.

'Sharpen thy gaze,' he bade--and freed mine eyes-- 'Across the foam-flecked immemorial lake, Where sourest vapour most unbroken lies.'

And as the frogs before the hostile snake Together of the water get them clear, And on the dry ground, huddling, shelter take; More than a thousand ruined souls in fear Beheld I flee from one who, dry of feet, 80 Was by the Stygian ferry drawing near.

Waving his left hand he the vapour beat Swiftly from 'fore his face, nor seemed he spent Save with fatigue at having this to meet.

Well I opined that he from Heaven[343] was sent, And to my Master turned. His gesture taught I should be dumb and in obeisance bent.

Ah me, how with disdain appeared he fraught!

He reached the gate, which, touching with a rod,[344]

He oped with ease, for it resisted not. 90 'People despised and banished far from G.o.d,'

Upon the awful threshold then he spoke, 'How holds in you such insolence abode?

Why kick against that will which never broke Short of its end, if ever it begin, And often for you fiercer torments woke?

b.u.t.ting 'gainst fate, what can ye hope to win?