The Divine Comedy (Complete Annotated Edition). Dante Alighieri

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The Divine Comedy (Complete Annotated Edition) - Dante Alighieri

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press’d, than thought of him

      Who in his presence stands. Then we our steps

      Toward that territory mov’d, secure

      After the hallow’d words. We unoppos’d

      There enter’d; and my mind eager to learn

      What state a fortress like to that might hold,

      I soon as enter’d throw mine eye around,

      And see on every part wide-stretching space

      Replete with bitter pain and torment ill.

      That closes Italy and laves her bounds,

      The place is all thick spread with sepulchres;

      So was it here, save what in horror here

      Excell’d: for ’midst the graves were scattered flames,

      Wherewith intensely all throughout they burn’d,

      That iron for no craft there hotter needs.

      Their lids all hung suspended, and beneath

      From them forth issu’d lamentable moans,

      Such as the sad and tortur’d well might raise.

      I thus: “Master! say who are these, interr’d

      Within these vaults, of whom distinct we hear

      The dolorous sighs?” He answer thus return’d:

      “The arch-heretics are here, accompanied

      By every sect their followers; and much more,

      Than thou believest, tombs are freighted: like

      With like is buried; and the monuments

      Are different in degrees of heat. “This said,

      He to the right hand turning, on we pass’d

      Betwixt the afflicted and the ramparts high.

      Footnotes

      Canto X

       Table of Contents

      ARGUMENT.—Dante, having obtained permission from his guide, holds discourse with Farinata degli Uberti and Cavalcante Cavalcanti, who lie in their fiery tombs that are yet open, and not to be closed up till after the last judgment. Farinata predicts the Poet’s exile from Florence; and shows him that the condemned have knowledge of future things, but are ignorant of what is at present passing, unless it be revealed by some newcomer from earth.

      NOW by a secret pathway we proceed,

      Between the walls, that hem the region round,

      And the tormented souls: my master first,

      I close behind his steps. “Virtue supreme!”

      I thus began; “who through these ample orbs

      In circuit lead’st me, even as thou will’st,

      Speak thou, and satisfy my wish. May those,

      Who lie within these sepulchres, be seen?

      Already all the lids are rais’d, and none

      O’er them keeps watch.” He thus in answer spake

      “They shall be closed all, what-time they here

      Their bodies, which above they now have left.

      The cemetery on this part obtain

      With Epicurus all his followers,

      Who with the body make the spirit die.

      Here therefore satisfaction shall be soon

      Which thou conceal’st in silence.” I replied:

      “I keep not, guide belov’d! from thee my heart

      Secreted, but to shun vain length of words,

      A

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