"Master," I said to him, "now tell me also What is this Fortune which thou speakest of, That has the world's goods so within its clutches?" And he to me: "O creatures imbecile, What ignorance is this which doth beset you? Now will I have thee learn my judgment of her. He whose omniscience everything transcends 70 The heavens created, and gave who should guide them, That every part to every part may shine, Distributing the light in equal measure; He in like manner to the mundane splendors That she might change at times the empty treasures From race to race, from one blood to another, Beyond resistance of all human wisdom. Therefore one people triumphs, and another 80 Languishes, in pursuance of her judgment, Your knowledge has no counterstand against her; Necessity makes her precipitate, So often cometh who his turn obtains. 85 90 And this is she who is so crucified Even by those who ought to give her praise, Among the other primal creatures gladsome Already sinks each star that was ascending When I set out, and loitering is forbidden." We crossed the circle to the other bank, itself Near to a fount that boils, and pours And we, in company with the dusky waves, This tristful brooklet, when it has descended Down to the foot of the malign gray shores. And I, who stood intent upon beholding, Saw people mud-besprent in that lagoon, But with the head and with the breast and feet, Said the good Master: "Son, thou now beholdest And likewise I would have thee know for certain Beneath the water people are who sigh And make this water bubble at the surface, As the eye tells thee wheresoe'er it turns. Fixed in the mire they say, 'We sullen were In the sweet air, which by the sun is gladdened, Now we are sullen in this sable mire.' 115 120 This hymn do they keep gurgling in their throats, 125 Thus we went circling round the filthy fen A great arc 'twixt the dry bank and the swamp, With eyes turned unto those who gorge the mire; Unto the foot of a tower we came at last. 130 CANTO VIII. I SAY, continuing, that long before We to the foot of that high tower had come, Our eyes went upward to the summit of it, By reason of two flamelets we saw placed there, And from afar another answer them, So far, that hardly could the eye attain it. I said: "What sayeth this, and what respondeth And he to me: "Across the turbid waves What is expected thou canst now discern, If reek of the morass conceal it not." Cord never shot an arrow from itself That sped away athwart the air so swift, As I beheld a very little boat Come o'er the water tow'rds us at that moment, Under the guidance of a single pilot, Who shouted, "Now art thou arrived, fell soul?" For this once," said my Lord; "thou shalt not have us As he who listens to some great deceit That has been done to him, and then resents it, Such became Phlegyas, in his gathered wrath. My Guide descended down into the boat, And then he made me enter after him, Soon as the Guide and I were in the boat, 25 The antique prow goes on its way, dividing 30 While we were running through the dead canal, Uprose in front of me one full of mire, And said, "Who'rt thou that comest ere the hour?" And I to him: “Although I come, I stay not; But who art thou that hast become so squalid?" 35 "Thou seest that I am one who weeps," he answered. And I to him: "With weeping and with wailing, Thou spirit maledict, do thou remain ; ; For thee I know, though thou art all defiled." Whereat my wary Master thrust him back, 40 |