ranc vens ci “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, 70 What ignorance is this which doth beset you ? Now will I have thee learn my judgment of her. He whose omniscience everything transcends 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 Ordained a general ministress and guide, From race to race, from one blood to another, 80 Beyond resistance of all human wisdom. Therefore one people triumphs, and another Languishes, in pursuance of her judgment, Which hidden is, as in the grass a serpent. Your knowledge has no counterstand against her ; She makes provision, judges, and pursues Her governance, as theirs the other gods. Necessity makes her precipitate, QO And this is she who is so crucified Even by those who ought to give her praise, Giving her blame amiss, and bad repute. But she is blissful, and she hears it not; Among the other primal creatures gladsome She turns her sphere, and blissful she rejoices. Let us descend now unto greater woe; Already sinks each star that was ascending When I set out, and loitering is forbidden.” We crossed the circle to the other bank, Near to a fount that boils, and pours itself Along a gully that runs out of it. And we, in company with the dusky waves, Made entrance downward by a path uncouth. A marsh it makes, which has the name of Styx, 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, All of them naked and with angry look. But with the head and with the breast and feet, 105 110 IIS ve us 120 120 Said the good Master : “Son, thou now beholdest 115 The souls of those whom anger overcame ; 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, Bearing within ourselves the sluggish reek; Now we are sullen in this sable mire. This hymn do they keep gurgling in their throats, 125 For with unbroken words they cannot say it.” 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 25 ero 30 “ Phlegyas, Phlegyas, thou criest out in vain For this once,” said my Lord; “thou shalt not have us Longer than in the passing of the slough.” 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, And only when I entered seemed it laden. Soon as the Guide and I were in the boat, The antique prow goes on its way, dividing More of the water than 't is wont with others. 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, e 1 |