But let the Malebranche cease a little, So that these may not their revenges fear, For one that I am will make seven come, Shaking his head, and said: "Just hear the trick Responded: "I by far too cunning am, Unto the rest, said to him: "If thou dive, The height be left, and be the bank a shield Planted his feet on land, and in a moment Leaped, and released himself from their design. Whereat each one was suddenly stung with shame, 125 Therefore he moved, and cried: "Thou art o'ertaken." But little it availed, for wings could not Outstrip the fear; the other one went under, And, flying, upward he his breast directed. Not otherwise the duck upon a sudden Dives under, when the falcon is approaching, Infuriate at the mockery, Calcabrina Flying behind him followed close, desirous He turned his talons upon his companion, To clapperclaw him well; and both of them A sudden intercessor was the heat; But ne'ertheless of rising there was naught, 130 135 Lamenting with the others, Barbariccia 145 Made four of them fly to the other side This side and that they to their posts descended; They stretched their hooks towards the pitch-ensnared, Who were already baked within the crust, 150 And in this manner busied did we leave them. CANTO XXIII. SILENT, alone, and without company We went, the one in front, the other after, As go the Minor Friars along their way. Upon the fable of Æsop was directed My thought, by reason of the present quarrel, Where he has spoken of the frog and mouse; For mo and issa are not more alike Than this one is to that, if well we couple Are laughed to scorn, with injury and scoff If anger be engrafted on i-will, They will come after us more merciless I felt my hair stand all on end already With terror, and stood backwardly intent,. I am in dread; we have them now behind us; Thine outward image I should not attract If peradventure the right bank so slope That we to the next Bolgia can descend, Not yet he finished rendering such opinion, When I beheld them come with outstretched wings, My Leader on a sudden seized me up, Even as a mother who by noise is wakened, And close beside her sees the enkindled flames, Who takes her son, and flies, and does not stop, Having more care of him than of herself, So that she clothes her only with a shift; And downward from the top of the hard bank Supine he gave him to the pendent rock, That one side of the other Bolgia walls. Ne'er ran so swiftly water through a sluice To turn the wheel of any land-built mill, Bearing me with him on his breast away, Hardly the bed of the ravine below His feet had reached, ere they had reached the hill For the high Providence, which had ordained To place them ministers of the fifth moat, The power of thence departing took from all. A painted people there below we found, 53 Who went about with footsteps very slow, Weeping and in their semblance tired and vanquished. They had on mantles with the hoods low down Before their eyes, and fashioned of the cut Without, they gilded are so that it dazzles ; But inwardly all leaden and so heavy That Frederick used to put them on of straw. O everlastingly fatiguing mantle ! Again we turned us, still to the left hand Came on so tardily, that we were new Some one who may by deed or name be known, And one, who understood the Tuscan speech, Stay ye your feet, 60 61 20 75 Perhaps thou'lt have from me what thou demandest." They scanned me without uttering a word. Do not disdain to tell us who thou art." In the great town on the fair river of Arno, Along your cheeks such grief as I behold? Are made of lead so heavy, that the weights Cause in this way their balances to creak. Frati Gaudenti were we, and Bolognese; I Catalano, and he Loderingo Named, and together taken by thy city, For maintenance of its peace; and we were such "O Friars," began I, "your iniquitous . . ." But said no more; for to mine eyes there rushed Blowing into his beard with suspirations; Said to me: "This transfixed one, whom thou seest, As thou perceivest; and he needs must feel, Within this moat, and the others of the council, And thereupon I saw Virgilius marvel O'er him who was extended on the cross Then he directed to the Friar this voice: "Be not displeased, if granted thee, to tell us Without constraining some of the black angels Once heard I at Bologna, and among them, Somewhat disturbed with anger in his looks; Whence from the heavy-laden I departed After the prints of his beloved feet. 125 130 135 140 145 CANTO XXIV. IN that part of the youthful year wherein The Sun his locks beneath Aquarius tempers, Rises, and looks, and seeth the champaign Like a poor wretch, who knows not what to do ; In little time, and takes his shepherd's crook, |