Page 201. (Line 37.) The picture is here given, after Dante's peculiar manner, in a few strokes. Rapidity both of thought and expression are most remarkable in the succeeding verses of the original. (59.) The Hypocrites. Page 202. (Line 66.) Frederick the Second punished those guilty of treason by covering them with leaden caps, and then casting them into a furnace. This example had been set by the Popes. See Ducange, Glos. v. Cappa Plumbea. Page 203. (Line 105.) In the year 1266, Florence being torn by the contending parties of the Guelfs and Ghibellins, it was agreed to appoint two governors from another country, who would be free from prejudice, and administer justice impartially. This good intention was defeated by the unfortunate choice made of two Bolognese knights of the order of Frati Godenti, N. Catalano and M. Loderingo. Great dependance was placed on the character of the order; and by their pretended virtues were the Florentines deceived. These two hypocrites, chosen to act as mediators, and preserve peace in the city, abused their power to promote their own interests. Bribed to support the Guelfs, they drove out the Ghibellins, and destroyed the houses of the family of the Uberti, which were in the street called Gardingo. See Villani, b. vii. c. 13. Page 205. (Line 139.) "Virgil, ashamed of having given credence to Malacoda, whom he had consulted about the road (canto xxi. 111,) stands awhile in thought, and then exclaims against his duplicity."-Rosetti. (142.) Some irony seems intended relative to the University of Bologna. (145.) Virgil goes off in haste, indignant at having been deceived. Daz houg verses d these id then set of CANTO XXIV. being ellins, untry, ce im. fortu. der of epen their two ce in rests. lins, hich 13. iven road ims in rgil ARGUMENT. DANTE is alarmed at the appearance of Virgil, whose countenance betrays his fears. He receives comfort and assistance from his guide; and with great difficulty is enabled to reach the seventh division, where the thieves are persecuted by a swarm of serpents. Among these he meets with Vanni Fucci of Pistoia, who predicts the calamities of that city and of Florence. In the new year, when Sol his tresses gay and bright Assumes the image of her sister white, Rises betimes-looks out-and sees the land Then issues forth, forgetting his despair, For lo! the face of nature he beholds Changed on a sudden,-takes his crook again, And drives his flocks to pasture from the folds. With such alarm the master fill'd my breast, Soon as his troubled visage met my ken; 13 And with such speed the mischief was redrest: As when I saw him by the mountain side. 25 And counsel with himself awhile he took, Exclaiming: "Grasp that firmly; but first know Had not been shorter than the adjoining one, 31 A T But Malebolge, since throughout it lies All sloping down tow'rds hell's profoundest deep, Up to the summit of the shatter'd steep, On beds of down, can Fame be won by man :- grave, A longer flight of steps thou yet must scale; Far better lungs than I in truth possess'd; P 37 43 4.9 55 Among the rocks our upward course we bent, Still by the way, for fear of seeming weak, I held discourse; when from the foss beside High on the arch which spans that fearful ground; I stoop'd me down; but, though with life endued, For hence I hear, but do not understand, So down I look, but nought do I perceive." "My answer is-to do thy will"-said he ; every modest and sincere demand "For So hideous and diversified in kind, That at the very thought my blood runs cold. 67 A T 73 L So 79 W So |