The cloven tail that shape did now assume
Lost by the other; soft one's skin was made,
Meanwhile the other's harden'd in its room.

Arms into armpits enter'd-strange to view;
And as the beast's short feet new length display'd,
The long feet of the other shorter grew.
His hinder feet, now twisted into one,

Were straightway seen another form to wear:
And with the other was like marvel done.
Both with new colours doth the smoke o'erlay ;
And in the skin of one is gendered hair,

While from the other's skin it falls away. The man arose ;-the serpent fell below;

109

115

121

Though still the while those impious eyeballs gazed
-Upon the change each face did undergo.
His face the erect one tow'rds his temples drew,
And thence from the superfluous matter raised
On either side, the ears spontaneous grew.
That superfluity which yet remain'd

A nostril to the impious face appears;
And the two lips their proper size attain❜d.
He who lay prone prolongeth now his chin,
Within his head contracting both his ears,
E'en as a snail, when he his horns draws in.

127

133

an

Now splits in twain, while the other's forks unite :
Whereat their breathing ceased, and ceased the smoke.
The soul, transformed into a brute, now hies
Hissing along the vale; the one upright
Spits after him contemptuous, as he flies ;
Then scornful turn'd on him his shoulders new,
And to the other spoke : "Let Buoso now,
E'en like to me, all-fours his way pursue."
Such changes did the seventh round present;
And I the plea of novelty avow,

on res ha

on

flo

fro

139

fish

mo

Do

be

be

be

If here my verse decline embellishment. And though confusion overwhelm'd mine eye,

And into amazement too my mind was thrown,
These shades could not escape so secretly,

But that I recognized Sciancato, who

Of the three comrades that came first, alone

Had not been alter'd to some figure new :

Ca

tha

The other's death thou, Gaville, dost atone.

151

Se

NOTES.

Page 216. (Line 12.) It was a prevailing opinion that the people of Pistoia were descended from the followers of Cataline, who, according to Sallust, took refuge there.

Page 217. (Line 15.) Capaneus, of whom see canto xiv. 46, and notes. (20.) Maremma is a low marshy tract near Siena, on the coast of Tuscany. "Further south is the Maremma, a region, which, though now worse than a desert, is supposed to have been anciently both fertile and healthy. The very air is only a pool of vapours, which sometimes undulate, but never flow off. It draws corruption from a rank unshorn vegetation, from innumerable insects, from living and dead reptiles and fish."— Forsyth's Italy, p. 126. (25.) For a description of the monster Cacus, see Virgil. Æn. viii. 194, &c.

Page 218. (Line 43.) Cianfa was one of the family of the Donati at Florence. "To understand the exclamation, it must be remembered that the three spirits who lately arrived had been in company with Cianfa; and he, it seems, remained behind. This gave rise to the question asked by Agnello Bruneleschi, where he was. In the mean time Cianfa is changed into a serpent, and returns to seize on Agnello."—Rossetti.

Page 219. (Line 67.) Buoso degli Abati—a Florentine, also of Donati's famly, mentioned line 141, and Puccio Sciancati— a noted robber, alluded to, line 148. (83.) The viper is Francesco Guercio Cavalcante. See line 151, and note.

Page 220. (Line 94.) These were two Roman soldiers in Cato's army, who were stung by serpents. Lucan relates that the latter fell instantly into ashes.—Phars. ix. 766. (97.) See Metam. book v, 573.

Page 222. (Line 133.) According to the vulgar error the serpent's tongue is forked. (148.) Of Sciancato, see note, line 67. (151.) Guercio Cavalcante, a robber, was killed at Gaville, in the Valdarno; and his death was cruelly avenged by his faction, who slew the inhabitants, and wasted the country with fire and sword.

DANTE reproaches Florence in an ironical strain, on meeting with five of his countrymen among the thieves. Remounting the steps which the poets had descended to the seventh gulf, they proceed to the arch that stretches over the eighth; and from thence behold numerous flames, in which are punished evil counsellors. Diomed and Ulysses:-the latter relates his adventures and the manner of his death.

EXULT, O Florence, in so great a fame,

Your wings are waving over land and sea;

And e'en through hell resounds your mighty name! Among the robbers I discover'd five,—

Your citizens,-five such-it shameth me;

Nor great the reputation you derive.

But if, as morning rises, dreams are true,
Erelong you shall experience all the ill

Prato and other towns would have you rue.
Had it arrived, too soon it would not be ;
I wish it had, since come at last it will;
And, growing old, the greater grief to me.

1

7

tes

Departing, we ascend a staircase rude,

Carved in the rock down which we lately went:

My guide preceded-I his steps pursued.
Wending our way, thus desolate and lone,

'Mid rugged crags and dire impediment,

We grasp'd with feet and hands the jutting stone. Then did I grieve, and now I grieve again,

When I consider what there met mine eyes;

And, more than I am wont, my mind restrain,
Lest, uncontroll❜d by virtue, it be driven,

And I abuse those better faculties,

Or favouring star, or higher Power hath given.
What time the sun least hides his glorious face,
And with his lustre gilds the glowing sky,
When to the gnat the buzzing fly gives place ;-
many fire-flies as the rustic sees

As

Down in the vale, where field and vineyard lie,

Whilst on the hill his limbs recline at ease;

13

19

25

With flames so numerous shone, all gleaming bright, 31
The eighth abyss, as I with steady eyes

Discern'd, when of the depth we gain'd a sight.
As he, whose wrongs did savage bears resent,
Beheld Elijah's car from earth arise,

By fiery steeds borne up heaven's steep ascent,