nd in burnt. ironiaths in which ves by e been te, but ARGUMENT. IN the same gulf are punished Impostors of various kinds, coiners and counterfeiters, who are afflicted with horrible diseases, fevers aud dropsies. Gianni Scicchi, Sinon, and Adamo; between whom takes place a most comical dialogue. WHAT time, incensed against the Theban maid, That wrath the Goddess more than once display'd So lost to reason Athamas became, That when he saw his wife, in either hand Bearing a child, he furious did exclaim, "Extend the nets, that at the pass I may Enclose the lioness and both her young." Then, stretching forth his talons to the prey, Insensate-dash'd him; while the mother sprung Deep into ocean with her other son.— 7 Or when, bereft of her imperial sway, Troy, once all daring, was in ruin laid, In frenzy bark'd, like to a dog;-so great But never furies, whencesoe'er they came, Trojan, or Theban, with such rancorous hate Who, like a hog let loose from out the sty, Said: "Gianni Scicchi is the fiend you see, 13 Then answer'd he; 19 25 31 That wicked one, 66 Know, Myrrha is her name- 37 who cherish'd in her breast For her own father an unhallow'd flame. Buossi Donati, and upon him took To sign and seal a forged testament." Had but the groin been amputated there Where in the human form the fork 's display'd. The dropsy, which with noxious humours charged, Unto the face, not equally enlarged, 43 49 Made him distend both lips;-as, parch'd within, 55 While the other he drops downward to the chin. To master Adam's miserable strain. What I desired on earth, I compass'd-all; One drop of water now I crave in vain. The rivulets, which from the verdant hills Of Casentino into Arno fall, Cooling the channels with their limpid rills, For their fond image more dries up my E'en from the very region of my sin skin There is Romena, where that coin I learnt 73 On To forge, which John the Baptist's image bore; For which offence my earthly frame was burnt: But could the sight of Guido greet me here, An Or Alexander's hapless soul once more, I'd change it not for Branda's fountain clear. I 77 One here below I might already view, 79 Th If the mad souls that pace around speak truth ; But fetter'd thus, alas! what can I do? Were I so light that in a century Ex I could advance a single inch forsooth, 79 73 67 61 In search of him among this people vile, Nor less in width extends than half a mile. By them to stamp the florins was I led, Sinon the other-that false Greek from Troy : Experienced haply somewhat of annoy, Struck with his fist the other's stomach crude, Adam return'd the blow upon his face, 85 91 97 103 Which no less hard than his own paunch appear'd ;— Exclaiming "Ha! although I am debarr'd : By these unwieldly limbs from change of place, Still I've an arm for my defence prepared." |