NOTES. The meaning of Plutus' exclamation (evidently intended to terrify Dante) seems to be," Avaunt! for the Pope who presides over Riches, is Satanic Prince here." The line is thus stopped and explained by Signor Rosetti: "Pap'è Satan, Pap'è Satan, Aleppe." "The Pope is Satan, the Pope is Satan, Prince." That Plutus is the symbol of Avarice is evident from line seven, where he is identified with the Wolf of the first canto. (12.) "Michael and his angels fought against the Dragon, &c." Rev. xii. 7. Milton here follows Dante: "So much the fear of thunder, and the sword of Michael wrought still within them."-Par. Lost. ii. 294; see also line 320. Page 62. (Line 46.) "Such rapacity might seem incredible in men cut off from the pursuits of life, and the hope of posterity, did we not behold every day the unreasonableness of avarice."-Hallam. Middle Ages, cap. vii. (57.) Cowper seems to have had this passage in view. "There Priests with bulls and briefs, and shaven crowns, and griping fists."-Expostula tion. Page 63. (Line 64.) "Neither their silver nor gold shall "E tanto argento ed oro ha in le sue mane Ne richezza maggior al Sol si vede." (78.) Hence Chaucer. Knight's Tale. 1664. "The destinee, ministre general, That executeth in the world over al The purveiance that God hath sen beforne." amation Avaunt! ce here." Rosetti: = Satan, mbol of ed with angels n here - sword 94; see redible of posness of seems bulls stula shall th." ed by Dante says that the operations of Fortune are not the result Ludum insolentem ludere pertinax, Nunc mihi, nunc alii benigna." Page 64. (Line 89.) "Te semper anteit sæva Necessitas." 46 Æquâ lege Necessitas sortitur insignes et imos."—Horace. Carm. i. 35, and iii. 1. (91.) Thus Spencer. Fairy Queen :"In vain, said then old Melibee, do men The heavens of their fortune's fault accuse, Sith they know best what is the best for them, As they do know each can most aptly use." Page 65. (Line 127.) "The Stygian lake is here intended." -Monti. Proposta, in voce “pozza.” A 1 I ARGUMENT. In answer to a signal from a tower in the city of Dis, Flegias, the ferryman of the Stygian lake, conveys the poets across it. Filippo Argenti.-The gates of the city are closed by a band of Demons, and Virgil returns in despair. Now tell I, as my story I pursue, That ere we reach'd the lofty castle's base, "Wherefore this signal? why that answering light? W 7 W Flegias, cross it. a band 1 With greater speed did never arrow fly Forth from the string, and cut the yielding air, Of but a single boatman; who, aware As For once avails thee not," exclaim'd the sire; So Flegias stood, to sudden anger stirr❜d. And bade me follow close upon his track: 13 19 25 Cut by the impress of the ancient prow. One rose before me, smear'd with mud, and cried: "Say who art thou who com'st before thy time?" "I come not to remain :-but who," quoth I, "Art thou who hast thyself so brutified?" "Lo! one am I who weeps," was his reply. 31 And I to him: "With weeping and with woe, All muddy though thou art, thy face I know." Whereat the master thrust him back again, Exclaiming: "To the other dogs begone." With this, around my neck his arms he flung, 37 43 And kiss'd my cheek: "Indignant soul," said he, He, when alive, was arrogant, and proud; And therefore here his spirit storms aloud. On earth how many deem themselves great kings, "O what delight would it afford my heart To see him plunged within the pool," said I, "Ere from the filthy waters we depart !" Then he to me: "Thou shalt be satisfied, Before the infernal shore appear in sight; "Tis meet that such a wish be not denied." Soon after, I beheld the muddy crew Set on him with such violence and might, That God I thank for granting me the view. |