第一篇在人生的中途，我迷失在一个黑暗的森林之中。要说明那个森林的荒凉、肃静和广漠，是多么的困难呀！一想到他我心里就是一阵害怕，就象死亡来临。在叙述我遇着救护人之前，先把触目惊心的情景描述一番。
我怎样会走进这个森林之中，我自己也不清楚，只觉得我在昏昏欲睡的刹那，我就失掉了正路。后来我走到森林的一边，害怕的念头还缠绑着我的心，忽然到了一个小山的脚下，那小山的顶上披着耀眼的阳光，这是普照旅途的明灯。一夜的惊吓，真是可怜。这时我才略微下心来。从海里爬上岸来的，一般要回头看看身后的惊涛骇浪，所以我在惊魂初定之后，我也就回顾来路。才晓得来路险艰辛恶。不是生人所到的。
我休息了一会儿，就立起来赶我的路程，一步一步爬上荒凉的山坡。没有爬得多高前面忽然跳出一只敏捷的、五色斑斓的豹，拦住我的去路，我几次想回头逃避他。那时天大亮了，太阳从东方升起，四野都清晰起来；这样清爽的早晨，这样温和的时候，使我有克服那眩眼可怕的野兽之希望。但是，一波未平，一波又起、一只狮子又出现了，他似乎向着我猛冲过来，他是饥饿极了，高抬着头，呼呼的地出气，真吓煞人。同时还有一只干瘦的母狼，她似乎是饥不择食的，而且已经有许多人受了她的伤害。她的一双眼睛死钉着我，吓得我全身发抖，于是我只好放弃爬到山顶的打算。
我好象是一位渴望着金钱的人，忽然受到一个失败的打击，而沉陷于痛楚悲哀的境地。我受到那只母狼的逼迫、她一步一步地逼近我，使我不得不退往那黑暗的森林。在我后退的时候，我看见一个人。他似乎是静默了很久，象不会说话一样。在此荒山旷野，居然来了救星，我脱口叫道：“请你快来救我，不管你是什么，一个影子也好，一个真人也好。”
他回答道：“我从前是人，现在不是人了。我的父母是伦巴第人，他们的国家是曼图亚。我生于尤利乌斯王朝，但是迟了一点，后来住在罗马，受奥古斯都王的保护，那时还是异教流行。我是一个诗人，我歌吟安奇塞斯的儿子，他是真正的英雄，他从特济亚城逃出来，因为那个雄伟的城已被希腊人烧毁了。但是你为什么如此惊惶失措，为什么不爬过这座明媚的山，这是人们幸福的源泉？”
我被说得面红耳赤，向他回答道：”那末你就是维吉尔么？从你的嘴里，吟出多么美丽而和谐的诗句呀！你是众诗人的灯塔，一切的光荣都归于你！我爱好你的诗篇，并学习和研究过你的著作！你是我的老师，是我心中的偶像，我从你学得很多好诗句，因此使我有了一些名声。……请你看那些野兽，我后退的原因就是为着他们。著名的哲人，请你帮助我来反抗他们，他们使我四肢的血肉都颤动起来了！”
他看见我流泪，他答道：“你应当另寻一条出路，要离开这块荒野的地方，因为那只母狼决不让一个人经过那里，除非把她杀悼。她的本性非常残酷，肚子从来没有饱足的时候，愈加吃得多，反而愈加饥饿。和她勾结的野兽还多呢，而且是一天比一天多，只有等到那著名的猎狗出世，才能够把他们一一杀尽。他不爱金钱，不贪土地，他以仁爱，智慧，勇敢做食品，他的国土是在菲尔特罗和菲尔特罗之间。他将拯救可怜的意大利，为着她，圣女卡密拉，罔尔努斯，欧吕阿鲁斯和尼苏斯这些人都战伤而死了。他将把母狼扫尽，把他们再赶进地狱，因为当初他们就是被魔鬼从那里放出来的。因此我想到：要是你到那里去看看，对你是有益处的；我可以做你的向导，引导你脱离这块可怕的地方；引导你经历永劫之邦，那里你可以听到绝望的呼声，看见苦难的古幽灵，每一个都在尝试着第二次的死；你还可以看见那些满足于火焰之中的幽灵，因为他们还有和那些幸福者住在一起的希望呢。末了，假使你愿意上升，还有一个比我更高贵的灵魂来引导你，那时我就和你分别了。因为我没有信仰他，所以我不能走进上帝所住的地方。上帝统治宇宙，权力无所不在，但是他在天上有一定的座位；能够接近他的人是多么快乐呀！”
于是我这样说：“诗人呀！请你为上帝的缘故，引导我逃出这个黑暗的森林和其他更坏的地方罢；伴着我到你方才所说的境界，一看沉溺在悲哀的深渊里的幽灵；最后引导我到圣彼得的门。”
于是我跟着维吉尔往前走。
I found me in a gloomy wood, astray
Gone from the path direct: and e'en to tell
It were no easy task, how savage wild
That forest, how robust and rough its growth,
Which to remember only, my dismay
Renews, in bitterness not far from death.
Yet to discourse of what there good befell,
All else will I relate discover'd there.
How first I enter'd it I scarce can say,
Such sleepy dullness in that instant weigh'd
My senses down, when the true path I left,
But when a mountain's foot I reach'd, where clos'd
The valley, that had pierc'd my heart with dread,
I look'd aloft, and saw his shoulders broad
Already vested with that planet's beam,
Who leads all wanderers safe through every way.
Then was a little respite to the fear,
That in my heart's recesses deep had lain,
All of that night, so pitifully pass'd:
And as a man, with difficult short breath,
Forespent with toiling, 'scap'd from sea to shore,
Turns to the perilous wide waste, and stands
At gaze; e'en so my spirit, that yet fail'd
Struggling with terror, turn'd to view the straits,
That none hath pass'd and liv'd. My weary frame
After short pause recomforted, again
I journey'd on over that lonely steep,
The hinder foot still firmer. Scarce the ascent
Began, when, lo! a panther, nimble, light,
And cover'd with a speckled skin, appear'd,
Nor, when it saw me, vanish'd, rather strove
To check my onward going; that ofttimes
With purpose to retrace my steps I turn'd.
The hour was morning's prime, and on his way
Aloft the sun ascended with those stars,
That with him rose, when Love divine first mov'd
Those its fair works: so that with joyous hope
All things conspir'd to fill me, the gay skin
Of that swift animal, the matin dawn
And the sweet season. Soon that joy was chas'd,
And by new dread succeeded, when in view
A lion came, 'gainst me, as it appear'd,
With his head held aloft and hunger-mad,
That e'en the air was fear-struck. A she-wolf
Was at his heels, who in her leanness seem'd
Full of all wants, and many a land hath made
Disconsolate ere now. She with such fear
O'erwhelmed me, at the sight of her appall'd,
That of the height all hope I lost. As one,
Who with his gain elated, sees the time
When all unwares is gone, he inwardly
Mourns with heart-griping anguish; such was I,
Haunted by that fell beast, never at peace,
Who coming o'er against me, by degrees
Impell'd me where the sun in silence rests.
While to the lower space with backward step
I fell, my ken discern'd the form one of one,
Whose voice seem'd faint through long disuse of speech.
When him in that great desert I espied,
"Have mercy on me!" cried I out aloud,
"Spirit! or living man! what e'er thou be!"
He answer'd: "Now not man, man once I was,
And born of Lombard parents, Mantuana both
By country, when the power of Julius yet
Was scarcely firm. At Rome my life was past
Beneath the mild Augustus, in the time
Of fabled deities and false. A bard
Was I, and made Anchises' upright son
The subject of my song, who came from Troy,
When the flames prey'd on Ilium's haughty towers.
But thou, say wherefore to such perils past
Return'st thou? wherefore not this pleasant mount
Ascendest, cause and source of all delight?"
"And art thou then that Virgil, that well-spring,
From which such copious floods of eloquence
Have issued?" I with front abash'd replied.
"Glory and light of all the tuneful train!
May it avail me that I long with zeal
Have sought thy volume, and with love immense
Have conn'd it o'er. My master thou and guide!
Thou he from whom alone I have deriv'd
That style, which for its beauty into fame
Exalts me. See the beast, from whom I fled.
O save me from her, thou illustrious sage!
"For every vein and pulse throughout my frame
She hath made tremble." He, soon as he saw
That I was weeping, answer'd, "Thou must needs
Another way pursue, if thou wouldst 'scape
From out that savage wilderness. This beast,
At whom thou criest, her way will suffer none
To pass, and no less hindrance makes than death:
So bad and so accursed in her kind,
That never sated is her ravenous will,
Still after food more craving than before.
To many an animal in wedlock vile
She fastens, and shall yet to many more,
Until that greyhound come, who shall destroy
Her with sharp pain. He will not life support
By earth nor its base metals, but by love,
Wisdom, and virtue, and his land shall be
The land 'twixt either Feltro. In his might
Shall safety to Italia's plains arise,
For whose fair realm, Camilla, virgin pure,
Nisus, Euryalus, and Turnus fell.
He with incessant chase through every town
Shall worry, until he to hell at length
Restore her, thence by envy first let loose.
I for thy profit pond'ring now devise,
That thou mayst follow me, and I thy guide
Will lead thee hence through an eternal space,
Where thou shalt hear despairing shrieks, and see
Spirits of old tormented, who invoke
A second death; and those next view, who dwell
Content in fire, for that they hope to come,
Whene'er the time may be, among the blest,
Into whose regions if thou then desire
T' ascend, a spirit worthier then I
Must lead thee, in whose charge, when I depart,
Thou shalt be left: for that Almighty King,
Who reigns above, a rebel to his law,
Adjudges me, and therefore hath decreed,
That to his city none through me should come.
He in all parts hath sway; there rules, there holds
His citadel and throne. O happy those,
Whom there he chooses!" I to him in few:
"Bard! by that God, whom thou didst not adore,
I do beseech thee (that this ill and worse
I may escape) to lead me, where thou saidst,
That I Saint Peter's gate may view, and those
Who as thou tell'st, are in such dismal plight."
Onward he mov'd, I close his steps pursu'd.
第二篇傍晚天色渐渐黑了，地上劳苦的动物也要休息了。只有我一个人正预备着去长途跋涉，硬着心肠去一看那些可怜虫。这些见闻，都靠我准确的记忆来叙述的。诗歌的女神呀、卓越的天才呀，请你们帮助我吧！记忆呀，请你把我所见闻的印象准确地留住罢，是你立功的时候到了！
于是我悦：“指引我的诗人呀！请考虑一下罢：我是否能有足够的能力，来承担这件艰难的工作呢？你说西尔维乌斯的父亲曾以血肉之躯走入永劫之邦，但是上帝允许他这样的特权不是没理由的：因为天上已经确定他做罗马的开山祖，那里是帝国的都城，又是从大彼得以来教皇座位的所在地。他从这一趟旅行中，得到了未来胜利和圣教光荣的启示。后来圣保罗为着巩固信仰，使人得到解救，也有这样一次的旅行。但是我呢，为什么要去？谁允许我去？我既不是埃阿斯又不是圣保罗；无论我自己或是别人看来都觉得我不够资格我要是冒昧地跟着你去，适足以证实我的愚蠢无知。你是哲人，虽然我的话说得不清楚。你总会明白我的意思罢。”
好像一个中途改变计划的人一样，不能不把已经动了手的工作放下，因此我逗留在昏黑的山路上，自悔不加思考，便轻易应允了这样重大的使命。
高贵的诗魂答道：“假使我十分明白你的说话，那就是你的心里生了畏惧。畏惧，它使人们在正大的事业面前望而却步，好像胆小的野兽，一听见风声就吓得逃跑一样。我要驱开你心里的畏惧，我要告诉你我为什么要来这里，我听了什么人的嘱托才来搭救你。
“我正在升沉未决的时候，一个美丽的子女叫着我，我上前去应命。她的一双眼睛比星光还要明亮；她用柔和而嘹亮的音调对我说：
“善良的曼图亚的幽魂呀！你的声名传遍世界，且可与日月同辉呢。我有一个不幸的朋友，他徘徊在荒漠的山林，正在惊惶失措，处在进退两难的境地，因为我在天上得着他的消息或许太迟了，恐怕他要迷途更远。现在请你去一趟罢，用你美妙动人的辞令，帮助他离开那里，这样我就放心了。我是贝雅特丽齐，是从天上下来，我是急着要回去的；是爱情感动了我，因此我不得不对你说。当我回到主人那里，我要常常在他面前称赞你呢。”
贝雅特丽齐静默了，于是我对她说：“善女人呀，因为你的缘故，地上的人类才成为万物之灵！你命令我这样做，正是你看重我；假使我现在已经办妥了，我还觉得服从你太迟了一点。你的意思固然用不着再向我解释，但是你为什么敢降临下地，而且又急着要回天国呢？”
她答道：“既然你要想知道，我就把他简单他说几句罢。宇宙间只有能够损害我的我才怕他；不然的话，又何必怕他呢！我得到上帝的恩惠，你们的痛苦触不到我，这里的火焰也触及不到我。……天上有一位高贵的圣女圣母马利亚，她对于我请你去搭救的这个人非常怜惜。她破例待他慈悲。她叫卢齐亚道：“现在你的一个忠实信徒正需要你的引导，我把他委托给你罢。”卢齐亚残酷之敌，马上到我那里去，那时我正和古时的拉结对坐着。卢齐亚说：“贝雅待丽齐，上帝之颂扬。你为什么不帮助爱你的人？他为着你超凡脱俗了。他的痛苦，你不可怜他么？你不看见他在那里和死挣紥么？人海波澜，不下于大洋的狂风怒涛呀！”我听了这番活以后，比地上的人趋福避祸还要快几倍，我从我的幸福地下来，信任了你的辞令，这个不正是你的光荣，就是听了他的人也有光荣呢。”
“她说了以后、掉转她明亮的眼睛全流泪了；因此使我加快地到你这里来；因此我把你从拦住去路的野兽那里救出来。现在你为什么迟疑不前？为什么一颗心被恐惧包围了？为什么不勇敢些？岂不辜负了大廷三个圣女和我的一片好心么？”
好比夜里受了霜打的花朵，垂头丧气的紧闭着，忽然受着太阳的照耀而又开放了；我的心也是这样，我的精神振奋了，我的勇气回复了，我就对他说：“解救我的人，她是多么慈悲呀！至于你呢，服从她的话这样快，是多么好心肠呀！我听了你的话，我下一个决心跟着你去了。现在我们两个人一条心，你是我的引路人，我的主人，我的老师。”
说完了，于是他移动他的脚步，我就走上崎岖荒野的路途。
Imbrown'd with shadows, from their toils releas'd
All animals on earth; and I alone
Prepar'd myself the conflict to sustain,
Both of sad pity, and that perilous road,
Which my unerring memory shall retrace.
O Muses! O high genius! now vouchsafe
Your aid! O mind! that all I saw hast kept
Safe in a written record, here thy worth
And eminent endowments come to proof.
I thus began: "Bard! thou who art my guide,
Consider well, if virtue be in me
Sufficient, ere to this high enterprise
Thou trust me. Thou hast told that Silvius' sire,
Yet cloth'd in corruptible flesh, among
Th' immortal tribes had entrance, and was there
Sensible present. Yet if heaven's great Lord,
Almighty foe to ill, such favour shew'd,
In contemplation of the high effect,
Both what and who from him should issue forth,
It seems in reason's judgment well deserv'd:
Sith he of Rome, and of Rome's empire wide,
In heaven's empyreal height was chosen sire:
Both which, if truth be spoken, were ordain'd
And 'stablish'd for the holy place, where sits
Who to great Peter's sacred chair succeeds.
He from this journey, in thy song renown'd,
Learn'd things, that to his victory gave rise
And to the papal robe. In after-times
The chosen vessel also travel'd there,
To bring us back assurance in that faith,
Which is the entrance to salvation's way.
But I, why should I there presume? or who
Permits it? not, Aeneas I nor Paul.
Myself I deem not worthy, and none else
Will deem me. I, if on this voyage then
I venture, fear it will in folly end.
Thou, who art wise, better my meaning know'st,
Than I can speak." As one, who unresolves
What he hath late resolv'd, and with new thoughts
Changes his purpose, from his first intent
Remov'd; e'en such was I on that dun coast,
Wasting in thought my enterprise, at first
So eagerly embrac'd. "If right thy words
I scan," replied that shade magnanimous,
"Thy soul is by vile fear assail'd, which oft
So overcasts a man, that he recoils
From noblest resolution, like a beast
At some false semblance in the twilight gloom.
That from this terror thou mayst free thyself,
I will instruct thee why I came, and what
I heard in that same instant, when for thee
Grief touch'd me first. I was among the tribe,
Who rest suspended, when a dame, so blest
And lovely, I besought her to command,
Call'd me; her eyes were brighter than the star
Of day; and she with gentle voice and soft
Angelically tun'd her speech address'd:
"O courteous shade of Mantua! thou whose fame
Yet lives, and shall live long as nature lasts!
A friend, not of my fortune but myself,
On the wide desert in his road has met
Hindrance so great, that he through fear has turn'd.
Now much I dread lest he past help have stray'd,
And I be ris'n too late for his relief,
From what in heaven of him I heard. Speed now,
And by thy eloquent persuasive tongue,
And by all means for his deliverance meet,
Assist him. So to me will comfort spring.
I who now bid thee on this errand forth
Am Beatrice; from a place I come.
(Note: Beatrice. I use this word, as it is
pronounced in the Italian, as consisting of four
syllables, of which the third is a long one.)
Revisited with joy. Love brought me thence,
Who prompts my speech. When in my Master's sight
I stand, thy praise to him I oft will tell."
She then was silent, and I thus began:
"O Lady! by whose influence alone,
Mankind excels whatever is contain'd
Within that heaven which hath the smallest orb,
So thy command delights me, that to obey,
If it were done already, would seem late.
No need hast thou farther to speak thy will;
Yet tell the reason, why thou art not loth
To leave that ample space, where to return
Thou burnest, for this centre here beneath."
She then: "Since thou so deeply wouldst inquire,
I will instruct thee briefly, why no dread
Hinders my entrance here. Those things alone
Are to be fear'd, whence evil may proceed,
None else, for none are terrible beside.
I am so fram'd by God, thanks to his grace!
That any suff'rance of your misery
Touches me not, nor flame of that fierce fire
Assails me. In high heaven a blessed dame
Besides, who mourns with such effectual grief
That hindrance, which I send thee to remove,
That God's stern judgment to her will inclines."
To Lucia calling, her she thus bespake:
"Now doth thy faithful servant need thy aid
And I commend him to thee." At her word
Sped Lucia, of all cruelty the foe,
And coming to the place, where I abode
Seated with Rachel, her of ancient days,
She thus address'd me: "Thou true praise of God!
Beatrice! why is not thy succour lent
To him, who so much lov'd thee, as to leave
For thy sake all the multitude admires?
Dost thou not hear how pitiful his wail,
Nor mark the death, which in the torrent flood,
Swoln mightier than a sea, him struggling holds?"
Ne'er among men did any with such speed
Haste to their profit, flee from their annoy,
As when these words were spoken, I came here,
Down from my blessed seat, trusting the force
Of thy pure eloquence, which thee, and all
Who well have mark'd it, into honour brings."
"When she had ended, her bright beaming eyes
Tearful she turn'd aside; whereat I felt
Redoubled zeal to serve thee. As she will'd,
Thus am I come: I sav'd thee from the beast,
Who thy near way across the goodly mount
Prevented. What is this comes o'er thee then?
Why, why dost thou hang back? why in thy breast
Harbour vile fear? why hast not courage there
And noble daring? Since three maids so blest
Thy safety plan, e'en in the court of heaven;
And so much certain good my words forebode."
As florets, by the frosty air of night
Bent down and clos'd, when day has blanch'd their leaves,
Rise all unfolded on their spiry stems;
So was my fainting vigour new restor'd,
And to my heart such kindly courage ran,
That I as one undaunted soon replied:
"O full of pity she, who undertook
My succour! and thou kind who didst perform
So soon her true behest! With such desire
Thou hast dispos'd me to renew my voyage,
That my first purpose fully is resum'd.
Lead on: one only will is in us both.
Thou art my guide, my master thou, and lord."
So spake I; and when he had onward mov'd,
I enter'd on the deep and woody way.
第三篇“从我这里走进苦恼之城，走进罪恶之渊，走进幽灵队里。正义感动了我的创世主：我是神权，神智，神爱的作品。除水存的东西之外，在我之前没有所造的物，我和天地同在：你们走进来，把创的希望抛在脑后罢！”
我看见上段文字，黑沉沉地写在大门上；我说：“老师，这些文字的意思叫我很难懂。”他像是一个博学多才的人，对我说：“到了这个地方，一切的恐怖和畏惧都要放在脑后。我们已经到了我对你说起的地方：在这里我们将要看见一群苦恼的、不懂什么叫幸福的幽灵。”于是他拉了我的手，脸上露出微笑，使我心里得到安慰，他引导我走进幽冥之国。
在这里，叹息声，抱怨声，悲啼声，在没有星光的昏暗的空气里应和着。我一阵心酸，不觉掉下泪来。千奇百怪的语音，痛苦的叫喊，可怕的怒骂，高喊和暗泣，拍手和顿足，空气里面喧闹不已，永无静寂，又好似风卷沙尘，遮天蔽日。那时我毛骨悚然，问道：“老师，我所听见的是什么？发出这样痛苦呼声的又是什么人类呢？”他答道：“这些都是无有名声的懦夫，还混杂了一些卑微鄙陋的天使：他们是只知自利的骑墙派，他们对于上帝既不反叛，也不忠实；这一班幽灵既为天国所排斥，因为天国要保持他的纯洁，又不为地狱所收容，因为罪恶之徒尚有一点自夸之处呢。”我说：“那未他们受了什么刑罚，使他们这样痛苦呢？”他答道：“我可以极简单地对你说。他们既没有寂灭的希望，只是过着昏聩平庸的活，也没有改进的可能。世界上对于他们没有记载；正义和慈悲都轻视他们：我们也不必再谈论他们了，看看就走罢！”
那时我看见一面旗子摇动着向前跑，兜着圈子，一刻也不停息，跟着旗子后面的是一大群的幽灵。我要是不看见，真不会相信死神已经办完了这许多！在这些幽灵之中，我还认识几个，我最看得清楚的是那个因为懦怯而让位的。于是我明白了，这一群下贱昏庸的人为上帝所不喜而为他的仇人所不容呀！这些不幸的人，肉体虽生，精神已死；他们都赤身露体，有蚂蜂和牛虻刺着他们；血和泪从他们脸上流到脚跟上，做了毒虫们的食料。
我向远处望去，又看见一群人在一条大河的岸上，于是我说：”老师，允许我知道那里的一群人么？靠着一点弱的光亮我看得见一群人在那里挤着渡河，究竟是谁迫使他们这样做呢？”他答道：“我们走到那条名叫阿刻隆的惨淡的河边就明白了。”因为问话不及时，我觉得有些惭愧，只好低着头，一言不发，直走到河边。
那里看见一个须发皆的老人立在船上，大喊道：“不幸的你们，罪恶的灵魂！不要再希望看见天日了！我来引你们到彼岸：走进幽乡，走进人民，走进冰池。至于你呢，你是活人，快离开他们罢，这些都是死人呀！”他看见我还是站着不动，便怒道：“你另有一条路走，另有一个渡口，另有一个较轻的船来渡你呢。”我的引路人对他说：“卡隆，你不要来阻止，这是上帝的意思，不必多说了。”
老人听罢，果然不说话了，他把发火的眼睛向岸上一望，那些焦枯的裸露着的灵魂都变了面色，紧咬着牙齿；他们咒骂上帝和先祖，一切人类，子子孙孙，甚至他们自己降生的地方和出世的时辰。于是他们走近那可诅咒的青黑色的河，那里等待一切不怕上帝的人。魔鬼卡隆目光如烧着的火炭一般，指挥他们一一登船，迟延的就要受到拷打。好象秋天的黄叶，从树枝上一片一片落到地上，这些亚当的不肖子孙，也一个一个下了船；老舰夫使着一个个眼色，众幽魂就像小鸟们闻唤来归一样。于是他们坐着船渡河了，还没有到达彼岸，这边岸上又聚成一个新群。善良的引路人对我说：“我的孩子，我告诉你，那些遭逢上帝之怒而死的，都从各地聚集在这里。他们急着要渡过这条河，因为神的正义刺着他们，因为他们的害怕，就变得自愿了。善良的灵魂都不走这条路、卡隆所以拒绝你的理由，你也可以明白了。”
他的话说完了，幽暗之乡忽有剧烈的地震，我现在回想起来，还使我浑身出了一阵冷汗呢。在这泪水浸湿之地又刮起了大风，同时带着赤色的闪电，于是我的神经昏乱，耳沉目眩，如睡着了一般。
Through me you pass into eternal pain:
Through me among the people lost for aye.
Justice the founder of my fabric mov'd:
To rear me was the task of power divine,
Supremest wisdom, and primeval love.
Before me things create were none, save things
Eternal, and eternal I endure.
"All hope abandon ye who enter here."
Such characters in colour dim I mark'd
Over a portal's lofty arch inscrib'd:
Whereat I thus: "Master, these words import
Hard meaning." He as one prepar'd replied:
"Here thou must all distrust behind thee leave;
Here be vile fear extinguish'd. We are come
Where I have told thee we shall see the souls
To misery doom'd, who intellectual good
Have lost." And when his hand he had stretch'd forth
To mine, with pleasant looks, whence I was cheer'd,
Into that secret place he led me on.
Here sighs with lamentations and loud moans
Resounded through the air pierc'd by no star,
That e'en I wept at entering. Various tongues,
Horrible languages, outcries of woe,
Accents of anger, voices deep and hoarse,
With hands together smote that swell'd the sounds,
Made up a tumult, that for ever whirls
Round through that air with solid darkness stain'd,
Like to the sand that in the whirlwind flies.
I then, with error yet encompass'd, cried:
"O master! What is this I hear? What race
Are these, who seem so overcome with woe?"
He thus to me: "This miserable fate
Suffer the wretched souls of those, who liv'd
Without or praise or blame, with that ill band
Of angels mix'd, who nor rebellious prov'd
Nor yet were true to God, but for themselves
Were only. From his bounds Heaven drove them forth,
Not to impair his lustre, nor the depth
Of Hell receives them, lest th' accursed tribe
Should glory thence with exultation vain."
I then: "Master! what doth aggrieve them thus,
That they lament so loud?" He straight replied:
"That will I tell thee briefly. These of death
No hope may entertain: and their blind life
So meanly passes, that all other lots
They envy. Fame of them the world hath none,
Nor suffers; mercy and justice scorn them both.
Speak not of them, but look, and pass them by."
And I, who straightway look'd, beheld a flag,
Which whirling ran around so rapidly,
That it no pause obtain'd: and following came
Such a long train of spirits, I should ne'er
Have thought, that death so many had despoil'd.
When some of these I recogniz'd, I saw
And knew the shade of him, who to base fear
Yielding, abjur'd his high estate. Forthwith
I understood for certain this the tribe
Of those ill spirits both to God displeasing
And to his foes. These wretches, who ne'er lived,
Went on in nakedness, and sorely stung
By wasps and hornets, which bedew'd their cheeks
With blood, that mix'd with tears dropp'd to their feet,
And by disgustful worms was gather'd there.
Then looking farther onwards I beheld
A throng upon the shore of a great stream:
Whereat I thus: "Sir! grant me now to know
Whom here we view, and whence impell'd they seem
So eager to pass o'er, as I discern
Through the blear light?" He thus to me in few:
"This shalt thou know, soon as our steps arrive
Beside the woeful tide of Acheron."
Then with eyes downward cast and fill'd with shame,
Fearing my words offensive to his ear,
Till we had reach'd the river, I from speech
Abstain'd. And lo! toward us in a bark
Comes on an old man hoary white with eld,
Crying, "Woe to you wicked spirits! hope not
Ever to see the sky again. I come
To take you to the other shore across,
Into eternal darkness, there to dwell
In fierce heat and in ice. And thou, who there
Standest, live spirit! get thee hence, and leave
These who are dead." But soon as he beheld
I left them not, "By other way," said he,
"By other haven shalt thou come to shore,
Not by this passage; thee a nimbler boat
Must carry." Then to him thus spake my guide:
"Charon! thyself torment not: so 't is will'd,
Where will and power are one: ask thou no more."
Straightway in silence fell the shaggy cheeks
Of him the boatman o'er the livid lake,
Around whose eyes glar'd wheeling flames. Meanwhile
Those spirits, faint and naked, color chang'd,
And gnash'd their teeth, soon as the cruel words
They heard. God and their parents they blasphem'd,
The human kind, the place, the time, and seed
That did engender them and give them birth.
Then all together sorely wailing drew
To the curs'd strand, that every man must pass
Who fears not God. Charon, demoniac form,
With eyes of burning coal, collects them all,
Beck'ning, and each, that lingers, with his oar
Strikes. As fall off the light autumnal leaves,
One still another following, till the bough
Strews all its honours on the earth beneath;
E'en in like manner Adam's evil brood
Cast themselves one by one down from the shore,
Each at a beck, as falcon at his call.
Thus go they over through the umber'd wave,
And ever they on the opposing bank
Be landed, on this side another throng
Still gathers. "Son," thus spake the courteous guide,
"Those, who die subject to the wrath of God,
All here together come from every clime,
And to o'erpass the river are not loth:
For so heaven's justice goads them on, that fear
Is turn'd into desire. Hence ne'er hath past
Good spirit. If of thee Charon complain,
Now mayst thou know the import of his words."
This said, the gloomy region trembling shook
So terribly, that yet with clammy dews
Fear chills my brow. The sad earth gave a blast,
That, lightening, shot forth a vermilion flame,
Which all my senses conquer'd quite, and I
Down dropp'd, as one with sudden slumber seiz'd.
第四篇一个很大的雷声，震动我沉睡的头脑，我好比突然被人叫醒一般。我睡眼蒙胧，向四周一看，想知道我是在什么地方。真的，我已经濒临着苦恼的深渊，这里面有无穷无尽的悲声哀音，汇聚在一起，犹如雷呜。这一个深渊是如此昏暗，如此幽秘，而且云雾笼罩，我定神向下面看去，竟一物不辨。
诗人面色灰白，开始对我说：“现在我们可以走下幽暗的世界去了：我在前面，你跟在后面。”我注意到他的脸色，我说：“我能来到此地，全是受了你的鼓励，现在你也害怕了，叫我怎么跟着你？”他答道：“我可怜下面痛苦之辈，因此表现在我脸上，你却以为我是害怕。我们走罢！路程很长，不容我们再拖延一刻。”说罢他走下去了，他叫我也走下去，于是我们到了围绕深渊的第一圈里。
在这里，没有抱怨声，只有叹息声，就是他摇撼了惨淡的空气，他是从一班男人，女人，孩子发出来的，这些灵魂虽然郁郁不乐，但也没有什么痛苦。
善良的老师对我说：“你想知道这些灵魂么？我愿意提前告诉你：他们并没有罪过，他们中间虽也有立过功劳的，但这还不够。因为他门没有受过洗礼，这一桩是达到你的信仰之门。他们因为生在那稣基督之前，尊敬上帝没有合乎正道；我自己也是其中之一。因为这一个缺点，并没有别种错处，我们就派在这里。我们唯一的痛苦是生活于愿望之中而又没有希望。”
我听了他的话，非常难过，因为我知道有许多特殊的人物，竞派在这个“候判所”，他们的升或沉还未能决定呢。我对于这种超于一切的信仰，怀着一点疑惑问道：“请你告诉我，我的老师！是否也有一种灵魂，依仗他自己的或别人的功劳，可以从这里升到天国去的么？”他明白我问话的意思了，他答道：“当我来此地不久的时候，有一个无上威权者光临，他戴着一切胜利的荣冠。他从这里救出：我们的始祖和他的儿子亚伯，挪亚，立法并且服法的摩西，族长亚们拉罕，国王大卫，以色列和他的孩子及拉结，为着她，他曾费了许多气力；还有其余许多，都升到天国享福了。此外就没有别的灵魂得救者，这也是我要告诉你的。”
我们边走边说，又经过一个树林，这树林里住满着各种幽灵。从我昏睡之地到这里还没有多么远，我看到火光照亮一个区域。我离着火光还有一段路程，虽然不太远，但是还难以辨别什么一种可敬的灵魂住在那里。我说：“你是尊敬各种科学和艺术的，请问你这些灵魂有什么光荣之处，可以和别的不幸者离开呢？”他回答道：“他们的高贵姓名，在地上简直无人不知，因此天上也给他们特别的恩惠。”
当时我听见一种声音：“尊敬的大诗人！他们出去的影子回来了。”在这个声音以后，又恢复了原来的寂静，一会，我看见四个大影子走上前来，看他们的面容，既不悲哀，也不欢乐。我善良的老师对我说：“请你注意走在其余三个的前面的那位拿着宝剑的，他就是诗国之王荷马；他后面的一个是讽刺诗人贺拉斯，第三个是奥维德，末了一个是卢卡努斯，他们客气得很，方才喊我大诗人，其实他们才应该受此称呼呢。”于是我看见诗国里高贵的一派，这一派的诗如飞鹰，凌驾一切。他们聚谈了一会，就转身向我表示敬意，我的老师站在旁边微笑。他门最尊敬我的一点就是把我也算在他们里面，因此我在这些哲人之中是第六个。我们走向火光。我们一路谈论，这些话不便写出来，只好保持沉默。
我们走到一个高贵的城堡前面，有七层高墙、周围有一条一眼见底的河流；我们如履平地一般走过去了，我陪着这些哲人走进七重门，到了一块青草地上。在那里有许多人，都是眼光平正，富有权威的神气；他们说话少得声调柔和。我们又走到一块高起的地方，因此我可以把他们看得清清楚楚。在我前面，绿油油的草地上，有许多英雄和伟人的灵魂都显现出来了。我能亲临盛会，心里感到非常光荣。我看见厄列克特拉和许多英雄，其中我认识赫克托尔和埃阿斯，还有穿军装的凯撒和他一双锐利的鹰眼。在另一边，我看见卡密拉和彭特希莱亚，又看见国王拉提努斯和他的女儿拉维尼亚坐在一起。我看见驱逐塔尔昆纽斯的布鲁罔斯，卢柯蕾齐兀优丽亚，玛尔齐亚和科尔奈丽亚；我看见萨拉丁孤独地站在另一处。我再抬头看得远些则看见一个大师坐在哲学家的队里：大家看着他，尊敬他；这里我看见苏格拉底和柏拉图，他二人最靠近大师；德模克里特、他说宇宙是偶然的结果；狄奥格尼斯，阿那克萨哥拉和泰利斯，恩沛多克勒斯，赫拉克利图，和芝诺；我又看见一个善于观察物性的，他就是狄奥斯科利德；我又看见奥尔甫斯，黎努斯，图留斯，和伦理家塞内加；几何家欧几里德和托勒密；希波革拉底、阿维森纳和嘉伦；大注释家阿威罗厄斯，我不能把这些人一一写出来，只能说一句”纸小事多”了。
于是我们的六人团分为两组；我和我的引路人走出这块清静之地，重到纷扰之场；离开有光之处，再入幽暗之境。
Of heavy thunder, that I shook myself,
As one by main force rous'd. Risen upright,
My rested eyes I mov'd around, and search'd
With fixed ken to know what place it was,
Wherein I stood. For certain on the brink
I found me of the lamentable vale,
The dread abyss, that joins a thund'rous sound
Of plaints innumerable. Dark and deep,
And thick with clouds o'erspread, mine eye in vain
Explor'd its bottom, nor could aught discern.
"Now let us to the blind world there beneath
Descend;" the bard began all pale of look:
"I go the first, and thou shalt follow next."
Then I his alter'd hue perceiving, thus:
"How may I speed, if thou yieldest to dread,
Who still art wont to comfort me in doubt?"
He then: "The anguish of that race below
With pity stains my cheek, which thou for fear
Mistakest. Let us on. Our length of way
Urges to haste." Onward, this said, he mov'd;
And ent'ring led me with him on the bounds
Of the first circle, that surrounds th' abyss.
Here, as mine ear could note, no plaint was heard
Except of sighs, that made th' eternal air
Tremble, not caus'd by tortures, but from grief
Felt by those multitudes, many and vast,
Of men, women, and infants. Then to me
The gentle guide: "Inquir'st thou not what spirits
Are these, which thou beholdest? Ere thou pass
Farther, I would thou know, that these of sin
Were blameless; and if aught they merited,
It profits not, since baptism was not theirs,
The portal to thy faith. If they before
The Gospel liv'd, they serv'd not God aright;
And among such am I. For these defects,
And for no other evil, we are lost;
"Only so far afflicted, that we live
Desiring without hope." So grief assail'd
My heart at hearing this, for well I knew
Suspended in that Limbo many a soul
Of mighty worth. "O tell me, sire rever'd!
Tell me, my master!" I began through wish
Of full assurance in that holy faith,
Which vanquishes all error; "say, did e'er
Any, or through his own or other's merit,
Come forth from thence, whom afterward was blest?"
Piercing the secret purport of my speech,
He answer'd: "I was new to that estate,
When I beheld a puissant one arrive
Amongst us, with victorious trophy crown'd.
He forth the shade of our first parent drew,
Abel his child, and Noah righteous man,
Of Moses lawgiver for faith approv'd,
Of patriarch Abraham, and David king,
Israel with his sire and with his sons,
Nor without Rachel whom so hard he won,
And others many more, whom he to bliss
Exalted. Before these, be thou assur'd,
No spirit of human kind was ever sav'd."
We, while he spake, ceas'd not our onward road,
Still passing through the wood; for so I name
Those spirits thick beset. We were not far
On this side from the summit, when I kenn'd
A flame, that o'er the darken'd hemisphere
Prevailing shin'd. Yet we a little space
Were distant, not so far but I in part
Discover'd, that a tribe in honour high
That place possess'd. "O thou, who every art
And science valu'st! who are these, that boast
Such honour, separate from all the rest?"
He answer'd: "The renown of their great names
That echoes through your world above, acquires
Favour in heaven, which holds them thus advanc'd."
Meantime a voice I heard: "Honour the bard
Sublime! his shade returns that left us late!"
No sooner ceas'd the sound, than I beheld
Four mighty spirits toward us bend their steps,
Of semblance neither sorrowful nor glad.
When thus my master kind began: "Mark him,
Who in his right hand bears that falchion keen,
The other three preceding, as their lord.
This is that Homer, of all bards supreme:
Flaccus the next in satire's vein excelling;
The third is Naso; Lucan is the last.
Because they all that appellation own,
With which the voice singly accosted me,
Honouring they greet me thus, and well they judge."
So I beheld united the bright school
Of him the monarch of sublimest song,
That o'er the others like an eagle soars.
When they together short discourse had held,
They turn'd to me, with salutation kind
Beck'ning me; at the which my master smil'd:
Nor was this all; but greater honour still
They gave me, for they made me of their tribe;
And I was sixth amid so learn'd a band.
Far as the luminous beacon on we pass'd
Speaking of matters, then befitting well
To speak, now fitter left untold. At foot
Of a magnificent castle we arriv'd,
Seven times with lofty walls begirt, and round
Defended by a pleasant stream. O'er this
As o'er dry land we pass'd. Next through seven gates
I with those sages enter'd, and we came
Into a mead with lively verdure fresh.
There dwelt a race, who slow their eyes around
Majestically mov'd, and in their port
Bore eminent authority; they spake
Seldom, but all their words were tuneful sweet.
We to one side retir'd, into a place
Open and bright and lofty, whence each one
Stood manifest to view. Incontinent
There on the green enamel of the plain
Were shown me the great spirits, by whose sight
I am exalted in my own esteem.
Electra there I saw accompanied
By many, among whom Hector I knew,
Anchises' pious son, and with hawk's eye
Caesar all arm'd, and by Camilla there
Penthesilea. On the other side
Old King Latinus, seated by his child
Lavinia, and that Brutus I beheld,
Who Tarquin chas'd, Lucretia, Cato's wife
Marcia, with Julia and Cornelia there;
And sole apart retir'd, the Soldan fierce.
Then when a little more I rais'd my brow,
I spied the master of the sapient throng,
Seated amid the philosophic train.
Him all admire, all pay him rev'rence due.
There Socrates and Plato both I mark'd,
Nearest to him in rank; Democritus,
Who sets the world at chance, Diogenes,
With Heraclitus, and Empedocles,
And Anaxagoras, and Thales sage,
Zeno, and Dioscorides well read
In nature's secret lore. Orpheus I mark'd
And Linus, Tully and moral Seneca,
Euclid and Ptolemy, Hippocrates,
Galenus, Avicen, and him who made
That commentary vast, Averroes.
Of all to speak at full were vain attempt;
For my wide theme so urges, that ofttimes
My words fall short of what bechanc'd. In two
The six associates part. Another way
My sage guide leads me, from that air serene,
Into a climate ever vex'd with storms:
And to a part I come where no light shines.
第五篇我从第一圈下降到第二圈，这里地面狭小，痛苦较大，更使人哀伤。
这里坐着一个咬牙切齿的可怕的米诺斯，他审查进来的灵魂，审判他们的罪名，遣送到受刑的地点。一个灵魂进来的时候，不得不把自己的过失一一招供出来，于是那判官用尾巴绕他的身子，绕的圈数就是犯人应到的地狱圈数，许多犯入拥在他的前面，他们一一自承过错，旁边的人听着；最后，一个个地被旋风卷下去了。
米诺斯看见我以后，他就停止办公，对我说：“你也到这个痛苦地方来么！是怎样进来的？你得了谁的允许？你不要以为地狱门很大，可以随便闯进。”我的引路人答道：“为什么这样大惊小怪？你不要阻止他，这是为所欲为者的命令，不必多问了。”
于是我们开始听见悲惨的声音，遇着哭泣的袭击。我到了一块没有光的地方，那里好比海上，狂风正在吹着。地狱的风波永不停息，很多幽魂在风浪中飘荡，颠之倒之，有时撞在断崖绝壁的上，呼号痛哭，因而诅咒神的权力。我知道这种刑罚是加于荒淫之人的，他们都是屈服于肉欲而忘记了理性的。他们好象冬日天空里被寒风所吹的乌鸦，那些罪恶的灵魂东飘西荡不能静止。他们又像一阵远离故乡的秋雁，声声哀鸣，刺人心肺。因此我说：“我的老师，这些被幽暗空气所鞭挞的是谁呢？”
他答道：“这里面第一个是女皇帝，她有广土众民；她因为荒淫无度，恐怕有人指摘，她便说她做她所愿意做的，这就是天经地义，不准旁人指责。她名叫塞米拉密斯，她继续她的丈夫尼诺做亚述王。另一个是因恋爱而自杀的，她忘记了与旧人希凯斯生前的盟誓，而钟情于新人；再一个就是荒淫的克利奥帕利拉。”他一个一个用手指着给我看：因她而血流成河的海伦；因恋爱而最后中人暗算的英雄阿基琉斯；还有帕里斯和特里斯丹，我都看见了；此外还有为恋受而牺牲性命的幽灵，真是数不胜数。我的老师历述古代后妃和古代勇士之后，我心头忽生怜惜，为之叹息不已。
稍后，我说：“诗人呀！我愿意对这两个合在一起的灵魂说几句话呢，他们在风中似乎是很轻的。他对我说：“你等他们接近的时候，用爱神的名义请求他们停留一会，他们是可以来的。”不一会，风把他们吹向我们这里，我高声叫道：“困倦的灵魂呀！假使没有人阻碍你们，请来这里和我们说几句话罢。”好像鸽子被召唤张翼归巢一样，这两个灵魂离开狄多的队伍，从险恶的风波里面飞向我们，我的请求竟产生了效应。那女的灵魂向我们说：“宽厚的、善良的活人呀！你穿过了这样的幽暗地方，来看我们，曾经用血污秽了地面的我们。假使宇宙之主听从我们，我们愿意请求他给你太平日子。因为你对于我们的不幸有着同情爱怜之心呀！趁现在风浪平静的时刻，我们可以听你的说话，并且回答你的问题。我出生在大海之滨，那里波河会合群流而注入。爱，很快地打动了一颗软弱的心，使他迷恋于一个漂亮的肉体，因而使我失去了他，这是言之伤心呀！爱，不轻易放过了被爱的，使我很炙热地喜欢上他，就是现在他也不离开我呀！爱使我们死到同时同地；该隐环里等着那索取我门生命的凶手呢。”
我听了这些受伤害的灵魂的话以后，我把头低下，直到诗人对我说：“你想什么？”我答道：“唉！什么一种甜蜜的思想和热诚的愿望。引诱他们走上了这条悲惨的道路呢？”于是我又回转头来对这两个灵魂说：“弗兰齐斯嘉，你的苦恼使我哀伤而生怜惜。但是我还要问你：你们怎样会各自知道对方隐于心而未出于口的爱呢？”那幽魂答道：“在不幸之日，回忆过去欢乐之时。是一个天大的痛苦；这种痛苦是你的老师所知道的。不过，假使你愿意知道我们恋爱的根苗，我将含泪诉说给你听。有一天，我们在消闲中，共读着朗斯洛的恋爱故事，我们只有两个人在那里，全无一点疑惧。有好几次这本书使我们抬头相望，因而视线交错，并且使我门面色忽变；最后有一刻，就决定了我们的命运。当我们读到那微笑的嘴唇怎样被她的情人所亲吻的时候，他将永不离开我了！他颤动着亲了我的嘴唇由我表示。这本书和他的著作者倒做了我们的加勒奥托，从那一天起，我们不再读这一本书了。”
这一个灵魂正在诉说的时候，那一个痛苦地哭着；我一时也被他们情感感动了，竟昏晕倒地，好像断了呼吸。
Down to the second, which, a lesser space
Embracing, so much more of grief contains
Provoking bitter moans. There, Minos stands
Grinning with ghastly feature: he, of all
Who enter, strict examining the crimes,
Gives sentence, and dismisses them beneath,
According as he foldeth him around:
For when before him comes th' ill fated soul,
It all confesses; and that judge severe
Of sins, considering what place in hell
Suits the transgression, with his tail so oft
Himself encircles, as degrees beneath
He dooms it to descend. Before him stand
Always a num'rous throng; and in his turn
Each one to judgment passing, speaks, and hears
His fate, thence downward to his dwelling hurl'd.
"O thou! who to this residence of woe
Approachest?" when he saw me coming, cried
Minos, relinquishing his dread employ,
"Look how thou enter here; beware in whom
Thou place thy trust; let not the entrance broad
Deceive thee to thy harm." To him my guide:
"Wherefore exclaimest? Hinder not his way
By destiny appointed; so 'tis will'd
Where will and power are one. Ask thou no more."
Now 'gin the rueful wailings to be heard.
Now am I come where many a plaining voice
Smites on mine ear. Into a place I came
Where light was silent all. Bellowing there groan'd
A noise as of a sea in tempest torn
By warring winds. The stormy blast of hell
With restless fury drives the spirits on
Whirl'd round and dash'd amain with sore annoy.
When they arrive before the ruinous sweep,
There shrieks are heard, there lamentations, moans,
And blasphemies 'gainst the good Power in heaven.
I understood that to this torment sad
The carnal sinners are condemn'd, in whom
Reason by lust is sway'd. As in large troops
And multitudinous, when winter reigns,
The starlings on their wings are borne abroad;
So bears the tyrannous gust those evil souls.
On this side and on that, above, below,
It drives them: hope of rest to solace them
Is none, nor e'en of milder pang. As cranes,
Chanting their dol'rous notes, traverse the sky,
Stretch'd out in long array: so I beheld
Spirits, who came loud wailing, hurried on
By their dire doom. Then I: "Instructor! who
Are these, by the black air so scourg'd?"—"The first
'Mong those, of whom thou question'st," he replied,
"O'er many tongues was empress. She in vice
Of luxury was so shameless, that she made
Liking be lawful by promulg'd decree,
To clear the blame she had herself incurr'd.
This is Semiramis, of whom 'tis writ,
That she succeeded Ninus her espous'd;
And held the land, which now the Soldan rules.
The next in amorous fury slew herself,
And to Sicheus' ashes broke her faith:
Then follows Cleopatra, lustful queen."
There mark'd I Helen, for whose sake so long
The time was fraught with evil; there the great
Achilles, who with love fought to the end.
Paris I saw, and Tristan; and beside
A thousand more he show'd me, and by name
Pointed them out, whom love bereav'd of life.
When I had heard my sage instructor name
Those dames and knights of antique days, o'erpower'd
By pity, well-nigh in amaze my mind
Was lost; and I began: "Bard! willingly
I would address those two together coming,
Which seem so light before the wind." He thus:
"Note thou, when nearer they to us approach.
"Then by that love which carries them along,
Entreat; and they will come." Soon as the wind
Sway'd them toward us, I thus fram'd my speech:
"O wearied spirits! come, and hold discourse
With us, if by none else restrain'd." As doves
By fond desire invited, on wide wings
And firm, to their sweet nest returning home,
Cleave the air, wafted by their will along;
Thus issu'd from that troop, where Dido ranks,
They through the ill air speeding; with such force
My cry prevail'd by strong affection urg'd.
"O gracious creature and benign! who go'st
Visiting, through this element obscure,
Us, who the world with bloody stain imbru'd;
If for a friend the King of all we own'd,
Our pray'r to him should for thy peace arise,
Since thou hast pity on our evil plight.
()f whatsoe'er to hear or to discourse
It pleases thee, that will we hear, of that
Freely with thee discourse, while e'er the wind,
As now, is mute. The land, that gave me birth,
Is situate on the coast, where Po descends
To rest in ocean with his sequent streams.
"Love, that in gentle heart is quickly learnt,
Entangled him by that fair form, from me
Ta'en in such cruel sort, as grieves me still:
Love, that denial takes from none belov'd,
Caught me with pleasing him so passing well,
That, as thou see'st, he yet deserts me not.
"Love brought us to one death: Caina waits
The soul, who spilt our life." Such were their words;
At hearing which downward I bent my looks,
And held them there so long, that the bard cried:
"What art thou pond'ring?" I in answer thus:
"Alas! by what sweet thoughts, what fond desire
Must they at length to that ill pass have reach'd!"
Then turning, I to them my speech address'd.
And thus began: "Francesca! your sad fate
Even to tears my grief and pity moves.
But tell me; in the time of your sweet sighs,
By what, and how love granted, that ye knew
Your yet uncertain wishes?" She replied:
"No greater grief than to remember days
Of joy, when mis'ry is at hand! That kens
Thy learn'd instructor. Yet so eagerly
If thou art bent to know the primal root,
From whence our love gat being, I will do,
As one, who weeps and tells his tale. One day
For our delight we read of Lancelot,
How him love thrall'd. Alone we were, and no
Suspicion near us. Ofttimes by that reading
Our eyes were drawn together, and the hue
Fled from our alter'd cheek. But at one point
Alone we fell. When of that smile we read,
The wished smile, rapturously kiss'd
By one so deep in love, then he, who ne'er
From me shall separate, at once my lips
All trembling kiss'd. The book and writer both
Were love's purveyors. In its leaves that day
We read no more." While thus one spirit spake,
The other wail'd so sorely, that heartstruck
I through compassion fainting, seem'd not far
From death, and like a corpse fell to the ground.
第六篇我看见那两个亲属的痛苦，不觉一阵心酸，竟昏晕过去；醒来睁眼一看，我的四周景物已变，新的刑罚、新的灵魂，触目皆是。
我已到了第三圈，那里永远下着令人咒骂的寒冷的大雨．这里的环境终古如此；没有变化，在昏暗的空气里，又下着大块冰雹和雪球，雨水臭恶不堪，因此地面污浊，秽气难闻。刻尔勃路斯是一个凶恶可怕的怪物，有三个头，像狗一样地向着那些幽灵狂吠。他的眼睛满是红丝，胡须油光漆黑，肚子大，手有爪，抓着了幽灵，便把他们撕得四分五裂。雨雪冰雹，不断地打在他们身上，全身颤抖悲啼不止。他们唯一减轻痛苦的方法是在地上来回翻身，左右更迭受灾。
当怪物刻尔勃路斯看见我们的时候，他张大了血盆大口，露出他的长牙；他的四肢身体顿时紧张起来。我的引路人就俯下身子，在地上取了一把泥块，对准他的嘴里投去。他和狗一般，狺狺狂吠，无非为的食料；现在嘴里既然有了东西，也就默然无声了；不然的话，他就会咆哮如雷，一班幽灵的耳朵都要给他震聋。
我们从被雨打的灵魂群里走过，他们都躺在地上，我们虽然拣着空地把脚踏下去，总是要碰到他们身体。在我们从他旁边走过的时候，其中只有一个，忽然坐了起来。他对我说：“哦！你到地狱里来了；你认识我么？你出生之时．我还没有去世呢。”我回答道：“你受了磨难，你的容貌我记不清了，我似乎没有看见过你。你叫什么名字，犯了什么罪，才放到这块悲惨的地方，受到这样残酷的刑罚，虽然还有更厉害的，但是你所受到的已经很承受了。”他对我说：“你的城，充满了嫉妒和怨恨，已经到了不可收拾的地步，我就生长在那里。大家都叫我恰科，因为口腹之欲，犯了饕餮罪、就得着这个雨淋的刑罚。犯这种罪的还有其他人，同样的罪都得着同样的刑罚。”于是他的话停住了。我答道：“恰科，你的不幸压在我的心上，使我难过；但是，如果能够，请告诉我：这个分裂的城将要变得怎样？是否城里面还有几个正人君子？为什么要分裂？”他对我说：“长久的争论以后，他们将要流血，森林派要把别的一派赶出去。三年以内，这一派又要打倒，别的一派依仗了一个人的力量抬起头来。他们长久地扬眉吐气，把他们的敌人踩在脚底下，虽然敌人已经含羞忍辱，哭哭啼啼，他们也不生怜惜。只有两个是正人君子除外，骄傲，嫉妒，贪婪是三个火星，它们能使人心爆炸。”他可怜的声调就停止在这里，我又问他道：“我还有几件事情要请教你。法利那塔和台嘉佑是很高贵的；卢斯蒂库奇，阿里格和莫斯卡，还有其他有意为善之人；请你告诉我：他们究竟在那里？在地狱受刑呢，还是在天国的享福呢？”他对我说：“他们都在更痛苦之中，种种不同的罪恶，使他们降到深渊之底；你只要走下去，就可以看见他们。你要是回到阳光之下，请把我的信息带给那些活着的人；我不再多说了，不再多回答了。”说罢，他抬头呆呆地向我看一下，就俯下头去，立刻倒在地上，和其他灵魂躺在一起了。
我的引路人对我说：“直待天使的号筒吹起、他是不会再醒了。当无上权威到临的时候，每个灵魂都要再看见他凄凉的坟墓，再归附他的肉体，回复他的原形，起来听那永远响着的最大判决。”
我们从雨淋的幽灵群里慢步走过，我们简略讨论到未来生活的问题。我说：“老师，请问你在最大判决以后，这些灵魂要增加痛苦呢，还是减轻呢，还是仍旧如此。”他答道：“请你回想到你的书本罢，那书本上面说：一样东西愈加完美，愈加感觉着愉快和痛苦。虽然这些被诅咒的人从不会达到真正的完美，但是他们在判决以后要比在判决以前较近于完美了。”
我们在那里兜着圈子，说的话很多，不必记述了。我们到了一处，就从那里开始下降，我们遇到普鲁托，一个大敌人。
With pity for the kindred shades, whence grief
O'ercame me wholly, straight around I see
New torments, new tormented souls, which way
Soe'er I move, or turn, or bend my sight.
In the third circle I arrive, of show'rs
Ceaseless, accursed, heavy, and cold, unchang'd
For ever, both in kind and in degree.
Large hail, discolour'd water, sleety flaw
Through the dun midnight air stream'd down amain:
Stank all the land whereon that tempest fell.
Cerberus, cruel monster, fierce and strange,
Through his wide threefold throat barks as a dog
Over the multitude immers'd beneath.
His eyes glare crimson, black his unctuous beard,
His belly large, and claw'd the hands, with which
He tears the spirits, flays them, and their limbs
Piecemeal disparts. Howling there spread, as curs,
Under the rainy deluge, with one side
The other screening, oft they roll them round,
A wretched, godless crew. When that great worm
Descried us, savage Cerberus, he op'd
His jaws, and the fangs show'd us; not a limb
Of him but trembled. Then my guide, his palms
Expanding on the ground, thence filled with earth
Rais'd them, and cast it in his ravenous maw.
E'en as a dog, that yelling bays for food
His keeper, when the morsel comes, lets fall
His fury, bent alone with eager haste
To swallow it; so dropp'd the loathsome cheeks
Of demon Cerberus, who thund'ring stuns
The spirits, that they for deafness wish in vain.
We, o'er the shades thrown prostrate by the brunt
Of the heavy tempest passing, set our feet
Upon their emptiness, that substance seem'd.
They all along the earth extended lay
Save one, that sudden rais'd himself to sit,
Soon as that way he saw us pass. "O thou!"
He cried, "who through the infernal shades art led,
Own, if again thou know'st me. Thou wast fram'd
Or ere my frame was broken." I replied:
"The anguish thou endur'st perchance so takes
Thy form from my remembrance, that it seems
As if I saw thee never. But inform
Me who thou art, that in a place so sad
Art set, and in such torment, that although
Other be greater, more disgustful none
Can be imagin'd." He in answer thus:
"Thy city heap'd with envy to the brim,
Ay that the measure overflows its bounds,
Held me in brighter days. Ye citizens
Were wont to name me Ciacco. For the sin
Of glutt'ny, damned vice, beneath this rain,
E'en as thou see'st, I with fatigue am worn;
Nor I sole spirit in this woe: all these
Have by like crime incurr'd like punishment."
No more he said, and I my speech resum'd:
"Ciacco! thy dire affliction grieves me much,
Even to tears. But tell me, if thou know'st,
What shall at length befall the citizens
Of the divided city; whether any just one
Inhabit there: and tell me of the cause,
Whence jarring discord hath assail'd it thus?"
He then: "After long striving they will come
To blood; and the wild party from the woods
Will chase the other with much injury forth.
Then it behoves, that this must fall, within
Three solar circles; and the other rise
By borrow'd force of one, who under shore
Now rests. It shall a long space hold aloof
Its forehead, keeping under heavy weight
The other oppress'd, indignant at the load,
And grieving sore. The just are two in number,
But they neglected. Av'rice, envy, pride,
Three fatal sparks, have set the hearts of all
On fire." Here ceas'd the lamentable sound;
And I continu'd thus: "Still would I learn
More from thee, farther parley still entreat.
Of Farinata and Tegghiaio say,
They who so well deserv'd, of Giacopo,
Arrigo, Mosca, and the rest, who bent
Their minds on working good. Oh! tell me where
They bide, and to their knowledge let me come.
For I am press'd with keen desire to hear,
If heaven's sweet cup or poisonous drug of hell
Be to their lip assign'd." He answer'd straight:
"These are yet blacker spirits. Various crimes
Have sunk them deeper in the dark abyss.
If thou so far descendest, thou mayst see them.
But to the pleasant world when thou return'st,
Of me make mention, I entreat thee, there.
No more I tell thee, answer thee no more."
This said, his fixed eyes he turn'd askance,
A little ey'd me, then bent down his head,
And 'midst his blind companions with it fell.
When thus my guide: "No more his bed he leaves,
Ere the last angel-trumpet blow. The Power
Adverse to these shall then in glory come,
Each one forthwith to his sad tomb repair,
Resume his fleshly vesture and his form,
And hear the eternal doom re-echoing rend
The vault." So pass'd we through that mixture foul
Of spirits and rain, with tardy steps; meanwhile
Touching, though slightly, on the life to come.
For thus I question'd: "Shall these tortures, Sir!
When the great sentence passes, be increas'd,
Or mitigated, or as now severe?"
He then: "Consult thy knowledge; that decides
That as each thing to more perfection grows,
It feels more sensibly both good and pain.
Though ne'er to true perfection may arrive
This race accurs'd, yet nearer then than now
They shall approach it." Compassing that path
Circuitous we journeyed, and discourse
Much more than I relate between us pass'd:
Till at the point, where the steps led below,
Arriv'd, there Plutus, the great foe, we found.
第七篇普鲁托口中格格作声：“摆贝撤但，摆贝撒但，阿莱伯！”我们和善的智者，他什么都知道，他安慰我说：“你不要害怕：无论他有什么权力，他也不能阻挡住你从这里走下去。”于是他回转头去对涨着脸的魔鬼说：“住口，你这可恶的狼！你的怒火只能烧着你自己。我们走人深渊不是没理由的！这是天上的意思，在那里术迦勒曾讨伐过叛徒。”好象风吹断桅杆，帆布落地一祥，那个可怕的魔鬼瘫在地上了。
于是我们走到地狱的第四圈，下去愈深，则所见愈凄惨，正义的神啊！谁能描摹在我眼前凄苦的景象呢？为什么这些罪人得了这样的刑罚呢？好比卡里勃底斯的波浪，这边冲过去，那边又迎上来，相互撞击；这里的罪人就是这样彼此对击着。我看见一处的人特别拥挤他们分为对立的两组，他们各自大叫大喊，胸膛前面推滚着一个重物，面对面挺进；他们相逢的时候，互相冲撞了一阵，然后各自滚着重物回转头再走，这一组的幽魂叫着：“为什么你执着？”那一组的叫着：“为什么你摔下？”这两组各自向左向右在幽暗的圈子上走，片刻又在圈子的对方相撞，他们照样地打，骂一阵，再回转头来走。就是这样反覆来往，没有穷尽。我看见了这种景象，心里非常哀痛，说：“我的老师，请你告诉我，他们是什么人？在我们左边这一组里，那些剃光头的是教土么？”他回答我道：“在世的时候，他们都糊着住心，他们对财产挥霍无度。他们冲撞的时候，他们嘴里的对骂，就很明白地表示出他们的罪过，那些顶上精光没有头发的是教士，是主教，是教皇，因为他们是特别的贪得无厌。”
于是我又说，老师，在这个罪人堆里，我可以认识几个罢？”他答道：“这不可能；他们的苦痛生活使他们改变了形状。你无法辨认他们。他们永远在那里冲撞着；就是将来他们从坟墓里爬起来，这一组是紧握着拳头，那一组是精光着脑袋。浪费和吝啬，使他们失去了光明的世界，陷入永远的冲突中；我不愿意再多说他们了，不过，我的孩子，从这里大概你可以知道，命运给人类财富是多么的愚弄他们，而人们对财富的追逐又是多么的剧烈！月亮下面的金钱，从没有使劳碌的人们有片刻的安宁。”
我又说：“请老师告诉我：你所说的命运究竟是什么？他为什么要把地球上的财富都牢牢地握在手里呢？”他答道：“唉，地球上的造物多么愚蠢呀！我愿意对你说个明白。无上智慧者创造了天体和他们的引路人，使他们轮流照耀地面，平分光彩；同样，他创造了管理地面繁荣的神，使金钱川流不息，从这一双手里转到那一双手，从这一个民族转到那一个民族，并非人力所能转移。这一个做了主人翁，那一个做了奴隶儿，都是他的玩物。他在冥茫之中，好比躲在草丛里的蛇。你的智力敌不过他，他维持他的国度，判决他的人民，宣布他的命令，都和别的神一样。他的变化莫测，完全不受一点阻碍，必需使他的运动加快；他常常使一个人从这一端跌到那一端。你诅咒他的时候，安知不是应当称颂他的时候。他一竟孤行，笑骂由人，不但不加申辩，并且充耳不闻。他欢喜安然地旋转他的轮盘。和别的天使一样享着幸福。——现在，我们可以下降到更苦痛的一圈了；我们出发时候上升的星宿，现在已经向下落了，我们不能够逗留得太长时间。”
我们走过了这一圈，到了一个水源的旁边；那水源沸腾着，流成一条沟；水色深黑；我们沿着那条沟，走在崎岖的路上。这条凶恶的水在他的尽头，积成一个池沼，名叫斯提克斯。我站在岸上，看见池沼里面满身污泥的灵魂，他们都是赤身露体，满面怒容。他们互相打斗，手和手打，头和头拚，胸和胸撞，脚踢嘴咬，弄得皮破肉烂。
和善的引路人对我说：“孩子，你看这些怒发冲冠的灵魂罢！我要使你相信：就是在水底里，也有灵魂在那里呜咽呢；从水面上的气泡看来，你就可以知道了。他们被埋没在污泥里面，他们说：‘我们在世的时候，那里空气温和，阳光普照，但是我们与人落落难合，心中藏看一股火气；现在我们惨淡地埋没在黑水污泥之中。’这就是他们在喉咙里哼的调子，因为他们从来不会把一句话说得明白。”
我们在池沼边上逗留了一刻，眼睛看着落在池沼里面的灵魂，后来我们到了一个堡楼脚下。
Plutus, in accent hoarse of wild alarm:
And the kind sage, whom no event surpris'd,
To comfort me thus spake: "Let not thy fear
Harm thee, for power in him, be sure, is none
To hinder down this rock thy safe descent."
Then to that sworn lip turning, "Peace!" he cried,
"Curs'd wolf! thy fury inward on thyself
Prey, and consume thee! Through the dark profound
Not without cause he passes. So 't is will'd
On high, there where the great Archangel pour'd
Heav'n's vengeance on the first adulterer proud."
As sails full spread and bellying with the wind
Drop suddenly collaps'd, if the mast split;
So to the ground down dropp'd the cruel fiend.
Thus we, descending to the fourth steep ledge,
Gain'd on the dismal shore, that all the woe
Hems in of all the universe. Ah me!
Almighty Justice! in what store thou heap'st
New pains, new troubles, as I here beheld!
Wherefore doth fault of ours bring us to this?
E'en as a billow, on Charybdis rising,
Against encounter'd billow dashing breaks;
Such is the dance this wretched race must lead,
Whom more than elsewhere numerous here I found,
From one side and the other, with loud voice,
Both roll'd on weights by main forge of their breasts,
Then smote together, and each one forthwith
Roll'd them back voluble, turning again,
Exclaiming these, "Why holdest thou so fast?"
Those answering, "And why castest thou away?"
So still repeating their despiteful song,
They to the opposite point on either hand
Travers'd the horrid circle: then arriv'd,
Both turn'd them round, and through the middle space
Conflicting met again. At sight whereof
I, stung with grief, thus spake: "O say, my guide!
What race is this? Were these, whose heads are shorn,
On our left hand, all sep'rate to the church?"
He straight replied: "In their first life these all
In mind were so distorted, that they made,
According to due measure, of their wealth,
No use. This clearly from their words collect,
Which they howl forth, at each extremity
Arriving of the circle, where their crime
Contrary' in kind disparts them. To the church
Were separate those, that with no hairy cowls
Are crown'd, both Popes and Cardinals, o'er whom
Av'rice dominion absolute maintains."
I then: "Mid such as these some needs must be,
Whom I shall recognize, that with the blot
Of these foul sins were stain'd." He answering thus:
"Vain thought conceiv'st thou. That ignoble life,
Which made them vile before, now makes them dark,
And to all knowledge indiscernible.
Forever they shall meet in this rude shock:
These from the tomb with clenched grasp shall rise,
Those with close-shaven locks. That ill they gave,
And ill they kept, hath of the beauteous world
Depriv'd, and set them at this strife, which needs
No labour'd phrase of mine to set if off.
Now may'st thou see, my son! how brief, how vain,
The goods committed into fortune's hands,
For which the human race keep such a coil!
Not all the gold, that is beneath the moon,
Or ever hath been, of these toil-worn souls
Might purchase rest for one." I thus rejoin'd:
"My guide! of thee this also would I learn;
This fortune, that thou speak'st of, what it is,
Whose talons grasp the blessings of the world?"
He thus: "O beings blind! what ignorance
Besets you? Now my judgment hear and mark.
He, whose transcendent wisdom passes all,
The heavens creating, gave them ruling powers
To guide them, so that each part shines to each,
Their light in equal distribution pour'd.
By similar appointment he ordain'd
Over the world's bright images to rule.
Superintendence of a guiding hand
And general minister, which at due time
May change the empty vantages of life
From race to race, from one to other's blood,
Beyond prevention of man's wisest care:
Wherefore one nation rises into sway,
Another languishes, e'en as her will
Decrees, from us conceal'd, as in the grass
The serpent train. Against her nought avails
Your utmost wisdom. She with foresight plans,
Judges, and carries on her reign, as theirs
The other powers divine. Her changes know
Nore intermission: by necessity
She is made swift, so frequent come who claim
Succession in her favours. This is she,
So execrated e'en by those, whose debt
To her is rather praise; they wrongfully
With blame requite her, and with evil word;
But she is blessed, and for that recks not:
Amidst the other primal beings glad
Rolls on her sphere, and in her bliss exults.
Now on our way pass we, to heavier woe
Descending: for each star is falling now,
That mounted at our entrance, and forbids
Too long our tarrying." We the circle cross'd
To the next steep, arriving at a well,
That boiling pours itself down to a foss
Sluic'd from its source. Far murkier was the wave
Than sablest grain: and we in company
Of the' inky waters, journeying by their side,
Enter'd, though by a different track, beneath.
Into a lake, the Stygian nam'd, expands
The dismal stream, when it hath reach'd the foot
Of the grey wither'd cliffs. Intent I stood
To gaze, and in the marish sunk descried
A miry tribe, all naked, and with looks
Betok'ning rage. They with their hands alone
Struck not, but with the head, the breast, the feet,
Cutting each other piecemeal with their fangs.
The good instructor spake; "Now seest thou, son!
The souls of those, whom anger overcame.
This too for certain know, that underneath
The water dwells a multitude, whose sighs
Into these bubbles make the surface heave,
As thine eye tells thee wheresoe'er it turn.
Fix'd in the slime they say: 'Sad once were we
In the sweet air made gladsome by the sun,
Carrying a foul and lazy mist within:
Now in these murky settlings are we sad.'
Such dolorous strain they gurgle in their throats.
But word distinct can utter none." Our route
Thus compass'd we, a segment widely stretch'd
Between the dry embankment, and the core
Of the loath'd pool, turning meanwhile our eyes
Downward on those who gulp'd its muddy lees;
Nor stopp'd, till to a tower's low base we came.
第八篇我接着着说，在我们走到堡楼脚下之前，我们看见它的顶上有两个小火把；在很远的地方有一个堡楼，远得几乎看不清楚，那里也有一个小火把，他们似乎遥遥地相互传递信息。我转向知识的海，问道：“这里说什么？那里回答什么？是谁管理着这件事呢？”他对我脱：“在这污秽的水面上，假使水气不遮断你的视线，或者你已经看见你所等待的东西了。”
即刻，好像离弦的箭，我看见水面上一个人撑着小船飞来了；他叫道：“你来了么，假装的灵魂？”我的老师说：“弗列居阿斯，弗列居阿斯，这一次你叫也没有用；你一会儿就把我们渡过去了，”弗列居阿斯像一个受欺的人，不得不把心头怒气压下；我的引路人上了船，我也跟着他上去；我上去之后，我们上去不久就开船了，因为我身重，这一次船的吃水比往时来得特别地深。
我们的船行在鬼沼上面的时候，突然从水里钻出一个灵魂。满头满身都是污泥，他说：“你没有到的时候就来这里，你究竟是准呢？”我回答他道：“我虽然来这里，但是我不留在这里；你是谁？弄到这般龌龊相。”他回答道：“你看得出，我是泪海中的一个。”我又对他说：“该死的灵魂，你哭着伤心地呆在这里吧！我认识你呢，虽然你的真面目给污泥遮盖着。”于是他伸起两手，抓住船舷想爬上来，当时我谨慎的引导人把他推下去，说：：滚开些，到你的狗群里去！”随后我的主人把手臂抱着我的颈项，吻着我的脸、他说：“愤慨的灵魂呀！孕育你的她是多么幸福呀！在阳世的时候，这个人妄自尊大，无善足录，所以死后他的影子还在这里咆哮如雷。那里有许许多多自命不凡的大人物，将要和蠢猪一样躺在这里，遗臭万年！”我说：“老师，我却很愿意在离开水面以前，看见他陷入泥沼。”他对我说：“在到彼岸以前，你尽管看他个够，这是我可以允许你的，”稍后，我看见池沼里的人联合向他攻击，攻击的剧烈使我只有感谢上帝。他们大家喊道：“向着腓力浦·网尔津蒂！”这个狂怒的佛罗伦萨人，不及报复别人，只有用自己的牙齿咬自己的肉。现在，我们势开他不必再谈他了。但是我的耳鼓又受到一种凄惨的声浪的打击，使我小心翼翼地注视着前面。
和善的老师说：“孩子，现在我们接近一个名叫狄斯的城了，这个城里的居民罪过更加深重，人数更加众多。”我说：“老师。你的话不错，我已经看得出里面的尖顶城楼，红得像初出火炉似的。”他又对我说：“这是下层地狱里永劫的火，使他们映得通红。”
我们的船开到城河里面，城河环绕着城墙，城墙如同铁壁一般。我们转了几个圈子，到了一块地方，舟主高声叫道：“上去！这里是进城的门口。”我看见城门前面，立满了众多的精灵，这是和雨一样从天掉下来的，他们怒喊道：“他是准？他还没有死，就进死的国来？”于是我的聪明老师做一个手势，表示要和他们谈话。他们怒气渐消．说：“你一个人来；让那一个大胆的回去！让他一人回转头去，自找归路，假使他能够；至于你呢，冒昧地引他到这个幽暗的乡里，你将留在我们这里。”
读者诸君，试问我听了这番冷酷的话，心里非常的害怕，我想我一个人是不会回转去的。于是我说：“亲爱的引路人呀！你有七次把我从危难中救出来，使我返到平安的境界，请你不要抛弃我，假使我们能够前进，我们即刻依着来路快些回转去罢，引导我到这里的老师对我说：“不要怕，我们的路程是谁也不能截断的：一个超于一切的已经允许我们来了。但是，你在这里等着我；你尽管放心：我决不会把你丢在下界的。”
说罢，这位和善的父亲离开我走到城门前面去了，我被困在疑惑之中，“是”和“否”交战在我的脑中。他们谈的什么话，我全然没有听见。但是他没有在那里停留多久，忽然那些精灵拥进了城，把城门关起，把我的引路人推在外面。他慢步回到我这里，他的眼睛望着地，不再充满着勇气了，他叹着说：“谁能阻止我进苦恼的城呢？”于是他又对找说：“虽然我碰了壁，但是你不要失望，因为他们的城门无论关得怎样紧，我终要攻破它的。他门的这种蛮横也不是第一次，从前在第一重门就有过这种事情，现在是没有阻碍了。你还记得那写在门上的黑沉沉的字罢。但是，现在已经有一个天使，不带随从经过各个圈子降下来了，他就要替我们把城门打开。”
We reach'd the lofty turret's base, our eyes
Its height ascended, where two cressets hung
We mark'd, and from afar another light
Return the signal, so remote, that scarce
The eye could catch its beam. I turning round
To the deep source of knowledge, thus inquir'd:
"Say what this means? and what that other light
In answer set? what agency doth this?"
"There on the filthy waters," he replied,
"E'en now what next awaits us mayst thou see,
If the marsh-gender'd fog conceal it not."
Never was arrow from the cord dismiss'd,
That ran its way so nimbly through the air,
As a small bark, that through the waves I spied
Toward us coming, under the sole sway
Of one that ferried it, who cried aloud:
"Art thou arriv'd, fell spirit?"—"Phlegyas, Phlegyas,
This time thou criest in vain," my lord replied;
"No longer shalt thou have us, but while o'er
The slimy pool we pass." As one who hears
Of some great wrong he hath sustain'd, whereat
Inly he pines; so Phlegyas inly pin'd
In his fierce ire. My guide descending stepp'd
Into the skiff, and bade me enter next
Close at his side; nor till my entrance seem'd
The vessel freighted. Soon as both embark'd,
Cutting the waves, goes on the ancient prow,
More deeply than with others it is wont.
While we our course o'er the dead channel held.
One drench'd in mire before me came, and said;
"Who art thou, that thou comest ere thine hour?"
I answer'd: "Though I come, I tarry not;
But who art thou, that art become so foul?"
"One, as thou seest, who mourn:" he straight replied.
To which I thus: "In mourning and in woe,
Curs'd spirit! tarry thou. I know thee well,
E'en thus in filth disguis'd." Then stretch'd he forth
Hands to the bark; whereof my teacher sage
Aware, thrusting him back: "Away! down there,
"To the' other dogs!" then, with his arms my neck
Encircling, kiss'd my cheek, and spake: "O soul
Justly disdainful! blest was she in whom
Thou was conceiv'd! He in the world was one
For arrogance noted; to his memory
No virtue lends its lustre; even so
Here is his shadow furious. There above
How many now hold themselves mighty kings
Who here like swine shall wallow in the mire,
Leaving behind them horrible dispraise!"
I then: "Master! him fain would I behold
Whelm'd in these dregs, before we quit the lake."
He thus: "Or ever to thy view the shore
Be offer'd, satisfied shall be that wish,
Which well deserves completion." Scarce his words
Were ended, when I saw the miry tribes
Set on him with such violence, that yet
For that render I thanks to God and praise
"To Filippo Argenti:" cried they all:
And on himself the moody Florentine
Turn'd his avenging fangs. Him here we left,
Nor speak I of him more. But on mine ear
Sudden a sound of lamentation smote,
Whereat mine eye unbarr'd I sent abroad.
And thus the good instructor: "Now, my son!
Draws near the city, that of Dis is nam'd,
With its grave denizens, a mighty throng."
I thus: "The minarets already, Sir!
There certes in the valley I descry,
Gleaming vermilion, as if they from fire
Had issu'd." He replied: "Eternal fire,
That inward burns, shows them with ruddy flame
Illum'd; as in this nether hell thou seest."
We came within the fosses deep, that moat
This region comfortless. The walls appear'd
As they were fram'd of iron. We had made
Wide circuit, ere a place we reach'd, where loud
The mariner cried vehement: "Go forth!
The' entrance is here!" Upon the gates I spied
More than a thousand, who of old from heaven
Were hurl'd. With ireful gestures, "Who is this,"
They cried, "that without death first felt, goes through
The regions of the dead?" My sapient guide
Made sign that he for secret parley wish'd;
Whereat their angry scorn abating, thus
They spake: "Come thou alone; and let him go
Who hath so hardily enter'd this realm.
Alone return he by his witless way;
If well he know it, let him prove. For thee,
Here shalt thou tarry, who through clime so dark
Hast been his escort." Now bethink thee, reader!
What cheer was mine at sound of those curs'd words.
I did believe I never should return.
"O my lov'd guide! who more than seven times
Security hast render'd me, and drawn
From peril deep, whereto I stood expos'd,
Desert me not," I cried, "in this extreme.
And if our onward going be denied,
Together trace we back our steps with speed."
My liege, who thither had conducted me,
Replied: "Fear not: for of our passage none
Hath power to disappoint us, by such high
Authority permitted. But do thou
Expect me here; meanwhile thy wearied spirit
Comfort, and feed with kindly hope, assur'd
I will not leave thee in this lower world."
This said, departs the sire benevolent,
And quits me. Hesitating I remain
At war 'twixt will and will not in my thoughts.
I could not hear what terms he offer'd them,
But they conferr'd not long, for all at once
To trial fled within. Clos'd were the gates
By those our adversaries on the breast
Of my liege lord: excluded he return'd
To me with tardy steps. Upon the ground
His eyes were bent, and from his brow eras'd
All confidence, while thus with sighs he spake:
"Who hath denied me these abodes of woe?"
Then thus to me: "That I am anger'd, think
No ground of terror: in this trial I
Shall vanquish, use what arts they may within
For hindrance. This their insolence, not new,
Erewhile at gate less secret they display'd,
Which still is without bolt; upon its arch
Thou saw'st the deadly scroll: and even now
On this side of its entrance, down the steep,
Passing the circles, unescorted, comes
One whose strong might can open us this land."
第九篇我看见我的引路人回转来了，我的脸上带着恐怖的神色，因此他又不得不勉强镇定地安慰我。他一动不动，好似静听一般；因为在昏暗迷雾之中，他的眼睛是看不远的。他说：“我们将要战胜他们……假使不……他却给我们帮助……我觉得已经等候了多么长久呀！”
我听他前言不搭后语，断断续续的一番话，使我心里更加不安，也许我误解他的意思了。于是我问他道：“在第一圈里的灵魂、他们的刑罚只是没有希望，他们是要降入地狱的底部呢？”他答道：“我们走这条路的确是很少。从前有一次，因为术士厄里克托的魔力，我曾经到过那里，术士有本领使灵魂重返尸体；当时我新死的时间不长，他差我入城、到犹大环，召一个灵魂；这一地方最深最暗，离天最远。所以这条路我是认识的，你可以放心。但是，这个污水绕着的城，今番若不动天之怒，我们是不能进去的，”
那时他还说很多话，可是我记不清了，因为我的眼睛注视看一个高塔，顶上反照着红光；那里忽然站着三个凶神，形体近于女人，身上有血迹，并且绕着青蛇，头上还盘着小蛇和毒蛇，好像蓬散着的头发。他知道这是地狱之后的女仆，他对我说：“你看这三个可怕的厄里倪厄斯；左边的是梅盖拉，右边挥泪的是阿列克托，中间的是提希丰。”他的话就说到这里。她们各自抓破她们的胸膛，她们自己打着自己，高声叫喊，使我很害怕，因此站得贴近诗人。她们向下看着说：“米杜萨来，把他变成了石头！我们报复特修斯还没有十分的厉害。”我的老师急忙对我说：“把脸转过去，眼睛闭上，因为果尔刚快要出来，你若看见她，你就没有回生的希望了。”他说完以后，还不全然信任我的手，又加上他自己的手来掩往我的眼睛。哦，聪明的读者，在这奇异的诗幕之下，请你们注意他的涵义罢！
现在，污秽的水面上，又拥来可怕的声浪，使两岸起了震动；好像是风声，来势猛烈，发了狂似的；吹得山鸣谷应，树拔枝断，卷起沙石，乌兽匿迹。我的引路人移开他的手。说：“现在你可以向迷雾腾腾的古沼上面看了。”好像群蛙遇见了仇敌水蛇，一个个没入水中，沉到泥底伏着不动一样，我看见很多精灵鬼怪，纷纷逃避在死的隔水面上行走的一个，他用左手拨开他前面的迷雾，除此以外，他似乎没有别的劳苦。我知道这是一位天上来的使者；我转向我的老师，他做手势叫我站着不要出声，毕恭毕敬。那位天使非常愤慨。他走到城门前面，用他的小杖推开它，简直不费气力。他立在门槛上说：“从天上摔下来的魔鬼！低贱的种族！为什么你们还要这样自命不凡呢？为什么你们反抗一个不达目的不罢休的意志，因而增加你们的痛难呢？和命运争斗又有什么好处。你们的刻尔勃路斯，你们还记得他罢，他的颈项上还带着锁链的印呢。”于是他悼转身子，向水面回去了，并未和我们说一句话。他似乎很忙，还有急务在身，马上要去办呢。
我门听完这番“圣言”，心里宽舒了，就向着城门移动我们的脚步。我们走进去没有一点困难。我急着要知道城堡里面究竟是什么样子，一到里面，便左右观看；只见左右田野，都充满着新的悲哀和新的苦痛。
如在罗讷河流过的阿尔，如在靠近夸尔纳罗湾的普拉，那里坟墓林立，使地面高下不平，这里的左右的田野也是如此，景象更加凄惨；这里坟墓之间都燃着烈火，使周围的一切都是火红火红。他们的棺材盖都打开着；棺材里面有悲泣的声音，似乎是从痛苦的灵魂发出来的。我问道：“老师，这些从棺材里发出悲声的是那一种人呢？”他回答道：“这里是各种邪教的首领和他们的门徒；每个棺材里都装着出乎意料的为数众多的灵魂；他们是分类合葬，他们坟墓的热度也高低不等。”
于是他转向右边，我门走在刑场和很高的城墙之间。
Imprinted, when I saw my guide turn back,
Chas'd that from his which newly they had worn,
And inwardly restrain'd it. He, as one
Who listens, stood attentive: for his eye
Not far could lead him through the sable air,
And the thick-gath'ring cloud. "It yet behooves
We win this fight"—thus he began—"if not—
Such aid to us is offer'd.—Oh, how long
Me seems it, ere the promis'd help arrive!"
I noted, how the sequel of his words
Clok'd their beginning; for the last he spake
Agreed not with the first. But not the less
My fear was at his saying; sith I drew
To import worse perchance, than that he held,
His mutilated speech. "Doth ever any
Into this rueful concave's extreme depth
Descend, out of the first degree, whose pain
Is deprivation merely of sweet hope?"
Thus I inquiring. "Rarely," he replied,
"It chances, that among us any makes
This journey, which I wend. Erewhile 'tis true
Once came I here beneath, conjur'd by fell
Erictho, sorceress, who compell'd the shades
Back to their bodies. No long space my flesh
Was naked of me, when within these walls
She made me enter, to draw forth a spirit
From out of Judas' circle. Lowest place
Is that of all, obscurest, and remov'd
Farthest from heav'n's all-circling orb. The road
Full well I know: thou therefore rest secure.
That lake, the noisome stench exhaling, round
The city' of grief encompasses, which now
We may not enter without rage." Yet more
He added: but I hold it not in mind,
For that mine eye toward the lofty tower
Had drawn me wholly, to its burning top.
Where in an instant I beheld uprisen
At once three hellish furies stain'd with blood:
In limb and motion feminine they seem'd;
Around them greenest hydras twisting roll'd
Their volumes; adders and cerastes crept
Instead of hair, and their fierce temples bound.
He knowing well the miserable hags
Who tend the queen of endless woe, thus spake:
"Mark thou each dire Erinnys. To the left
This is Megaera; on the right hand she,
Who wails, Alecto; and Tisiphone
I' th' midst." This said, in silence he remain'd
Their breast they each one clawing tore; themselves
Smote with their palms, and such shrill clamour rais'd,
That to the bard I clung, suspicion-bound.
"Hasten Medusa: so to adamant
Him shall we change;" all looking down exclaim'd.
"E'en when by Theseus' might assail'd, we took
No ill revenge." "Turn thyself round, and keep
Thy count'nance hid; for if the Gorgon dire
Be shown, and thou shouldst view it, thy return
Upwards would be for ever lost." This said,
Himself my gentle master turn'd me round,
Nor trusted he my hands, but with his own
He also hid me. Ye of intellect
Sound and entire, mark well the lore conceal'd
Under close texture of the mystic strain!
And now there came o'er the perturbed waves
Loud-crashing, terrible, a sound that made
Either shore tremble, as if of a wind
Impetuous, from conflicting vapours sprung,
That 'gainst some forest driving all its might,
Plucks off the branches, beats them down and hurls
Afar; then onward passing proudly sweeps
Its whirlwind rage, while beasts and shepherds fly.
Mine eyes he loos'd, and spake: "And now direct
Thy visual nerve along that ancient foam,
There, thickest where the smoke ascends." As frogs
Before their foe the serpent, through the wave
Ply swiftly all, till at the ground each one
Lies on a heap; more than a thousand spirits
Destroy'd, so saw I fleeing before one
Who pass'd with unwet feet the Stygian sound.
He, from his face removing the gross air,
Oft his left hand forth stretch'd, and seem'd alone
By that annoyance wearied. I perceiv'd
That he was sent from heav'n, and to my guide
Turn'd me, who signal made that I should stand
Quiet, and bend to him. Ah me! how full
Of noble anger seem'd he! To the gate
He came, and with his wand touch'd it, whereat
Open without impediment it flew.
"Outcasts of heav'n! O abject race and scorn'd!"
Began he on the horrid grunsel standing,
"Whence doth this wild excess of insolence
Lodge in you? wherefore kick you 'gainst that will
Ne'er frustrate of its end, and which so oft
Hath laid on you enforcement of your pangs?
What profits at the fays to but the horn?
Your Cerberus, if ye remember, hence
Bears still, peel'd of their hair, his throat and maw."
This said, he turn'd back o'er the filthy way,
And syllable to us spake none, but wore
The semblance of a man by other care
Beset, and keenly press'd, than thought of him
Who in his presence stands. Then we our steps
Toward that territory mov'd, secure
After the hallow'd words. We unoppos'd
There enter'd; and my mind eager to learn
What state a fortress like to that might hold,
I soon as enter'd throw mine eye around,
And see on every part wide-stretching space
Replete with bitter pain and torment ill.
As where Rhone stagnates on the plains of Arles,
Or as at Pola, near Quarnaro's gulf,
That closes Italy and laves her bounds,
The place is all thick spread with sepulchres;
So was it here, save what in horror here
Excell'd: for 'midst the graves were scattered flames,
Wherewith intensely all throughout they burn'd,
That iron for no craft there hotter needs.
Their lids all hung suspended, and beneath
From them forth issu'd lamentable moans,
Such as the sad and tortur'd well might raise.
I thus: "Master! say who are these, interr'd
Within these vaults, of whom distinct we hear
The dolorous sighs?" He answer thus return'd:
"The arch-heretics are here, accompanied
By every sect their followers; and much more,
Than thou believest, tombs are freighted: like
With like is buried; and the monuments
Are different in degrees of heat." This said,
He to the right hand turning, on we pass'd
Betwixt the afflicted and the ramparts high.
第十篇现在在城墙和坟墓之间的一条狭路上，我跟着老师问前去。我开始说：“大德的诗人呀！你自己欢喜引导我经历这些悲惨的圈子，请你对我说明，并满足我的要求：装在这些棺材里的，我可以看到他们么？棺材盖是开着，旁边没有看守的人。”他回答我道：“他们从约沙法回来以后，带了他们留在地上的皮囊，那时棺材都要盖上了。这里是伊壁鸠鲁和他门徒的坟墓，他们的肉体和灵魂都死了。你的问题，马上有人从里面出来回答你，并且同时满足你没有说明的愿望。”我说：“和善的引路人，我的心事并不想瞒过你，只是要节省些话句，像你以前曾经关照过我的那样罢了。”
忽然从一个棺材里发出一种声音：“哦，托斯卡那人！你活着走进了火城，说话多么柔和；你也许愿意在这里停一回罢？听你的口音，看出你是那个高贵国度里的人，我为着他或者太烦恼了。”我吃了一惊，急忙走近我的引路人，他却对我说：“你掉转脸去；你伯什么？看那里的法利那塔！他自己站起来了，从腰部以上都看得见呢。”我已经注视着他了；他昂首挺胸，对于地狱的威权似乎表示一种轻蔑。当时我引路人勇敢的手，竟已把我推到法利那塔前面，说：“说话简单些。”
我立在他坟墓之前，他略微看我一眼，于是很不在意地问我道：“你的先祖是谁？”我不反对，我不隐藏，全然说给他听了。那时他的眉毛稍微杨起一点，于是他说：“他门非常剧烈地反对我，反对我的先人，反对我的同党；于是我把他们两次放逐出去。”我回答道：“虽然两次给你赶出去，他们却两次马上又回国了；至于你的同党呢，却没有学得回国的本事。”
我们正在对话的时候，他旁边突然又露出一个影子，他是跪在棺材里面，把头露在外面呢。他在我的四周看看，似乎在找陪着我的某人，但是失望了。他挥泪说：“假使你能够经历黑暗的牢狱，是因为你崇高的天才，那末我的儿子在那里呢？他为什么不陪着你呢？”我回答他道：“这个并非是我自己的力量；是他，等着在那里的他，是他引导我经历这里的；或者你的圭多对于他已经是太轻蔑了。”因为他的说话和他的刑罚，使我预先知道这个影子的名字，所以我的回答可以这样明确肯定。即刻这个影子站了起来，叫道：“你怎么说：他已经是？他不在了么？温和的阳光不射着他的眼睛了么？”他看见我的回答迟慢了一点，便倒了下去，不再露面了。
但是那一个高傲的、叫我在那里停一回的影子，他的姿势却没有变，头也没有转，腰也没有弯。继续着前面的对话，他说：“不错，他们没有学好这付本领，这使我比躺在此地火坑里还要痛苦呢，但是，在这里女主的脸发亮五十次以前，你将要知道这付本领确是难学的。你是可以回到甜美世界的人，请你告诉我：在各种法律方面，为什么那些人民这样强烈地反对我的亲族呢？”对这一点，我回答他道：“惨败和屠杀，使阿尔比亚河的波浪染成红色，因此在我们的寺里回响着这样的演说。”他叹了一口气摇着头，于是说：“这件事情不是我一个人做的；我的附和他们也不是没有理由的；但是他们主张毁灭佛罗伦萨，只有我铁面无私地挺身出来保护他。”我对他说：“我希望你的后代得着和平！我还有一个结没有解开，要请你解一下：假使我相信你说的话，似乎你们知道将来但是对于目前的事情就不明白，”他说：“像一个远视眼的人，近的东西看不见，远的反而能看清楚：这个总算是最高统治者给我们的恩惠了。靠近的或是正在进行的事情，我们的智力及不到；除非有人来告诉我们，现在地面上的情况我们是不知道的。由此你可以推想到，在将来之门关闭了以后，我门的知识就要完全熄灭了。”听了这番话以后，我懊悔我方才的错处，对他说：“现在请你对那个倒下去的说他的儿子还活在人间呢；方才我的回答迟慢，是因为我心里面的怀疑，现在已经给你说明了。”那时我的老师喊我了，于是我请求这个灵魂快些把他的伴侣告诉我。他对我说：“和我躺在这里的很多，腓特烈第二也在这里，还有那红衣主教；其余的我不说了。”说罢，他也倒在棺材里了。
于是我移步向着古诗人，回味着我听见的预言，这个预言对于我似乎不利。他向前走了；我们走着的时候，他对我说：“为什么你这样的惆怅迷？”我把理由告诉他，他接着说：“你暂且把你听见的记着，现在注视这里！他伸起他的指头。当你站在那位有慈光的女人之前，她的慧眼能够洞察一切，你可以从她那里知道你全部的生之旅程。”
我们离开城墙，转向左边；在一条小路上，望着中心走去；我们降到深渊的边缘，闻到下面的腐臭之味。
Between the walls, that hem the region round,
And the tormented souls: my master first,
I close behind his steps. "Virtue supreme!"
I thus began; "who through these ample orbs
In circuit lead'st me, even as thou will'st,
Speak thou, and satisfy my wish. May those,
Who lie within these sepulchres, be seen?
Already all the lids are rais'd, and none
O'er them keeps watch." He thus in answer spake
"They shall be closed all, what-time they here
From Josaphat return'd shall come, and bring
Their bodies, which above they now have left.
The cemetery on this part obtain
With Epicurus all his followers,
Who with the body make the spirit die.
Here therefore satisfaction shall be soon
Both to the question ask'd, and to the wish,
Which thou conceal'st in silence." I replied:
"I keep not, guide belov'd! from thee my heart
Secreted, but to shun vain length of words,
A lesson erewhile taught me by thyself."
"O Tuscan! thou who through the city of fire
Alive art passing, so discreet of speech!
Here please thee stay awhile. Thy utterance
Declares the place of thy nativity
To be that noble land, with which perchance
I too severely dealt." Sudden that sound
Forth issu'd from a vault, whereat in fear
I somewhat closer to my leader's side
Approaching, he thus spake: "What dost thou? Turn.
Lo, Farinata, there! who hath himself
Uplifted: from his girdle upwards all
Expos'd behold him." On his face was mine
Already fix'd; his breast and forehead there
Erecting, seem'd as in high scorn he held
E'en hell. Between the sepulchres to him
My guide thrust me with fearless hands and prompt,
This warning added: "See thy words be clear!"
He, soon as there I stood at the tomb's foot,
Ey'd me a space, then in disdainful mood
Address'd me: "Say, what ancestors were thine?"
I, willing to obey him, straight reveal'd
The whole, nor kept back aught: whence he, his brow
Somewhat uplifting, cried: "Fiercely were they
Adverse to me, my party, and the blood
From whence I sprang: twice therefore I abroad
Scatter'd them." "Though driv'n out, yet they each time
From all parts," answer'd I, "return'd; an art
Which yours have shown, they are not skill'd to learn."
Then, peering forth from the unclosed jaw,
Rose from his side a shade, high as the chin,
Leaning, methought, upon its knees uprais'd.
It look'd around, as eager to explore
If there were other with me; but perceiving
That fond imagination quench'd, with tears
Thus spake: "If thou through this blind prison go'st.
Led by thy lofty genius and profound,
Where is my son? and wherefore not with thee?"
I straight replied: "Not of myself I come,
By him, who there expects me, through this clime
Conducted, whom perchance Guido thy son
Had in contempt." Already had his words
And mode of punishment read me his name,
Whence I so fully answer'd. He at once
Exclaim'd, up starting, "How! said'st thou he HAD?
No longer lives he? Strikes not on his eye
The blessed daylight?" Then of some delay
I made ere my reply aware, down fell
Supine, not after forth appear'd he more.
Meanwhile the other, great of soul, near whom
I yet was station'd, chang'd not count'nance stern,
Nor mov'd the neck, nor bent his ribbed side.
"And if," continuing the first discourse,
"They in this art," he cried, "small skill have shown,
That doth torment me more e'en than this bed.
But not yet fifty times shall be relum'd
Her aspect, who reigns here Queen of this realm,
Ere thou shalt know the full weight of that art.
So to the pleasant world mayst thou return,
As thou shalt tell me, why in all their laws,
Against my kin this people is so fell?"
"The slaughter and great havoc," I replied,
"That colour'd Arbia's flood with crimson stain—
To these impute, that in our hallow'd dome
Such orisons ascend." Sighing he shook
The head, then thus resum'd: "In that affray
I stood not singly, nor without just cause
Assuredly should with the rest have stirr'd;
But singly there I stood, when by consent
Of all, Florence had to the ground been raz'd,
The one who openly forbad the deed."
"So may thy lineage find at last repose,"
I thus adjur'd him, "as thou solve this knot,
Which now involves my mind. If right I hear,
Ye seem to view beforehand, that which time
Leads with him, of the present uninform'd."
"We view, as one who hath an evil sight,"
He answer'd, "plainly, objects far remote:
So much of his large spendour yet imparts
The' Almighty Ruler; but when they approach
Or actually exist, our intellect
Then wholly fails, nor of your human state
Except what others bring us know we aught.
Hence therefore mayst thou understand, that all
Our knowledge in that instant shall expire,
When on futurity the portals close."
Then conscious of my fault, and by remorse
Smitten, I added thus: "Now shalt thou say
To him there fallen, that his offspring still
Is to the living join'd; and bid him know,
That if from answer silent I abstain'd,
'Twas that my thought was occupied intent
Upon that error, which thy help hath solv'd."
But now my master summoning me back
I heard, and with more eager haste besought
The spirit to inform me, who with him
Partook his lot. He answer thus return'd:
"More than a thousand with me here are laid
Within is Frederick, second of that name,
And the Lord Cardinal, and of the rest
I speak not." He, this said, from sight withdrew.
But I my steps towards the ancient bard
Reverting, ruminated on the words
Betokening me such ill. Onward he mov'd,
And thus in going question'd: "Whence the' amaze
That holds thy senses wrapt?" I satisfied
The' inquiry, and the sage enjoin'd me straight:
"Let thy safe memory store what thou hast heard
To thee importing harm; and note thou this,"
With his rais'd finger bidding me take heed,
"When thou shalt stand before her gracious beam,
Whose bright eye all surveys, she of thy life
The future tenour will to thee unfold."
Forthwith he to the left hand turn'd his feet:
We left the wall, and tow'rds the middle space
Went by a path, that to a valley strikes;
Which e'en thus high exhal'd its noisome steam.
第十一篇走到悬崖的边缘，这里是由大块断石叠成的一个圈子，我们望见下面众多的灵魂，比以前的更加凄惨。因为那里有一股呛人的臭味，从深渊底部冲上来，我们暂时躲避到一块大石碑的前面，碑上刻着：“教皇阿纳斯塔修斯，曾因浮提努斯而离正道，葬于此处”
我的老师说：“我们不如在这里站一会，等我们习惯了这种可怕的臭味之后，我们再往下走，那时就不必担心了。”我对他说：“那末不要把时间错过，趁这个机会，请你把下面的罪恶概述一下。”他说：“这正合我意，我的孩子！”
于是他开始说：“从这里绝壁以下，还有三个圈子，都是和以前的一样，越到下面越小，挤满着可诅咒的幽灵。若要知道他们所犯何罪，受何刑罚，你到那里一见就明白了。
“一切罪恶，因为他的目的终是损害别人都遭大怒。或用强力，或用诈骗，以达此目的。不过，诈骗是人类恃有的恶性更为上帝所痛恨；所以欺骗的人还在强暴的人下层，受苦更大。
“第一圈是容纳强暴的人；这一层又分为三个环，强暴可施于三种人。可施于上帝，施于自己，施于邻人；施于他们的自身，或是他们的所有，这些你将来部要明白的。
“强暴施于邻人，使他受伤，使他丧命；施于他的所有，或蹂躏，或放火，或强占：这些杀人犯，强盗，放火之徒都在第一环分别受刑。
“在第二环受刑的是那些自己离开有光的世界，后来悔恨莫及之徒；会对于自己和自己的所有施以强暴；里面还有因赌博而倾家荡产的，本应欢乐而空自悲泣的。
“强暴可施于上帝，否认他的存在，毁谤他；轻蔑自然和他的恩惠。所以在最狭的第三环的是那些带了所多玛人和卡奥尔人记号的，还有那些在心里和嘴里侮辱上帝的。
“至于诈骗，就是腐蚀了良心，可以施于已经信任他的人，或是施于还没有信任他的人。后面一种，切断了人和人之间自然所造的爱链、所以在这第二圈住着些魔法师骗子，伪君子，阿谀人，窃贼，买卖官职者，淫媒等等。其他一种，忘记自然所造的爱，人类的友情，彼此的信任，所以在这最小的一圈，在宇宙的中心；狄斯的座位也在那里，那里使忘恩负义之徒永受痛苦。”
于是我说：“主人，你的说话真是非常清楚，把这深渊和这里的幽灵分别得极有条理。但是，请你告诉我：既然上帝因为他们而震怒？在那污池里的，在那给风吹的，给雨打的，在那里互相撞击的，为什么他们不放到红城里面受苦呢，假使不然，为什么他们也在那种痛苦的境界呢？”
他说：“你为什么精神不贯注？你忘记了你在《伦理学》中所学得的么？那书上依了天意分罪恶为三种：不能节制的，有恶意的，有暴行的。你忘记了不能节制的人罪过较轻，上帝，给他们的刑罚也较轻么？你若把这种道理弄清楚、再回想前面所经过的几圈，你就懂得这些犯人为什么要和那些分开，为什么神的正义对于前面的宽和一些。”
我说：“哦，太阳呀！他把我昏暗的精神照明亮了；从解开疑问中学到不少知识，我是多么快活呀！不过，我心里还有一团疑云，要请你为我吹散，就是重利盘剥者为上帝所深恶这一点。”
他回答我道：“研究哲学的大概都知道：自然取法乎神智和神意。假使你留意你所学的《物理学》，你马上可以知道：艺术取法自然，好比学生取之于教师。所以你可以说：艺术是上帝的宠儿。假使你记得《创世记》中开头几处说的话，你就知道：自然和艺术是人类赖以取得食粮，并因此而繁荣的。因为重利盘剥者的取径不同，他轻蔑自然和取法乎他的艺术，却在别处寻找他的希望。……但是现在我们可以走了，因为双鱼宫已从地平面透出来了，北斗星已经向着西北风去了；略微远一些，那里山路似乎平坦一点，我们就可以走下去了。”
By craggy rocks environ'd round, we came,
Where woes beneath more cruel yet were stow'd:
And here to shun the horrible excess
Of fetid exhalation, upward cast
From the profound abyss, behind the lid
Of a great monument we stood retir'd,
Whereon this scroll I mark'd: "I have in charge
Pope Anastasius, whom Photinus drew
From the right path.—Ere our descent behooves
We make delay, that somewhat first the sense,
To the dire breath accustom'd, afterward
Regard it not." My master thus; to whom
Answering I spake: "Some compensation find
That the time past not wholly lost." He then:
"Lo! how my thoughts e'en to thy wishes tend!
My son! within these rocks," he thus began,
"Are three close circles in gradation plac'd,
As these which now thou leav'st. Each one is full
Of spirits accurs'd; but that the sight alone
Hereafter may suffice thee, listen how
And for what cause in durance they abide.
"Of all malicious act abhorr'd in heaven,
The end is injury; and all such end
Either by force or fraud works other's woe
But fraud, because of man peculiar evil,
To God is more displeasing; and beneath
The fraudulent are therefore doom'd to' endure
Severer pang. The violent occupy
All the first circle; and because to force
Three persons are obnoxious, in three rounds
Hach within other sep'rate is it fram'd.
To God, his neighbour, and himself, by man
Force may be offer'd; to himself I say
And his possessions, as thou soon shalt hear
At full. Death, violent death, and painful wounds
Upon his neighbour he inflicts; and wastes
By devastation, pillage, and the flames,
His substance. Slayers, and each one that smites
In malice, plund'rers, and all robbers, hence
The torment undergo of the first round
In different herds. Man can do violence
To himself and his own blessings: and for this
He in the second round must aye deplore
With unavailing penitence his crime,
Whoe'er deprives himself of life and light,
In reckless lavishment his talent wastes,
And sorrows there where he should dwell in joy.
To God may force be offer'd, in the heart
Denying and blaspheming his high power,
And nature with her kindly law contemning.
And thence the inmost round marks with its seal
Sodom and Cahors, and all such as speak
Contemptuously' of the Godhead in their hearts.
"Fraud, that in every conscience leaves a sting,
May be by man employ'd on one, whose trust
He wins, or on another who withholds
Strict confidence. Seems as the latter way
Broke but the bond of love which Nature makes.
Whence in the second circle have their nest
Dissimulation, witchcraft, flatteries,
Theft, falsehood, simony, all who seduce
To lust, or set their honesty at pawn,
With such vile scum as these. The other way
Forgets both Nature's general love, and that
Which thereto added afterwards gives birth
To special faith. Whence in the lesser circle,
Point of the universe, dread seat of Dis,
The traitor is eternally consum'd."
I thus: "Instructor, clearly thy discourse
Proceeds, distinguishing the hideous chasm
And its inhabitants with skill exact.
But tell me this: they of the dull, fat pool,
Whom the rain beats, or whom the tempest drives,
Or who with tongues so fierce conflicting meet,
Wherefore within the city fire-illum'd
Are not these punish'd, if God's wrath be on them?
And if it be not, wherefore in such guise
Are they condemned?" He answer thus return'd:
"Wherefore in dotage wanders thus thy mind,
Not so accustom'd? or what other thoughts
Possess it? Dwell not in thy memory
The words, wherein thy ethic page describes
Three dispositions adverse to Heav'n's will,
Incont'nence, malice, and mad brutishness,
And how incontinence the least offends
God, and least guilt incurs? If well thou note
This judgment, and remember who they are,
Without these walls to vain repentance doom'd,
Thou shalt discern why they apart are plac'd
From these fell spirits, and less wreakful pours
Justice divine on them its vengeance down."
"O Sun! who healest all imperfect sight,
Thou so content'st me, when thou solv'st my doubt,
That ignorance not less than knowledge charms.
Yet somewhat turn thee back," I in these words
Continu'd, "where thou saidst, that usury
Offends celestial Goodness; and this knot
Perplex'd unravel." He thus made reply:
"Philosophy, to an attentive ear,
Clearly points out, not in one part alone,
How imitative nature takes her course
From the celestial mind and from its art:
And where her laws the Stagyrite unfolds,
Not many leaves scann'd o'er, observing well
Thou shalt discover, that your art on her
Obsequious follows, as the learner treads
In his instructor's step, so that your art
Deserves the name of second in descent
From God. These two, if thou recall to mind
Creation's holy book, from the beginning
Were the right source of life and excellence
To human kind. But in another path
The usurer walks; and Nature in herself
And in her follower thus he sets at nought,
Placing elsewhere his hope. But follow now
My steps on forward journey bent; for now
The Pisces play with undulating glance
Along the' horizon, and the Wain lies all
O'er the north-west; and onward there a space
Is our steep passage down the rocky height."
第十二篇我们预备下降之处是崎岖险恶的山岩，那里占踞的怪兽又使人不敢注视。
山石由于地震，或由于重压；从山顶起，乱石残岩奔突而下，或留于卡山，或直达平地，好比从特兰托下泻的山崩，直趋阿迪杰河滨，因此壁立的山崖成为略可上下的山路；
在山路之口，克里特岛上污秽的怪兽横躺在那里，他是一条假母牛生的；他像一个心中怀着忿怒的人一样，见了我们，他就咬自己的肉。我聪明的引路人喊道：“你以为雅典的公民在地上处死你的人到了么？你错了，滚开些！现在来者并非受了你姊姊的教训，他不过走来看看你们所受的刑罚罢了。”好比受了打击而拉断绳索的公牛，一时不知道往那儿跑，只在那里乱跳；我看见米诺涛尔听了这几句话以后也是这样。勇敢的诗人向我叫道：“快些走过去罢！当他正在狂怒的时候，这是下降的好机会了。”于是我们从那里急忙走下，因为我特别笨重，我脚下所踏的石头都不时滑动。
我一边走一边想着；维吉尔对我说：“或者你是想着这个怪兽管理的山坡罢？我要告诉你，我从前到过这里，那时山岩还没有坍下去。但是，假使我记得清楚，在他到地狱最上一圈里来提取光荣的灵魂以前不久，所有这里的山谷都震动着，似乎可以使人相信宇宙觉着爱的时候，我们又要堕入混沌这句话；因此，当时这里和别处的古崖旧岩都倒下去了。现在请你看看山脚下的血沟吧，在那里面正煮着用暴力伤人的幽灵呢。”
唉，盲目的贪欲！唉，愚蠢的忿怒！在短促的人生，他煽动着我们，到后来却永远地使我们受着酷刑！
当时我依着我引路人的指示，看见一条弧形的宽阔的，占满了全平面。在山脚和血沟之间，有许多马身人相的怪物，在那里结队跑着，他们都带着弓箭，和他们在地面上打猎的光景一样。他们看见我们走下山坡，都站定了，随后有三个从队伍里走出来，瞄准着他们的箭头，其中有一个远远地叫道：“你们从山坡走下来的，站住，说说你们犯了何罪？否则，我要放箭了。”我的老师说：“我们要和你们的头子奇隆说话，不必回答你；真可怜，你总是这样躁急的性子。”于是他触着我说：“这一个是索斯，他曾因美人得伊阿尼拉而死，他自己又为自己报了仇；在中间的一个，他看着自己的胸膛，他就是大奇隆，他曾养育阿基琉斯；其他一个为福罗斯，他是那样的怒着。在沟的四周，他们共有几千，都拿着弓箭；如果沟里有一个犯人，不依照应有的尺寸没入河面，他们就要射他。”我们走近这些跑得极快的怪兽；奇隆拿他的箭尾，拨开他的胡须，向左右分披；于是露出他的大嘴，对他的同伴说：“你们看见后面那一个，他的脚踩着了东西，那东西就要移动么？死人的脚没有这样的力量。”我善良的引路人已经站在奇隆的胸前，那里是两种自然结合之处，他回答道：“不错，他是活人，我担任引导他经历幽谷的职务；他为需要所迫，不得不如此，并不是来玩的。她离开她的赞美歌，来给我新使命；他既不是强盗，我也不是贼魂。因为她的力量，我才能够走到这种昏暗之地。现在要请你助成此行，借你同伴的背脊，使他渡过这条血沟，因为他不是能够在空中来去的精灵，”于是奇隆转向右边，对索斯说：“你去引导他们罢；假使逢着别的幽灵，你叫他们站开。不要来阻拦。”
我们跟着这个引导人，走在紫水的边上，在水里面受煮的喊叫得真可怜。我看见其中有几个没到眉毛；那个马身人面的怪物悦：“这些都是杀人劫财的暴君，现在都在这里忍气吞声：这里是亚历山大；这里是残暴的狄奥尼西奥斯，他使西西里有多年的悲哀；还有那个黑色头发的是阿佐利诺；黄色头发的是奥庇佐，他实在是被他的不幸子杀死的。”于是我转向诗人望了一眼，他对我说：“现在他是第一个引路人，我是第二个。”
再走下去一段路，那怪物停在一群幽灵之前。他们的头都露在血水上面，那血水似乎还冒着烟气呢。他指着一个孤立在一处的幽灵说：“这一个，当着上帝的面，刺了一个心。这一个心如今还在泰晤十河上受人家的敬礼呢。”于是我看见许多有头露在外面的，有胸膛露在外面的，其中为我认识的也不少。血水的深度渐见减低，直到仅没脚面，我们就从那里渡过了血沟。那时马身人面的怪物说：“你看这个沸水，向这一边逐渐变，向那一边逐渐变深，直到暴君受刑之处，那里是最深的了。这一边神的正义施刑给阿提拉，他在世上是一条鞭子；此外有皮鲁惭有赛克斯图斯，还有科尔奈托和帕佐，他们都因在大路上和旅客们厮杀而被罚，在这沸着的沟中终古流泪。”
我们到了彼岸，那怪物仍从血水浅处回去了。
We came, was rough as Alp, and on its verge
Such object lay, as every eye would shun.
As is that ruin, which Adice's stream
On this side Trento struck, should'ring the wave,
Or loos'd by earthquake or for lack of prop;
For from the mountain's summit, whence it mov'd
To the low level, so the headlong rock
Is shiver'd, that some passage it might give
To him who from above would pass; e'en such
Into the chasm was that descent: and there
At point of the disparted ridge lay stretch'd
The infamy of Crete, detested brood
Of the feign'd heifer: and at sight of us
It gnaw'd itself, as one with rage distract.
To him my guide exclaim'd: "Perchance thou deem'st
The King of Athens here, who, in the world
Above, thy death contriv'd. Monster! avaunt!
He comes not tutor'd by thy sister's art,
But to behold your torments is he come."
Like to a bull, that with impetuous spring
Darts, at the moment when the fatal blow
Hath struck him, but unable to proceed
Plunges on either side; so saw I plunge
The Minotaur; whereat the sage exclaim'd:
"Run to the passage! while he storms, 't is well
That thou descend." Thus down our road we took
Through those dilapidated crags, that oft
Mov'd underneath my feet, to weight like theirs
Unus'd. I pond'ring went, and thus he spake:
"Perhaps thy thoughts are of this ruin'd steep,
Guarded by the brute violence, which I
Have vanquish'd now. Know then, that when I erst
Hither descended to the nether hell,
This rock was not yet fallen. But past doubt
(If well I mark) not long ere He arrived,
Who carried off from Dis the mighty spoil
Of the highest circle, then through all its bounds
Such trembling seiz'd the deep concave and foul,
I thought the universe was thrill'd with love,
Whereby, there are who deem, the world hath oft
Been into chaos turn'd: and in that point,
Here, and elsewhere, that old rock toppled down.
But fix thine eyes beneath: the river of blood
Approaches, in the which all those are steep'd,
Who have by violence injur'd." O blind lust!
O foolish wrath! who so dost goad us on
In the brief life, and in the eternal then
Thus miserably o'erwhelm us. I beheld
An ample foss, that in a bow was bent,
As circling all the plain; for so my guide
Had told. Between it and the rampart's base
On trail ran Centaurs, with keen arrows arm'd,
As to the chase they on the earth were wont.
At seeing us descend they each one stood;
And issuing from the troop, three sped with bows
And missile weapons chosen first; of whom
One cried from far: "Say to what pain ye come
Condemn'd, who down this steep have journied? Speak
From whence ye stand, or else the bow I draw."
To whom my guide: "Our answer shall be made
To Chiron, there, when nearer him we come.
Ill was thy mind, thus ever quick and rash."
Then me he touch'd, and spake: "Nessus is this,
Who for the fair Deianira died,
And wrought himself revenge for his own fate.
He in the midst, that on his breast looks down,
Is the great Chiron who Achilles nurs'd;
That other Pholus, prone to wrath." Around
The foss these go by thousands, aiming shafts
At whatsoever spirit dares emerge
From out the blood, more than his guilt allows.
We to those beasts, that rapid strode along,
Drew near, when Chiron took an arrow forth,
And with the notch push'd back his shaggy beard
To the cheek-bone, then his great mouth to view
Exposing, to his fellows thus exclaim'd:
"Are ye aware, that he who comes behind
Moves what he touches? The feet of the dead
Are not so wont." My trusty guide, who now
Stood near his breast, where the two natures join,
Thus made reply: "He is indeed alive,
And solitary so must needs by me
Be shown the gloomy vale, thereto induc'd
By strict necessity, not by delight.
She left her joyful harpings in the sky,
Who this new office to my care consign'd.
He is no robber, no dark spirit I.
But by that virtue, which empowers my step
To treat so wild a path, grant us, I pray,
One of thy band, whom we may trust secure,
Who to the ford may lead us, and convey
Across, him mounted on his back; for he
Is not a spirit that may walk the air."
Then on his right breast turning, Chiron thus
To Nessus spake: "Return, and be their guide.
And if ye chance to cross another troop,
Command them keep aloof." Onward we mov'd,
The faithful escort by our side, along
The border of the crimson-seething flood,
Whence from those steep'd within loud shrieks arose.
Some there I mark'd, as high as to their brow
Immers'd, of whom the mighty Centaur thus:
"These are the souls of tyrants, who were given
To blood and rapine. Here they wail aloud
Their merciless wrongs. Here Alexander dwells,
And Dionysius fell, who many a year
Of woe wrought for fair Sicily. That brow
Whereon the hair so jetty clust'ring hangs,
Is Azzolino; that with flaxen locks
Obizzo' of Este, in the world destroy'd
By his foul step-son." To the bard rever'd
I turned me round, and thus he spake; "Let him
Be to thee now first leader, me but next
To him in rank." Then farther on a space
The Centaur paus'd, near some, who at the throat
Were extant from the wave; and showing us
A spirit by itself apart retir'd,
Exclaim'd: "He in God's bosom smote the heart,
Which yet is honour'd on the bank of Thames."
A race I next espied, who held the head,
And even all the bust above the stream.
'Midst these I many a face remember'd well.
Thus shallow more and more the blood became,
So that at last it but imbru'd the feet;
And there our passage lay athwart the foss.
"As ever on this side the boiling wave
Thou seest diminishing," the Centaur said,
"So on the other, be thou well assur'd,
It lower still and lower sinks its bed,
Till in that part it reuniting join,
Where 't is the lot of tyranny to mourn.
There Heav'n's stern justice lays chastising hand
On Attila, who was the scourge of earth,
On Sextus, and on Pyrrhus, and extracts
Tears ever by the seething flood unlock'd
From the Rinieri, of Corneto this,
Pazzo the other nam'd, who fill'd the ways
With violence and war." This said, he turn'd,
And quitting us, alone repass'd the ford.
第十三篇维索斯还没有回到那边，我们就走进一片树林，树林没有青色的树叶，只是灰色的；也没有平正的树枝，只是纠缠卷曲，多节多瘤；也不结果子，只是生着毒刺。那里没有一条路径可以看得出来，就是匿居在柴齐纳和科尔奈托之间的野兽，也找不到这样荒凉幽秘的地方。那里有一种怪鸟哈尔皮做的巢，她们曾经用凶恶的预言，把特洛业人从斯恃洛法德斯岛吓跑了。她们是人面和人颈，身上有一对很的翅膀脚上有锐利爪子，大肚子上还有一团毛；她们在那些怪树上哀鸣不止。
善良的老师开始对我说：“在你深入以前，你要知道你是已经在第二环了；直到你走近那可怕的沙漠，你才算是离开这一环。在这里，你要看清你将看见我曾经说过，而你不相信的事情，”当时我听见悲泣之声从四面八方传来但是又看不见一个人，因此吓得我呆在那里。我的老师以为我在那里想着，这些声音是从那些躲在树林里的灵魂发出来的。所以我的老师说：“假使你在这些树上折断一根小枝，那末你的思想就要全然打消了。”那时我抬手向前，从一棵大树上折断了一根小枝，立刻那树干就叫道：“为什么你折断我呢？”后来断处又渗出黑血，他又叹息道：“你为什么损害我？你没有一点怜悯心么？我们从前也是人，现在变成树了。即使我们是蛇的灵魂，你的手也应当慈悲些呀！”就好像一根青树枝，在这一端烧着，在那一端嘶嘶地作响；这一根断枝也是这样，血点和话语同时发出来了；因此我放手看那断枝落在地上，站在那里十分惊异。
我聪明的老师回答道：“哦，受了伤害的灵魂！如果他从前读了我的诗，那他就能相信，那末他现在也不至于损害你了；因为他不相信，我才叫他做这件事情，我心里也觉得很难过！但是，请你告诉他，你是谁，因此他回到世上的时候，好把你的名字告诉大众，这样就算他对于你的补偿了。”那树干说：“你这种甜言蜜语，使我听了不能再守沉默；但是，假使我的话说得长了一些请你们不要生气。我是这样一个人，他握着腓特烈之心的两把钥匙或开或关我都十分仔细，因此别人都得不着他的生气；我对于我光荣的职责非常忠实，因此我失掉我的休息和健康。但是那娼妓淫荡的眼睛从未离开过凯撒的宫殿，这是人民的灾害，朝廷的罪恶；她煽动了许多心来反对我，这些心又煽动了奥古斯都；于是我愉快的荣光成了惨淡的忧虑。我受了这样羞辱，想着只有一死可以雪洗，所以对于我公正的身体，就加以不公正的待遇。我可以对你们发誓，我从未对于我值得敬重的主人失掉过一次忠实。假使你们之中有一个回到世上，请为我伸冤昭雪，因为我在这里还受着嫉妒的打击呢！”
诗人等了一回，于是对我说：“他静默了，不要失去时光，假使你还想多知道一些，你就对他说罢，你快些问他罢。”我回答他道：“你认为什么事情可以满足我，你就问他罢；至于我呢，我心里面充满着怜惜，我不会再问他了。”因此维吉尔又开始说：“哦，囚禁在这棵树里的灵魂呀！你的请求，这个人都可替你办到。再请你告诉我们：你们的灵魂为什么会和这个多节多瘤的树木联在一起；并且，假使你能够告诉我们：你们的灵魂是否也有脱离囚禁的一天。”
当时树枝鸣呜作响，即刻风声就成为话语：“我可以简单地告诉你们：当那凶狠的灵魂自愿离开他的肉体的时候，米诺斯即刻把他投进深渊的第七圈。他落在树林之中，并没有选定的地位给他，只是偶然的碰到，好比种子落了地，就在那里生根发芽，长成小树，后来就变得这样奇形怪状。哈尔皮吃他的叶子，给他痛苦，从那损伤之处发出痛苦的呻吟声。他也和别的灵魂一样，我们将来要回到我们的躯壳，但是我们不能再穿上我们的原来的衣服；因为一个人既然把他扔掉，就没有权利再把他收回了，我们从那里把躯壳拖回来，把他吊在凄惨的森林里，各人在各人灵魂所长成的树上。”
我们还在那里听着；以为那树干还有很话要说呢，忽然被一种声浪惊住，如同一个人听见了打猎的声音一样，我们听见追逐的狗叫和枝叶的折落声。看呀！在我们左边，两个赤身露体、满目疮痍的灵魂，从树林中猛冲过来，把许多嫩枝幼树都碰折了。跑在前面的一个说：“现在你来罢，来罢，死神呀！”其余的一个自以为跑得太迟了，叫道：“拉诺，你的腿不及托波之战的时候来得轻便了。”他的气要跑得落下去了，他跑不动了，他只好躲藏在乱树草丛之中。在他们的后面，一群黑狗追赶着，像新断了锁链的饥饿的猎犬一样。假使一犯人蹲下来，他们就拥上去把他咬得粉碎，把他活跳的四肢撕得东一块，西一块。
我的引路人拉了我的手，走到一株树旁。那树正在流血，同时我听见他叫道：“雅各波·达·圣安德烈亚！你的罪恶和我有什么关系？你为什么把我做你的帘子呢？”当时我老师正站在那里，就说：“你是准？你这样流着血，说话的声音又这样凄苦！”于是那树对我们说：”两位灵魂，你们看见我受了损害，叶子飘落满地么？请你们替我拾起来，使他们归到可怜的树根罢！我是那个城里的居民，那里因为施洗者圣约翰而遗弃了他的第一个保护神、因此这个神使他受战争的痛苦；假使不是在阿尔诺河上还留着他石像的一片，那末虽然那班市民想把给阿提拉所烧毁的城市复兴起来，也是徒劳的。至于我呢，我在家里为自己做了一个绞台。”
We enter'd on a forest, where no track
Of steps had worn a way. Not verdant there
The foliage, but of dusky hue; not light
The boughs and tapering, but with knares deform'd
And matted thick: fruits there were none, but thorns
Instead, with venom fill'd. Less sharp than these,
Less intricate the brakes, wherein abide
Those animals, that hate the cultur'd fields,
Betwixt Corneto and Cecina's stream.
Here the brute Harpies make their nest, the same
Who from the Strophades the Trojan band
Drove with dire boding of their future woe.
Broad are their pennons, of the human form
Their neck and count'nance, arm'd with talons keen
The feet, and the huge belly fledge with wings
These sit and wail on the drear mystic wood.
The kind instructor in these words began:
"Ere farther thou proceed, know thou art now
I' th' second round, and shalt be, till thou come
Upon the horrid sand: look therefore well
Around thee, and such things thou shalt behold,
As would my speech discredit." On all sides
I heard sad plainings breathe, and none could see
From whom they might have issu'd. In amaze
Fast bound I stood. He, as it seem'd, believ'd,
That I had thought so many voices came
From some amid those thickets close conceal'd,
And thus his speech resum'd: "If thou lop off
A single twig from one of those ill plants,
The thought thou hast conceiv'd shall vanish quite."
Thereat a little stretching forth my hand,
From a great wilding gather'd I a branch,
And straight the trunk exclaim'd: "Why pluck'st thou me?"
Then as the dark blood trickled down its side,
These words it added: "Wherefore tear'st me thus?
Is there no touch of mercy in thy breast?
Men once were we, that now are rooted here.
Thy hand might well have spar'd us, had we been
The souls of serpents." As a brand yet green,
That burning at one end from the' other sends
A groaning sound, and hisses with the wind
That forces out its way, so burst at once,
Forth from the broken splinter words and blood.
I, letting fall the bough, remain'd as one
Assail'd by terror, and the sage replied:
"If he, O injur'd spirit! could have believ'd
What he hath seen but in my verse describ'd,
He never against thee had stretch'd his hand.
But I, because the thing surpass'd belief,
Prompted him to this deed, which even now
Myself I rue. But tell me, who thou wast;
That, for this wrong to do thee some amends,
In the upper world (for thither to return
Is granted him) thy fame he may revive."
"That pleasant word of thine," the trunk replied
"Hath so inveigled me, that I from speech
Cannot refrain, wherein if I indulge
A little longer, in the snare detain'd,
Count it not grievous. I it was, who held
Both keys to Frederick's heart, and turn'd the wards,
Opening and shutting, with a skill so sweet,
That besides me, into his inmost breast
Scarce any other could admittance find.
The faith I bore to my high charge was such,
It cost me the life-blood that warm'd my veins.
The harlot, who ne'er turn'd her gloating eyes
From Caesar's household, common vice and pest
Of courts, 'gainst me inflam'd the minds of all;
And to Augustus they so spread the flame,
That my glad honours chang'd to bitter woes.
My soul, disdainful and disgusted, sought
Refuge in death from scorn, and I became,
Just as I was, unjust toward myself.
By the new roots, which fix this stem, I swear,
That never faith I broke to my liege lord,
Who merited such honour; and of you,
If any to the world indeed return,
Clear he from wrong my memory, that lies
Yet prostrate under envy's cruel blow."
First somewhat pausing, till the mournful words
Were ended, then to me the bard began:
"Lose not the time; but speak and of him ask,
If more thou wish to learn." Whence I replied:
"Question thou him again of whatsoe'er
Will, as thou think'st, content me; for no power
Have I to ask, such pity' is at my heart."
He thus resum'd; "So may he do for thee
Freely what thou entreatest, as thou yet
Be pleas'd, imprison'd Spirit! to declare,
How in these gnarled joints the soul is tied;
And whether any ever from such frame
Be loosen'd, if thou canst, that also tell."
Thereat the trunk breath'd hard, and the wind soon
Chang'd into sounds articulate like these;
Briefly ye shall be answer'd. "When departs
The fierce soul from the body, by itself
Thence torn asunder, to the seventh gulf
By Minos doom'd, into the wood it falls,
No place assign'd, but wheresoever chance
Hurls it, there sprouting, as a grain of spelt,
It rises to a sapling, growing thence
A savage plant. The Harpies, on its leaves
Then feeding, cause both pain and for the pain
A vent to grief. We, as the rest, shall come
For our own spoils, yet not so that with them
We may again be clad; for what a man
Takes from himself it is not just he have.
Here we perforce shall drag them; and throughout
The dismal glade our bodies shall be hung,
Each on the wild thorn of his wretched shade."
Attentive yet to listen to the trunk
We stood, expecting farther speech, when us
A noise surpris'd, as when a man perceives
The wild boar and the hunt approach his place
Of station'd watch, who of the beasts and boughs
Loud rustling round him hears. And lo! there came
Two naked, torn with briers, in headlong flight,
That they before them broke each fan o' th' wood.
"Haste now," the foremost cried, "now haste thee death!"
The' other, as seem'd, impatient of delay
Exclaiming, "Lano! not so bent for speed
Thy sinews, in the lists of Toppo's field."
And then, for that perchance no longer breath
Suffic'd him, of himself and of a bush
One group he made. Behind them was the wood
Full of black female mastiffs, gaunt and fleet,
As greyhounds that have newly slipp'd the leash.
On him, who squatted down, they stuck their fangs,
And having rent him piecemeal bore away
The tortur'd limbs. My guide then seiz'd my hand,
And led me to the thicket, which in vain
Mourn'd through its bleeding wounds: "O Giacomo
Of Sant' Andrea! what avails it thee,"
It cried, "that of me thou hast made thy screen?
For thy ill life what blame on me recoils?"
When o'er it he had paus'd, my master spake:
"Say who wast thou, that at so many points
Breath'st out with blood thy lamentable speech?"
He answer'd: "Oh, ye spirits: arriv'd in time
To spy the shameful havoc, that from me
My leaves hath sever'd thus, gather them up,
And at the foot of their sad parent-tree
Carefully lay them. In that city' I dwelt,
Who for the Baptist her first patron chang'd,
Whence he for this shall cease not with his art
To work her woe: and if there still remain'd not
On Arno's passage some faint glimpse of him,
Those citizens, who rear'd once more her walls
Upon the ashes left by Attila,
Had labour'd without profit of their toil.
I slung the fatal noose from my own roof."
第十四篇我为爱乡之情所感动，为那个已经住声的灵魂拾起落叶，归还他的老根。
于是我们走到树林的一边，那里是第二环和第二环想交之处，正义的神在那里显示他可怕的刑场。要把那新的景象弄清楚，我们到了一块什么都不生长的平地，那惨淡的树林正环绕着他，正像那惨淡的血沟环绕着树林一样。我们靠近平地的边界上。就站在那里。
那个地上铺着一层很厚的干燥的沙、和从前卡托脚下所踏的沙漠一样，哦，上帝的报复，谁要是看见我眼前的景象，他会怎样地害怕呀！我看见成群裸露的灵魂，他们都苦苦地哭泣着；他们似乎受着某种法律的约束：有的躺在那里，脊背着地；有的屈着腿坐着；有的在沙上走着不停。走着的人数多，躺着的人数少，但是他们叫苦最利害。在沙地之上，大火球慢慢地滚落着，像没有风的时候落在阿尔卑斯山上的雪球一样。从前，亚历山大到了印度那个热地方，看见火星雨点一般地落在他的兵士身上，他们小心地使火星滚在地上，立刻用脚踩灭。因为星星之火，积聚起来就可燎原呀。现在我所看见的也是这样；永久的火雨落在沙上，因此沙粒一个个都烧红了，好比打火石的火星，燃着了纸卷一般，那些罪人，不住地手舞脚蹈，在上面要避免火球的打击，在脚要逃开热沙的烫伤。
我开始说：”老师，你曾经克服过一切，除去那些闭门固拒的精灵；但是这一个大影子是谁呢，他似乎不怕火烫，他躺在那里这样自在，对于纷纷的火雨竟视若无物。”那个罪人自己，听见我向引路人问他，叫道：“我活着是这样，死了还是这样。在我的末日，虽然尤比特使尽了生平的气力，用剧烈的雷电灯击我；虽然他使蒙吉贝勒山上制造雷电的独眼巨人都困倦了，他叫道：“帮忙，帮忙，善良的火神！’如在弗雷格拉之战斗一样；但是他终没有能够报复得爽快。”于是我的引路人用力说，在以前我没有听见过：“卡帕纽斯呀！你已经受了这样的刑罚，你还要这样自傲。须知你愈加恼怒，就是你自己愈加痛苦之处。”于是他又用柔和的口气对我说：“这是围攻忒拜的七王之一；他从前把自己看得很高，不把上帝放在眼里，现在似乎他还是这样；但是，方才我对他说过了，他的恼怒正是他内心痛苦的表现。现在，你跟着我，当心不要踏在热沙上，贴近树林这边走去，”
我们默默地走到一块地方，这里有小河从树林里流出来，水色红得像血，使我害怕。好比从布利卡梅流出的泉水，给两旁的娼妓分用，这条小河横流过沙漠。河底和两岸都铺满石头：我想我们就要从这里走过去了。
我的引路说：“自从我们走进那毫无拒绝的门以来，在所有已经指点给你看过的河流之中，都没有现在这条河奇异，他能熄灭在他上面的和邻近的火球。”因为他引起了我的求知欲，我请求他给我食物，于是他又说：“在那大海之中，有一个荒废的国，名字叫做克里特，那里曾经住着世界尊重的国王，那里有一座山，名字叫伊达，从前山上是青枝绿叶，现在却枯老了。瑞阿选了这座山作他儿子避祸的摇篮；因为要他藏匿得更安稳，一班吹鼓手在那里玲珑乐，以遮掩孩子的哭声。在山中立着一个巨大的老人，他背朝向达米亚塔，他的面向着罗马，好像是他的镜子一样。他的头是纯金做的，手臂和胸膛是银做的，肚子是铜做的，其余都是好铁做的，只有一只右脚是泥土做的；但是，在这个最弱的泥脚上，却担负了最大部分的重量。在这巨像的各部分，除头部外，都已经有了裂缝，从这些裂缝里流出泪水，透入地中；这泪水经过山岩的孔隙，流入地府。就成为阿刻隆，斯提克斯，弗列格通；然后经过此地，直降到无可再降的地方，在那里成为科奇上斯；这是个什么湖，以后你可以知道，所以现在我不必多说了，”于是我对他说：“如果此地的河流是从地面上来的．为什么我们只在此地才看见呢？”他对我说：”你知道这块地方是圆形的，虽然我们已经降到这样深，但是还没有兜了全圈子；所以我们觉得奇怪，但是也不必现出惊疑的神气，”我说：“老师，弗列格通和勒特在那里？前一个你提到了，后一个你没有提到。”他答道：”你的这些问题，都使我欢喜。那沸腾的血水，解答你一个问题。至于勒特呢，他不在这里，你将来要见到的，那里灵魂经忏悔而消罪以后。就要在里面沐浴。”
最后他说：“现在是离开树林的时候了；你跟着我。河岸并未烧热，因为在上面的火球都熄灭了。”
Wrought in my bosom, I the scatter'd leaves
Collected, and to him restor'd, who now
Was hoarse with utt'rance. To the limit thence
We came, which from the third the second round
Divides, and where of justice is display'd
Contrivance horrible. Things then first seen
Clearlier to manifest, I tell how next
A plain we reach'd, that from its sterile bed
Each plant repell'd. The mournful wood waves round
Its garland on all sides, as round the wood
Spreads the sad foss. There, on the very edge,
Our steps we stay'd. It was an area wide
Of arid sand and thick, resembling most
The soil that erst by Cato's foot was trod.
Vengeance of Heav'n! Oh! how shouldst thou be fear'd
By all, who read what here my eyes beheld!
Of naked spirits many a flock I saw,
All weeping piteously, to different laws
Subjected: for on the' earth some lay supine,
Some crouching close were seated, others pac'd
Incessantly around; the latter tribe,
More numerous, those fewer who beneath
The torment lay, but louder in their grief.
O'er all the sand fell slowly wafting down
Dilated flakes of fire, as flakes of snow
On Alpine summit, when the wind is hush'd.
As in the torrid Indian clime, the son
Of Ammon saw upon his warrior band
Descending, solid flames, that to the ground
Came down: whence he bethought him with his troop
To trample on the soil; for easier thus
The vapour was extinguish'd, while alone;
So fell the eternal fiery flood, wherewith
The marble glow'd underneath, as under stove
The viands, doubly to augment the pain.
Unceasing was the play of wretched hands,
Now this, now that way glancing, to shake off
The heat, still falling fresh. I thus began:
"Instructor! thou who all things overcom'st,
Except the hardy demons, that rush'd forth
To stop our entrance at the gate, say who
Is yon huge spirit, that, as seems, heeds not
The burning, but lies writhen in proud scorn,
As by the sultry tempest immatur'd?"
Straight he himself, who was aware I ask'd
My guide of him, exclaim'd: "Such as I was
When living, dead such now I am. If Jove
Weary his workman out, from whom in ire
He snatch'd the lightnings, that at my last day
Transfix'd me, if the rest be weary out
At their black smithy labouring by turns
In Mongibello, while he cries aloud;
"Help, help, good Mulciber!" as erst he cried
In the Phlegraean warfare, and the bolts
Launch he full aim'd at me with all his might,
He never should enjoy a sweet revenge."
Then thus my guide, in accent higher rais'd
Than I before had heard him: "Capaneus!
Thou art more punish'd, in that this thy pride
Lives yet unquench'd: no torrent, save thy rage,
Were to thy fury pain proportion'd full."
Next turning round to me with milder lip
He spake: "This of the seven kings was one,
Who girt the Theban walls with siege, and held,
As still he seems to hold, God in disdain,
And sets his high omnipotence at nought.
But, as I told him, his despiteful mood
Is ornament well suits the breast that wears it.
Follow me now; and look thou set not yet
Thy foot in the hot sand, but to the wood
Keep ever close." Silently on we pass'd
To where there gushes from the forest's bound
A little brook, whose crimson'd wave yet lifts
My hair with horror. As the rill, that runs
From Bulicame, to be portion'd out
Among the sinful women; so ran this
Down through the sand, its bottom and each bank
Stone-built, and either margin at its side,
Whereon I straight perceiv'd our passage lay.
"Of all that I have shown thee, since that gate
We enter'd first, whose threshold is to none
Denied, nought else so worthy of regard,
As is this river, has thine eye discern'd,
O'er which the flaming volley all is quench'd."
So spake my guide; and I him thence besought,
That having giv'n me appetite to know,
The food he too would give, that hunger crav'd.
"In midst of ocean," forthwith he began,
"A desolate country lies, which Crete is nam'd,
Under whose monarch in old times the world
Liv'd pure and chaste. A mountain rises there,
Call'd Ida, joyous once with leaves and streams,
Deserted now like a forbidden thing.
It was the spot which Rhea, Saturn's spouse,
Chose for the secret cradle of her son;
And better to conceal him, drown'd in shouts
His infant cries. Within the mount, upright
An ancient form there stands and huge, that turns
His shoulders towards Damiata, and at Rome
As in his mirror looks. Of finest gold
His head is shap'd, pure silver are the breast
And arms; thence to the middle is of brass.
And downward all beneath well-temper'd steel,
Save the right foot of potter's clay, on which
Than on the other more erect he stands,
Each part except the gold, is rent throughout;
And from the fissure tears distil, which join'd
Penetrate to that cave. They in their course
Thus far precipitated down the rock
Form Acheron, and Styx, and Phlegethon;
Then by this straiten'd channel passing hence
Beneath, e'en to the lowest depth of all,
Form there Cocytus, of whose lake (thyself
Shall see it) I here give thee no account."
Then I to him: "If from our world this sluice
Be thus deriv'd; wherefore to us but now
Appears it at this edge?" He straight replied:
"The place, thou know'st, is round; and though great part
Thou have already pass'd, still to the left
Descending to the nethermost, not yet
Hast thou the circuit made of the whole orb.
Wherefore if aught of new to us appear,
It needs not bring up wonder in thy looks."
Then I again inquir'd: "Where flow the streams
Of Phlegethon and Lethe? for of one
Thou tell'st not, and the other of that shower,
Thou say'st, is form'd." He answer thus return'd:
"Doubtless thy questions all well pleas'd I hear.
Yet the red seething wave might have resolv'd
One thou proposest. Lethe thou shalt see,
But not within this hollow, in the place,
Whither to lave themselves the spirits go,
Whose blame hath been by penitence remov'd."
He added: "Time is now we quit the wood.
Look thou my steps pursue: the margins give
Safe passage, unimpeded by the flames;
For over them all vapour is extinct."
第十五篇现在我们走在这边一条堤岸上，河流上面一团团蒸气，遮蔽了在上和在旁的火球。好比在佛兰德尔的海边，因为要防御潮水的浸袭，造了坚固的堤岸；又好比在帕多瓦的勃伦塔河边，因为要防御卡伦齐亚山顶的雪水使河水泛滥，做了防御的工程；这里的堤岸，不问他是谁建筑的，虽不那么高，不那么厚，但他的功用都是一样的。
我们离开树林已经较远了，回头一望模糊不清。那时我们遇见一群灵魂，沿着堤岸走来；他们每个都望着我们，如在月光之下望人一般；他们走近的时候，又注视着我们，如年老缝工穿针一般。就在这样的注视之下，我被一个人认出了，他拉住我的衣角，叫道：“奇怪极了！”在他伸手的时候，我定睛望着他枯焦的面孔，我竟认不出他是什么人；因此我弯着腰，低下头去看他，突然我想起他了，我说：“勃鲁内托先生，你在这里么？”他说：“我的孩子呀！假使勃鲁内托离开他的队伍，走来接近你片刻，你讨厌吗？”我说：“我是真心欢迎你的；假使你要我停下来谈谈，这也可以，只要那一位允许，因为我是跟着他走的。”他说：“我的孩子呀！你不知道：在这一队里面，不论是谁，要是他停止下来，他就要受罚躺下来火烧一百年。所以，我们同行罢，我拉住你的衣角；稍后，我再归队，在那里万古千年受灾。”
我不敢从堤岸上降下去和他同行，我只低着头向前走，像一个行敬礼的人。他开始说；“在你未到末日之前，你便走到此地，究竟是什么机会？什么命运？那位引路的是谁？”我回答道：“在地上的时候，我还在清明的生活之中，我迷途在一个山谷里了，那时我的年纪还没有达到壮年。昨天早晨，我走出山谷；在我遭到危险进退两难的时候，他忽然出现在我前面，就是他指引我经过这里，走向归家的路。”
于是他对我说：“假使你跟着你的灯塔，你不会达不到那光荣的归宿处，只要我在世的预言是确实；而且，假使我不死得太前，看见天对于你这样恩惠，那末我对于你的工作一定加以赞誉。不过，这些人们是负心的，凶恶的；他们是古菲埃佐勒的后代他们仍旧保留着山岩的野性；他们对于你的善行，必然加以反对，视若仇敌、这是当然之理，因为在荆棘之中，决不容无花果树结实的。古代传说中，说他们是盲目的，是贪鄙，嫉妒，傲慢的民族；你切勿与他们同流合污。你的命运替你保留着荣誉，使此党彼党都为着你而饥饿；幸而青草离开山羊远了。听菲埃佐勒的走兽自相吞食罢，只要他们不损害植物，假使在这污秽的地上，可以长出一株来。因此，在这万恶之窟，可以使罗马人遗留的种子复活。”
我回答道：“假使上帝接受我的祈祷，你决不会给人类所抛弃的。因为在我的头脑里，即刻着你亲爱的、和善的、父母一般的面貌，这种印象现在都涌到我心头。你在世的时候，多次训导我怎样做一个不朽的人物；因此我很感谢你，我活着的时候，应当宣扬你的功德。方才你所说关于我未来的话，我要铭记在心。和别人的一番话同在一个女人面前得着解释，假使我能够到她那里。我所要使你相信的是：我只要于心无愧，命运对于我无论怎样都好，我早已有预备了。像你这种预言，我耳朵里听了不止一次了；所以，听命运随心所欲地旋转他的轮盘，和听农夫使用他的锄头一样罢。”
当时我的引路人回转头来望我，他说：“善听者铭于心。”于是我和勃鲁内托边行边谈，我问他谁是他最有名的伴侣。他对我说：“其中有几个值得知道，其他的可以不说，因为时间太短不能多说。简言之，他们大概是牧师，学者，和知名之士；他们在地上的时候，都犯了同样的罪。普利珊和阿科尔索都在这个队伍里面；假使你希望多看一点，那末这个人也在里面，他给众仆之仆从阿尔诺迁到巴奇利奥内，在那里他放纵他的脑筋。”我还想多说一点，但是已经没有工夫了；因为我看见前面尘土飞扬，我的队伍已经来了。我的著作《宝库全书》，是我精神的寄托，我介绍给你。我一无所求了。”
于是他掉转头去，急归队伍，他的速度和赛跑获得锦标者没有两样。
Envelop'd in the mist, that from the stream
Arising, hovers o'er, and saves from fire
Both piers and water. As the Flemings rear
Their mound, 'twixt Ghent and Bruges, to chase back
The ocean, fearing his tumultuous tide
That drives toward them, or the Paduans theirs
Along the Brenta, to defend their towns
And castles, ere the genial warmth be felt
On Chiarentana's top; such were the mounds,
So fram'd, though not in height or bulk to these
Made equal, by the master, whosoe'er
He was, that rais'd them here. We from the wood
Were not so far remov'd, that turning round
I might not have discern'd it, when we met
A troop of spirits, who came beside the pier.
They each one ey'd us, as at eventide
One eyes another under a new moon,
And toward us sharpen'd their sight as keen,
As an old tailor at his needle's eye.
Thus narrowly explor'd by all the tribe,
I was agniz'd of one, who by the skirt
Caught me, and cried, "What wonder have we here!"
And I, when he to me outstretch'd his arm,
Intently fix'd my ken on his parch'd looks,
That although smirch'd with fire, they hinder'd not
But I remember'd him; and towards his face
My hand inclining, answer'd: "Sir! Brunetto!
"And art thou here?" He thus to me: "My son!
Oh let it not displease thee, if Brunetto
Latini but a little space with thee
Turn back, and leave his fellows to proceed."
I thus to him replied: "Much as I can,
I thereto pray thee; and if thou be willing,
That I here seat me with thee, I consent;
His leave, with whom I journey, first obtain'd."
"O son!" said he, "whoever of this throng
One instant stops, lies then a hundred years,
No fan to ventilate him, when the fire
Smites sorest. Pass thou therefore on. I close
Will at thy garments walk, and then rejoin
My troop, who go mourning their endless doom."
I dar'd not from the path descend to tread
On equal ground with him, but held my head
Bent down, as one who walks in reverent guise.
"What chance or destiny," thus he began,
"Ere the last day conducts thee here below?
And who is this, that shows to thee the way?"
"There up aloft," I answer'd, "in the life
Serene, I wander'd in a valley lost,
Before mine age had to its fullness reach'd.
But yester-morn I left it: then once more
Into that vale returning, him I met;
And by this path homeward he leads me back."
"If thou," he answer'd, "follow but thy star,
Thou canst not miss at last a glorious haven:
Unless in fairer days my judgment err'd.
And if my fate so early had not chanc'd,
Seeing the heav'ns thus bounteous to thee, I
Had gladly giv'n thee comfort in thy work.
But that ungrateful and malignant race,
Who in old times came down from Fesole,
Ay and still smack of their rough mountain-flint,
Will for thy good deeds shew thee enmity.
Nor wonder; for amongst ill-savour'd crabs
It suits not the sweet fig-tree lay her fruit.
Old fame reports them in the world for blind,
Covetous, envious, proud. Look to it well:
Take heed thou cleanse thee of their ways. For thee
Thy fortune hath such honour in reserve,
That thou by either party shalt be crav'd
With hunger keen: but be the fresh herb far
From the goat's tooth. The herd of Fesole
May of themselves make litter, not touch the plant,
If any such yet spring on their rank bed,
In which the holy seed revives, transmitted
From those true Romans, who still there remain'd,
When it was made the nest of so much ill."
"Were all my wish fulfill'd," I straight replied,
"Thou from the confines of man's nature yet
Hadst not been driven forth; for in my mind
Is fix'd, and now strikes full upon my heart
The dear, benign, paternal image, such
As thine was, when so lately thou didst teach me
The way for man to win eternity;
And how I priz'd the lesson, it behooves,
That, long as life endures, my tongue should speak,
What of my fate thou tell'st, that write I down:
And with another text to comment on
For her I keep it, the celestial dame,
Who will know all, if I to her arrive.
This only would I have thee clearly note:
That so my conscience have no plea against me;
Do fortune as she list, I stand prepar'd.
Not new or strange such earnest to mine ear.
Speed fortune then her wheel, as likes her best,
The clown his mattock; all things have their course."
Thereat my sapient guide upon his right
Turn'd himself back, then look'd at me and spake:
"He listens to good purpose who takes note."
I not the less still on my way proceed,
Discoursing with Brunetto, and inquire
Who are most known and chief among his tribe.
"To know of some is well;" thus he replied,
"But of the rest silence may best beseem.
Time would not serve us for report so long.
In brief I tell thee, that all these were clerks,
Men of great learning and no less renown,
By one same sin polluted in the world.
With them is Priscian, and Accorso's son
Francesco herds among that wretched throng:
And, if the wish of so impure a blotch
Possess'd thee, him thou also might'st have seen,
Who by the servants' servant was transferr'd
From Arno's seat to Bacchiglione, where
His ill-strain'd nerves he left. I more would add,
But must from farther speech and onward way
Alike desist, for yonder I behold
A mist new-risen on the sandy plain.
A company, with whom I may not sort,
Approaches. I commend my TREASURE to thee,
Wherein I yet survive; my sole request."
This said he turn'd, and seem'd as one of those,
Who o'er Verona's champain try their speed
For the green mantle, and of them he seem'd,
Not he who loses but who gains the prize.
第七圈，第三环续：三个佛罗伦萨的著名人士。怪物格吕翁。
我们已经走近听到河水降入别的圈子的地方，河水发出有点像蜂巢旁边嗡嗡的声音；那时有三个影子，脱离受火雨打击的队伍向着我们跑来。他们喊道：“你站下来。看你的衣服，准是从我们混乱的国土上来的。”可怜呀！我看见他们身上，新伤旧痕，都是被火烧的。我现在一想起来我心里就很难过。我的老师听见了他们的呼喊，他掉转头来对我说：“等一下罢！我们应当对于他们表示些敬意；假使他们那里没有火球下降，我说还是你应当向着他们跑去呢。”
我们站住之后，他们又开始他们的悲呼叹息；在接近我们的时候，他们三个牵着手旋转，不停止地运动。好像角力的武士们，裸着，涂着油，在交手以前，想找出他们的攻击点。影子们也是这样，一方面旋转着，一方面用眼睛看着我，因此他们头的运动常和脚的运动相反。其中有一个开始说：“假使我们的不幸，派在这块松土上面，焦头烂额，引起你对于我们的轻视，至少，我们在世的声名也许足以使你告诉我：你是谁，能用平稳的脚步经过这里？在我前面的一个，虽然他体无完肤，他的名声地位却高于你所相信的：他是有善行的郭尔德拉达之孙，名字叫做圭多*贵拉；他在世之时，以头脑和刀剑闻名。 在我后面的一个叫做台嘉佑，他的忠言应当为世人所接受。至于我自己呢，我叫做卢斯蒂库奇；当然，我的泼妇害我甚于别人。”
假使我能够避开那火球，我也许走下堤岸，冲进他们的队伍，我相信我的老师不会阻止我的。但是，我恐怕烫伤，走上前去拥抱他们的心愿不得不勉强压制下来。于是我开始说：“决计不是轻蔑，只有悲伤之不暇。你们给我的印象，将深入我的心中，当我的引路人对我说了那几句话，我就感觉着会有你们这样的人到了。我是你们的同乡，我常常听见人家说到你们光荣的名字，说起你们的行为，听到这些我肃然起敬。我现在离开烦恼，去寻求我有德行的引路人所允许我的甜果；但是在达到目的之前，我必须走过地球的中心点。”
于是他回答道：“但愿你的灵魂长久存于你的肉体，而且你的声名百世流芳！请你告诉我们：礼貌和勇敢是否住在我们的城里，照例应当如此的，还是已经逃离那里？因为最近我们这里来了一个名叫波西厄尔的，他的一番话使我们大大的伤悲。”那时我抬头叫道：“一个暴发户的突然富有，佛罗伦萨呀！使你的城里生出放荡和骄傲，因此早已使你落泪了。”那三个影子，懂得这个就是我的回答；他们面面相视，和一个人知道了实情以后的神气一样。他们共同回答道；“假使在别的时候，你也可以痛痛快快，三言两语，满意地答覆了人家的话，那末你可以开心了！假使你走出了这昏暗的地方，再见那光明的世界，当你说到：“我曾经走过……”的时候，请你向人类提起我们的名字。”说罢，他们放手逃去，像脚上生着翅膀，连“阿们”二字都没有说完，就早已不见了。
我的老师催我，我们该走了。我们走了一小段路，听见水声已经十分接近我们，我们简直不能再谈话了。好比从蒙维佐山流出的水——流在亚平宁山的左方；在流到福尔里之前，他的名字叫做阿夸凯塔在下游，有一个圣贝内戴托大寺，可作一千人的避难；这里的赤水也是那样，下泻的声浪，震耳欲聋。
在我的腰部有一条绳子，有时候我想用他来缚住那五色斑斓的豹。我把他解下来，绕在手里，送给我的引路人，这是他吩咐我的。他站在深渊边缘，身子向右倾，把绳子投到下面去。
我心里想：“这一种新的信号，一定有新的答覆；我的引路人似乎注视着呢。”
一个人和智者站在一起真要小心谨慎呀！他不仅看清楚你的外表行为，就是你内心的思想他也能看清楚呢。他对我说：“我所希望的马上要来了；你所思的马上要出现在你面前了。”
对于一种外表上似乎是伪造的真理、一个人最好是闭口不说；因为他虽然没有罪过、他要被人家看作说诳的人呢。但是我在这里不能保持静默，假使他有永久的价值，我要以我的喜剧向读者诸君发誓，我看见：在昏暗浓厚的空气中，有一个东西游动着，就是再胆大的人看了也要吓呆；那东西有点像没入海水中去拔锚的，锚每有固着在暗礁上的时候，在拔起之后，张开他的上肢，紧缩他的两脚，游向水面。
As down it fell into the other round,
Resounding like the hum of swarming bees:
When forth together issu'd from a troop,
That pass'd beneath the fierce tormenting storm,
Three spirits, running swift. They towards us came,
And each one cried aloud, "Oh do thou stay!
Whom by the fashion of thy garb we deem
To be some inmate of our evil land."
Ah me! what wounds I mark'd upon their limbs,
Recent and old, inflicted by the flames!
E'en the remembrance of them grieves me yet.
Attentive to their cry my teacher paus'd,
And turn'd to me his visage, and then spake;
"Wait now! our courtesy these merit well:
And were 't not for the nature of the place,
Whence glide the fiery darts, I should have said,
That haste had better suited thee than them."
They, when we stopp'd, resum'd their ancient wail,
And soon as they had reach'd us, all the three
Whirl'd round together in one restless wheel.
As naked champions, smear'd with slippery oil,
Are wont intent to watch their place of hold
And vantage, ere in closer strife they meet;
Thus each one, as he wheel'd, his countenance
At me directed, so that opposite
The neck mov'd ever to the twinkling feet.
"If misery of this drear wilderness,"
Thus one began, "added to our sad cheer
And destitute, do call forth scorn on us
And our entreaties, let our great renown
Incline thee to inform us who thou art,
That dost imprint with living feet unharm'd
The soil of Hell. He, in whose track thou see'st
My steps pursuing, naked though he be
And reft of all, was of more high estate
Than thou believest; grandchild of the chaste
Gualdrada, him they Guidoguerra call'd,
Who in his lifetime many a noble act
Achiev'd, both by his wisdom and his sword.
The other, next to me that beats the sand,
Is Aldobrandi, name deserving well,
In the' upper world, of honour; and myself
Who in this torment do partake with them,
Am Rusticucci, whom, past doubt, my wife
Of savage temper, more than aught beside
Hath to this evil brought." If from the fire
I had been shelter'd, down amidst them straight
I then had cast me, nor my guide, I deem,
Would have restrain'd my going; but that fear
Of the dire burning vanquish'd the desire,
Which made me eager of their wish'd embrace.
I then began: "Not scorn, but grief much more,
Such as long time alone can cure, your doom
Fix'd deep within me, soon as this my lord
Spake words, whose tenour taught me to expect
That such a race, as ye are, was at hand.
I am a countryman of yours, who still
Affectionate have utter'd, and have heard
Your deeds and names renown'd. Leaving the gall
For the sweet fruit I go, that a sure guide
Hath promis'd to me. But behooves, that far
As to the centre first I downward tend."
"So may long space thy spirit guide thy limbs,"
He answer straight return'd; "and so thy fame
Shine bright, when thou art gone; as thou shalt tell,
If courtesy and valour, as they wont,
Dwell in our city, or have vanish'd clean?
For one amidst us late condemn'd to wail,
Borsiere, yonder walking with his peers,
Grieves us no little by the news he brings."
"An upstart multitude and sudden gains,
Pride and excess, O Florence! have in thee
Engender'd, so that now in tears thou mourn'st!"
Thus cried I with my face uprais'd, and they
All three, who for an answer took my words,
Look'd at each other, as men look when truth
Comes to their ear. "If thou at other times,"
They all at once rejoin'd, "so easily
Satisfy those, who question, happy thou,
Gifted with words, so apt to speak thy thought!
Wherefore if thou escape this darksome clime,
Returning to behold the radiant stars,
When thou with pleasure shalt retrace the past,
See that of us thou speak among mankind."
This said, they broke the circle, and so swift
Fled, that as pinions seem'd their nimble feet.
Not in so short a time might one have said
"Amen," as they had vanish'd. Straight my guide
Pursu'd his track. I follow'd; and small space
Had we pass'd onward, when the water's sound
Was now so near at hand, that we had scarce
Heard one another's speech for the loud din.
E'en as the river, that holds on its course
Unmingled, from the mount of Vesulo,
On the left side of Apennine, toward
The east, which Acquacheta higher up
They call, ere it descend into the vale,
At Forli by that name no longer known,
Rebellows o'er Saint Benedict, roll'd on
From the' Alpine summit down a precipice,
Where space enough to lodge a thousand spreads;
Thus downward from a craggy steep we found,
That this dark wave resounded, roaring loud,
So that the ear its clamour soon had stunn'd.
I had a cord that brac'd my girdle round,
Wherewith I erst had thought fast bound to take
The painted leopard. This when I had all
Unloosen'd from me (so my master bade)
I gather'd up, and stretch'd it forth to him.
Then to the right he turn'd, and from the brink
Standing few paces distant, cast it down
Into the deep abyss. "And somewhat strange,"
Thus to myself I spake, "signal so strange
Betokens, which my guide with earnest eye
Thus follows." Ah! what caution must men use
With those who look not at the deed alone,
But spy into the thoughts with subtle skill!
"Quickly shall come," he said, "what I expect,
Thine eye discover quickly, that whereof
Thy thought is dreaming." Ever to that truth,
Which but the semblance of a falsehood wears,
A man, if possible, should bar his lip;
Since, although blameless, he incurs reproach.
But silence here were vain; and by these notes
Which now I sing, reader! I swear to thee,
So may they favour find to latest times!
That through the gross and murky air I spied
A shape come swimming up, that might have quell'd
The stoutest heart with wonder, in such guise
As one returns, who hath been down to loose
An anchor grappled fast against some rock,
Or to aught else that in the salt wave lies,
Who upward springing close draws in his feet.
我们已经走近听到河水降入别的圈子的地方，河水发出有点像蜂巢旁边嗡嗡的声音；那时有三个影子，脱离受火雨打击的队伍向着我们跑来。他们喊道：“你站下来。看你的衣服，准是从我们混乱的国土上来的。”可怜呀！我看见他们身上，新伤旧痕，都是被火烧的。我现在一想起来我心里就很难过。我的老师听见了他们的呼喊，他掉转头来对我说：“等一下罢！我们应当对于他们表示些敬意；假使他们那里没有火球下降，我说还是你应当向着他们跑去呢。”
我们站住之后，他们又开始他们的悲呼叹息；在接近我们的时候，他们三个牵着手旋转，不停止地运动。好像角力的武士们，裸着，涂着油，在交手以前，想找出他们的攻击点。影子们也是这样，一方面旋转着，一方面用眼睛看着我，因此他们头的运动常和脚的运动相反。其中有一个开始说：“假使我们的不幸，派在这块松土上面，焦头烂额，引起你对于我们的轻视，至少，我们在世的声名也许足以使你告诉我：你是谁，能用平稳的脚步经过这里？在我前面的一个，虽然他体无完肤，他的名声地位却高于你所相信的：他是有善行的郭尔德拉达之孙，名字叫做圭多*贵拉；他在世之时，以头脑和刀剑闻名。 在我后面的一个叫做台嘉佑，他的忠言应当为世人所接受。至于我自己呢，我叫做卢斯蒂库奇；当然，我的泼妇害我甚于别人。”
假使我能够避开那火球，我也许走下堤岸，冲进他们的队伍，我相信我的老师不会阻止我的。但是，我恐怕烫伤，走上前去拥抱他们的心愿不得不勉强压制下来。于是我开始说：“决计不是轻蔑，只有悲伤之不暇。你们给我的印象，将深入我的心中，当我的引路人对我说了那几句话，我就感觉着会有你们这样的人到了。我是你们的同乡，我常常听见人家说到你们光荣的名字，说起你们的行为，听到这些我肃然起敬。我现在离开烦恼，去寻求我有德行的引路人所允许我的甜果；但是在达到目的之前，我必须走过地球的中心点。”
于是他回答道：“但愿你的灵魂长久存于你的肉体，而且你的声名百世流芳！请你告诉我们：礼貌和勇敢是否住在我们的城里，照例应当如此的，还是已经逃离那里？因为最近我们这里来了一个名叫波西厄尔的，他的一番话使我们大大的伤悲。”那时我抬头叫道：“一个暴发户的突然富有，佛罗伦萨呀！使你的城里生出放荡和骄傲，因此早已使你落泪了。”那三个影子，懂得这个就是我的回答；他们面面相视，和一个人知道了实情以后的神气一样。他们共同回答道；“假使在别的时候，你也可以痛痛快快，三言两语，满意地答覆了人家的话，那末你可以开心了！假使你走出了这昏暗的地方，再见那光明的世界，当你说到：“我曾经走过……”的时候，请你向人类提起我们的名字。”说罢，他们放手逃去，像脚上生着翅膀，连“阿们”二字都没有说完，就早已不见了。
我的老师催我，我们该走了。我们走了一小段路，听见水声已经十分接近我们，我们简直不能再谈话了。好比从蒙维佐山流出的水——流在亚平宁山的左方；在流到福尔里之前，他的名字叫做阿夸凯塔在下游，有一个圣贝内戴托大寺，可作一千人的避难；这里的赤水也是那样，下泻的声浪，震耳欲聋。
在我的腰部有一条绳子，有时候我想用他来缚住那五色斑斓的豹。我把他解下来，绕在手里，送给我的引路人，这是他吩咐我的。他站在深渊边缘，身子向右倾，把绳子投到下面去。
我心里想：“这一种新的信号，一定有新的答覆；我的引路人似乎注视着呢。”
一个人和智者站在一起真要小心谨慎呀！他不仅看清楚你的外表行为，就是你内心的思想他也能看清楚呢。他对我说：“我所希望的马上要来了；你所思的马上要出现在你面前了。”
对于一种外表上似乎是伪造的真理、一个人最好是闭口不说；因为他虽然没有罪过、他要被人家看作说诳的人呢。但是我在这里不能保持静默，假使他有永久的价值，我要以我的喜剧向读者诸君发誓，我看见：在昏暗浓厚的空气中，有一个东西游动着，就是再胆大的人看了也要吓呆；那东西有点像没入海水中去拔锚的，锚每有固着在暗礁上的时候，在拔起之后，张开他的上肢，紧缩他的两脚，游向水面。
As down it fell into the other round,
Resounding like the hum of swarming bees:
When forth together issu'd from a troop,
That pass'd beneath the fierce tormenting storm,
Three spirits, running swift. They towards us came,
And each one cried aloud, "Oh do thou stay!
Whom by the fashion of thy garb we deem
To be some inmate of our evil land."
Ah me! what wounds I mark'd upon their limbs,
Recent and old, inflicted by the flames!
E'en the remembrance of them grieves me yet.
Attentive to their cry my teacher paus'd,
And turn'd to me his visage, and then spake;
"Wait now! our courtesy these merit well:
And were 't not for the nature of the place,
Whence glide the fiery darts, I should have said,
That haste had better suited thee than them."
They, when we stopp'd, resum'd their ancient wail,
And soon as they had reach'd us, all the three
Whirl'd round together in one restless wheel.
As naked champions, smear'd with slippery oil,
Are wont intent to watch their place of hold
And vantage, ere in closer strife they meet;
Thus each one, as he wheel'd, his countenance
At me directed, so that opposite
The neck mov'd ever to the twinkling feet.
"If misery of this drear wilderness,"
Thus one began, "added to our sad cheer
And destitute, do call forth scorn on us
And our entreaties, let our great renown
Incline thee to inform us who thou art,
That dost imprint with living feet unharm'd
The soil of Hell. He, in whose track thou see'st
My steps pursuing, naked though he be
And reft of all, was of more high estate
Than thou believest; grandchild of the chaste
Gualdrada, him they Guidoguerra call'd,
Who in his lifetime many a noble act
Achiev'd, both by his wisdom and his sword.
The other, next to me that beats the sand,
Is Aldobrandi, name deserving well,
In the' upper world, of honour; and myself
Who in this torment do partake with them,
Am Rusticucci, whom, past doubt, my wife
Of savage temper, more than aught beside
Hath to this evil brought." If from the fire
I had been shelter'd, down amidst them straight
I then had cast me, nor my guide, I deem,
Would have restrain'd my going; but that fear
Of the dire burning vanquish'd the desire,
Which made me eager of their wish'd embrace.
I then began: "Not scorn, but grief much more,
Such as long time alone can cure, your doom
Fix'd deep within me, soon as this my lord
Spake words, whose tenour taught me to expect
That such a race, as ye are, was at hand.
I am a countryman of yours, who still
Affectionate have utter'd, and have heard
Your deeds and names renown'd. Leaving the gall
For the sweet fruit I go, that a sure guide
Hath promis'd to me. But behooves, that far
As to the centre first I downward tend."
"So may long space thy spirit guide thy limbs,"
He answer straight return'd; "and so thy fame
Shine bright, when thou art gone; as thou shalt tell,
If courtesy and valour, as they wont,
Dwell in our city, or have vanish'd clean?
For one amidst us late condemn'd to wail,
Borsiere, yonder walking with his peers,
Grieves us no little by the news he brings."
"An upstart multitude and sudden gains,
Pride and excess, O Florence! have in thee
Engender'd, so that now in tears thou mourn'st!"
Thus cried I with my face uprais'd, and they
All three, who for an answer took my words,
Look'd at each other, as men look when truth
Comes to their ear. "If thou at other times,"
They all at once rejoin'd, "so easily
Satisfy those, who question, happy thou,
Gifted with words, so apt to speak thy thought!
Wherefore if thou escape this darksome clime,
Returning to behold the radiant stars,
When thou with pleasure shalt retrace the past,
See that of us thou speak among mankind."
This said, they broke the circle, and so swift
Fled, that as pinions seem'd their nimble feet.
Not in so short a time might one have said
"Amen," as they had vanish'd. Straight my guide
Pursu'd his track. I follow'd; and small space
Had we pass'd onward, when the water's sound
Was now so near at hand, that we had scarce
Heard one another's speech for the loud din.
E'en as the river, that holds on its course
Unmingled, from the mount of Vesulo,
On the left side of Apennine, toward
The east, which Acquacheta higher up
They call, ere it descend into the vale,
At Forli by that name no longer known,
Rebellows o'er Saint Benedict, roll'd on
From the' Alpine summit down a precipice,
Where space enough to lodge a thousand spreads;
Thus downward from a craggy steep we found,
That this dark wave resounded, roaring loud,
So that the ear its clamour soon had stunn'd.
I had a cord that brac'd my girdle round,
Wherewith I erst had thought fast bound to take
The painted leopard. This when I had all
Unloosen'd from me (so my master bade)
I gather'd up, and stretch'd it forth to him.
Then to the right he turn'd, and from the brink
Standing few paces distant, cast it down
Into the deep abyss. "And somewhat strange,"
Thus to myself I spake, "signal so strange
Betokens, which my guide with earnest eye
Thus follows." Ah! what caution must men use
With those who look not at the deed alone,
But spy into the thoughts with subtle skill!
"Quickly shall come," he said, "what I expect,
Thine eye discover quickly, that whereof
Thy thought is dreaming." Ever to that truth,
Which but the semblance of a falsehood wears,
A man, if possible, should bar his lip;
Since, although blameless, he incurs reproach.
But silence here were vain; and by these notes
Which now I sing, reader! I swear to thee,
So may they favour find to latest times!
That through the gross and murky air I spied
A shape come swimming up, that might have quell'd
The stoutest heart with wonder, in such guise
As one returns, who hath been down to loose
An anchor grappled fast against some rock,
Or to aught else that in the salt wave lies,
Who upward springing close draws in his feet.
第十七篇“要注视这个有细长尾巴的野兽，他能够超越山岭，穿破墙壁，折断兵器；注视这个毒害全世界的怪物！”我的引路人这样开始对我说；他做着手势叫那野兽上岸，接近我们走着的石路之一端。于是那个“欺诈的丑像”向前移动了；他的头，他的胸部都上了岸，只有尾巴拖在后面。他的面孔是一个正直人的面孔，外貌非常和善，但是其余的身体就和蛇一样了。他有两个爪子，长看毛直到腋下；他的背上，胸下，腰部都画满纠缠的结的和各种的圈儿；就是鞑靼人或突厥人所用的布匹，也没有那么多颜色和花纹；就是阿拉科的织布机上面，也织不出来。他像一条划子，半段搁在岸上，半段还在河里；又像“贪吃的日耳曼人”那里的水獭，把尾巴放在水里钓鱼。这个最坏的野兽就是那样爬在石岸上，那石岸正拦住了赤热的沙地。他那细长尾巴在空中摇动，尾巴尖端似乎装着一把有毒的钩子，和蝎子的尾巴差不多。
老师对我说：“我们现在必须靠近这个凶恶的野兽，他正趴在那里呢。”于是我们降到右边，站着离开深渊有十步的光景，这一方面也不踏着沙，触着火。我们走近他的时候，看见一群坐在热沙上的灵魂。那时老师对我说：“你应当看遍这一圈，也可以去访问他们。但是，要少说几句话；等你回来的时候，我就要向这个野兽借用他强壮的背脊了。”
因此我顺着第七圈的边界走去，一路看到的，都是那些坐着的可怜人。从他们的眼睛里，喷出他们苦恼的泪水；在上面，要挥开那天火，在下面，要撇开那热沙；好比那夏天的狗了，不耐烦地用爪，用嘴去赶走他身上的蚤虱或苍蝇一般。我看看他们的脸，一个都不认识；但是我看见他们的胸前都挂着一个袋子，袋子有各种颜色，上面印着多种花纹，他们的眼睛似乎只盯着袋子。我看见一个黄色的袋子，上面画着一只蓝色的狮子。我走过去几步，又看见一个鲜红如血的袋子，上面画着一只洁白的鹅。最后有一个，他那银色的袋子上面画着蓝色的大肚子母野猪；他对我说：“你到这个潭子里来干什么？你快些回去罢；因为你是活人，请你带一个信儿给我的邻居维塔利阿诺，他就要来坐在我的左边。我是和这些佛罗伦萨人在一起的，帕多瓦人。我不时被他们叫声震得耳聋，他们喊道：“骑士的王来罢，他的袋子上面画着三只山羊呢！’”说罢他扭歪他的嘴，吐出他的舌头，像牛用舌头舐自己的鼻孔一样。
我恐怕停留的时间太久，我的引路人要怪我，所以我离开这群可诅咒的灵魂，急着回来。我看见我的引路人已经坐在那怪物的背上了；他对我说：”现在要显示出你的勇气，我们必须用这个做梯子，才可以下降；你坐在他的前部，我坐在他的中部，这样他的尾巴才不致伤害了你。”我听了他的这番话，好比得了疟疾一样，指甲已经变成灰白色了，全身已经发抖了，只等那寒冷的来临；但是，我要是胆怯，就太可耻了，英明的主人应该有勇敢的仆人呢。于是我爬上那怪物的阔肩上，我心里想说：“请你抱住我！”可是嘴里没有说出。但是，他从前有好几次救我脱险，现在我一坐上去，他早已用双手抱任我的腰了；于是他说：“格吕翁，现在你可以动了！把圈子兜得大一些，慢慢地下降。请你记牢。这次不是平常的重量。”
好比划子向后退一般，那怪物渐渐离开了堤岸；当他觉得全身松动以后，他掉转他的首尾，像鳗鱼一条，开始游泳，用他两个爪鼓动空气。从前法厄同放松缰绳的时候，因此而烧毁的一部分天空，现在还看得见呢，还有可怜的伊卡洛斯觉得蜡比羽落，他父亲叫喊“你走错路了！”的时候，我相信都没有我在这个时候的害怕，那时候我的四周除怪物以外一物不辨。他缓缓地游泳，兜着圈子，慢慢地下降，可是我都不知道，当时只觉得寒风打在我的脸上和脚下。在我的右边，我已经听见从下面传来飞瀑冲击的声音；因此我伸头下望，当时我更觉得害怕了。因为我看见下面的火光，听见下面的悲声了，于是我全身发抖，缩做一团。后来才看见，起初没有看见，我们的下降，我们的螺旋运动，使一切罪大恶极的都从四面接近我们了。好比一只老鹰，他飞得长久了，却没有寻着一只猎物，因此放鹰的叫道：“呀！你下来了么？”但是他疲倦了，他已经飞了几百个圈子，他只能惭愧地停止下来，远远地离开他的主人。格吕翁也是这样地降落下来，正在石壁的脚旁；后来，我们跳下他的背脊，他就如箭离弦，转眼就不见了。
Who passes mountains, breaks through fenced walls
And firm embattled spears, and with his filth
Taints all the world!" Thus me my guide address'd,
And beckon'd him, that he should come to shore,
Near to the stony causeway's utmost edge.
Forthwith that image vile of fraud appear'd,
His head and upper part expos'd on land,
But laid not on the shore his bestial train.
His face the semblance of a just man's wore,
So kind and gracious was its outward cheer;
The rest was serpent all: two shaggy claws
Reach'd to the armpits, and the back and breast,
And either side, were painted o'er with nodes
And orbits. Colours variegated more
Nor Turks nor Tartars e'er on cloth of state
With interchangeable embroidery wove,
Nor spread Arachne o'er her curious loom.
As ofttimes a light skiff, moor'd to the shore,
Stands part in water, part upon the land;
Or, as where dwells the greedy German boor,
The beaver settles watching for his prey;
So on the rim, that fenc'd the sand with rock,
Sat perch'd the fiend of evil. In the void
Glancing, his tail upturn'd its venomous fork,
With sting like scorpion's arm'd. Then thus my guide:
"Now need our way must turn few steps apart,
Far as to that ill beast, who couches there."
Thereat toward the right our downward course
We shap'd, and, better to escape the flame
And burning marle, ten paces on the verge
Proceeded. Soon as we to him arrive,
A little further on mine eye beholds
A tribe of spirits, seated on the sand
Near the wide chasm. Forthwith my master spake:
"That to the full thy knowledge may extend
Of all this round contains, go now, and mark
The mien these wear: but hold not long discourse.
Till thou returnest, I with him meantime
Will parley, that to us he may vouchsafe
The aid of his strong shoulders." Thus alone
Yet forward on the' extremity I pac'd
Of that seventh circle, where the mournful tribe
Were seated. At the eyes forth gush'd their pangs.
Against the vapours and the torrid soil
Alternately their shifting hands they plied.
Thus use the dogs in summer still to ply
Their jaws and feet by turns, when bitten sore
By gnats, or flies, or gadflies swarming round.
Noting the visages of some, who lay
Beneath the pelting of that dolorous fire,
One of them all I knew not; but perceiv'd,
That pendent from his neck each bore a pouch
With colours and with emblems various mark'd,
On which it seem'd as if their eye did feed.
And when amongst them looking round I came,
A yellow purse I saw with azure wrought,
That wore a lion's countenance and port.
Then still my sight pursuing its career,
Another I beheld, than blood more red.
A goose display of whiter wing than curd.
And one, who bore a fat and azure swine
Pictur'd on his white scrip, addressed me thus:
"What dost thou in this deep? Go now and know,
Since yet thou livest, that my neighbour here
Vitaliano on my left shall sit.
A Paduan with these Florentines am I.
Ofttimes they thunder in mine ears, exclaiming
'O haste that noble knight! he who the pouch
With the three beaks will bring!'" This said, he writh'd
The mouth, and loll'd the tongue out, like an ox
That licks his nostrils. I, lest longer stay
He ill might brook, who bade me stay not long,
Backward my steps from those sad spirits turn'd.
My guide already seated on the haunch
Of the fierce animal I found; and thus
He me encourag'd. "Be thou stout; be bold.
Down such a steep flight must we now descend!
Mount thou before: for that no power the tail
May have to harm thee, I will be i' th' midst."
As one, who hath an ague fit so near,
His nails already are turn'd blue, and he
Quivers all o'er, if he but eye the shade;
Such was my cheer at hearing of his words.
But shame soon interpos'd her threat, who makes
The servant bold in presence of his lord.
I settled me upon those shoulders huge,
And would have said, but that the words to aid
My purpose came not, "Look thou clasp me firm!"
But he whose succour then not first I prov'd,
Soon as I mounted, in his arms aloft,
Embracing, held me up, and thus he spake:
"Geryon! now move thee! be thy wheeling gyres
Of ample circuit, easy thy descent.
Think on th' unusual burden thou sustain'st."
As a small vessel, back'ning out from land,
Her station quits; so thence the monster loos'd,
And when he felt himself at large, turn'd round
There where the breast had been, his forked tail.
Thus, like an eel, outstretch'd at length he steer'd,
Gath'ring the air up with retractile claws.
Not greater was the dread when Phaeton
The reins let drop at random, whence high heaven,
Whereof signs yet appear, was wrapt in flames;
Nor when ill-fated Icarus perceiv'd,
By liquefaction of the scalded wax,
The trusted pennons loosen'd from his loins,
His sire exclaiming loud, "Ill way thou keep'st!"
Than was my dread, when round me on each part
The air I view'd, and other object none
Save the fell beast. He slowly sailing, wheels
His downward motion, unobserv'd of me,
But that the wind, arising to my face,
Breathes on me from below. Now on our right
I heard the cataract beneath us leap
With hideous crash; whence bending down to' explore,
New terror I conceiv'd at the steep plunge:
For flames I saw, and wailings smote mine ear:
So that all trembling close I crouch'd my limbs,
And then distinguish'd, unperceiv'd before,
By the dread torments that on every side
Drew nearer, how our downward course we wound.
As falcon, that hath long been on the wing,
But lure nor bird hath seen, while in despair
The falconer cries, "Ah me! thou stoop'st to earth!"
Wearied descends, and swiftly down the sky
In many an orbit wheels, then lighting sits
At distance from his lord in angry mood;
So Geryon lighting places us on foot
Low down at base of the deep-furrow'd rock,
And, of his burden there discharg'd, forthwith
Sprang forward, like an arrow from the string.
第十八篇在地狱中，有一块地方名叫马勒勃尔介，四周环绕着铁色的石壁。在这块地方的中心部分，深深地塌陷下去，像一个很大的井；对于井里的构造，以后再说。从井边向外到高高的石壁脚旁，是一块圆环地面，这地面分做十条沟。好像保护一座城墙，需要有几条沟环绕它；这里的地形仿佛就是这样。而且，从城门出去，需要几座桥跨在每条沟上。这里也是如此，从石壁直到井边，有岩石堆成的山脊，横过每条沟和他们的堤岸。我们从格吕翁背上下来，就是在这里，在石壁脚旁；诗人向着左边走去，我跟在后面。
在我的右边，我看见新的苦恼，新的刑罚，新的罪人，他们都装满在第一条沟里。在沟底那些罪人都是裸着身体；罪人分为两行：靠近这边的一行，面向着我们走来；靠近那边的一行，和我们同方向前进，不过步子大得多了。好比在那大赦之年，罗马到了众多观光者，在一座桥上，立下行路的规则：向着城堡往圣彼得去的走这一边；向着山来的走那一边，此地，在这一边和那一边，我看见许多他们魔鬼头上生角，手里拿着大鞭子，在那些灵魂的背上残酷地抽打着。只要一鞭打下去，罪人的脚会立即跳动起来，我相信没有那一个再敢尝试那第二鞭或第三鞭了！
当我向前走的时候，我的眼光遇见其中一个人，我马上说：“这一个人我从前看见过。”于是我站下来注视他，我和善的引导人也陪着我停下来，并且允许我略微后退几步。那个被鞭打的灵魂想躲避我的目光，忙把头低下，但是已经来不及了。我对他说：”你把眼睛望在地上就算完了么？假使你的一付苦丧的脸不欺骗我，那末你就是卡洽奈米科；你犯了什么罪才到此幽谷呢？”他答道：“我实在不愿意说；但是你的话使我回想起过去的时光，使我不得不吐露几句。引诱吉佐拉贝拉和侯爵通奸的是我，虽然外界有不准确的传闻。波伦亚人在这里的不止我一个，多着呢，就是在萨维纳和雷诺两河之间说”西巴’的也没有这里多，假使你要求我给你证据，那末请你回想到我们的贪心罢。”他正说到这里，那魔鬼打他一鞭子，对他说：“快走，龟奴，这里没有女人给你做买卖呀！”
我走近我的引路人；又走了几步，我们登上一块岩石；向右转，到了一座锯齿形的桥上，于是我们离开那永劫的石壁。当我们走在桥上的时候，灵魂们在桥洞下面穿过，我的引路人对我说：“站下，再瞧瞧另一行的罪人，因为方才他们和我们同方向行进，他们的面目还没有给你看见，”从古桥上，我们看见这边一行幽灵向我们走来，和去的一行同样受着鞭打。我没有问他，善良的老师对我说：“你看那走来的一个大灵魂，他似乎对于痛苦不洒眼。你看他的神气多么高贵！这个就是伊阿宋，他靠了自己的聪明和勇气，夺去了科尔喀斯的金羊毛。他经过楞诺斯岛的时候在那些凶悍的妇人杀死了全岛男人之后，用他的花言巧语、欺骗了少女许普西皮勒的心，她却先欺骗了众人。她怀了孕，他抛弃了她；就是这种罪恶，使他受这种刑罚；同时美狄亚也报了她的仇，其余和他有同样行为的都跟他在一起。关于第一沟，他的罪人，他的刑罚，我们看得够了。”
我们走过第一座桥，到了第二条堤岸，这条堤岸又是里面那座桥的支点。这里我们听见从第二条沟里的灵魂发出的悲声，他们打着喷嚏，自己打自己的嘴巴。堤岸上淌着他们的涎水，这都是从沟底下喷上来的，这些东西不但眼见不快，而且气味难闻。这条沟很深，除非登到第二座桥顶上，我们才能见他的底部。我们走到顶上，看到沟底，才知道那些罪人都好像在粪溺坑中。我竭力用眼力注视下面，看见一个满头污秽的人，不知道他是教士还是俗人。他叫道：“为什么你专门看着我，难道我比别人更加肮脏么？”我回答他道：“因为，假使我记得清楚，我曾经看见过你，那时你的头发是干着的；我知道你叫做殷特尔米奈伊，所以我要特别注意看你。”于是这个灵魂掌击他自己的头颅，说：“我的舌头从来不倦于阿谀奉承，因此我堕落在这一条沟里！”
当时我的引路人对我说：“请你略微看前一些，你可以望见一个污秽的蓬头散发的女人，她用她的指甲抓破她自己的面孔，一会儿蹲下去，一会儿又站起来：这个就是妓女塔伊斯。当她的情人对她说：‘你感谢我么？”她口答道：‘是呀，感谢到不可思议！’……够了，我们去罢。”
Call'd Malebolge, all of rock dark-stain'd
With hue ferruginous, e'en as the steep
That round it circling winds. ?Right in the midst
Of that abominable region, yawns
A spacious gulf profound, whereof the frame
Due time shall tell. ?The circle, that remains,
Throughout its round, between the gulf and base
Of the high craggy banks, successive forms
Ten trenches, in its hollow bottom sunk.
As where to guard the walls, full many a foss
Begirds some stately castle, sure defence
Affording to the space within, so here
Were model'd these; and as like fortresses
E'en from their threshold to the brink without,
Are flank'd with bridges; from the rock's low base
Thus flinty paths advanc'd, that 'cross the moles
And dikes, struck onward far as to the gulf,
That in one bound collected cuts them off.
Such was the place, wherein we found ourselves
From Geryon's back dislodg'd. The bard to left
Held on his way, and I behind him mov'd.
On our right hand new misery I saw,
New pains, new executioners of wrath,
That swarming peopled the first chasm. ?Below
Were naked sinners. ?Hitherward they came,
Meeting our faces from the middle point,
With us beyond but with a larger stride.
E'en thus the Romans, when the year returns
Of Jubilee, with better speed to rid
The thronging multitudes, their means devise
For such as pass the bridge; that on one side
All front toward the castle, and approach
Saint Peter's fane, on th' other towards the mount.
Each divers way along the grisly rock,
Horn'd demons I beheld, with lashes huge,
That on their back unmercifully smote.
Ah! how they made them bound at the first stripe!
None for the second waited nor the third.
Meantime as on I pass'd, one met my sight
Whom soon as view'd; "Of him," cried I, "not yet
Mine eye hath had his fill." ?With fixed gaze
I therefore scann'd him. ?Straight the teacher kind
Paus'd with me, and consented I should walk
Backward a space, and the tormented spirit,
Who thought to hide him, bent his visage down.
But it avail'd him nought; for I exclaim'd:
"Thou who dost cast thy eye upon the ground,
Unless thy features do belie thee much,
Venedico art thou. ?But what brings thee
Into this bitter seas'ning?" ?He replied:
"Unwillingly I answer to thy words.
But thy clear speech, that to my mind recalls
The world I once inhabited, constrains me.
Know then 'twas I who led fair Ghisola
To do the Marquis' will, however fame
The shameful tale have bruited. ?Nor alone
Bologna hither sendeth me to mourn
Rather with us the place is so o'erthrong'd
That not so many tongues this day are taught,
Betwixt the Reno and Savena's stream,
To answer SIPA in their country's phrase.
And if of that securer proof thou need,
Remember but our craving thirst for gold."
Him speaking thus, a demon with his thong
Struck, and exclaim'd, "Away! corrupter! here
Women are none for sale." ?Forthwith I join'd
My escort, and few paces thence we came
To where a rock forth issued from the bank.
That easily ascended, to the right
Upon its splinter turning, we depart
From those eternal barriers. When arriv'd,
Where underneath the gaping arch lets pass
The scourged souls: "Pause here," the teacher said,
"And let these others miserable, now
Strike on thy ken, faces not yet beheld,
For that together they with us have walk'd."
From the old bridge we ey'd the pack, who came
From th' other side towards us, like the rest,
Excoriate from the lash. ?My gentle guide,
By me unquestion'd, thus his speech resum'd:
"Behold that lofty shade, who this way tends,
And seems too woe-begone to drop a tear.
How yet the regal aspect he retains!
Jason is he, whose skill and prowess won
The ram from Colchos. To the Lemnian isle
His passage thither led him, when those bold
And pitiless women had slain all their males.
There he with tokens and fair witching words
Hypsipyle beguil'd, a virgin young,
Who first had all the rest herself beguil'd.
Impregnated he left her there forlorn.
Such is the guilt condemns him to this pain.
Here too Medea's inj'ries are avenged.
All bear him company, who like deceit
To his have practis'd. ?And thus much to know
Of the first vale suffice thee, and of those
Whom its keen torments urge." ?Now had we come
Where, crossing the next pier, the straighten'd path
Bestrides its shoulders to another arch.
Hence in the second chasm we heard the ghosts,
Who jibber in low melancholy sounds,
With wide-stretch'd nostrils snort, and on themselves
Smite with their palms. ?Upon the banks a scurf
From the foul steam condens'd, encrusting hung,
That held sharp combat with the sight and smell.
So hollow is the depth, that from no part,
Save on the summit of the rocky span,
Could I distinguish aught. ?Thus far we came;
And thence I saw, within the foss below,
A crowd immers'd in ordure, that appear'd
Draff of the human body. ?There beneath
Searching with eye inquisitive, I mark'd
One with his head so grim'd, 't were hard to deem,
If he were clerk or layman. ?Loud he cried:
"Why greedily thus bendest more on me,
Than on these other filthy ones, thy ken?"
"Because if true my mem'ry," I replied,
"I heretofore have seen thee with dry locks,
And thou Alessio art of Lucca sprung.
Therefore than all the rest I scan thee more."
Then beating on his brain these words he spake:
"Me thus low down my flatteries have sunk,
Wherewith I ne'er enough could glut my tongue."
My leader thus: "A little further stretch
Thy face, that thou the visage well mayst note
Of that besotted, sluttish courtezan,
Who there doth rend her with defiled nails,
Now crouching down, now risen on her feet.
"Thais is this, the harlot, whose false lip
Answer'd her doting paramour that ask'd,
'Thankest me much!'—'Say rather wondrously,'
And seeing this here satiate be our view."
第十九篇魔法师西门呀！他的一群不幸的徒子徒孙呀！应该与善行合在一起的上帝之物，你们的贪心把他去换了金银，现在判决你们的喇叭响了，这里的第三条沟就是你们的归宿之地！
我们已经登上第三座桥的顶点，正望到那条新沟的中心。无上的智慧呀！你的工程，无论在天上，在地面，或在罪恶的世界，是多么的伟大呀！你的布置是多么的公正呀！我看见灰色的岩石上，或在沟底，或在沟壁，都有许多孔穴，都是圆形的，而且是一样的大小。因此我回忆起我那美丽的圣约翰教堂，在那儿的洗礼盘旁边，也有类此大小的大理石做的孔穴，这是施洗者立足之处。不多年以前，我曾经打碎其中的一个，因为当时有一个人跌下去爬不起来；我趁此机会，解释世人的误会。在那每个孔穴之口，露着罪人的脚和小腿，其余的身体都埋在里面。他们脚底都燃着火，因此他们的腿抖动得非常剧烈，假使有绳索缚牢，也要给他们弄断的。那里的火，和烧着涂油的东西一般，只烧在表面上，从脚跟烧到脚尖。
我说：“老师呀！那个筋肉抽搐得最厉害的，脚底火光最红的是谁呢？”他对我说：“假使你愿意我把你带到那里，从那边的堤岸走下去，你就可以听见他自己的说话，知道他的罪恶。”我说：“你是我的老师，我不会违背你的意见，我赞成：而且你知道我不曾说出口的思想。”
于是我们走到第四条堤岸，向右边转弯，降入狭隘而有孔穴的沟里。善良的老师扶着我，直走到那用腿的抖动来表示痛苦的灵魂旁边。我开头说：“不幸的幽灵呀！你的上部倒转在下面，好像一个木桩钉在那里，你是谁呀？假使你能够说话，那末请你告诉我罢。”我说话像一个教士的口吻，面对着一个谋杀犯，现在他的罪已在执行了，他还在那里忏悔，以延长他的寿命呢。于是他叫道：“你已经站在这里么，卜尼法斯？那末预言书对我说了几年诳呢。你厌弃了你的财富这样快么？你用诈骗的手段，得了绝代的美人，稍后你又遗弃了她。”
找听了他这几句活，真是糊涂，所以也不知道怎样回答。那时维吉尔对我说：“你快些对他说：我不是他，我不是你所猜想的人。”我就照他的话回答了。于是那幽灵剧烈地扭动他的脚，后来悲伤了一回，带着哭声对我说：“那末你要问我什么？你从堤岸上走下来，假使你是真心要知道我是谁，那末我告诉你：我穿的是一个大斗篷；我确是熊的儿子，我要繁殖我的后代，我在世时装满了我的袋子，在这里我又装了我自己。在我下面的，是那些在我之前做着圣职买卖的，他们都倒栽在石缝里面。我也要移到下面去的，只等着方才我把你当做他的那个人来到。我倒栽在这里，脚底给火烧着，我受的这种痛苦要比我的后继人要长，他将要倒栽在我这个窟窿里，一双脚红着。因为在他以后，将有一个从西方来的牧师，这个牧师无法无天，行为更加丑恶，又要做他的后继人。这个牧师可说是伊阿宋再世，这个伊阿宋的事迹载在《玛喀比传》一书中；有一个国王听从伊阿宋。听从这个牧师的则是统治法兰西的国王。”
在这个时候，我不知道我自己是否发疯了，因为我用下面的一番话回答他：“原来如此；请你告诉我，我主给圣彼得钥匙之前，我主要了多少财宝？他没有要一点，他不过说：‘你跟从我！’当那个叛徒出走之后，马提亚被推为使徒之一，但是彼得和别人都没有收受他的金银。所以，你安心在这里罢，你的刑罚是罪有应得的；你抓住你的不义之财罢，他买得动你以猛烈地反对查理呢。假使不是你在生前掌握过那至大的钥匙，我就要用更严厉的话句：因为你的贪心，使世界变为悲惨，把善良踩在脚底下，把凶恶捧在头顶上。《福音书》的著作者就想到你这样的牧师，当他看见她坐在众水之上，和那些君王奸淫；她生有七头十角，只要她的丈夫爱好德行，她是有力量的。你把金银当作上帝，试问你和那些崇拜偶像的有什么两样，他们崇拜一个偶像，而你却崇拜一百个罢了。君士坦丁呀！从你生出许多的罪恶，并不是因为你的改变信仰，实在是因为那第一个富有的教父接受你的赠品太大了！”
当我用这些话说着他的时候，或者使他愤怒，或者使他悔恨而生苦恼，他剧烈地挥动他的脚。我想我的话使那引路人听了欢喜呢，因为我的话句句都是真理呀！因此他用两臂抱着我，从下降的路回上去。他并不感到吃力，他一直把我抱到第四座桥的顶上，那里他才把我慢慢地放下来，因为那里的路非常难走，就是山羊走着也要发怵呢。在那里，我们发见了另外一条沟。
His wretched followers! who the things of God,
Which should be wedded unto goodness, them,
Rapacious as ye are, do prostitute
For gold and silver in adultery!
Now must the trumpet sound for you, since yours
Is the third chasm. ?Upon the following vault
We now had mounted, where the rock impends
Directly o'er the centre of the foss.
Wisdom Supreme! how wonderful the art,
Which thou dost manifest in heaven, in earth,
And in the evil world, how just a meed
Allotting by thy virtue unto all!
I saw the livid stone, throughout the sides
And in its bottom full of apertures,
All equal in their width, and circular each,
Nor ample less nor larger they appear'd
Than in Saint John's fair dome of me belov'd
Those fram'd to hold the pure baptismal streams,
One of the which I brake, some few years past,
To save a whelming infant; and be this
A seal to undeceive whoever doubts
The motive of my deed. ?From out the mouth
Of every one, emerg'd a sinner's feet
And of the legs high upward as the calf
The rest beneath was hid. ?On either foot
The soles were burning, whence the flexile joints
Glanc'd with such violent motion, as had snapt
Asunder cords or twisted withs. ?As flame,
Feeding on unctuous matter, glides along
The surface, scarcely touching where it moves;
So here, from heel to point, glided the flames.
"Master! say who is he, than all the rest
Glancing in fiercer agony, on whom
A ruddier flame doth prey?" ?I thus inquir'd.
"If thou be willing," he replied, "that I
Carry thee down, where least the slope bank falls,
He of himself shall tell thee and his wrongs."
I then: "As pleases thee to me is best.
Thou art my lord; and know'st that ne'er I quit
Thy will: what silence hides that knowest thou."
Thereat on the fourth pier we came, we turn'd,
And on our left descended to the depth,
A narrow strait and perforated close.
Nor from his side my leader set me down,
Till to his orifice he brought, whose limb
Quiv'ring express'd his pang. ?"Whoe'er thou art,
Sad spirit! thus revers'd, and as a stake
Driv'n in the soil!" ?I in these words began,
"If thou be able, utter forth thy voice."
There stood I like the friar, that doth shrive
A wretch for murder doom'd, who e'en when fix'd,
Calleth him back, whence death awhile delays.
He shouted: "Ha! already standest there?
Already standest there, O Boniface!
By many a year the writing play'd me false.
So early dost thou surfeit with the wealth,
For which thou fearedst not in guile to take
The lovely lady, and then mangle her?"
I felt as those who, piercing not the drift
Of answer made them, stand as if expos'd
In mockery, nor know what to reply,
When Virgil thus admonish'd: "Tell him quick,
I am not he, not he, whom thou believ'st."
And I, as was enjoin'd me, straight replied.
That heard, the spirit all did wrench his feet,
And sighing next in woeful accent spake:
"What then of me requirest?" ?"If to know
So much imports thee, who I am, that thou
Hast therefore down the bank descended, learn
That in the mighty mantle I was rob'd,
And of a she-bear was indeed the son,
So eager to advance my whelps, that there
My having in my purse above I stow'd,
And here myself. ?Under my head are dragg'd
The rest, my predecessors in the guilt
Of simony. ?Stretch'd at their length they lie
Along an opening in the rock. ?'Midst them
I also low shall fall, soon as he comes,
For whom I took thee, when so hastily
I question'd. ?But already longer time
Hath pass'd, since my souls kindled, and I thus
Upturn'd have stood, than is his doom to stand
Planted with fiery feet. ?For after him,
One yet of deeds more ugly shall arrive,
From forth the west, a shepherd without law,
Fated to cover both his form and mine.
He a new Jason shall be call'd, of whom
In Maccabees we read; and favour such
As to that priest his king indulgent show'd,
Shall be of France's monarch shown to him."
I know not if I here too far presum'd,
But in this strain I answer'd: "Tell me now,
What treasures from St. Peter at the first
Our Lord demanded, when he put the keys
Into his charge? ?Surely he ask'd no more
But, Follow me! Nor Peter nor the rest
Or gold or silver of Matthias took,
When lots were cast upon the forfeit place
Of the condemned soul. ?Abide thou then;
Thy punishment of right is merited:
And look thou well to that ill-gotten coin,
Which against Charles thy hardihood inspir'd.
If reverence of the keys restrain'd me not,
Which thou in happier time didst hold, I yet
Severer speech might use. ?Your avarice
O'ercasts the world with mourning, under foot
Treading the good, and raising bad men up.
Of shepherds, like to you, th' Evangelist
Was ware, when her, who sits upon the waves,
With kings in filthy whoredom he beheld,
She who with seven heads tower'd at her birth,
And from ten horns her proof of glory drew,
Long as her spouse in virtue took delight.
Of gold and silver ye have made your god,
Diff'ring wherein from the idolater,
But he that worships one, a hundred ye?
Ah, Constantine! to how much ill gave birth,
Not thy conversion, but that plenteous dower,
Which the first wealthy Father gain'd from thee!"
Meanwhile, as thus I sung, he, whether wrath
Or conscience smote him, violent upsprang
Spinning on either sole. ?I do believe
My teacher well was pleas'd, with so compos'd
A lip, he listen'd ever to the sound
Of the true words I utter'd. ?In both arms
He caught, and to his bosom lifting me
Upward retrac'd the way of his descent.
Nor weary of his weight he press'd me close,
Till to the summit of the rock we came,
Our passage from the fourth to the fifth pier.
His cherish'd burden there gently he plac'd
Upon the rugged rock and steep, a path
Not easy for the clamb'ring goat to mount.
Thence to my view another vale appear'd
第八圈续，第四沟：预言者。曼图和曼图阿的起源。
在这第一卷关于地狱里的事情的第二十篇，我的诗句应当叙述新的刑罚。
我已经准备观察刚才发现的一条沟了，这里也是沉浸在痛苦的泪水之中。在环形的幽谷里面，我看见一群人默默地哭泣着走来，他们的步伐有点像地面上走的祈祷队。当他们走近时，我聚精会神注视的时候，那惊奇的事情让我看见了：他们的面部长得都朝向脊背，他们的眼光只投射在自己的臀部，他们只能向后倒退走，因为他们看不见前面了。也许这是他们患的一种瘫痪病吧。但是我没有见过，我不相信有这种病人。诸位读者，假如上帝允许你们了解我的著作，那末请你们想一想：当那些和我们形状相同的灵魂，一个个扭歪着脖颈，眼泪从背脊流到屁股上，在我面前走过，我的面孔怎能保持着干燥呢？当然我的头趴在一块岩石之上，我哭泣了。
于是那位引路人对我说：“你也和世俗的凡人一般见识么？在这里不应当再有怜悯。对于上帝的判决表示一种伤感，岂不有罪么？抬起你的头吧，你看前面来的一个人，当他在世的时候，地裂开在他的前面，但是他看不见，忒拜人一齐叫道：“你往那儿跑，安菲阿刺俄斯？为什么你临阵逃脱？’他还是跑着，直到跌进米诺斯家里，他自己断送了性命。你看他现在把胸当作背，眼睛望着后面，一步一步向后倒退，因为他在生前希望看得太远了。
“你看本瑞西阿斯，当他是男人的时候，他曾经变成女人的体态，直等到他再用他的魔杖打了那成对的两条蛇，他才又回复了男人的气概。在他的面的是阿伦斯。阿沦斯的背接近他的肚子。阿伦斯住在卢尼山上，在那里，卡腊腊人在山脚下种地；他把白岩洞做了他的家，从那里他可以观察星宿看到海洋，没有一点遮碍。再前是一个女人；她的一双辫子盖在胸前，下身长着毛，她的名字叫做曼图；她曾经遍游各地，最后她定居在我生长的地方，因此我愿意你听我说几句。
“当她的父亲去死之后，酒神之城做了别人的奴隶，她长久地各处飘泊。在意大利的北边，阿尔卑斯山脉连绵不绝，和日耳曼分界。山谷里的水向南流下，积成贝纳科湖。我想汇成这个湖的来源，总有几百几千条呢。在那里，有一个地点，可以做特兰托、布里西亚和维罗纳调三个地方牧师的集会所，假使他们愿意往那里去。在那湖边最低处，有一个佩斯齐埃拉城堡，美丽而险要，可以抵御布里西亚人和贝加摩人的侵犯。从这里湖水流了出去，流成一条河，经过青色的原野。这条河叫做敏乔，直流到戈维尔诺洛，从那里并入波河。敏乔河流过一块低地，散开而成沼泽，在夏天那里是常常很不卫生。
“那位残忍的处女经过这里，看见这块地方是一个烂泥滩，既未开辟，又无居民。在这里，她可以躲避人世来往的麻烦，和她的随从专心于她的魔术；于是她就住在那里，她的遗体也埋在那里。后来，零散在那地方四周的居民才汇聚起来，在她的枯骨上面造了一座城，因为他的四周是沼泽之地，抵御外侮有险可守。因是曼图第一个选定的地点，于是这座城叫曼图阿，用不着再抽签了。在卡萨罗迪没有被庇纳蒙所欺骗以前，这里的居民还要多些。
“我要你听的话就是这样，假使我的城还有别的起源，那末你不要以伪当真。”
于是我说：“老师，你的话据我看来是确实的，我是相信的；别人说的话对我是灰熄烟灭了。但是，那些走过的灵魂，假使有值得注意的，就请你告诉我罢，因为我的心此时还想念着他们呢。”
于是他对我说：“那一个，他的胡须拖在他棕色的后肩上，是一个占卜官，当希腊国里男子走空，只剩摇篮里的孩子的时候。在奥利斯港口，他和卡尔卡斯推算解缆起碇的时辰。欧刊皮鲁斯是他的名字，在我高雅的悲剧里，我有一处唱过他。你是看过全书的，当然你很熟悉的了。那一个腰身很细的是司各特，他对于各种的魔术都很精通。这是波纳提；这是阿兹顿忒，他现在还愿意再拿起他的牛皮和麻绳呢，但是太晚了。看这班妇人，她们都是放下绣针，纺缍，梭子，拿起灵芝和木偶，学做女巫，预言吉凶的。……
“但是，现在我们可以走了；因为该隐和他的荆棘已经在两个半球的边界上了，已经在塞维利亚前面和海波接触了。你要记得，昨晚月圆光亮；你在深林之中，她的光线没有伤害你。”
他这样对我说着，我们向前走了。
Fit argument of this the twentieth strain
Of the first song, whose awful theme records
The spirits whelm'd in woe. ?Earnest I look'd
Into the depth, that open'd to my view,
Moisten'd with tears of anguish, and beheld
A tribe, that came along the hollow vale,
In silence weeping: such their step as walk
Quires chanting solemn litanies on earth.
As on them more direct mine eye descends,
Each wondrously seem'd to be revers'd
At the neck-bone, so that the countenance
Was from the reins averted: and because
None might before him look, they were compell'd
To' advance with backward gait. ?Thus one perhaps
Hath been by force of palsy clean transpos'd,
But I ne'er saw it nor believe it so.
Now, reader! think within thyself, so God
Fruit of thy reading give thee! how I long
Could keep my visage dry, when I beheld
Near me our form distorted in such guise,
That on the hinder parts fall'n from the face
The tears down-streaming roll'd. ?Against a rock
I leant and wept, so that my guide exclaim'd:
"What, and art thou too witless as the rest?
Here pity most doth show herself alive,
When she is dead. ?What guilt exceedeth his,
Who with Heaven's judgment in his passion strives?
Raise up thy head, raise up, and see the man,
Before whose eyes earth gap'd in Thebes, when all
Cried out, 'Amphiaraus, whither rushest?
'Why leavest thou the war?' ?He not the less
Fell ruining far as to Minos down,
Whose grapple none eludes. ?Lo! how he makes
The breast his shoulders, and who once too far
Before him wish'd to see, now backward looks,
And treads reverse his path. ?Tiresias note,
Who semblance chang'd, when woman he became
Of male, through every limb transform'd, and then
Once more behov'd him with his rod to strike
The two entwining serpents, ere the plumes,
That mark'd the better sex, might shoot again.
"Aruns, with more his belly facing, comes.
On Luni's mountains 'midst the marbles white,
Where delves Carrara's hind, who wons beneath,
A cavern was his dwelling, whence the stars
And main-sea wide in boundless view he held.
"The next, whose loosen'd tresses overspread
Her bosom, which thou seest not (for each hair
On that side grows) was Manto, she who search'd
Through many regions, and at length her seat
Fix'd in my native land, whence a short space
My words detain thy audience. ?When her sire
From life departed, and in servitude
The city dedicate to Bacchus mourn'd,
Long time she went a wand'rer through the world.
Aloft in Italy's delightful land
A lake there lies, at foot of that proud Alp,
That o'er the Tyrol locks Germania in,
Its name Benacus, which a thousand rills,
Methinks, and more, water between the vale
Camonica and Garda and the height
Of Apennine remote. ?There is a spot
At midway of that lake, where he who bears
Of Trento's flock the past'ral staff, with him
Of Brescia, and the Veronese, might each
Passing that way his benediction give.
A garrison of goodly site and strong
Peschiera stands, to awe with front oppos'd
The Bergamese and Brescian, whence the shore
More slope each way descends. ?There, whatsoev'er
Benacus' bosom holds not, tumbling o'er
Down falls, and winds a river flood beneath
Through the green pastures. ?Soon as in his course
The steam makes head, Benacus then no more
They call the name, but Mincius, till at last
Reaching Governo into Po he falls.
Not far his course hath run, when a wide flat
It finds, which overstretchmg as a marsh
It covers, pestilent in summer oft.
Hence journeying, the savage maiden saw
'Midst of the fen a territory waste
And naked of inhabitants. ?To shun
All human converse, here she with her slaves
Plying her arts remain'd, and liv'd, and left
Her body tenantless. ?Thenceforth the tribes,
Who round were scatter'd, gath'ring to that place
Assembled; for its strength was great, enclos'd
On all parts by the fen. ?On those dead bones
They rear'd themselves a city, for her sake,
Calling it Mantua, who first chose the spot,
Nor ask'd another omen for the name,
Wherein more numerous the people dwelt,
Ere Casalodi's madness by deceit
Was wrong'd of Pinamonte. ?If thou hear
Henceforth another origin assign'd
Of that my country, I forewarn thee now,
That falsehood none beguile thee of the truth."
I answer'd: "Teacher, I conclude thy words
So certain, that all else shall be to me
As embers lacking life. ?But now of these,
Who here proceed, instruct me, if thou see
Any that merit more especial note.
For thereon is my mind alone intent."
He straight replied: "That spirit, from whose cheek
The beard sweeps o'er his shoulders brown, what time
Graecia was emptied of her males, that scarce
The cradles were supplied, the seer was he
In Aulis, who with Calchas gave the sign
When first to cut the cable. ?Him they nam'd
Eurypilus: so sings my tragic strain,
In which majestic measure well thou know'st,
Who know'st it all. ?That other, round the loins
So slender of his shape, was Michael Scot,
Practis'd in ev'ry slight of magic wile.
"Guido Bonatti see: ?Asdente mark,
Who now were willing, he had tended still
The thread and cordwain; and too late repents.
"See next the wretches, who the needle left,
The shuttle and the spindle, and became
Diviners: baneful witcheries they wrought
With images and herbs. ?But onward now:
For now doth Cain with fork of thorns confine
On either hemisphere, touching the wave
Beneath the towers of Seville. ?Yesternight
The moon was round. ?Thou mayst remember well:
For she good service did thee in the gloom
Of the deep wood." ?This said, both onward mov'd.
在这第一卷关于地狱里的事情的第二十篇，我的诗句应当叙述新的刑罚。
我已经准备观察刚才发现的一条沟了，这里也是沉浸在痛苦的泪水之中。在环形的幽谷里面，我看见一群人默默地哭泣着走来，他们的步伐有点像地面上走的祈祷队。当他们走近时，我聚精会神注视的时候，那惊奇的事情让我看见了：他们的面部长得都朝向脊背，他们的眼光只投射在自己的臀部，他们只能向后倒退走，因为他们看不见前面了。也许这是他们患的一种瘫痪病吧。但是我没有见过，我不相信有这种病人。诸位读者，假如上帝允许你们了解我的著作，那末请你们想一想：当那些和我们形状相同的灵魂，一个个扭歪着脖颈，眼泪从背脊流到屁股上，在我面前走过，我的面孔怎能保持着干燥呢？当然我的头趴在一块岩石之上，我哭泣了。
于是那位引路人对我说：“你也和世俗的凡人一般见识么？在这里不应当再有怜悯。对于上帝的判决表示一种伤感，岂不有罪么？抬起你的头吧，你看前面来的一个人，当他在世的时候，地裂开在他的前面，但是他看不见，忒拜人一齐叫道：“你往那儿跑，安菲阿刺俄斯？为什么你临阵逃脱？’他还是跑着，直到跌进米诺斯家里，他自己断送了性命。你看他现在把胸当作背，眼睛望着后面，一步一步向后倒退，因为他在生前希望看得太远了。
“你看本瑞西阿斯，当他是男人的时候，他曾经变成女人的体态，直等到他再用他的魔杖打了那成对的两条蛇，他才又回复了男人的气概。在他的面的是阿伦斯。阿沦斯的背接近他的肚子。阿伦斯住在卢尼山上，在那里，卡腊腊人在山脚下种地；他把白岩洞做了他的家，从那里他可以观察星宿看到海洋，没有一点遮碍。再前是一个女人；她的一双辫子盖在胸前，下身长着毛，她的名字叫做曼图；她曾经遍游各地，最后她定居在我生长的地方，因此我愿意你听我说几句。
“当她的父亲去死之后，酒神之城做了别人的奴隶，她长久地各处飘泊。在意大利的北边，阿尔卑斯山脉连绵不绝，和日耳曼分界。山谷里的水向南流下，积成贝纳科湖。我想汇成这个湖的来源，总有几百几千条呢。在那里，有一个地点，可以做特兰托、布里西亚和维罗纳调三个地方牧师的集会所，假使他们愿意往那里去。在那湖边最低处，有一个佩斯齐埃拉城堡，美丽而险要，可以抵御布里西亚人和贝加摩人的侵犯。从这里湖水流了出去，流成一条河，经过青色的原野。这条河叫做敏乔，直流到戈维尔诺洛，从那里并入波河。敏乔河流过一块低地，散开而成沼泽，在夏天那里是常常很不卫生。
“那位残忍的处女经过这里，看见这块地方是一个烂泥滩，既未开辟，又无居民。在这里，她可以躲避人世来往的麻烦，和她的随从专心于她的魔术；于是她就住在那里，她的遗体也埋在那里。后来，零散在那地方四周的居民才汇聚起来，在她的枯骨上面造了一座城，因为他的四周是沼泽之地，抵御外侮有险可守。因是曼图第一个选定的地点，于是这座城叫曼图阿，用不着再抽签了。在卡萨罗迪没有被庇纳蒙所欺骗以前，这里的居民还要多些。
“我要你听的话就是这样，假使我的城还有别的起源，那末你不要以伪当真。”
于是我说：“老师，你的话据我看来是确实的，我是相信的；别人说的话对我是灰熄烟灭了。但是，那些走过的灵魂，假使有值得注意的，就请你告诉我罢，因为我的心此时还想念着他们呢。”
于是他对我说：“那一个，他的胡须拖在他棕色的后肩上，是一个占卜官，当希腊国里男子走空，只剩摇篮里的孩子的时候。在奥利斯港口，他和卡尔卡斯推算解缆起碇的时辰。欧刊皮鲁斯是他的名字，在我高雅的悲剧里，我有一处唱过他。你是看过全书的，当然你很熟悉的了。那一个腰身很细的是司各特，他对于各种的魔术都很精通。这是波纳提；这是阿兹顿忒，他现在还愿意再拿起他的牛皮和麻绳呢，但是太晚了。看这班妇人，她们都是放下绣针，纺缍，梭子，拿起灵芝和木偶，学做女巫，预言吉凶的。……
“但是，现在我们可以走了；因为该隐和他的荆棘已经在两个半球的边界上了，已经在塞维利亚前面和海波接触了。你要记得，昨晚月圆光亮；你在深林之中，她的光线没有伤害你。”
他这样对我说着，我们向前走了。
Fit argument of this the twentieth strain
Of the first song, whose awful theme records
The spirits whelm'd in woe. ?Earnest I look'd
Into the depth, that open'd to my view,
Moisten'd with tears of anguish, and beheld
A tribe, that came along the hollow vale,
In silence weeping: such their step as walk
Quires chanting solemn litanies on earth.
As on them more direct mine eye descends,
Each wondrously seem'd to be revers'd
At the neck-bone, so that the countenance
Was from the reins averted: and because
None might before him look, they were compell'd
To' advance with backward gait. ?Thus one perhaps
Hath been by force of palsy clean transpos'd,
But I ne'er saw it nor believe it so.
Now, reader! think within thyself, so God
Fruit of thy reading give thee! how I long
Could keep my visage dry, when I beheld
Near me our form distorted in such guise,
That on the hinder parts fall'n from the face
The tears down-streaming roll'd. ?Against a rock
I leant and wept, so that my guide exclaim'd:
"What, and art thou too witless as the rest?
Here pity most doth show herself alive,
When she is dead. ?What guilt exceedeth his,
Who with Heaven's judgment in his passion strives?
Raise up thy head, raise up, and see the man,
Before whose eyes earth gap'd in Thebes, when all
Cried out, 'Amphiaraus, whither rushest?
'Why leavest thou the war?' ?He not the less
Fell ruining far as to Minos down,
Whose grapple none eludes. ?Lo! how he makes
The breast his shoulders, and who once too far
Before him wish'd to see, now backward looks,
And treads reverse his path. ?Tiresias note,
Who semblance chang'd, when woman he became
Of male, through every limb transform'd, and then
Once more behov'd him with his rod to strike
The two entwining serpents, ere the plumes,
That mark'd the better sex, might shoot again.
"Aruns, with more his belly facing, comes.
On Luni's mountains 'midst the marbles white,
Where delves Carrara's hind, who wons beneath,
A cavern was his dwelling, whence the stars
And main-sea wide in boundless view he held.
"The next, whose loosen'd tresses overspread
Her bosom, which thou seest not (for each hair
On that side grows) was Manto, she who search'd
Through many regions, and at length her seat
Fix'd in my native land, whence a short space
My words detain thy audience. ?When her sire
From life departed, and in servitude
The city dedicate to Bacchus mourn'd,
Long time she went a wand'rer through the world.
Aloft in Italy's delightful land
A lake there lies, at foot of that proud Alp,
That o'er the Tyrol locks Germania in,
Its name Benacus, which a thousand rills,
Methinks, and more, water between the vale
Camonica and Garda and the height
Of Apennine remote. ?There is a spot
At midway of that lake, where he who bears
Of Trento's flock the past'ral staff, with him
Of Brescia, and the Veronese, might each
Passing that way his benediction give.
A garrison of goodly site and strong
Peschiera stands, to awe with front oppos'd
The Bergamese and Brescian, whence the shore
More slope each way descends. ?There, whatsoev'er
Benacus' bosom holds not, tumbling o'er
Down falls, and winds a river flood beneath
Through the green pastures. ?Soon as in his course
The steam makes head, Benacus then no more
They call the name, but Mincius, till at last
Reaching Governo into Po he falls.
Not far his course hath run, when a wide flat
It finds, which overstretchmg as a marsh
It covers, pestilent in summer oft.
Hence journeying, the savage maiden saw
'Midst of the fen a territory waste
And naked of inhabitants. ?To shun
All human converse, here she with her slaves
Plying her arts remain'd, and liv'd, and left
Her body tenantless. ?Thenceforth the tribes,
Who round were scatter'd, gath'ring to that place
Assembled; for its strength was great, enclos'd
On all parts by the fen. ?On those dead bones
They rear'd themselves a city, for her sake,
Calling it Mantua, who first chose the spot,
Nor ask'd another omen for the name,
Wherein more numerous the people dwelt,
Ere Casalodi's madness by deceit
Was wrong'd of Pinamonte. ?If thou hear
Henceforth another origin assign'd
Of that my country, I forewarn thee now,
That falsehood none beguile thee of the truth."
I answer'd: "Teacher, I conclude thy words
So certain, that all else shall be to me
As embers lacking life. ?But now of these,
Who here proceed, instruct me, if thou see
Any that merit more especial note.
For thereon is my mind alone intent."
He straight replied: "That spirit, from whose cheek
The beard sweeps o'er his shoulders brown, what time
Graecia was emptied of her males, that scarce
The cradles were supplied, the seer was he
In Aulis, who with Calchas gave the sign
When first to cut the cable. ?Him they nam'd
Eurypilus: so sings my tragic strain,
In which majestic measure well thou know'st,
Who know'st it all. ?That other, round the loins
So slender of his shape, was Michael Scot,
Practis'd in ev'ry slight of magic wile.
"Guido Bonatti see: ?Asdente mark,
Who now were willing, he had tended still
The thread and cordwain; and too late repents.
"See next the wretches, who the needle left,
The shuttle and the spindle, and became
Diviners: baneful witcheries they wrought
With images and herbs. ?But onward now:
For now doth Cain with fork of thorns confine
On either hemisphere, touching the wave
Beneath the towers of Seville. ?Yesternight
The moon was round. ?Thou mayst remember well:
For she good service did thee in the gloom
Of the deep wood." ?This said, both onward mov'd.
第二十一篇我们从这桥到另外一桥，其余的谈话也不记在我的喜剧里面了；我们向前走，登上第五座桥。我们停留在那里，观看马勒勃尔介的又一沟，和在那里徒劳哭泣的一群人；我觉得这条沟是那么黑暗。
好像在威尼斯修船厂所见到的一样，在冬天，那里沸腾着沥青，为修理破船之用，那些船已经不能航行了；于是，有的建造一条新船，有的修理已经经过许多次风浪的旧船；有的在船头上找漏洞，有的在船艄上寻裂缝；有的做着桨，有的打着索；有的补帆，有的修造桅竿。这条沟里也是沸腾着浓浓的沥青，而且流淌到两岸，可是这里不用火力，却是神的艺术。我看不见沟里有什么人，只看一个又一个的气泡，澎胀大了以后，忽然又瘪下去。
当我定神向下看的时候，导游对我说道：“小心！小心！”他把我从站着的地方拉过去。于是我急忙把头悼转往左去看，好像一个人忽然有所恐惧，不停地看见危险的事物，就急忙退却躲避一样；在我的后边，果然跑来一个黑色魔鬼。他的形状是那么可怕呀！他的举动那么粗暴，两翼张开多么广大，两脚是那么轻快呀！他高尖的两肩上，扛着一个罪人的双腿。罪人的臀部垂在他背上，他的手紧紧握住罪人的脚。他从桥上向下面叫喊：“喂！马拉勃朗卡！这里有一个圣齐塔的长老；把他沉到底部，我还要回到那城里去寻找其他人呢。那里每个人都是贪污枉法的，除去邦杜罗；那里可以用金钱把一个‘非’换成一个‘是’呢。”说罢，他把那个罪人扔下沟去，几圈旋转便隐没在岩石的后面而不见了，就是烈犬追贼也没有这样的快。
那个罪人沉到沟底以后，又漂浮起来，把头露在沥青外面；但是那些藏在桥洞下面的魔鬼一起喊道：“这里没有上帝给你赐福；这里不能像在塞尔丘河一样自由地游泳；所以，除非你愿意尝尝我们的铁耙子，那末你就不要把头面露出。”说罢，他们就用铁耙子打了他几百下，说：“你还是在下面跳舞吧；你要是想偷偷摸摸，也只好遮掩人的耳目。”于是他们用铁耙子把他压到沥青下面，和厨师用筷子把猪肉按到锅底没有什么不同。
和善的老师对我说：“你暂时躲在岩石那边，以免让别人看见；别人无论如何欺辱我，你都不要害怕；因为我了解这些事情，以前我遇见过了。”于是他一人单独过了桥，到了第六条堤岸，在这里真需要有坚硬的犄角呢。好比一群疯狂的狗，冲向祈求施舍的穷人一样。桥洞下的那些魔鬼，手里举着铁耙子，一拥而上，向他示威；但是他并不慌乱，喊道：“你们不得无理！在你们的叉子触着我以前，请先派一个人来和我谈话，以后任凭你们怎样处理我。”他们一齐叫道：“马拉科达去！”于是其中一个走上前来，其余的都站立不动。走近的那个魔鬼说：“你有什么话要说？”我的老师道：“马拉科达，你以为我经历种种阻碍，居然平安到了这里。并不是神的意志和我的幸运么？让我过去吧，我是奉了天的命令，引导另一个人走这条路的。”于是那傲慢的魔鬼把他的铁耙子放在脚旁，转过身子对别的魔鬼说：“不要打他吧！”
于是我的导游对我说：“躲在桥上岩石后面的可以出来了，现在到我这里来吧，不要害怕！”我听罢，立即跑上前去；但是那些魔鬼也跟我一齐冲进，因此我恐怕他们不会遵守方才的诺言，象我以前看见过的那些步兵，他们遵照卡波罗纳协定撒走，看见他们四周众多的敌人而害怕了。我急忙把身子贴近我的导游，我的眼睛专注地看着他们一付不怀好意的面孔。他们暂时把耙子放下；他们相互谈话，其中一个说：“我打他的臀部好么？”别的魔鬼一齐答道：“我们看着你打吧！”当时和我的导游说话的那个魔鬼立即回过头去，他喊道：“肃静！请肃静！斯卡密琉！”于是他对我们说：“你们不能从这里一直走下去，因为第六座桥已经断落沉到沟底去了。如果你们还要向前进行，那末就沿着这条堤岸走，稍远些，你们可以发现另外一座桥。昨天，比现在再晚五小时，正是此桥断落的一千二百六十六周年。现在我正要派遣我的人去巡逻，查看是否有犯人把头露出来呼吸空气；那末你们和他们一起走吧，他们不会有恶意的。”
于是他转身命令他们道：“阿利奇诺和卡尔卡勃利纳跑步过来，还有你，卡尼亚佐；马尔马利洽做这十人的领导。利比科科，德拉埕尼亚佐，长齿的奇利阿托，格拉菲亚卡内，法尔法赖罗和呆子比堪忒都跟着去。巡逻沸腾着的沥青，并且把这两位带领到前面去，那里可以平安地通过兽窟。”
我说：“嗄！我的老师，我所看见的是一群什么人？假使你认识道路，我们宁可不要护送人；因为我和他们合不来！要是你和以往一样能注意看，你可以看见他们在咬牙切齿，横眉竖眼很神气地向我们示威。”他回答道：“我请你不要害怕，他们在那里咬牙切齿不是对你们而是向着那些被煮的恶人示威呢。”
我们转身走向左边，在堤岸上走着。但是在迈步之前，他们每个都向他们的领头伸伸舌头，也许这是一种信号；那领导拍拍他的屁股，代替了号角。
The which my drama cares not to rehearse,
Pass'd on; and to the summit reaching, stood
To view another gap, within the round
Of Malebolge, other bootless pangs.
Marvelous darkness shadow'd o'er the place.
In the Venetians' arsenal as boils
Through wintry months tenacious pitch, to smear
Their unsound vessels; for th' inclement time
Sea-faring men restrains, and in that while
His bark one builds anew, another stops
The ribs of his, that hath made many a voyage;
One hammers at the prow, one at the poop;
This shapeth oars, that other cables twirls,
The mizen one repairs and main-sail rent
So not by force of fire but art divine
Boil'd here a glutinous thick mass, that round
Lim'd all the shore beneath. ?I that beheld,
But therein nought distinguish'd, save the surge,
Rais'd by the boiling, in one mighty swell
Heave, and by turns subsiding and fall. ?While there
I fix'd my ken below, "Mark! mark!" my guide
Exclaiming, drew me towards him from the place,
Wherein I stood. ?I turn'd myself as one,
Impatient to behold that which beheld
He needs must shun, whom sudden fear unmans,
That he his flight delays not for the view.
Behind me I discern'd a devil black,
That running, up advanc'd along the rock.
Ah! what fierce cruelty his look bespake!
In act how bitter did he seem, with wings
Buoyant outstretch'd and feet of nimblest tread!
His shoulder proudly eminent and sharp
Was with a sinner charg'd; by either haunch
He held him, the foot's sinew griping fast.
"Ye of our bridge!" he cried, "keen-talon'd fiends!
Lo! one of Santa Zita's elders! Him
Whelm ye beneath, while I return for more.
That land hath store of such. ?All men are there,
Except Bonturo, barterers: of 'no'
For lucre there an 'aye' is quickly made."
Him dashing down, o'er the rough rock he turn'd,
Nor ever after thief a mastiff loos'd
Sped with like eager haste. ?That other sank
And forthwith writing to the surface rose.
But those dark demons, shrouded by the bridge,
Cried "Here the hallow'd visage saves not: here
Is other swimming than in Serchio's wave.
Wherefore if thou desire we rend thee not,
Take heed thou mount not o'er the pitch." ?This said,
They grappled him with more than hundred hooks,
And shouted: "Cover'd thou must sport thee here;
So, if thou canst, in secret mayst thou filch."
E'en thus the cook bestirs him, with his grooms,
To thrust the flesh into the caldron down
With flesh-hooks, that it float not on the top.
Me then my guide bespake: "Lest they descry,
That thou art here, behind a craggy rock
Bend low and screen thee; and whate'er of force
Be offer'd me, or insult, fear thou not:
For I am well advis'd, who have been erst
In the like fray." ?Beyond the bridge's head
Therewith he pass'd, and reaching the sixth pier,
Behov'd him then a forehead terror-proof.
With storm and fury, as when dogs rush forth
Upon the poor man's back, who suddenly
From whence he standeth makes his suit; so rush'd
Those from beneath the arch, and against him
Their weapons all they pointed. ?He aloud:
"Be none of you outrageous: ere your time
Dare seize me, come forth from amongst you one,
"Who having heard my words, decide he then
If he shall tear these limbs." ?They shouted loud,
"Go, Malacoda!" ?Whereat one advanc'd,
The others standing firm, and as he came,
"What may this turn avail him?" he exclaim'd.
"Believ'st thou, Malacoda! I had come
Thus far from all your skirmishing secure,"
My teacher answered, "without will divine
And destiny propitious? ?Pass we then
For so Heaven's pleasure is, that I should lead
Another through this savage wilderness."
Forthwith so fell his pride, that he let drop
The instrument of torture at his feet,
And to the rest exclaim'd: "We have no power
To strike him." ?Then to me my guide: "O thou!
Who on the bridge among the crags dost sit
Low crouching, safely now to me return."
I rose, and towards him moved with speed: the fiends
Meantime all forward drew: me terror seiz'd
Lest they should break the compact they had made.
Thus issuing from Caprona, once I saw
Th' infantry dreading, lest his covenant
The foe should break; so close he hemm'd them round.
I to my leader's side adher'd, mine eyes
With fixt and motionless observance bent
On their unkindly visage. ?They their hooks
Protruding, one the other thus bespake:
"Wilt thou I touch him on the hip?" ?To whom
Was answer'd: "Even so; nor miss thy aim."
But he, who was in conf'rence with my guide,
Turn'd rapid round, and thus the demon spake:
"Stay, stay thee, Scarmiglione!" ?Then to us
He added: "Further footing to your step
This rock affords not, shiver'd to the base
Of the sixth arch. ?But would you still proceed,
Up by this cavern go: not distant far,
Another rock will yield you passage safe.
Yesterday, later by five hours than now,
Twelve hundred threescore years and six had fill'd
The circuit of their course, since here the way
Was broken. ?Thitherward I straight dispatch
Certain of these my scouts, who shall espy
If any on the surface bask. ?With them
Go ye: for ye shall find them nothing fell.
Come Alichino forth," with that he cried,
"And Calcabrina, and Cagnazzo thou!
The troop of ten let Barbariccia lead.
With Libicocco Draghinazzo haste,
Fang'd Ciriatto, Grafflacane fierce,
And Farfarello, and mad Rubicant.
Search ye around the bubbling tar. ?For these,
In safety lead them, where the other crag
Uninterrupted traverses the dens."
I then: "O master! what a sight is there!
Ah! without escort, journey we alone,
Which, if thou know the way, I covet not.
Unless thy prudence fail thee, dost not mark
How they do gnarl upon us, and their scowl
Threatens us present tortures?" ?He replied:
"I charge thee fear not: let them, as they will,
Gnarl on: 't is but in token of their spite
Against the souls, who mourn in torment steep'd."
To leftward o'er the pier they turn'd; but each
Had first between his teeth prest close the tongue,
Toward their leader for a signal looking,
Which he with sound obscene triumphant gave.
第二十二篇从前我曾经看见过骑兵的前进、归队和撤退；阿雷佐人呀！我曾经看见过你们家乡的赛马，看见过土匪的横行霸道，看见过各种竞赛的开幕；他们或用号角，或用大钟，或敲鼓，或在堡垒上做出信号，或用本国和外国的军乐；但是我从来没有看见过任何骑兵，步兵，军舰，使用过地狱里这样奇特的喇叭。
我们与十个魔鬼结伴而行：这是使人恐惧的伴侣呀！不过，“教堂有教徒，酒店有醉鬼”，这也是理所当然的事。当时我眼盯着沥青的沟里，希望看见沟里的情形和那里被煮的罪人。好比恶鱼把弓形的脊背露出了水面，提醒水手们防御灾难的临头；这里的罪人为减轻痛苦，也有把背脊露出来的，但是一会儿就沉没下去了，像闪电一样的快。又好像水沟里的青蛙，只把嘴和鼻子透出水面，其余的脚和身子都沉在水里。这里的罪人多数也是这种情况；但是巴尔巴利洽一到．他们马上沉下去了。
我看见一个我的心到现在尚为他战栗呢，不知为什么他却停留在那里，好比别的青蛙都已逃散，这一个却孤独地呆在那里一样；幸亏格拉菲亚卡内靠近他的旁边，一叉刺在他黏糊糊头发的头上，举起在空中，我似乎看他有点像一只水獭呢。这群魔鬼的名字我都知道，因为在派使的时候，和他们互相呼唤的时候，我都用心听着呢。那些魔鬼一齐喊道：“卢比堪忒呀！用你的钩子划他的肉吧！”我说：“老师，如果可能的话，你去探问一下这个犯人的来历，他为什么不幸落在魔鬼的手里了。”我的导游走近他的旁边，问他从什么地方来的，他答道：“那伐尔王国是我的故乡。我母亲嫁给一个坏人，他丧失了他的生命和家产，所以他送我到一个贵族家里去做奴仆。后来我做了好国王忒巴尔多的家臣，就在那里我开始贪官枉法的贿赂生涯；现在我到这个残酷的刑具里来还债了。”
当时魔鬼奇利亚托嘴里露出两个长牙，像野猪一样，用其中一个刺入罪人的肉里。一只老鼠被一群凶猫的锐爪压住！但是巴尔巴利洽把罪人抱在手臂弯里，对大家说：“你们闪开些，等我把他吊上钩再说！”于是他又对我的老师说：“如果你想知道更多的事情，那末你就快些问他吧，马上他们就要动手了。”因此我的导游又向那罪人问道：“请你告诉我，在沥青下面，还有别的拉丁人么？”他答道：“刚才我就离开了一个，他就在我的旁边；假如我能够再回到他那里，那末锐爪和钩子我都不怕了！”那时利比科科叫道：“我们忍受不住了！”向罪人手臂上又是一叉，厉害得很，马上撕去一块肉；德拉吉尼亚佐照此，刺在他的腿上！当时他们的领头向四周恶狠狠地巡视了一周。他们稍微平静以后，我的导游又向犯人问话，同时他看着他的伤痕问：“你刚才离开的那个人究竟是谁呢？”他答道：“那是教友郭弥塔，加卢拉人，是贪污大王，他管理着他上司的犯人，但是犯人都感谢他，因为他能使犯人用金钱买得自由呢。在他别的职务上，他也是一个聚敛赂物的能手。他和罗格道罗人臧凯不停地谈着话；他们说着萨丁语，一点不觉得疲劳……我还可以告诉你很多，但是，请你看看那些咬牙切齿的吧，恐怕他们马上就要撕碎我了。”
那时法尔法赖罗转动着眼珠子，预备攻击那个罪人，但是那领头说：“滚蛋！你这恶雀子，”那个吓破了魂的罪人又道：“假如你们想见见托斯卡那人和伦巴第人，我可以把他们叫到这里来。但是，请这些马拉勃朗卡稍微后退几步，因为我的伙伴怕他们。我一个人坐在岸边上，可以叫来七个，我只要大叫一声，他们就知道岸上有朋友在呼唤了。”卡尼阿佐听了这些话，摇摇头，举起他的尖嘴，说：“不要听他的坏活，他是想法子要逃跑了！”那个狡猾的灵魂答道：“我真是坏人呀！因为我出卖了我的伙伴，”阿利奇诺忍耐不住了，反对众人的意见说：“假如你要跳入沟里去，那末我不但立即迫赶你，我还要飞到沥青上面来捉捕你。我们暂且离开堤岸，躲到那边去，看你是否能够逃脱我们的手掌。”
诸位读者，你们马上又有新戏可看了。这一群魔鬼掉过头眼睛向着堤岸的那边，卡尼阿佐起先是不相信的，现在却是第一个躲起来。那伐尔人乘此机会，脚尖着地，一瞬间已经跳到他的目的地了。每个魔鬼都知道受了骗，尤其斥责阿利奇诺，因此他跳了起来，叫道：“我来捉拿你！”但是已经大晚了，他的两翼也没有用，因为那罪人已经沉没下去，他只好懊丧而归；好似野鸭已经潜入水里，老鹰只好恼怒回归一样。
卡尔卡勃利纳因为遭了愚弄，心里十分生气立刻飞了起来。如果那个罪人捉不着，他非要和阿利奇诺打一仗。果然罪人连影子都不见了，他就和他的伙伴在空中搏斗起来。好似老鹰抓住小鸟一样，他们两个都掉进沸腾着的沥青之中；他们因为烫得难忍，只好各自休战；但是他们的两翼都粘住了，再也飞不起来。巴尔巴利洽心急如焚，吩咐四个人飞到对岸，拿着他们的铁钩子；两岸的巡逻小卒同时协助，连忙把那煮过的伙伴吊上岸来；我们趁着这个混乱的机会离开了他们。
Horsemen with martial order shifting camp,
To onset sallying, or in muster rang'd,
Or in retreat sometimes outstretch'd for flight;
Light-armed squadrons and fleet foragers
Scouring thy plains, Arezzo! have I seen,
And clashing tournaments, and tilting jousts,
Now with the sound of trumpets, now of bells,
Tabors, or signals made from castled heights,
And with inventions multiform, our own,
Or introduc'd from foreign land; but ne'er
To such a strange recorder I beheld,
In evolution moving, horse nor foot,
Nor ship, that tack'd by sign from land or star.
With the ten demons on our way we went;
Ah fearful company! but in the church
With saints, with gluttons at the tavern's mess.
Still earnest on the pitch I gaz'd, to mark
All things whate'er the chasm contain'd, and those
Who burn'd within. ?As dolphins, that, in sign
To mariners, heave high their arched backs,
That thence forewarn'd they may advise to save
Their threaten'd vessels; so, at intervals,
To ease the pain his back some sinner show'd,
Then hid more nimbly than the lightning glance.
E'en as the frogs, that of a wat'ry moat
Stand at the brink, with the jaws only out,
Their feet and of the trunk all else concealed,
Thus on each part the sinners stood, but soon
As Barbariccia was at hand, so they
Drew back under the wave. ?I saw, and yet
My heart doth stagger, one, that waited thus,
As it befalls that oft one frog remains,
While the next springs away: and Graffiacan,
Who of the fiends was nearest, grappling seiz'd
His clotted locks, and dragg'd him sprawling up,
That he appear'd to me an otter. ?Each
Already by their names I knew, so well
When they were chosen, I observ'd, and mark'd
How one the other call'd. "O Rubicant!
See that his hide thou with thy talons flay,"
Shouted together all the cursed crew.
Then I: "Inform thee, master! if thou may,
What wretched soul is this, on whom their hand
His foes have laid." ?My leader to his side
Approach'd, and whence he came inquir'd, to whom
Was answer'd thus: "Born in Navarre's domain
My mother plac'd me in a lord's retinue,
For she had borne me to a losel vile,
A spendthrift of his substance and himself.
The good king Thibault after that I serv'd,
To peculating here my thoughts were turn'd,
Whereof I give account in this dire heat."
Straight Ciriatto, from whose mouth a tusk
Issued on either side, as from a boar,
Ript him with one of these. ?'Twixt evil claws
The mouse had fall'n: but Barbariccia cried,
Seizing him with both arms: "Stand thou apart,
While I do fix him on my prong transpierc'd."
Then added, turning to my guide his face,
"Inquire of him, if more thou wish to learn,
Ere he again be rent." ?My leader thus:
"Then tell us of the partners in thy guilt;
Knowest thou any sprung of Latian land
Under the tar?"—"I parted," he replied,
"But now from one, who sojourn'd not far thence;
So were I under shelter now with him!
Nor hook nor talon then should scare me more."—.
"Too long we suffer," Libicocco cried,
Then, darting forth a prong, seiz'd on his arm,
And mangled bore away the sinewy part.
Him Draghinazzo by his thighs beneath
Would next have caught, whence angrily their chief,
Turning on all sides round, with threat'ning brow
Restrain'd them. ?When their strife a little ceas'd,
Of him, who yet was gazing on his wound,
My teacher thus without delay inquir'd:
"Who was the spirit, from whom by evil hap
Parting, as thou has told, thou cam'st to shore?"—
"It was the friar Gomita," he rejoin'd,
"He of Gallura, vessel of all guile,
Who had his master's enemies in hand,
And us'd them so that they commend him well.
Money he took, and them at large dismiss'd.
So he reports: and in each other charge
Committed to his keeping, play'd the part
Of barterer to the height: ?with him doth herd
The chief of Logodoro, Michel Zanche.
Sardinia is a theme, whereof their tongue
Is never weary. ?Out! alas! behold
That other, how he grins! More would I say,
But tremble lest he mean to maul me sore."
Their captain then to Farfarello turning,
Who roll'd his moony eyes in act to strike,
Rebuk'd him thus: "Off! cursed bird! Avaunt!"—
"If ye desire to see or hear," he thus
Quaking with dread resum'd, "or Tuscan spirits
Or Lombard, I will cause them to appear.
Meantime let these ill talons bate their fury,
So that no vengeance they may fear from them,
And I, remaining in this self-same place,
Will for myself but one, make sev'n appear,
When my shrill whistle shall be heard; for so
Our custom is to call each other up."
Cagnazzo at that word deriding grinn'd,
Then wagg'd the head and spake: "Hear his device,
Mischievous as he is, to plunge him down."
Whereto he thus, who fail'd not in rich store
Of nice-wove toils; "Mischief forsooth extreme,
Meant only to procure myself more woe!"
No longer Alichino then refrain'd,
But thus, the rest gainsaying, him bespake:
"If thou do cast thee down, I not on foot
Will chase thee, but above the pitch will beat
My plumes. ?Quit we the vantage ground, and let
The bank be as a shield, that we may see
If singly thou prevail against us all."
Now, reader, of new sport expect to hear!
They each one turn'd his eyes to the' other shore,
He first, who was the hardest to persuade.
The spirit of Navarre chose well his time,
Planted his feet on land, and at one leap
Escaping disappointed their resolve.
Them quick resentment stung, but him the most,
Who was the cause of failure; in pursuit
He therefore sped, exclaiming: "Thou art caught."
But little it avail'd: terror outstripp'd
His following flight: the other plung'd beneath,
And he with upward pinion rais'd his breast:
E'en thus the water-fowl, when she perceives
The falcon near, dives instant down, while he
Enrag'd and spent retires. ?That mockery
In Calcabrina fury stirr'd, who flew
After him, with desire of strife inflam'd;
And, for the barterer had 'scap'd, so turn'd
His talons on his comrade. O'er the dyke
In grapple close they join'd; but the' other prov'd
A goshawk able to rend well his foe;
And in the boiling lake both fell. ?The heat
Was umpire soon between them, but in vain
To lift themselves they strove, so fast were glued
Their pennons. ?Barbariccia, as the rest,
That chance lamenting, four in flight dispatch'd
From the' other coast, with all their weapons arm'd.
They, to their post on each side speedily
Descending, stretch'd their hooks toward the fiends,
Who flounder'd, inly burning from their scars:
And we departing left them to that broil.
第二十三篇沉静地，孤独地，没有人护送，我们走在堤岸上，一个走在前，一个跟在后，好像两个小兄弟长途跋涉一样。看了刚才的争斗，使我想到伊索的寓言，就是关于青蛙和老鼠那一篇；如果我们从事情的开头至末尾仔细地比较一下，那末他们相同之处就很明显了。这一个思想，又联想起另外一个，使我觉得比以前更加的恐怖。我心里这样想：“他们这场祸是因为我们而产生的、他们一定恼羞成怒了；他们本有的恶意，再加上他们现在的愤怒，他们一定要追赶我们，会像狗咬兔子一样残忍。”我想到这里，每根汗毛都竖了起来，立即转过头去一望，我说：“老师，我们赶快躲起来，我害怕马拉勃朗卡呢。他们已经在我们后面追赶了，我似乎听见他们的声音了！”他对我说：“我好似一面镜子，照看你的外像，还不如照看你的内像来得快。你的想法正和我的想法一致，我已经想好了一个办法。假如我们能够从这堤岸下降到右边的沟里去，那末你所看到的追赶就可以避免了……”
他的话还没有说完，我已经看见那魔鬼们张翼追来；距离很近了，他们的目标是捉住我们。我的引路人突然抱着我，好似一位母亲为爆炸的声音惊醒，睁眼看见烈火就燃烧在她的旁边，她也来不及穿好一件衣服，就抱着她的孩于飞跑，关心孩子的生命胜过她自己的；这时我的引路人就是这样，他抱着我，从坚硬的堤岸上，背贴着岩石，一直滑降到第六条沟里。那冲转磨坊水车的急流，也没有我的老师这时滑降得这样快。他把我抱在他怀里，像是他的儿子，而不像他的伴侣。他的脚尖正触到了沟底，那些魔鬼已经来到我们的头上，但是他们下不来，我们不必害怕了；因为无上威权者的布置就是如此，魔鬼们管理第五条沟，其他是不准过问的。
在这里，我们看见一群穿着彩色衣的人，他们脚步十分迟顿的向前走着，一路哭着，看他们的样子已是疲乏不堪了。他们披着一口钟、帽子盖到眼晴，和克吕尼的僧服差不多。他们的衣帽，外面涂着金，光彩耀眼；但是内质是用铅制的，十分笨重，假如与腓特烈所做的进行比较，那末他的就像是草做的一样了。这样笨重的衣帽，永久地负在身上，是多么劳苦呀！
我们走向左边，和他们同方向行进，观察着他们的痛苦；但是沉重的负担压迫着这些灵魂，他们走得很慢，我们一个一个地超过了他们，一会儿又相遇了，马上又落在我们后面了。那时我对我的引路人说：“看看是否我们可以知道其中几个人的名字和行为；我们一边走着，一边注视着。”其中有一个懂托斯卡那语的，在我们后面叫道：“请你们停步，你们在昏暗的天气中怎么跑得这样快；你们想知道的，我可以告诉你们。”因此我的引路人掉转头来对我说：“一会吧，以后再陪伴着他们慢慢地走。”我站定了，看见两个人，脸上显出急于要赶上我们的神气，但是他们身上笨重的衣帽和狭窄的道路使他们无法赶快。他们赶上了；他们眼睛斜视着我们，一言不发，于是他们两个谈心了：“从他嘴唇的动作来看，这一个似乎还是活人；假如他们是死了，他们怎么会有不负着重物的特权呢？”
这时他们对我说：”托斯卡那人呀！你光临可怜的伪君子队伍里。可能不至于不屑告诉我们你是谁吧。”我回答他们道：“在那美丽的阿尔诺河边上，在那大城之中，我生长在其中；我的肉身从没有离开过我。但是，你们是谁呢？你们这样痛苦，眼泪流淌在面孔上。这样光亮的刑具是为了什么？”其中一个回答我道：”我们闪金光的斗篷用铅制成，铅是这么厚，重到要压断秤杆。我们两个是欢喜教友，是波伦亚人；我叫做卡塔拉诺，他叫做罗戴林格；我们两个给你的城里请去维护和平的人，向例有一个沉稳的人就够了；我们做的事在加尔丁格附近现在还看得见呢。”
我开始说：”教友们呀！你们的罪恶……”但是我不往下说了，因为我看见一个罪人躺在地上，成一十字架形，用三根本桩钉着。当他看见我的时候，他扭转他的身体，从他胡须里的口中叹了一口气；于是那教友对我说：“你所看见的罪人他曾经劝告法利赛人为民众而牺牲了一个人。他赤裸着身体横在路上，这你是看见的；我们从他的身上踏过，使他知道我们每个人的重量；他的岳父也在这条沟里领受同样的刑罚，还有其他会议人，这个会议是犹太人遭难的源头。”
当时我看见维吉尔对于那成十字形躺着的罪人表示十分惊奇；后来他对那教友说：“我请你告诉我一件事情，如果可能的话，是否有什么方法，不去请求那黑色的魔鬼，就可以越过这条沟呢？”他马上回答道：“就在前面不远，出乎意料之外，有一块石头，它从那高高的石壁起，经过每条残酷的沟，不过到这条沟上的却是断了。假如你们能爬上那倒在沟底的断石，你们就可以越过这条沟，爬上那面的堤岸了。”我的引路人站住了，低头想了一下，于是说：“那里拿铁耙子的恶人，给了我们一条错路！”那教友又说：“我在波伦亚曾经听见人说起魔鬼的罪恶，其中之一就是撒谎，他们是说谎的老祖宗。”
于是我的引路人大步向前走了，他似乎面上露出了恼怒；我也离开那些负重的灵魂，跟着他可爱的脚迹走去了。
One first, the other following his steps,
As minor friars journeying on their road.
The present fray had turn'd my thoughts to muse
Upon old Aesop's fable, where he told
What fate unto the mouse and frog befell.
For language hath not sounds more like in sense,
Than are these chances, if the origin
And end of each be heedfully compar'd.
And as one thought bursts from another forth,
So afterward from that another sprang,
Which added doubly to my former fear.
For thus I reason'd: "These through us have been
So foil'd, with loss and mock'ry so complete,
As needs must sting them sore. If anger then
Be to their evil will conjoin'd, more fell
They shall pursue us, than the savage hound
Snatches the leveret, panting 'twixt his jaws."
Already I perceiv'd my hair stand all
On end with terror, and look'd eager back.
"Teacher," I thus began, "if speedily
Thyself and me thou hide not, much I dread
Those evil talons. Even now behind
They urge us: quick imagination works
So forcibly, that I already feel them."
He answer'd: "Were I form'd of leaded glass,
I should not sooner draw unto myself
Thy outward image, than I now imprint
That from within. This moment came thy thoughts
Presented before mine, with similar act
And count'nance similar, so that from both
I one design have fram'd. If the right coast
Incline so much, that we may thence descend
Into the other chasm, we shall escape
Secure from this imagined pursuit."
He had not spoke his purpose to the end,
When I from far beheld them with spread wings
Approach to take us. Suddenly my guide
Caught me, ev'n as a mother that from sleep
Is by the noise arous'd, and near her sees
The climbing fires, who snatches up her babe
And flies ne'er pausing, careful more of him
Than of herself, that but a single vest
Clings round her limbs. Down from the jutting beach
Supine he cast him, to that pendent rock,
Which closes on one part the other chasm.
Never ran water with such hurrying pace
Adown the tube to turn a landmill's wheel,
When nearest it approaches to the spokes,
As then along that edge my master ran,
Carrying me in his bosom, as a child,
Not a companion. Scarcely had his feet
Reach'd to the lowest of the bed beneath,
When over us the steep they reach'd; but fear
In him was none; for that high Providence,
Which plac'd them ministers of the fifth foss,
Power of departing thence took from them all.
There in the depth we saw a painted tribe,
Who pac'd with tardy steps around, and wept,
Faint in appearance and o'ercome with toil.
Caps had they on, with hoods, that fell low down
Before their eyes, in fashion like to those
Worn by the monks in Cologne. Their outside
Was overlaid with gold, dazzling to view,
But leaden all within, and of such weight,
That Frederick's compar'd to these were straw.
Oh, everlasting wearisome attire!
We yet once more with them together turn'd
To leftward, on their dismal moan intent.
But by the weight oppress'd, so slowly came
The fainting people, that our company
Was chang'd at every movement of the step.
Whence I my guide address'd: "See that thou find
Some spirit, whose name may by his deeds be known,
And to that end look round thee as thou go'st."
Then one, who understood the Tuscan voice,
Cried after us aloud: "Hold in your feet,
Ye who so swiftly speed through the dusk air.
Perchance from me thou shalt obtain thy wish."
Whereat my leader, turning, me bespake:
"Pause, and then onward at their pace proceed."
I staid, and saw two Spirits in whose look
Impatient eagerness of mind was mark'd
To overtake me; but the load they bare
And narrow path retarded their approach.
Soon as arriv'd, they with an eye askance
Perus'd me, but spake not: then turning each
To other thus conferring said: "This one
Seems, by the action of his throat, alive.
And, be they dead, what privilege allows
They walk unmantled by the cumbrous stole?"
Then thus to me: "Tuscan, who visitest
The college of the mourning hypocrites,
Disdain not to instruct us who thou art."
"By Arno's pleasant stream," I thus replied,
"In the great city I was bred and grew,
And wear the body I have ever worn.
but who are ye, from whom such mighty grief,
As now I witness, courseth down your cheeks?
What torment breaks forth in this bitter woe?"
"Our bonnets gleaming bright with orange hue,"
One of them answer'd, "are so leaden gross,
That with their weight they make the balances
To crack beneath them. Joyous friars we were,
Bologna's natives, Catalano I,
He Loderingo nam'd, and by thy land
Together taken, as men used to take
A single and indifferent arbiter,
To reconcile their strifes. How there we sped,
Gardingo's vicinage can best declare."
"O friars!" I began, "your miseries—"
But there brake off, for one had caught my eye,
Fix'd to a cross with three stakes on the ground:
He, when he saw me, writh'd himself, throughout
Distorted, ruffling with deep sighs his beard.
And Catalano, who thereof was 'ware,
Thus spake: "That pierced spirit, whom intent
Thou view'st, was he who gave the Pharisees
Counsel, that it were fitting for one man
To suffer for the people. He doth lie
Transverse; nor any passes, but him first
Behoves make feeling trial how each weighs.
In straits like this along the foss are plac'd
The father of his consort, and the rest
Partakers in that council, seed of ill
And sorrow to the Jews." I noted then,
How Virgil gaz'd with wonder upon him,
Thus abjectly extended on the cross
In banishment eternal. To the friar
He next his words address'd: "We pray ye tell,
If so be lawful, whether on our right
Lies any opening in the rock, whereby
We both may issue hence, without constraint
On the dark angels, that compell'd they come
To lead us from this depth." He thus replied:
"Nearer than thou dost hope, there is a rock
From the next circle moving, which o'ersteps
Each vale of horror, save that here his cope
Is shatter'd. By the ruin ye may mount:
For on the side it slants, and most the height
Rises below." With head bent down awhile
My leader stood, then spake: "He warn'd us ill,
Who yonder hangs the sinners on his hook."
To whom the friar: "At Bologna erst
I many vices of the devil heard,
Among the rest was said, 'He is a liar,
And the father of lies!'" When he had spoke,
My leader with large strides proceeded on,
Somewhat disturb'd with anger in his look.
I therefore left the spirits heavy laden,
And following, his beloved footsteps mark'd.
第二十四篇在一年的年初，那时太阳在宝瓶宫发散他温和的春光，夜和昼将要逐渐地相等了；有一天的早晨地上盖着一层厚霜，和他的白姊妹一模一样，不过寿命只是短促些罢了；那时有一个可怜的牧人，家里已经断了草料，他只好早早起身，哪知开门一望，田野羊白茫茫一片，因此他长叹一声，又回到屋里，踱来踱去，想不出法子；稍后，他又向外面一望，他的希望有了，在顷刻之间，世界已经变了样；于是他拿起牧鞭，把他的羔羊赶出去寻觅食物了；我的心境也是如此，当我看见我的老师脸上有不快之色，我也随这难过；但是，不过转瞬之间，马上药到病除了。
我们到了断桥旁边，我的引路人用和悦的态度对着我，这是我以前在山脚下面曾经看见过的。他把残岩断石查看一下，心里拿定了主意，才张开手臂来拉我。他一方面行动，一方面思考，小心翼翼地把我拉上一块大石头，他的目光又投射在第二块石头上面了，他对我说：“爬上这一块，但是要先试试他是否撑得住你。”
这一条路，那些戴铅帽、穿铅衣的是走不过去的，因为我的老师身体虽然轻，我虽然强有力，但是我们在乱石之中也是行动艰难。马勒勃尔介的地势是愈向中心愈低，所以每条沟的堤岸都是一边高一边低；我们现在正在爬着的堤岸虽然不高，但是我感到非常吃力，至于他觉得怎样，我却不知道。最后，我们爬上了最后一块断石。那时我的气几乎要断了；我不能再走了，我只好坐下来。
我的老师说：“你现在应当远离懒惰，因为一个人坐在绒毯之上，困在绸被之中，决定不会有成就的；庸庸碌碌度一生，如同空中烟，水面泡，他在世上的痕迹顷刻就消失了。所以，你要站起来，用你的意志，克服你的气喘；如果精神不跟着肉体堕落，那末他可以战胜一切艰难险阻。你要爬的坡还长呢，就是走完此地也不算完结；如果你听懂了我的话，那末快些行动吧，对于你是有益处的。”
于是我站了起来，表示出了我勇敢顽强的气概，我说：“走吧！我现在有力量了，有信心了。”我们走上岩石，比以前的更加崎岖，狭窄，陡峭，难于行走。我一边走一边说话，用以掩饰我的胆怯；那时我听见第七条沟里传出一种声音，断断续续，不成语句。我虽然已经走上了桥，但是我听不懂他的意思，我只觉得说话的好像正在发怒呢。我低下头去看，但是活人的眼光却抵达不到黑暗的底部；因此我说：“老师．我们下了这座桥，到那边堤岸上去吧；因为在此地听也听不懂，看又看不见。”他答道：“我没有别的回答，我只有允许；合理的要求应当跟随着不言而喻的行动。”
我们从桥顶走下，来到第八条堤岸，于是那沟里的景象呈现在我面前了：我看见里面一大群的蛇，形状奇特无比，形形色色，就是我现在回想起来，我的血液也要凝固。
就是在利比亚大沙漠之地，那里各种的毒蛇，也不如此地的众多和可怕；就是埃塞俄比亚和红海岸上的蛇，也不能和此地相比。在这些丑陋残酷的爬虫之中，一群惊惶裸体的灵魂乱窜着。既没有藏身的洞，也找不到隐身的石。他们的手被蛇缠住背在背后；蛇的头穿过他们的腰部，再缠绕在他们的胸前。
离我很近的堤岸上，一条蛇突然跳起来，咬住一个罪人的颈部。比画一圈一竖用的时间都要少的一刹那，那个罪人已经着了火，焚烧成灰；灰落地上，集积起来，他又立即恢复了原形。许多大哲人都说看过菲尼克斯的奇迹，说他活到近五百岁的时候，会死了复生；他在生时不吃草，不吃谷，以香料为食品；他死在松香没药的堆上，这里罪人的变化有点像他。
那个复了原形的罪人站立在我们前面，好像一个人忽然被魔鬼摔倒在地或是被别的什么绊倒，醒后立了起来向四周一看。方才想起所受的痛苦，不觉惨惨地叹息了一番。上帝的权威呀！这是多么严厉的报复呀！那时我的引路人问他是谁；他回答道：“在不久之前，我从托斯卡那来到这个可怕的食管里面。我过的生活不是人的生活，是走兽的，我如同一条骡子。我的名字叫做万尼·符虱。一只野兽；皮斯托亚是我适当的窠。”我对引路人说：”叫他说话不要躲避，问他犯了什么罪才逐放到这里，因为我曾经看见他是个强暴而凶狠的人。”那个罪人听了我的话，不再躲蔽，他把目光和注意力转向我，脸上布满羞耻之色，于是他说：“我的罪恶比你所知道的还要大的多。你要求我说，我不应该拒绝。我之所以堕入这条深沟里，是因为我偷了教堂里的东西；我又把这桩罪恶推到另一个人身上。但是你不要看着我开心，如果你有走出这个幽暗之地的时候，那末请你听一听我的预言：先是皮斯托亚驱逐黑党出境，后来佛罗伦萨革新国家民和法律。战神从玛格拉山谷掀起了风暴，狂风暴雨荡击在皮切诺的田野，那里霹雳一声，消灭了白党。我说了这些话，无非让你听了伤心。”
Tempers his tresses in Aquarius' urn,
And now towards equal day the nights recede,
When as the rime upon the earth puts on
Her dazzling sister's image, but not long
Her milder sway endures, then riseth up
The village hind, whom fails his wintry store,
And looking out beholds the plain around
All whiten'd, whence impatiently he smites
His thighs, and to his hut returning in,
There paces to and fro, wailing his lot,
As a discomfited and helpless man;
Then comes he forth again, and feels new hope
Spring in his bosom, finding e'en thus soon
The world hath chang'd its count'nance, grasps his crook,
And forth to pasture drives his little flock:
So me my guide dishearten'd when I saw
His troubled forehead, and so speedily
That ill was cur'd; for at the fallen bridge
Arriving, towards me with a look as sweet,
He turn'd him back, as that I first beheld
At the steep mountain's foot. Regarding well
The ruin, and some counsel first maintain'd
With his own thought, he open'd wide his arm
And took me up. As one, who, while he works,
Computes his labour's issue, that he seems
Still to foresee the' effect, so lifting me
Up to the summit of one peak, he fix'd
His eye upon another. "Grapple that,"
Said he, "but first make proof, if it be such
As will sustain thee." For one capp'd with lead
This were no journey. Scarcely he, though light,
And I, though onward push'd from crag to crag,
Could mount. And if the precinct of this coast
Were not less ample than the last, for him
I know not, but my strength had surely fail'd.
But Malebolge all toward the mouth
Inclining of the nethermost abyss,
The site of every valley hence requires,
That one side upward slope, the other fall.
At length the point of our descent we reach'd
From the last flag: soon as to that arriv'd,
So was the breath exhausted from my lungs,
I could no further, but did seat me there.
"Now needs thy best of man;" so spake my guide:
"For not on downy plumes, nor under shade
Of canopy reposing, fame is won,
Without which whosoe'er consumes his days
Leaveth such vestige of himself on earth,
As smoke in air or foam upon the wave.
Thou therefore rise: vanish thy weariness
By the mind's effort, in each struggle form'd
To vanquish, if she suffer not the weight
Of her corporeal frame to crush her down.
A longer ladder yet remains to scale.
From these to have escap'd sufficeth not.
If well thou note me, profit by my words."
I straightway rose, and show'd myself less spent
Than I in truth did feel me. "On," I cried,
"For I am stout and fearless." Up the rock
Our way we held, more rugged than before,
Narrower and steeper far to climb. From talk
I ceas'd not, as we journey'd, so to seem
Least faint; whereat a voice from the other foss
Did issue forth, for utt'rance suited ill.
Though on the arch that crosses there I stood,
What were the words I knew not, but who spake
Seem'd mov'd in anger. Down I stoop'd to look,
But my quick eye might reach not to the depth
For shrouding darkness; wherefore thus I spake:
"To the next circle, Teacher, bend thy steps,
And from the wall dismount we; for as hence
I hear and understand not, so I see
Beneath, and naught discern."—"I answer not,"
Said he, "but by the deed. To fair request
Silent performance maketh best return."
We from the bridge's head descended, where
To the eighth mound it joins, and then the chasm
Opening to view, I saw a crowd within
Of serpents terrible, so strange of shape
And hideous, that remembrance in my veins
Yet shrinks the vital current. Of her sands
Let Lybia vaunt no more: if Jaculus,
Pareas and Chelyder be her brood,
Cenchris and Amphisboena, plagues so dire
Or in such numbers swarming ne'er she shew'd,
Not with all Ethiopia, and whate'er
Above the Erythraean sea is spawn'd.
Amid this dread exuberance of woe
Ran naked spirits wing'd with horrid fear,
Nor hope had they of crevice where to hide,
Or heliotrope to charm them out of view.
With serpents were their hands behind them bound,
Which through their reins infix'd the tail and head
Twisted in folds before. And lo! on one
Near to our side, darted an adder up,
And, where the neck is on the shoulders tied,
Transpierc'd him. Far more quickly than e'er pen
Wrote O or I, he kindled, burn'd, and chang'd
To ashes, all pour'd out upon the earth.
When there dissolv'd he lay, the dust again
Uproll'd spontaneous, and the self-same form
Instant resumed. So mighty sages tell,
The' Arabian Phoenix, when five hundred years
Have well nigh circled, dies, and springs forthwith
Renascent. Blade nor herb throughout his life
He tastes, but tears of frankincense alone
And odorous amomum: swaths of nard
And myrrh his funeral shroud. As one that falls,
He knows not how, by force demoniac dragg'd
To earth, or through obstruction fettering up
In chains invisible the powers of man,
Who, risen from his trance, gazeth around,
Bewilder'd with the monstrous agony
He hath endur'd, and wildly staring sighs;
So stood aghast the sinner when he rose.
Oh! how severe God's judgment, that deals out
Such blows in stormy vengeance! Who he was
My teacher next inquir'd, and thus in few
He answer'd: "Vanni Fucci am I call'd,
Not long since rained down from Tuscany
To this dire gullet. Me the beastial life
And not the human pleas'd, mule that I was,
Who in Pistoia found my worthy den."
I then to Virgil: "Bid him stir not hence,
And ask what crime did thrust him hither: once
A man I knew him choleric and bloody."
The sinner heard and feign'd not, but towards me
His mind directing and his face, wherein
Was dismal shame depictur'd, thus he spake:
"It grieves me more to have been caught by thee
In this sad plight, which thou beholdest, than
When I was taken from the other life.
I have no power permitted to deny
What thou inquirest." I am doom'd thus low
To dwell, for that the sacristy by me
Was rifled of its goodly ornaments,
And with the guilt another falsely charged.
But that thou mayst not joy to see me thus,
So as thou e'er shalt 'scape this darksome realm
Open thine ears and hear what I forebode.
Reft of the Neri first Pistoia pines,
Then Florence changeth citizens and laws.
From Valdimagra, drawn by wrathful Mars,
A vapour rises, wrapt in turbid mists,
And sharp and eager driveth on the storm
With arrowy hurtling o'er Piceno's field,
Whence suddenly the cloud shall burst, and strike
Each helpless Bianco prostrate to the ground.
This have I told, that grief may rend thy heart."