But let the Malebranche cease a little, So that these may not their revenges fear, And I, down sitting in this very place, For one that I am will make seven come, When I shall whistle, as our custom is To do whenever one of us comes out." Cagnazzo at these words his muzzle lifted, Shaking his head, and said: "Just hear the trick Responded: "I by far too cunning am, Alichin held not in, but running counter Unto the rest, said to him: "If thou dive, The height be left, and be the bank a shield, The Navarrese selected well his time; Planted his feet on land, and in a moment Leaped, and released himself from their design. Whereat each one was suddenly stung with shame, Therefore he moved, and cried: "Thou art o'ertaken.” But little it availed, for wings could not Outstrip the fear; the other one went under, And, flying, upward he his breast directed. Not otherwise the duck upon a sudden Dives under, when the falcon is approaching, Infuriate at the mockery, Calcabrina Flying behind him followed close, desirous The other should escape, to have a quarrel. And when the barrator had disappeared, He turned his talons upon his companion, To clapperclaw him well; and both of them A sudden intercessor was the heat; But ne'ertheless of rising there was naught, 130 135 140 Lamenting with the others, Barbariccia 145 Made four of them fly to the other side This side and that they to their posts descended ; They stretched their hooks towards the pitch-ensnared, And in this manner busied did we leave them. CANTO XXIII. SILENT, alone, and without company We went, the one in front, the other after, As go the Minor Friars along their way. Upon the fable of Æsop was directed My thought, by reason of the present quarrel, Where he has spoken of the frog and mouse; For mo and issa are not more alike Than this one is to that, if well we couple Are laughed to scorn, with injury and scoff They will come after us more merciless Than dog upon the leveret which he seizes," I felt my hair stand all on end already With terror, and stood backwardly intent, I am in dread; we have them now behind us; Thine outward image I should not attract If peradventure the right bank so slope That we to the next Bolgia can descend, Not yet he finished rendering such opinion, When I beheld them come with outstretched wings, Even as a mother who by noise is wakened, Having more care of him than of herself, To turn the wheel of any land-built mill, Hardly the bed of the ravine below His feet had reached, ere they had reached the hill For the high Providence, which had ordained To place them ministers of the fifth moat, The power of thence departing took from all. A painted people there below we found, They had on mantles with the hoods low down Who went about with footsteps very slow, Weeping and in their semblance tired and vanquished. Before their eyes, and fashioned of the cut That in Cologne they for the monks are made. Without, they gilded are so that it dazzles ; But inwardly all leaden and so heavy O everlastingly fatiguing mantle ! Again we turned us, still to the left hand Came on so tardily, that we were new Some one who may by deed or name be known, Perhaps thou'lt have from me what thou demandest.” I stopped, and two beheld I show great haste They scanned me without uttering a word. Do not disdain to tell us who thou art." In the great town on the fair river of Arno, Along your cheeks such grief as I behold? I Catalano, and he Loderingo Named, and together taken by thy city, As the wont is to take one man alone, For maintenance of its peace; and we were such "O Friars," began I, "your iniquitous . . .' But said no more; for to mine eyes there rushed Blowing into his beard with suspirations; Counselled the Pharisees that it was meet As thou perceivest; and he needs must feel, Whoever passes, first how much he weighs; And in like mode his father-in-law is punished Within this moat, and the others of the council, Which for the Jews was a malignant seed." And thereupon I saw Virgilius marvel Then he directed to the Friar this voice: "Be not displeased, if granted thee, to tell us If to the right hand any pass slope down By which we two may issue forth from here, Without constraining some of the black angels There is a rock, that forth from the great circle Save that at this 'tis broken, and does not bridge it ; Then said: "The business badly he recounted Once heard I at Bologna, and among them, That he's a liar and the father of lies." Thereat my Leader with great strides went on, Somewhat disturbed with anger in his looks; Whence from the heavy-laden I departed After the prints of his beloved feet. CANTO XXIV. IN that part of the youthful year wherein The Sun his locks beneath Aquarius tempers, Rises, and looks, and seeth the champaign |