2 Now, along a solitary path between the wall of the city and the torments, 3 my Master goes on, and I behind his shoulders. “O virtue supreme, that through the impious circles dost turn me,” I began, “according to thy pleasure, 6 speak to me and satisfy my desires. The folk that are lying in the sepulchres, might they be seen? all the lids 9 are now lifted, and no one keeps guard.” And he to me: “All will be locked in when they shall return here from Jehoshaphat 12 with the bodies which they have left on earth. Their burial place upon this side have Epicurus with all his followers, 15 who make the soul mortal with the body. Therefore as to the request that thou makest of me, thou shalt soon be satisfied here within; 18 and also as to the desire of which thou art silent to me.” And I: “Good Leader, I hold not hidden my heart from thee except in order to speak little; 21 and not only now hast thou disposed me to this.” “O Tuscan, who through the city of fire goest thy way alive, speaking thus modestly, 24 may it please thee to stop in this place. Thy mode of speech makes manifest that thou art native of that noble fatherland 27 to which perchance I was too molestful.”
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