La Divina Commedia Inferno Canto XVIII The song of the Malebolge Time: Sunday, March 26, 1301 (Saturday, April 9, 1300): at sunrise Place: Circle VIII (Malebolge): fraudulents Ditch I: ruffians and seducers – Ditch II: flatterers People: Dante, Virgilio, Gerione, Venedico Caccianemico, Giasone, Alessio Interminelli, Taide, devils © 2021 Dr. M. Junker: Fonetics, metrics, accents colored, protected by Namirial SpA © 1994 Le Lettere: Critical Edition of the Divine Comedy (by Giorgio Petrocchi) English Translation by Charles Eliot Norton: 1901/1952 (Encyclopædia Britannica)
1 Lu go è in inf rno d tto Maleb lge, 1 2 4 6 tutto di pi tra di col r ferrigno, 1 4 8 3 c me la c rchia che dint rno il v lge. 1 4 8 Nel dritto m o del campo maligno 2 4 7 van ggia un p zzo assai largo e prof ndo, 2 4 7 6 di cui s l c dicerò l’ordigno. 2 4 8 Quel cinghio che rimane adunque è t ndo (1) 2 6 8 tra ’l p zzo e ’l piè de l’alta ripa dura, 2 4 6 8 9 e ha distinto in di ci valli il f ndo. 4 6 8 Quale, d!ve per guardia de le mura 1 (3) 6 più"e più f#ssi cingon li cast$lli, 1 3 4 6 12 la parte d%ve s&n r'nde figura, 2 4 6 7 tale(imagine quivi fac)an qu*lli; 1 3 6 9 e c+me,a tai fort-zze da’ l.r s/gli (2) 4 6 (9) 15 a la ripa di fu0r son pontic1lli, 3 6 7 co2ì da3imo de la r4ccia sc5gli 2 4 8 mov6en che ricid7en li8argini9: ’ f;ssi 2 6 7 18 infino<al p=zzo che>i tr?nca@e raccAgli. 2 4 7 In quBsto luCgo, de la schiDna scEssi 2 4 8 di GerïFn, trovammoci;Ge ’l poHIta 4 6 21 tJnneKa sinistra,LeMio diNtro mi mOssi. 1 4 6 7 A la man dPstra vidi nQva piRta, 3 4 6 8 nSvo tormTntoUe nVvi frustatWri, 1 4 6 24 di che la prima bXlgiaYZra repl[ta. 4 6 7 Nel f\ndo]^rano_ignudi`i peccatari; 2 3 6 dal mbcdoein qua ci venfen vgrso ’l vhlto, 2 4 7 8 27 di là con nii, ma con passi maggijri, 2 4 7
2 There is a place in Hell called Malebolge, all of stone and of the color of iron, 3 as is the circular wall that environs it. Right in the middle of this malign field yawns a very wide and deep pit, 6 the structure of which I will tell of in its place. That belt, therefore, which remains is circular between the pit and the foot of the high hard bank, 9 and it has its bed divided into ten valleys. Such a figure as where, for guard of the walls, very many moats encircle castles, 12 the place where they are presents, such image did these make here. And as in such strongholds from their thresholds 15 to the outer bank are little bridges, so from the base of the cliff ran crags which traversed the embankments and the moats 18 far as the pit which cuts them off and collects them. In this place, shaken off from the back of Geryon, we found ourselves; and the Poet 21 held to the left, and I moved on behind. On the right hand I saw new woe, new torments, and new scourgers, 24 with which the first pouch was replete. At its bottom were the sinners naked; on this side the middle they came facing us; 27 on the further side along with us, but with greater steps.
3 ckmeli Roman per l’essmrcito molto, 1 4 7 l’anno del giubilno, su per lo ponte 1 6 7 30 hannopa passar la gqnte mrdo cslto, 1 4 6 8 che da l’un lato tuttithanno la frunte 4 6 7 vvrso ’l castwlloxe vannoya Santo Piztro, 1 4 6 8 33 da l’altra sp{nda vanno v|rso ’l m}nte. (2) 4 6 8 Di qua, di là, su per lo sasso t~tro 2 4 5 8 vidi demn cornuti con gran frze, 1 4 6 9 36 che li batten crudelmnte di rtro. 4 7 Ahi come facan l r levar le brze 1 2 5 6 8 a le prime percsse! già nessuno (3) 6 8 39 le secndeaspettava né le trze. 3 6 8 Mntr’ ioandava, licchi miiin uno 2 4 6 8 furo scontrati;eio sì tsto dissi: 1 4 6 (7) 8 42 «Già di vedr costui non sn digiuno». 1 4 6 8 Per ch’ioa figurarloi pidiaffissi; 2 6 8 e ’l dlce duca mco si risttte, 2 4 6 45 eassento ch’alquantoin di tro gissi. 4 6 8 E quel frustato celar si cred¡tte 2 4 7 bassando ’l vi¢o; ma p£co li valse, 2 4 7 48 ch’io dissi:¤«¥ tu che l’¦cchio§a t¨rra g©tte, (1) 2 4 6 8 se le faziªn che p«rti non s¬n false, 4 6 8.9 Ven dico s®’ tu Caccianem¯co. 2 6 51 Ma che ti m°na±a sì pung²nti salse?». 2 4 6 8 Ed ³lli´a me: «Mal volontiµr lo dico; 2 4 5 8 ma sf¶rzami la tua chiara fav·lla, 2 (6) 7 54 che mi fa sovvenir del m¸ndo¹antico. 3 6 8
4 As the Romans, because of the great host in the year of the Jubilee, over the Bridge 30 have taken means for the passage of the people, so that on one side all have their front toward the Castle, and go to Saint Peter’s, 33 and on the other rim toward the Mount. Along the gloomy rock, on this side and on that, I saw horned demons with great whips, 36 who were beating them cruelly from behind. Ah, how they made them lift their heels at the first blows! truly not one 39 waited for the second, or the third. While I was going on, my eyes by one were encountered, and I said straightway thus: 42 “Ere now for sight of him I have not fasted”; wherefore to shape him out I stayed my feet, and the sweet Leader stopped with me, 45 and assented to my going somewhat back. And that scourged one thought to conceal himself by lowering his face, but it availed him little, 48 for I said: “Thou that castest thine eye upon the ground, if the features that thou bearest are not false, art Venedico Caccianimico; 51 but what brings thee to such stinging Salse?” And he to me: “Unwillingly I tell it, but thy plain speech compels me, 54 which makes me remember the old world.
5 I’ fui colui che la Ghiºolab»lla (2) 4 condussi¼a far la v½glia del march¾¿e, 2 4 6 57 cÀme che suÁni la scÂncia novÃlla. (1) 4 7 E non pur io qui piango bolognÄÅe; 2 4.5 6 anzi n’è quÆsto lÇco tanto piÈno, 1 (3) (4) 6 8 60 che tante lingue non sÉn ÊraËapprÌÍe 2 4 6 8 a dÎcer ‘sipa’ tra SàvenaÏe RÐno; 2 4 7 e se di ciò vuÑi fÒdeÓo testimÔnio, 4 6 63 rècatiÕa mÖnte×il nØstroÙavaro sÚno». 1 4 6 8 CoÛì parlandoÜil percÝsseÞun demßnio (2) 4 7 de la sua scurïada,àe disse: «Via, 3 6 8 66 ruffian! qui non sán fâmmine da cãnio». 2 3 5 6 I’ mi raggiunsi con la scärta mia; 4 8 påscia con pæchi passi divenimmo 1 (4) 6 69 là ’v’ uno scçglio de la ripaèuscia. 1 4 8 Assai leggeraménte quêl salimmo; 2 6 8 e vòltiëa dìstra su per la sua schíggia, 2 4 6 72 da quîlle cïrchieðettñrne ci partimmo. 2 4 6 Quando nòi fummo là dóv’ ôl vanõggia 1 (3) 4 6 8 di sötto per dar passo÷a li sferzati, 2 (5) 6 75 lo duca disse:ø«Attiùnti,úe fa che fûggia (2) 4 6 8 lo viüoýin te di quþst’ altri mal nati, 2 4 7 ai quali anc r non ved sti la faccia 2 4 (5) 7 78 però che s n con n i insi me andati». 2 4 6 8 Del v cchio p nte guardavam la traccia 2 4 8 che venìa v rso n i da l’altra banda, 3 4 6 8 81 e che la f rza similm nte scaccia. 4 8
6 I was he who brought the beautiful Ghisola to do the will of the Marquis, 57 however the shameful tale may be reported. And not the only Bolognese do I weep here; nay, this place is so full of them, 60 that so many tongues are not now taught between Savena and the Reno to say sipa, and if of this thou wishest assurance or testimony, 63 bring to mind our avaricious breasts.” As he spoke thus a demon struck him with his thong and said: “Begone, 66 pander, here are no women for coining.” I rejoined my Escort; then with few steps we came 69 to where a crag jutted from the bank. We ascended it easily enough, and turning to the right upon its ridge, 72 from those eternal encircling walls we departed. When we were there where it opens below to give passage to the scourged, 75 the Leader said: “Wait, and let strike the sight on thee of these others born to ill, of whom thou hast not yet seen the face, 78 because they have gone along together with us.” From the old bridge we looked at the train that was coming toward us on the other side, 81 and which the scourge in like manner drives on.
7 E ’l bu n ma stro, sanza mia dimanda, 2 4 6 (8) mi disse: «Guarda qu l grande che v ne, 2 4 7 84 e per dol r non par lagrime spanda: 4 6 7 quanto asp tto re ale anc r rit ne! 1 3 6 8 Qu lli è Ia òn, che per cu re e per s!nno 1.2 4 7 87 li C"lchi del mont#n privati féne. 2 6 8 $llo passò per l’i%ola di L&nno 1 4 6 p'i che l’ardite f(mmine spietate 1 4 6 90 tutti li maschi l)ro*a m+rte di,nno. 1 4 6 8 Ivi con s-gni.e con par/le0ornate 1 4 8 I12file3ingannò, la giovin4tta 2 6 93 che prima5av6a tutte l’altre7ingannate. 2 4 5 7 Lasci8lla quivi, gravida, sol9tta; 2 4 6 tal c:lpa;a tal martiro lui condanna; (1) 2 (4) 6 8 96 e<anche di Med=a si fa vend>tta. (2) 6 (8) Con lui s?n va chi da tal parte@inganna; 2 4 (5.7) 8 e quAsto basti de la prima valle (2) 4 8 99 sapereBe di colCr che ’n séDassanna». 2 6 8 GiàEFravam là ’ve lo strGtto calle 1 4 5 8 con l’argine secHndo s’incrocicchia, 2 6 102 e fa di quIlloJad un altr’ arco spalle. (2) 4 (7) 8 Quindi sentimmo gKnte che si nicchia 1 (4) 6 ne l’altra bLlgiaMe che col muNo scuffa, 2 4 8 105 e sé medOPma con le palme picchia. 2 4 8 Le ripeQRran grommate d’una muffa, 2 (3) 6 per l’alito di giù che vi s’appasta, 2 6 108 che con liSTcchiUe col naVo facWa Xuffa. 3 6 9
8 The good Master, without my asking, said to me: “Look at that great one who is coming, 84 and seems not to shed a tear for pain. What royal aspect he still retains! He is Jason, who by courage and by wit 87 despoiled the Colchians of their ram. He passed by the isle of Lemnos, after the bold pitiless women 90 had given all their males to death. There with tokens and with ornate words he deceived Hypsipyle, the maiden, 93 who first had deceived all the others. There he left her big with child, and lonely; such guilt condemns him to such torment; 96 and also for Medea is vengeance wrought. With him goes whoever in such wise deceives. And let this suffice to know of the first valley, 99 and of those that it holds in its fangs.” We were now where the narrow path intersects with the second embankment, 102 and makes of that abutments for another arch. From there we heard people whining in the next pouch, and puffing with their muzzles, 105 and beating themselves with their palms. The banks were encrusted with a mould by the breath from below which sticks on them, 108 and was making quarrel with the eyes and with the nose.
9 Lo fYndoZè cupo sì, che non ci basta 2 4 6 8 l[co\a ved]r sanza montare^al d_sso 1 4 5 8 111 de l’arco,`ave lo scbglio più sovrasta. 2 (3) 6 8 Quivi venimmo;ce quindi giù nel fdsso 1 4 6 (8) vidi gentefattuffatagin uno sthrco 1 3 6 114 che da liiuman privadi parja mksso. 4 6 9 E mlntre ch’io là giù con l’mcchio cnrco, 2 (4) 6 8 vidioun col capo sì di mprda lqrdo, 1 2 4 6 8 117 che non parra s’sra laicoto churco. (2) 4 8 Quvi mi sgridò: «Perché sw’ tu sì gxrdo (1) 4 6 (8) di riguardar più me che liyaltri brutti?». 4 6 8 120 Ezio{a lui: «Perché, se b|n ric}rdo, 2 4 6 8 già t’ho veduto c~i caplliasciutti, (1) 4 8 e s’AlssioIntermin i da Lucca: (2) 4 8 123 però t’adcchio più che lialtri tutti». 2 4 6 8 Ed lliallr, battndosi la ucca: 2 4 6 «Qua giù m’hanno sommrso le lusinghe 2 3 6 126 nd’ io non bbi mai la lingua stucca». (2) 4 6 8 Apprsso ciò lo duca «Fa che pinghe», (2) 4 6 8 mi disse,«il vioun pco piùavante, 2 4 6 129 sì che la faccia bn con l’cchioattinghe (1) 4 6 8 di qulla szzae scapigliata fante (2) 4 8 che là si graffia con l’unghie merde, 2 4 7 132 er s’acc scia¡e¢£ra¤è¥in pi¦di stante. (2) 4 6 8 T§ïde¨è, la puttana che rispu©ªe 1 3 6 al drudo suo quando disse«“Ho¬io grazie 2 4 5 7 9 135 grandi ®po te?”:¯“Anzi maravigli°±e!”. 1 (2) 4 5
10 The bottom is so hollowed out that no place suffices us for seeing it, without mounting to the crown 111 of the arch where the crag rises highest. Hither we came, and thence down in the ditch I saw people plunged in a filth 114 that seemed to have come from human privies. And while I am searching down there with my eye, I saw one with his head so foul with ordure 117 that it was not apparent whether he were layman or clerk. He shouted to me: “Why art thou so greedy to look more at me than at the other filthy ones?” 120 And I to him: “Because, if I remember rightly, ere now I have seen thee with dry hair, and thou art Alessio Interminei of Lucca; 123 therefore I eye thee more than all the rest.” And he then, beating his pate: “Down here the flatteries have submerged me 126 wherewith I never had my tongue cloyed.” Hereupon my Leadersaid to me: “Mind thou push thy look a little further forwards 129 so that thou mayest quite reach with thine eyes the face of that dirty and disheveled wench, who is scratching herself there with her nasty nails, 132 and now is crouching down and now standing on foot. She is Thais the harlot, who answered her paramour when he said: ‘Have I great 135 thanks from thee?’—’Nay, marvelous.’
11 E quinci s²an le n³stre viste sazie». 2 4 6 8
12 And herewith let our sight be satisfied.”
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