10 So goes away, and here abandons me, the sweet Father, and I remain in suspense; 111 and yes and no contend within my head. I could not hear what he proffered to them, but he had not staid there with them long, 114 when vying with each other they ran back within. These our adversaries closed the gates on the breast of my Lord, who remained without, 117 and turned back to me with slow steps. He had his eyes upon the ground, and his brows were shorn of all hardihood, and he was saying with sighs: 120 “Who has denied to me the houses of woe.” And he said to me: “Because I am wroth, be not thou dismayed, for I shall win the contest, 123 whoever circle round within for the defence. This their insolence is not new, for of old they used it at a less secret gate, 126 which still is found without a bolt. Above it thou didst see the dead inscription; and already, on this side of it, is descending the steep, 129 passing without escort through the circles. One such that by him the city shall be opened to us.”
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