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Canto Xxii Hell Translation Part 2

(continued previous part 1)

The duke then: “Tell now: of others indeed
Some Latin among sinners do you know 
Behind pitch?”. And he “I  had to secede,

It’s not much, from one who near had to stow.
I wish I were with him so covered still,
Since fear no hook nor claw I would not owe!”.

And Libicocco “Too much we stopped our will”,
Told; and grappled his limb with the hook,
So that, by tearing, had a piece of meat fill.

Draghignazzo too now his fork then took
To catch his legs, so that the chief of their
Turned his head around with malicious look.

When those became a little less unfair,
To him, who was still looking at his wound,
My duke then asked in a very short wear:

“Who is the one from whom you left unsound,
As you have told us, to come up afloat?”
And he told: “Friar Gomita was bound,

The one from Gallura, of all frauds moat,
Who had enemies of his lord at hand,
And acted so, that they had good to note.

Money he kept, and left them to disband,
As was told, and in other duties too
Barterer was not small, but of great brand.

With him Don Michael Zanche had same to do
At Logodoro; and Sardinians say
That their tongues are not tired for gossip true.

Alas, you see who teeth gnashes in bad way;
I would continue, but I fear that he
Is going to scratch my head right away”.

And the main chief, to Farfarello with esprit
While was goggling his eyes ready to hit,
Told: “Move out of here bad bird inductee!”

“If you want to see or hear to admit”,
Started again the out of fear now then,
“Tuscans or Lombard, I call the nominee;

But Malebranche must stop hooking when
They are coming on, so they have no fear;
And I, sitting now in this site again,

In place of me one, seven will be here
When I will whistle, as always we use
To do whenever one out has to appear”.

Cagnazzo at these words his muzzle skews
His head waging, telling: “malice you see
He thought to escape and so safe ensues!”.

So he, who of foxiness full could be,
Answered; “Malicious I am now too much,
Since to my mates is more gloom from me”.

Alichin could not restrain himself and such
As others, told him: “If you self-drop down,
I will not get back at gallop to touch,
  
But I will flatter over the pitch around.
Leave his neck free, and let be screen the bank,
To show if more than us you deserve renown”.

Oh reader, you shall hear a new play rank:
Each one his eyes turned to the other coast,
First the one, who to do that was more swank.

The Navarrian caught his time at most;
Firmly put his feet on ground and then fast
Jumped away from them so was freed with swamp.

Of this each one by fault was just harassed,
But the one who the error caused was more;
Thus he moved on and shouted: “You are passed!”.

But little could do: since wings to soul sore
Could not go forward, he dived below then
And that soaring straightened up his breast fore:

Not different the duck rapid does when
The falcon approaches, it down dives,
And other vexed and tired returns again.

Calcabrina for the mockery strives,
Flying back him he went, attracted by
The occasion of fighting if he lives;

And as the barterer submerged thereby,
So he then turned the claws against his mate
And became with him so tethered and wry.

But the other was rapacious hawk great
In clawing him so well, and both just so
Fell down in middle boiling pitch well straight.

The hot fighter tried to get up and go;
But by no means he could now perform this,
Because his wings were got involved and slow.

Barbariccia, with mates sorry to miss,
Four of them sent then to the other coast
With all the hooks, and instantly assists.

From here, from there they went down just post;
Their hooks toward the pitched now extended
Who were within that mud just almost roast.

And we left them so clumsy way contended.

Copyright © Mario De Paz | Year Posted 2014

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