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Canto Xxiii Hell Translation Part 1

Silent, alone, with no mates at all
We went on there one forth the other back,
Like the minor friars a narrow way crawl.

Of the Aesop’s tale was now on the track
My thought after the previous seen fight,
Where he had to speak of  frog and mouse lack;

Since is not even to “stop” or “go” quite
Done by one to other, if is coupled well
Cause and the effect with a mind fixed right.

And like one thought another can then dwell,
So now sprang up from that another one,
Which doubled my prior fear as I tell. 

I thought this way: “These ones for us begun
To mutual taunt with damage and insult 
In such a way, that I think they are stun.

If anger above bad thus can result,
They will come back us even cruel more
Than dog catching hare trying to exult”.

I was just yet feeling my hair crimped soar
Due to the heavy scare and looked back then,
When I told: “Master, if you don’t act for

Hide us both quickly, I just fear again
Malebranche. We have them back close;
I think so, as feel them here amen”.

And he: “If leaded glass could me compose,
I would not reflect your imagine out
Sooner to me, than the one in me goes.

So evident your thoughts reached mine throughout,
Evident your act, evident your face,
So then for both I made my mind about.

If it's true that the right coast is a place,
From where reach the circle next then we can,
We shall flee the imagined chase and race”.

He didn't finish to tell his mind span,
That I saw them coming with their wings set
Not very distant, to catch us they ran.

My duke fast moved in order to me get,
As a mother who at a sound wakes up
And sees near the open flames beset,

Who then picks up hers son and flees no stop.
Of him more than of herself taking care,
So much that only wears a shirt as top;

And down the drop of the  hard bank right there
Supine he slid over the leaning rock,
Which on one side to next circle is stair.

Ran never so fast water rush overstock
To impel the wheel of an earthy mill,
When it closely approaches the blade’s block,

As did my master falling down that hill,
Bringing me just over his breast along,
As I was his son, not mate, with good will.

When his feet well firm reached stones which belong
To bottom down, so on the hill were those
Well above us; but we were now strong:

Because divine providence who could pose
Them as ministers of  the circle fifth,
That they should never leave it could impose.

There we found people painted as their pith 
Who went much around with paces slow,
Weeping and a weary glum face herewith.

They had mantles equipped with woods quite low
In front of their eyes, built with the same cut
Which in Cologne for monks use to do so.

Out are golden, so that are dazzled; but
Inside are leaded all, the weight so much,
That Friedrich used to wear chaff to rebut.

Oh, forever was hard a mantle such!
We also turned toward left-hand again 
With them, in their crying getting touch;

But due to weight those jaded people when
Walked were so slow, that we new became
Of group at any move on of haunch then.

Thus I to my duke: “You should now aim
To find somebody for acts or name known
And eyes, while going, move fast for same.

And one who recognized my tuscan tone,
Behind us screamed: “Your feet stopped now maintain,
You so fast running in this dark air zone!

Maybe I’ll give what you want to attain”.
Thus my duke turned back to me and told: “Wait,
And then, as low as him go ahead plane”.

Copyright © Mario De Paz | Year Posted 2014

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