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Hell Translation Canto Xxxi Part1

The same speech before hardly could bit me
So that were redden both my cheeks for shame,
And after gave  me comfort as to free;

So used to be the spear, I felt the same,
Of Achilles and of his father cause
Before of bad and after of good game.

We of the wretched vale went where top was
Up to the bank encircling it around,
Moving throughout no words, a speaking pause.
 
Here  less than night and less than day we found,
So that my view not far enough could scan;
But I heard an intense horn emit sound,

So high that any thunder less would span,
Which, attracting to itself the path next,
Compelled my eyes toward a site to run.

When, after the so mournful defeat vexed
Charlemagne the saint war had harshly lost,
Orlando’s  sound had not as hard effects.

Not for long time my head there I tossed,
Since I thought to glance many high towers
So I: “Master, tell me, which land we crossed?”

And he to me: “Since in the trip of ours
You spent so much time in this dark too long,
This for you less fantasy empowers.

You shall see well, if you there go along,
How much the sense deceives when you are far;
So that yourself  you  punish much more strong”.

Then tenderly held my hand not afar
And told: “Before then we reach there the place ,
To avoid that the fact shows as bizarre,

Learn that not towers, but giants will displace,
And are within the well around the hem
From navel down all of them to encase”.

As when the fog by chance is brought to stem,
The sight represents slowly bit by bit
Things while the vapor is still hiding them,
So heavy and dark air trying to split,
Toward the rim then moving more and more,
Recognized my mistake while fearing it;

Because, as well as on the circled core
Monteriggioni of towers has crown,
So on the bank encircling the well bore

Towering were half body all around
The horrible giants, who just threatened are 
By Jupiter when thunders from sky down.

And I could yet see of some the face far
Shoulders and breast of belly the most part,
And down nearby the sides both limbs just were.

Nature for certain, when exerted its art
In such done animals, acted much well
To give them as executors to Mars.

And if she of elephants and wales dwell
Is not repenting, who watches it deep,
Considers her more wise, worthy to tell;

Since there where the mind reasoning upkeep
Is joined to power and also to bad will
No shelter people can provide and keep.

His face looked to me so long and large still
As Saint Peter’s pine cone in Rome great so,
And other bones had same proportion thrill; 

So that the bank, which as apron stow
From middle down, was showing so much
Of upper part, that to reach hair though

Three Frisian horses might not be as such;
Because there thirty big spans I could see
From place down where the mantle’s clasp touch.

 “Raphèl maì amècche zabì al mee”,
Then wildly started the fierce mouth to shout,
Which did not hold of sweeter songs the key. 

And duke to him: “O soul wisdom without,
Remain with horn, with it give vent to
Any rage or passion you keeps about!

Look for at neck, and you find the tie too
Which now binds it, o soul confused this way,
And see the one who your large breast binds through”.

Then told me: “He bids himself with such say;
This is Nembrotto whose just evil thought
Cannot be expressed in world right away.

Let him stay back and avoid to tell naught;
Since is to him effective any speech
Like his to others, by no one is taught”.

(continues next)

Copyright © Mario De Paz | Year Posted 2015

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