The Divine Comedy (Illustrated Edition). Dante Alighieri

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      Canto X

       Table of Contents

      ARGUMENT.—Dante, having obtained permission from his guide, holds discourse with Farinata degli Uberti and Cavalcante Cavalcanti, who lie in their fiery tombs that are yet open, and not to be closed up till after the last judgment. Farinata predicts the Poet’s exile from Florence; and shows him that the condemned have knowledge of future things, but are ignorant of what is at present passing, unless it be revealed by some newcomer from earth.

      NOW by a secret pathway we proceed,

      Between the walls, that hem the region round,

      And the tormented souls: my master first,

      I close behind his steps. “Virtue supreme!”

      I thus began; “who through these ample orbs

      In circuit lead’st me, even as thou will’st,

      Speak thou, and satisfy my wish. May those,

      Who lie within these sepulchres, be seen?

      Already all the lids are rais’d, and none

      O’er them keeps watch.” He thus in answer spake

      “They shall be closed all, what-time they here

From Josaphat1 return’d shall come, and bring

      Their bodies, which above they now have left.

      The cemetery on this part obtain

      With Epicurus all his followers,

      Who with the body make the spirit die.

      Here therefore satisfaction shall be soon

Both to the question ask’d, and to the wish,2

      Which thou conceal’st in silence.” I replied:

      “I keep not, guide belov’d! from thee my heart

      Secreted, but to shun vain length of words,

      A lesson erewhile taught me by thyself.”

      “O Tuscan! thou who through the city of fire

      Alive art passing, so discreet of speech!

      Here please thee stay awhile. Thy utterance

      Declares the place of thy nativity

      To be that noble land, with which perchance

      I too severely dealt.” Sudden that sound

      Forth issu’d from a vault, whereat in fear

      I somewhat closer to my leader’s side

      Approaching, he thus spake: “What dost thou? Turn.

Lo, Farinata,3 there! who hath himself

      Uplifted: from his girdle upwards all

      Expos’d behold him.” On his face was mine

      Already fix’d; his breast and forehead there

      Erecting, seem’d as in high scorn he held

      E’en hell. Between the sepulchres to him

      My guide thrust me with fearless hands and prompt,

      This warning added: “See thy words be clear!”