# Inferno Canto 21

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-18 — 1 clipping.*

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> Christianity Index  Divine Comedy Index  Previous: Inferno Canto 20  Next: Inferno Canto 22  
> 
> Canto XXI
> 
> Argument
> 
>      Still in the eighth circle, which bears the name of Malebolge, they look
> down from the bridge that passes over its fifth gulf, upon the barterers or
> public peculators. These are plunged in a lake of boiling pitch, and guarded
> by Demons, to whom Virgil, leaving Dante apart, presents himself; and license
> being obtained to pass onward, both pursue their way.
> 
> Thus we from bridge to bridge, with other talk,
> The which my drama cares not to rehearse,
> Pass'd on; and to the summit reaching, stood
> To view another gap, within the round
> Of Malebolge, other bootless pangs.
> 
> Marvellous darkness shadow'd o'er the place.
> 
> In the Venetians' arsenal as boils
> Through wintry months tenacious pitch, to smear
> Their unsound vessels; for the inclement time
> Seafaring men restrains, and in that while
> His bark one builds anew, another stops
> The ribs of his that hath made many a voyage,
> One hammers at the prow, one at the poop,
> This shapeth oars, that other cables twirls,
> The mizzen one repairs, and main - sail rent;
> So, not by force of fire but art divine,
> Boil'd here a glutinous thick mass, that round
> Limed all the shore beneath. I that beheld,
> But therein naught distinguish'd, save the bubbles
> Raised by the boiling, and one mighty swell
> Heave, and by turns subsiding fall. While there
> I fix'd my ken below, "Mark! mark!" my guide
> Exclaiming, drew me toward him from the place
> Wherein I stood. I turn'd myself, as one
> Impatient to behold that which beheld
> He needs must shun, whom sudden fear unmans,
> That he his flight delays not for the view.
> Behind me I discern'd a devil black,
> That running up advanced along the rock.
> Ah! what fierce cruelty his look bespake.
> In act how bitter did he seem, with wings
> Buoyant outstretch'd and feet of nimblest tread.
> His shoulder, proudly eminent and sharp,
> Was with a sinner charged; by either haunch
> He held him, the foot's sinew griping fast.
> 
> "Ye of our bridge!" he cried. "keen - talon'd fiends!
> Lo! one of Santa Zita's elders. Him
> Whelm ye beneath, while I return for more.
> That land hath store of such. All men are there,
> Except Bonturo, barterers: of 'no'
> For lucre there an 'ay' is quickly made."
> 
> Him dashing down, o'er the rough rock he turn'd;
> Nor ever after thief a mastiff loosed
> Sped with like eager haste. That other sank,
> And forthwith writing to the surface rose.
> But those dark demons, shrouded by the bridge,
> Cried, "Here the hallow'd visage saves not: here
> Is other swimming than in Serchio's wave,
> Wherefore, if thou desire we rend thee not,
> Take heed thou mount not o'er the pitch." This said,
> They grappled him with more than hundred hooks,
> And shouted: "Cover'd thou must sport thee here;
> So, if thou canst, in secret mayst thou filch."
> E'en thus the cook bestirs him, with his grooms,
> To thrust the flesh into the caldron down
> With flesh - hooks, that it float not on the top.
> 
> Me then my guide bespake: "Lest they descry
> That thou art here, behind a craggy rock
> Bend low and screen thee: and whate'er of force
> Be offer'd me, or insult, fear thou not;
> For I am well advised, who have been erst
> In the like fray." Beyond the bridge's head
> Therewith he pass'd; and reaching the sixth pier,
> Behoved him then a forehead terror - proof.
> 
> With storm and fury, as when dogs rush forth
> Upon the poor man's back, who suddenly
> From whence he standeth makes his suit; so rush'd
> Those from beneath the arch, and against him
> Their weapons all they pointed. He, aloud:
> "Be none of you outrageous: ere your tine
> Dare seize me, come forth from amongst you one,
> Who having heard my words, decide he then
> If he shall tear these limbs." They shouted loud,
> "Go, Malacoda!" Whereat one advanced,
> The others standing firm, and as he came,
> "What may this turn avail him?" he exclaim'd.
> 
> "Believest thou, Malacoda! I had come
> Thus far from all your skirmishing secure,"
> My teacher answer'd, "without will divine
> And destiny propitious? Pass we then;
> For so Heaven's pleasure is, that I should lead
> Another through this savage wilderness."
> 
> Forthwith so fell his pride, that he let drop
> The instrument of torture at his feet,
> And to the rest exclaim'd: "We have no power
> To strike him." Then to me my guide: "O thou!
> Who on the bridge among the crags dost sit
> Low crouching, safely now to me return."
> 
> I rose, and toward him moved with speed; the fiends
> Meantime all forward drew: me terror seized,
> Lest they should break the compact they had made.
> Thus issuing from Caprona,[1] once I saw
> Th' infantry, dreading lest his covenant
> The foe should break; so close he hemm'd them round.
> 
> [1: "From Caprona." The surrender of the castle of Caprona to the
> combined forces of Florence and Lucca, on condition that the garrison should
> march out in safety, to which event Dante was a witness, took place in 1290.
> See G. Villani, Hist. lib. vii. c. cxxxvi.]
> 
> I to my leader's side adhered, mine eyes
> With fixt and motionless observance bent
> On their unkindly visage. They their hooks
> Protruding, one the other thus bespake:
> "Wilt thou I touch him on the hip?" To whom
> Was answer'd: "Even so; nor miss thy aim."
> 
> But he, who was in conference with my guide,
> Turn'd rapid round; and thus the demon spake:
> "Stay, stay thee, Scarmiglione!" Then to us
> He added: "Further footing to your step
> This rock affords not, shiver'd to the base
> Of the sixth arch. But would ye still proceed,
> Up by this cavern go: not distant far,
> Another rock will yield you passage safe.
> 
> Yesterday,[2] later by five hours than now,
> Twelve hundred threescore years and six had fill'd
> The circuit of their course, since here the way
> Was broken. Thitherward I straight despatch
> Certain of these my scouts, who shall espy
> If any on the surface bask. With them
> Go ye: for ye shall find them nothing fell.
> Come, Alichino, forth," with that he cried,
> "And Calcabrina, and Cagnozzo thou!
> The troop of ten let Barbariccia lead.
> With Libicocco, Draghinazzo haste,
> Fang'd Ciriatta, Graffiacane fierce,
> And Farfarello, and mad Rubicant.
> Search ye around the bubbling tar. For these,
> In safety lead them, where the other crag
> Uninterrupted traverses the dens."
> 
> [2: "Yesterday." This passage fixes the era of Dante's descent at
> Good Friday, in the year 1300 (thirty - four years from our blessed Lord's
> incarnation being added to 1266), and at the thirty - fifth year of our Poet's
> age. See Canto i. v. I. The awful event alluded to, the Evangelists inform us,
> happened "at the ninth hour," that is, our sixth, when "the rocks were rent,"
> and the convulsion, according to Dante, was felt even in the depths of Hell.
> See Canto xii. v. 38.]
> 
> I then: "O master! what a sight is there.
> Ah! without escort, journey we alone,
> Which, if thou know the way, I covet not.
> Unless thy prudence fail thee, dost not mark
> How they do gnarl upon us, and their scowl
> Threatens us present tortures?" He replied:
> "I charge thee, fear not: let them, as they will,
> Gnarl on: 'tis but in token of their spite
> Against the souls who mourn in torment steep'd."
> 
> To leftward o'er the pier they turn'd; but each
> Had first between his teeth prest close the tongue,
> Toward their leader for a signal looking,
> Which he with sound obscene triumphant gave.
>
> — *Inferno Canto 21*