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”.