[589] _The next rib_: Malacoda informs them that the arch of rock across the Sixth Bolgia in continuation of that by which they have crossed the Fifth is in ruins, but that they will find a whole bridge if they keep to the left hand along the rocky bank on the inner edge of the pitch-filled moat. But, as appears further on, he is misleading them. It will be remembered that from the precipice enclosing the Malebolge there run more than one series of bridges or ribs into the central well of Inferno. [590] _Yestreen, etc._: This is the principal passage in the _Comedy_ for fixing the date of the journey. It is now, according to the text, twelve hundred and sixty-six years and a day since the crucifixion. Turning to the _Convito_, iv. 23, we find Dante giving his reasons for believing that Jesus, at His death, had just completed His thirty-fourth year. This brings us to the date of 1300 A.D. But according to Church tradition the crucifixion happened on the 25th March, and to get thirty-four years His life must be counted from the incarnation, which was held to have taken place on the same date, namely the 25th March. It was in Dante's time optional to reckon from the incarnation or the birth of Christ. The journey must therefore be taken to have begun on Friday the 25th March, a fortnight before the Good Friday of 1300; and, counting strictly from the incarnation, on the first day of 1301--the first day of the new century. So we find Boccaccio in his unfinished commentary saying in _Inf._ iii. that it will appear from Canto xxi. that Dante began his journey in MCCCI.--The hour is now five hours before that at which the earthquake happened which took place at the death of Jesus. This is held by Dante (_Convito_ iv. 23), who professes to follow the account by Saint Luke, to have been at the sixth hour, that is, at noon; thus the time is now seven in the morning. [591] _Alichino, etc._: The names of the devils are all descriptive: Alichino, for instance, is the Swooper; but in this and the next Canto we have enough of the horrid crew without considering too closely how they are called. [592] _Unbroken_: Malacoda repeats his lie. [593] _Each bit his tongue, etc._: The demons, aware of the cheat played by Malacoda, show their devilish humour by making game of Virgil and Dante.--Benvenuto is amazed that a man so involved in his own thoughts as Dante was, should have been such a close observer of low life as this passage shows him. He is sure that he laughed to himself as he wrote the Canto. CANTO XXII.