That sitteth angry within. Know too that Tartarus itself Dives sheer gaping aneath in gloomy profundity downward Twice that height that a man looketh-up t'ward airy Olympus. Lowest there those children of Earth, Titanian elders, 580 In the abyss, where once they fell hurl'd, yet wallowing lie. There the Alöīdæ saw I, th' ungainly rebel twins Primæval, that assay'd to devastate th' Empyræan With huge hands, and rob from Jove his kingdom immortal. And there Salmoneus I saw, rend'ring heavy payment, For that he idly' had mockt heav'n's fire and thunder electric; With chariot many-yoked and torches brandishing on high Driving among 'his Graian folk in Olympian Elis; Exultant as a God he rode in blasphemy worshipt. 589 Fool, who th' unreckoning tempest and deadly dreaded bolt Thought to mimic with brass and confus'd trample of horses! But 'him th' Omnipotent, from amidst his cloudy pavilyon, Blasted, an' eke his rattling car and smoky pretences Extinguish'd at a stroke, scattering ' his dust to the whirlwind. There too huge Tityos, whom Earth that gendereth all things Once foster'd, spreadeth-out o'er nine full roods his immense limbs. On him a wild vulture with hook-beak greedily gorgeth His liver upsprouting quick as that Hell-chicken eateth. Shé diggeth and dwelleth under the vast ribs, her bloody bare neck Lifting anon: ne'er loathes-she the food, ne'er fails the renewal. 600 Where wer' an end their names to relate, their crimes and torments? Some o'er whom a hanging black rock, slipping at very point of Falling, ever threateneth: Couches luxurious invite Softly-cushion'd to repose: Tables for banqueting outlaid Tempt them ever-famishing: hard by them a Fury regardeth, And should théy but a hand uplift, trembling to the dainties, She with live firebrand and direful yell springeth on them. Their crimes,--not to' hav lov'd a brother while love was allow'd them; Or to' hav struck their father, or inveigled a dependant; 609 Or who chancing alone on wealth prey'd lustfully thereon, Nor made share with others, no greater company than they: Some for adultery slain; some their bright swords had offended Drawn i' the wrong: or a master's trust with perfidy had met: Dungeon'd their penalties they await. Look not to be answer'd What that doom, nor th' end of these men think to determine. Sóme aye roll heavy rocks, some whirl dizzy on the revolving Spokes of a pendant wheel: sitteth and to eternity shall sit Unfortun'd Theseus; while sad Phlegias saddeneth hell With vain oyez to' all loud crying a tardy repentance, "Walk, O man, i' the fear of Gód, and learn to be righteous!" Here another, who sold for gold his country, promoting 621 Her tyrant; or annull'd for a base bribe th' inviolate law.