[216] _As fowls, etc._: 'As a bird to its lure'--generally interpreted of the falcon when called back. But a witness of the sport of netting thrushes in Tuscany describes them as 'flying into the vocal ambush in a hurried, half-reluctant, and very remarkable manner.' [217] _Courteous Master_: Virgil here gives the answer promised at line 76; and Dante by the epithet he uses removes any impression that his guide had been wanting in courtesy when he bade him wait. [218] _Wherefore_: Charon's displeasure only proves that he feels he has no hold on Dante. [219] _Trembled, etc._: Symbolical of the increase of woe in Inferno when the doomed souls have landed on the thither side of Acheron. Hell opens to receive them. Conversely, when any purified soul is released from Purgatory the mountain of purification trembles to its base with joy (_Purg._ xxi. 58). CANTO IV. Resounding thunder broke the slumber deep That drowsed my senses, and myself I shook Like one by force awakened out of sleep. Then rising up I cast a steady look, With eyes refreshed, on all that lay around, And cognisance of where I found me took. In sooth, me on the valley's brink I found Of the dolorous abyss, where infinite Despairing cries converge with thundering sound.[220] Cloudy it was, and deep, and dark as night; 10 So dark that, peering eagerly to find What its depths held, no object met my sight. 'Descend we now into this region blind,' Began the Poet with a face all pale; 'I will go first, and do thou come behind.' Marking the wanness on his cheek prevail, I asked, 'How can I, seeing thou hast dread, My wonted comforter when doubts assail?' 'The anguish of the people,' then he said, 'Who are below, has painted on my face 20 Pity,[221] by thee for fear interpreted. Come! The long journey bids us move apace.' Then entered he and made me enter too The topmost circle girding the abyss. Therein, as far as I by listening knew, There was no lamentation save of sighs, Whence throbbed the air eternal through and through. This, sorrow without suffering made arise From infants and from women and from men, Gathered in great and many companies. 30 And the good Master: 'Wouldst thou[222] nothing then Of who those spirits are have me relate? Yet know, ere passing further, although when On earth they sinned not, worth however great Availed them not, they being unbaptized-- Part[223] of the faith thou holdest. If their fate Was to be born ere man was Christianised, God, as behoved, they never could adore: And I myself am with this folk comprised. For such defects--our guilt is nothing more-- 40 We are thus lost, suffering from this alone That, hopeless, we our want of bliss deplore.' Greatly I sorrowed when he made this known,