The Divine Comedy, Volume 1, Hell — Dante Alighieri — John Shaqi
The Divine Comedy, Volume 1, Hell
Dante Alighieri · en
[1] Probably Thibault II., the brother-in-law of St Louis, who
accompanied him on his last disastrous crusade, and died on his way
home in 1270.
And Ciriatto, from whose mouth protruded on either side a tusk, as in a
boar, made him feel how one of them rips. Among evil cats the mouse had
come; but Barbariccia clasped him in his arms, and said, “Stand off,
while I enfork him,” and to my Master turned his face. “Ask,” said he,
“if thou desirest to know more from him, before some other undo him.”
The Leader, “Now, then, tell of the other sinners; knowst thou any one
under the pitch who is Italian?” And he, “I parted short while since
from one who was a neighbor to it; would that with him I still were
covered so that I might not fear claw or hook.” And Libicocco said, “We
have borne too much,” and seized his arm with his grapple so that,
tearing, he carried off a sinew of it. Draghignazzo, also, he wished to
give him a clutch down at his legs, whereat their decurion turned round
about with evil look.
When they were a little appeased, my Leader, without delay, asked him
who still was gazing at his wound, “Who was he from whom thou sayest
thou madest in parting to come to shore?” And he replied, “It was
Brother Gomita, he of Gallura,[1] vessel of all fraud, who held the
enemies of his lord in hand, and dealt so with them that they all
praise him for it. Money he took, and let them smoothly off, so he
says; and in other offices besides he was no little barrator, but
sovereign. With him frequents Don Michael Zanche of Logodoro,[2] and in
talking of Sardinia their tongues feel not weary. O me! see ye that
other who is grinning: I would say more, but I fear lest he is making
ready to scratch my itch.” And the grand provost, turning to
Farfarello, who was rolling his eyes as if to strike, said, “Get thee
away, wicked bird!”
[1] Gallura, one of the four divisions of Sardinia, called judicatures,
made by the Pisans, after their conquest of the island. The lord of
Gomita was the gentle Judge Nino, whom Dante meets in Purgatory. Gomita
was hung for his frauds.
[2] Logodoro was another of the judicatures of Sardinia. Don Michael
Zanche was a noted man, but of his special sins little or nothing has
been recorded by the chroniclers.