49. Cosmic Battles And Interpersonal Squabbles: INFERNO, Canto X, Lines 1 - 21

We’re already into the sixth circle of hell, but we haven't seen any of the damned yet. Instead, our pilgrim and Virgil are picking their way along a "secret path" between the burning sarcophagi and the walls of Dis.

Here, Virgil again brings up the Last Judgment. But he also picks a fight with our pilgrim. Or maybe Virgil calls out our pilgrim who then responds with a little passive-aggressive anger.

Let’s talk about these cosmic and interpersonal divisions as we pick our way along the terrifying landscape of the heretics, buried in their flaming tombs, ever deeper into the abyss of INFERNO.

The segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:

My English translation of Inferno, Canto X, lines 1 - 21:

Now my master went along a hidden path

Between the walls of the city and the horrors,

And I stayed right at his back.

“O highest virtue, who wheels me

Around these wicked circles,” I began, “if it pleases you,

Let’s talk and fulfill my desires.

The people who lie in these sepulchers,

Might they be seen? All of the lids are off

And no one stands guard.”

And he to me: “All of these tombs will all be closed up

When these return from Jehoshaphat

With the bodies they left up above.

In this part of the cemetery are buried

Epicurus and all his followers,

Who made the soul and body die a single death.

As to the question that you made to me,

Your satisfaction is about to happen inside here,

As well as the desire you keep back from me.”

And I: “Good guide, I wouldn’t hide

My heart from you except to speak fewer words,

For you have previously wanted me to do this very thing.”

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