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

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

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

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we hear about cosmic divisions and interpersonal ones as we pick our way with the pilgrim in the terrifying landscape of the heretics, buried in tombs in the sixth circle of INFERNO.

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.”