Page:Divine Comedy (Longfellow 1867) v1.djvu/114



OW was I where was heard the reverberation

Of water falling into the next round,

Like to that humming which the beehives make,

When shadows three together started forth,

Running, from out a company that passed

Beneath the rain of the sharp martyrdom.

Towards us came they, and each one cried out:

"Stop, thou; for by thy garb to us thou seemest

To be some one of our depraved city."

Ah me! what wounds I saw upon their limbs,

Recent and ancient by the flames burnt in!

It pains me still but to remember it.

Unto their cries my Teacher paused attentive;

He turned his face towards me, and "Now wait,"

He said; "to these we should be courteous.

And if it were not for the fire that darts

The nature of this region, I should say

That haste were more becoming thee than them."