Page:Divine Comedy (Longfellow 1867) v1.djvu/160

140 O everlastingly fatiguing mantle!

Again we turned us, still to the left hand

Along with them, intent on their sad plaint;

But owing to the weight, that weary folk

Came on so tardily, that we were new

In company at each motion of the haunch.

Whence I unto my Leader: "See thou find

Some one who may by deed or name be known,

And thus in going move thine eye about."

And one, who understood the Tuscan speech,

Cried to us from behind: "Stay ye your feet,

Ye, who so run athwart the dusky air!

Perhaps thou 'lt have from me what thou demandest."

Whereat the Leader turned him, and said: "Wait,

And then according to his pace proceed."

I stopped, and two beheld I show great haste

Of spirit, in their faces, to be with me;

But the burden and the narrow way delayed them.

When they came up, long with an eye askance

They scanned me without uttering a word.

Then to each other turned, and said together:

"He by the action of his throat seems living;

And if they dead are, by what privilege

Go they uncovered by the heavy stole?"