Page:Divine Comedy (Longfellow 1867) v1.djvu/169

Rh When he arises and around him looks,

Wholly bewildered by the mighty anguish

Which he has suffered, and in looking sighs;

Such was that sinner after he had risen.

Justice of God! O how severe it is,

That blows like these in vengeance poureth down!

The Guide thereafter asked him who he was;

Whence he replied: "I rained from Tuscany

A short time since into this cruel gorge.

A bestial life, and not a human, pleased me,

Even as the mule I was; I'm Vanni Fucci,

Beast, and Pistoia was my worthy den."

And I unto the Guide: "Tell him to stir not,

And ask what crime has thrust him here below,

For once a man of blood and wrath I saw him."

And the sinner, who had heard, dissembled not,

But unto me directed mind and face,

And with a melancholy shame was painted.

Then said: "It pains me more that thou hast caught me

Amid this misery where thou seest me,

Than when I from the other life was taken.

What thou demandest I cannot deny;

So low am I put down because I robbed

The sacristy of the fair ornaments,