Page:Divine Comedy (Longfellow 1867) v1.djvu/174

154 The other two looked on, and each of them

Cried out: "O me, Agnello, how thou changest!

Behold, thou now art neither two nor one."

Already the two heads had one become,

When there appeared to us two figures mingled

Into one face, wherein the two were lost.

Of the four lists were fashioned the two arms,

The thighs and legs, the belly and the chest

Members became that never yet were seen.

Every original aspect there was cancelled;

Two and yet none did the perverted image

Appear, and such departed with slow pace.

Even as a lizard, under the great scourge

Of days canicular, exchanging hedge,

Lightning appeareth if the road it cross;

Thus did appear, coming towards the bellies

Of the two others, a small fiery serpent,

Livid and black as is a peppercorn.

And in that part whereat is first received

Our aliment, it one of them transfixed;

Then downward fell in front of him extended.

The one transfixed looked at it, but said naught;

Nay, rather with feet motionless he yawned,

Just as if sleep or fever had assailed him.