Page:Divine Comedy (Longfellow 1867) v1.djvu/202

182 "Latians are we, whom thou so wasted seest,

Both of us here," one weeping made reply;

"But who art thou, that questionest about us?"

And said the Guide: "One am I who descends

Down with this living man from cliff to cliff,

And I intend to show Hell unto him."

Then broken was their mutual support,

And trembling each one turned himself to me,

With others who had heard him by rebound.

Wholly to me did the good Master gather,

Saying: "Say unto them whate'er thou wishest."

And I began, since he would have it so:

"So may your memory not steal away

In the first world from out the minds of men,

But so may it survive 'neath many suns,

Say to me who ye are, and of what people;

Let not your foul and loathsome punishment

Make you afraid to show yourselves to me."

"I of Arezzo was," one made reply,

"And Albert of Siena had me burned;

But what I died for does not bring me here.

'T is true I said to him, speaking in jest,

That I could rise by flight into the air,

And he who had conceit, but little wit,