Page:Divine Comedy (Longfellow 1867) v1.djvu/215

Rh "This proud one wished to make experiment

Of his own power against the Supreme Jove,"

My Leader said, "whence he has such a guerdon.

Ephialtes is his name; he showed great prowess,

What time the giants terrified the Gods;

The arms he wielded never more he moves."

And I to him: "If possible, I should wish

That of the measureless Briareus

These eyes of mine might have experience."

Whence he replied: "Thou shalt behold Antæus

Close by here, who can speak and is unbound,

Who at the bottom of all crime shall place us.

Much farther yon is he whom thou wouldst see,

And he is bound, and fashioned like to this one,

Save that he seems in aspect more ferocious."

There never was an earthquake of such might

That it could shake a tower so violently,

As Ephialtes suddenly shook himself.

Then was I more afraid of death than ever,

For nothing more was needful than the fear,

If I had not beheld the manacles.

Then we proceeded farther in advance,

And to Antæus came, who, full five ells

Without the head, forth issued from the cavern.