Page:Divine Comedy (Longfellow 1867) v1.djvu/99

Rh And two behold! upon our left-hand side,

Naked and scratched, fleeing so furiously,

That of the forest every fan they broke.

He who was in advance: "Now help, Death, help!"

And the other one, who seemed to lag too much,

Was shouting: "Lano, were not so alert

Those legs of thine at joustings of the Toppo!"

And then, perchance because his breath was failing,

He grouped himself together with a bush.

Behind them was the forest full of black

She-mastiffs, ravenous, and swift of foot

As greyhounds, who are issuing from the chain.

On him who had crouched down they set their teeth,

And him they lacerated piece by piece,

Thereafter bore away those aching members.

Thereat my Escort took me by the hand,

And led me to the bush, that all in vain

Was weeping from its bloody lacerations.

"O Jacopo," it said, "of Sant' Andrea,

What helped it thee of me to make a screen?

What blame have I in thy nefarious life?"

When near him had the Master stayed his steps,

He said: "Who wast thou, that through wounds so many

Art blowing out with blood thy dolorous speech?"