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 He never once mentions his name, or, like the Emperor Justinian, who in Par. VI., 10, tells Dante "I was Cæsar, I am Justinian," he would probably have said; "I was Count of Montefeltro, I am Guido." Buonconte, Guido's son, does so in Purg. V., 88:


 * "Io fui di Montefeltro, io son Buonconte."

Dante not only asks Guido to tell him his name, but also to relate the history of his life. Dr. Carlyle remarks that Dante speaks to Guide with a child-Iike tenderness and pity.

It is with obvious reluctance that Guido allows himself to be persuaded into relating his history. The secret plotter, who all his life had worked in hidden ways, feels great repugnance to utter a word about himself that might be made public on earth. It must be remembered that the Count had left behind him in the world a highly honourable reputation for piety following on to deep penitence, and he would naturally shrink from having this dark tale of his fraudulent counsel, hitherto unknown, brought to light. He turns over in his mind the pros and the cons, and without questioning the Poets, decides the matter for himself, but decides wrongly, by coming to the conclusion that both are spirits, and that any secrets he may utter will be quite safe. His intuitive power of nice discrimination has left him. He commences his relation, which lasts to the end of the Canto.

"S' io credesai che mia risposta fosse A persona che mai tornasse al mondo, Questa flamma steria senza più scosse: Ma perocchè giammai di questo fondo Non tornò vivo alcun, s'i'odo il vero, Senza tema d'lnfamia ti rispondo. Io fui uom d'arme, a poi fui cordelliero, Credendomi, sì cinto, fare ammenda: E certo il creder mio veniva intero, Se non fosse il gran Prete, a cui mal prenda,