Page:Undivine Comedy - Zygmunt Krasiński, tr. Martha Walker Cook.djvu/153

Rh rounding this head of a pin! But whenever the hour of death, tolling always in the distance, echoed nearer along the walls of this gigantic vault, here one, and then another, would bow his head, and roll with a groan into his own ditch. Then their souls became visible; like bluish clouds, and somewhat resembling the implements of their life-long labors, they detached themselves from their bodies, and skimming along the surface of the earth, they floated on towards the yellow and distant sun!

At the approach of the Seer, the men rose, and, breaking their lamps, cried: "If you are the gods or the demons of whom we have heard,—and it matters to us little which you are,—give us gold! gold!"

And their skeletons extended their shivering hands!

The blood of indignation colored the pale face of Dante as he replied: "Mercenary wretches, possessed by the Demon!" And, like inert masses, they fell to earth before the Spirit!

The face of Dante again flushed, but it was with the glow of inspiration, as he said: "Would you understand me if I should prophesy to you of the future? When my body advanced from the other side of the grave through the free light of the sun towards death, there were also artisans upon the earth, and the banners of their guilds floated from the terraces of the towers. They trafficked in purple, fine gold, and precious stones upon the public marts, but they carried the sword, and the rosary of prayer hung at their girdles. Their hands could guide the helm over the stormy waves, and their brains could raise invincible fortresses upon the land. They received gold; but they washed its stain away in the blood of battle! But you, to-day, whose fingers are as soft as wax, what could you possibly effect? You, whose lips have never breathed a prayer! You have no strength upon earth, no hope in heaven! You have lost the sinews of men in the thirst for gold!"

A boy, beautiful as an angel, but faded before his time by the rude labor exacted from his little hands, dragged himself to him, and placing his head upon his feet, murmured, in low tones: "Have pity upon us! All that we can gain through the day we are forced to spend at night;