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their footsteps and mine own was fain To share by turns my view。 At the
hymn's close They shouted loud； 〃I do not know a man；〃 Then in low
voice again took up the strain； Which once more ended； 〃To the wood；〃
they cried； 〃Ran Dian； and drave forth Callisto； stung With Cytherea's
poison：〃 then return'd Unto their song； then marry a pair extoll'd； Who
liv'd in virtue chastely； and the bands Of wedded love。 Nor from that
task； I ween； Surcease they； whilesoe'er the scorching fire Enclasps them。
Of such skill appliance needs To medicine the wound； that healeth last。
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CANTO XXVI
While singly thus along the rim we walk'd； Oft the good master warn'd
me： 〃Look thou well。 Avail it that I caution thee。〃 The sun Now all the
western clime irradiate chang'd From azure tinct to white； and； as I pass'd；
My passing shadow made the umber'd flame Burn ruddier。 At so strange
a sight I mark'd That many a spirit marvel'd on his way。 This bred
occasion first to speak of me； 〃He seems；〃 said they； 〃no insubstantial
frame：〃 Then to obtain what certainty they might； Stretch'd towards me；
careful not to overpass The burning pale。 〃O thou； who followest The
others； haply not more slow than they； But mov'd by rev'rence； answer me；
who burn In thirst and fire： nor I alone； but these All for thine answer do
more thirst； than doth Indian or Aethiop for the cooling stream。 Tell us；
how is it that thou mak'st thyself A wall against the sun； as thou not yet
Into th' inextricable toils of death Hadst enter'd？〃 Thus spake one； and I
had straight Declar'd me； if attention had not turn'd To new appearance。
Meeting these； there came； Midway the burning path； a crowd； on whom
Earnestly gazing； from each part I view The shadows all press forward；
sev'rally Each snatch a hasty kiss； and then away。 E'en so the emmets； 'mid
their dusky troops； Peer closely one at other； to spy out Their mutual road
perchance； and how they thrive。 That friendly greeting parted； ere
dispatch Of the first onward step； from either tribe Loud clamour rises：
those； who newly come； Shout Sodom and Gomorrah！〃 these； 〃The cow
Pasiphae enter'd； that the beast she woo'd Might rush unto her luxury。〃
Then as cranes； That part towards the Riphaean mountains fly； Part
towards the Lybic sands； these to avoid The ice； and those the sun； so
hasteth off One crowd； advances th' other； and resume Their first song
weeping； and their several shout。 Again drew near my side the very
same； Who had erewhile besought me； and their looks Mark'd eagerness to
listen。 I； who twice Their will had noted； spake： 〃O spirits secure；
Whene'er the time may be； of peaceful end！ My limbs； nor crude； nor in
mature old age； Have I left yonder： here they bear me； fed With blood； and
sinew…strung。 That I no more May live in blindness； hence I tend aloft。
There is a dame on high； who wind for us This grace； by which my mortal
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through your realm I bear。 But may your utmost wish soon meet Such
full fruition； that the orb of heaven； Fullest of love； and of most ample
space； Receive you； as ye tell （upon my page Henceforth to stand recorded）
who ye are； And what this multitude； that at your backs Have past behind
us。〃 As one； mountain…bred； Rugged and clownish； if some city's walls
He chance to enter； round him stares agape； Confounded and struck dumb；
e'en such appear'd Each spirit。 But when rid of that amaze； （Not long the
inmate of a noble heart） He； who before had question'd； thus resum'd： 〃O
blessed； who； for death preparing； tak'st Experience of our limits； in thy
bark！ Their crime； who not with us proceed； was that； For which； as he did
triumph； Caesar heard The snout of 'queen；' to taunt him。 Hence their cry
Of 'Sodom；' as they parted； to rebuke Themselves； and aid the burning by
their shame。 Our sinning was Hermaphrodite： but we； Because the law of
human kind we broke； Following like beasts our vile concupiscence；
Hence parting from them； to our own disgrace Record the name of her； by
whom the beast In bestial tire was acted。 Now our deeds Thou know'st；
and how we sinn'd。 If thou by name Wouldst haply know us； time
permits not now To tell so much； nor can I。 Of myself Learn what thou
wishest。 Guinicelli I； Who having truly sorrow'd ere my last； Already
cleanse me。〃 With such pious joy； As the two sons upon their mother
gaz'd From sad Lycurgus rescu'd； such my joy （Save that I more represt it）
when I heard From his own lips the name of him pronounc'd； Who was a
father to me； and to those My betters； who have ever us'd the sweet And
pleasant rhymes of love。 So nought I heard Nor spake； but long time
thoughtfully I went； Gazing on him； and； only for the fire； Approach'd not
nearer。 When my eyes were fed By looking on him； with such solemn
pledge； As forces credence； I devoted me Unto his service wholly。 In
reply He thus bespake me： 〃What from thee I hear Is grav'd so deeply on
my mind； the waves Of Lethe shall not wash it off； nor make A whit less
lively。 But as now thy oath Has seal'd the truth； declare what cause
impels That love； which both thy looks and speech bewray。〃 〃Those
dulcet lays；〃 I answer'd； 〃which； as long As of our tongue the beauty does
not fade； Shall make us love the very ink that trac'd them。〃 〃Brother！〃
he cried； and pointed at a shade Before him； 〃there is one； whose mother
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speech Doth owe to him a fairer ornament。 He in love ditties and the tales
of prose Without a rival stands； and lets the fools Talk on； who think the
songster of Limoges O'ertops him。 Rumour and the popular voice They
look to more than truth； and so confirm Opinion； ere by art or reason
taught。 Thus many of the elder time cried up Gui