In silence and in solitude they go, one first, the other following, as minor friars journeying on their road. The fray turns Dante's mind to Aesop's mouse and frog. From that thought another springs. These through us have been so foiled that anger joined to their evil will shall pursue more fell than the hound snatches the leveret. Already his hair stands on end. Teacher, if speedily thyself and me thou hide not, much I dread those evil talons. Even now behind they urge us: quick imagination works so forcibly that I already feel them. Virgil: were I formed of leaded glass, I should not sooner draw thy outward image than I now imprint that from within. From both I one design have framed. If the right coast incline, we may descend into the other chasm and escape this imagined pursuit.
He has not spoken the purpose to the end when Dante from far beholds them with spread wings. The guide caught him as a mother aroused from sleep who sees the climbing fires, snatches up her babe, and flies, a single vest clinging. Down the jutting beach he casts himself, carrying Dante in his bosom as a child, not a companion, faster than water to a landmill's wheel. Scarcely had his feet reached the bed when over them the steep they reached. Fear in him was none: Providence, which placed them ministers of the fifth foss, took from them all power of departing thence. In the depth they see a painted tribe who pace with tardy steps and weep. Hoods fall low before their eyes, like the monks of Cologne. Outside overlaid with gold, dazzling; leaden all within, and of such weight that Frederick's compared to these were straw. Oh, everlasting wearisome attire. So slowly come the fainting people that their company is changed at every step.
A Tuscan voice cries hold. Two joyous friars of Bologna, Catalano and Loderingo, once taken as a single arbiter to reconcile Florence, now wear bonnets so leaden gross the balances crack. Gardingo's vicinage can best declare how they sped. Dante begins, O friars, your miseries, and breaks off. One is fixed to a cross with three stakes on the ground, writhing, ruffling his beard. Catalano: that pierced spirit gave the Pharisees counsel that it were fitting for one man to suffer for the people. He lies transverse; nor any passes but must first feel how each weighs. Virgil gazes with wonder, then asks an opening in the rock. Nearer than thou dost hope, a rock from the next circle oversteps each vale, save that here his cope is shattered. By the ruin ye may mount. Virgil, head bent: he warned us ill, who yonder hangs the sinners on his hook. The friar: at Bologna I heard the devil is a liar, and the father of lies. Virgil proceeds with large strides, disturbed with anger. Dante leaves the spirits heavy laden and marks his beloved footsteps.
Coming Up in Chapter 24
Virgil's forehead will darken at the broken bridge, then turn with the sweet look Dante first saw at the mountain's foot. They will climb the ruin crag by crag, and a longer ladder will still remain.
