The Divina Commedia of Dante Alighieri Author:Dante Alighieri Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CANTO IV. THE CIRCLES OF THE INFERNO BEGIN. CIRCLE I. : LIMBO OF THE UNBAPTIZED. Dante, awakened by a thunderclap, finds himself on the verge of the First... more » Circle of the infernal abyss. Virgil leads him into this circle, which is tenanted by the Unbaptized, whose sole punishment is a hopeless desire for bliss. Virgil explains that he is himself one of these, and tells of Christ's descent among them. The poets join company with Homer, Horace, Ovid, and Lucan, who lead them to a fair meadow at the foot of a castle, in which numerous worthies are seen. There broke up the deep slumber in my head A heavy thunder, so that at the sound I roused like one by force awakened; And turned my eye, fresh from repose, around; Rose up erect, and looked with steadfast sight To find out where I was, and know the ground. 6 In truth I found me on the margin's height Of the sad valley woefully abyssed, Which gathers tone of wailings infinite. Obscure, profound it was, so wrapt in mist That when I gazed down where its depths extend Naught could I see of what might there subsist. 12 " Now let us into the blind world descend," Began the Master, turning deadly pale; " I will be first, and thou shalt second wend." And I, who had perceived his colour fail, Said, " How shall I go, when thy dread is clear Who art wont to comfort me when doubts assail ?" 18 And he to me, " The anguish of those here Beneath enthralled depicts upon my face That pity which thou takest to be fear. But let us on : long journey must we trace." Thus entered he, thus entrance to me lent, Where the first circle girds the abyss's space. 24 There was not here, as far as listening went, A sound of weeping, but alone of sighs Which through the eternal air a trembling sent. Grief...« less