Phlegyas looked like one defrauded of his right; but proceeded to convey them.  During their course a spirit rose out of the mire, looking Dante in the face, and said, “Who art thou, that comest before thy time?”

“Who art thou?” said Dante.

“Thou seest who I am,” answered the other; “one among the mourners.”

“Then mourn still, and howl, accursed spirit,” returned the Florentine.  “I know thee, all over filth as thou art.”

The wretch in fury laid hold of the boat, but Virgil thrust him back, exclaiming, “Down with thee! down among the other dogs!”

Then turning to Dante, he embraced and kissed him, saying, “O soul, that knows how to disdain, blessed be she that bore thee!  Arrogant, truly, upon earth was this sinner, nor is his memory graced by a single virtue.  Hence the furiousness of his spirit now.  How many kings are there at this moment lording it as gods, who shall wallow here, as he does, like swine in the mud, and be thought no better of by the world!” “I should like to see him smothering in it,” said Dante, “before we go.”

“A right wish,” said Virgil, “and thou shalt, to thy heart’s content.”

On a sudden the wretch’s muddy companions seized and drenched him so horribly that (exclaims Dante) “I laud and thank God for it now at this moment.”

“Have at him!” cried they; “have at Filippo Argenti;” and the wild fool of a Florentine dashed his teeth for rage into his own flesh.[18]

The poet’s attention was now drawn off by a noise of lamentation, and he perceived that he was approaching the city of Dis.[19] The turrets glowed vermilion with the fire within it, the walls appeared to be of iron, and moats were round about them.  The boat circuited the walls till the travellers came to a gate, which Phlegyas, with a loud voice, told them to quit the boat and enter.  But a thousand fallen angels crowded over the top of the gate, refusing to open it, and making furious gestures.  At length they agreed to let Virgil speak with them inside; and he left Dante for a while, standing in terror without.  The parley was in vain.  They would not let them pass.  Virgil, however, bade his companion be of good cheer, and then stood listening and talking to himself; disclosing by his words his expectation of some extraordinary assistance, and at the same time his anxiety for its arrival.  On a sudden, three raging figures arose over the gate, coloured with gore.  Green hydras twisted about them; and their fierce temples had snakes instead of hair.

“Look,” said Virgil.  “The Furies!  The one on the left is Megaera; Alecto is she that is wailing on the right; and in the middle is Tisiphone.”  Virgil then hushed.  The Furies stood clawing their breasts, smiting their hands together, and raising such hideous cries, that Dante clung to his friend.

“Bring the Gorgon’s head!” cried the Furies, looking down; “turn him to adamant!”