But in Soracte's cave as Cons tan tine w

Besought Sylvester's aid to set him free
From leprosy, even so to get release
From his proud fever, he consulted me
As his physician, but I held my peace ;

For scarcely sober seemed his words : i From now
I do absolve thee — be no more afraid ' —
He thus proceeded, ' only teach me how
May Falestrina in the dust be laid. 104

Of Heaven thou know'st I hold the double keys,
To lock and loose, by him too lightly prized
Who went before me/ Arguments like these
Pushed me to where some answer seemed advised :

' Father,' I said, ' the sin wherein I fall

Since thou, I know, hast power to purge away,

Be great in promise, in performance small —

So shalt thou triumph in thy seat of sway.' " 112



CANTO XXVII. 169

" Saint Francis came my parted soul to fetch ;
But one of those black-visaged cherubs cried,
4 Hold off your hands ! nor wrong me of the wretch :
Down he must sink, and with my slaves abide ;

Yea, for the fraudulent advice he gave,
Since which I ever at his hair have been :
No pardon an impenitent can save,
Nor can one both repent, yet wish to sin. i*>

For contradiction will not this allow.'

Ah wretched me ! my soul what shuddering thrilled
When, seizing me, he muttered, 4 Haply thou
Didst not believe me thus in logic skilled ! '

To Minos then he hurried me, who tied

His rigid back eight times with circling tail,

And biting it, in his great fury, cried,

* This guilty wretch the stealing fire must veil ! ' 128

So to perdition, as thou seest, I came,

And go with heart all rancor, clad in fire."
Here, having ended thus, the moaning flame
Went writhing, tossing up his pointed spire.
