INFERNO, Episode 128. Mile-High Poetics In The Service Of Rank Vulgarity: Inferno, Canto XXI, Line 127 - Canto XXII, Line 12

Evil Tail has mustered his regiment of insane demons. They're ready to start out, leading our pilgrim, Dante, and his guide, Virgil, along the cliff to the next available bridge.

Yet our pilgrim has some quibbles. As well he should have. And Virgil is confident. As well he should be. And the whole thing collapses into irony along with the most adolescent humor in COMEDY.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as COMEDY goes as low as it can in this episode from the fifth of the malebolge, the pit of the political grifters in the eighth circle of hell, the rings of fraud.

Here are the segments of this episode of the podcast WALKING WITH DANTE:

[02:13] My English translation of Inferno, Canto XXI, line 127 through Canto XXII, line 12. If you'd like to read long, scroll down this page.

[04:37] Who knows more about demons, a pagan poet or a Christian pilgrim? The answer is not as easy as you might think.

[10:36] The low point of comedy (and of COMEDY): complete vulgarity.

[12:04] The mock simile about knights and raiding parties and ships setting sail that begins Canto XXII.

[17:07] The mock simile that opens Canto XXII v. the very serious simile that opens this whole episode in Canto XXI.

Here’s my translation of Inferno, Canto XXI, Line 127 – Canto XXII, Line 12

“Good grief, master,” I said, “what is this I see?”

“Please, if you know how, let’s go

Without any escort service. I’m not asking for one on my account.

“If you’re just as cautious as always,

Can’t you see that they’re grinding their teeth

And threatening us harm with their eyebrows?”

And he to me, “I don’t want you to be so afraid.

Let them grind away as much as they want—

They’re doing that for the stewed sorrowers.”

They then turned onto the left embankment.

But first, each of them stuck his tongue through his teeth

To give a salute to their captain.

And he used his asshole as a trumpet.

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I’ve seen knights break camp,

Get ready for an attack, and make their muster

And even retreat to save themselves;

I’ve seen scouting parties in your land,

You men of Arezzo, and even raiding parties,

As well as the clash of tournaments and jousts at a full run.

Some start with trumpets and some with bells,

Or with drums and flares from the castle,

Even with native-born signals or ones from far-off lands;

But never with such a weird pipe have I seen

A cavalry charge or foot soldiers advance

Or a ship set sail with a signal from the land or a star.