Dante Book II Canto VII Scene I

 

Canto XVII

The Seventh Circle: Violence VI

Scene 1

 

Dante picked up the torch and it still shines. He then looked towards the one who tossed him his torch.

“How dares to intrude on me? I am Geryon, the one who guards the final gate in this circle.” Dante heard the roar of the Guardian there. He looked at it; if there were words to describe what may be a beast with enormous dragon-like wings and the paws of the lion, the body frame of the wyvern, with a poisonous sting at the tail end. It all sounded more than a beast but that description was held for the beast came with a human face; innocent and honest. It spoke of that one may possess the face of an honest man 'good of cheer,' but the tail of a scorpion can sting with pain. It’s the other word to describe ‘fraud intents’.

“What monster of Hell are you?” Dante called out.

“Monster? I am no monster. I am a beast that guards the exit of the Seventh Circle to the Eighth. Who addressed me in such name when I am named once as Geryon? I was the son of Chrysaor and Callirrhoe, the grandson of Medusa, and the nephew of Pegasus, who dwelt on the island Erytheia. I was a cattleman but Heracles had set his mind on what was mine and having killed me, I am removed to here.” The so-named beast climbed off the abyss to confront Dante and Virgil.

“An abyss of darkness, but no light shall be shone on the souls that I have entrapped here. All sinners without care of their victims. These sinners have enriched themselves on the woes of others. Such sins are worse than murder for their actions may as well plunge the dagger into those woeful hearts.”

“What act that could override the beastly act of murder?” Dante asked.

“Fraud it’s. The act created woes on the victim and the fraudulent watches in glee at the woes it created. Families are broken and souls are condemned but in here, their retribution will be mine to administer.”

“I held still the soul of the ancient fraudulent soul. His name is Hegetrartos, a Greek sea merchant who had wanted to commit the act of fraud with the sinking of an empty ship while he had stored its contents beforehand to claim the insurance on the stock and ship. His act of sinking the ship was seen and he fled but drowned to be my guest here. He stayed here as my guest to be seen by the others.” (Extract from https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-theory/09/history-of-fraud.asp)

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out; Proverbs 10:9.” Dante recited the passage from the Book.

“Wise words, the soul who passes here.” Geryon looked at Dante. “Your look tells me of your innocent nature but a flicker of your expression spoke of curiosity which intrigues me. What does makes you curious about where you are?”

“I ----” Dante was cut off by Virgil.

“He is a passer of this realm. He was to be in Heaven but alas his journey took a wrong turn.” Virgil cut in. “I am to guide him the correct way.”

It was then Dante saw the circles of souls that were far from the abyss. He looked to Virgil and then to Geryson.

“You may go and see them for I am not their Guardian there. Their suffering was they were usurer; unethical or immoral monetary lenders. Like the many who shared my abyss, they are the ones without repentance. They will remain here till eternity. Even after death, they will not long to return to the right path but the part may not be there. Go and see them. I can wait.” Geryson told Dante. “I will not be here if you take long a time.”

Without hesitation, Dante rushed over to the nearest circle.

What greeted him was the circle of men seated in a circle with each of the etching on the ground, the faint drawings. Dante stepped up and peeked at the drawings on the surface which specks of flame were seen; flickering to the strokes of the finger on the surface. The sands on the surface were moved by their fingers, scorched by the heat and flames of fire, and yet they perceive.

The souls were counting some numbers and seen to erase them to re-do the numbers. Each of them held a pouch over their neck. Dante saw then was the face of a lion, the white goose, and another was an azure sow. The unique part of the pouches was its drawing held shades to their creation. The lion was yellow, the goose was red, and the sow was white. It dawned on them those were coats of arms of the rich.

The obsessive rich had no regard for others except their returns in folds that makes it ugly to comprehend. It was then Dante saw one he knew.

“Giovanni,” Dante spoke. “He was of one like them.”

Dante knew that name he had muttered in distaste. He was a man of words, and many a time, he was called on those who were in Florence, by the ‘weakest chess piece and yet it was able to only in a square at a time in any direction, to share his words but not it's meaning. (Taken from https://dictionary.reverso.net/english-definition/King+Country.)

Giovanni was also one who had eluded the service of the Army by staying within the circles of the elites. He paid his price on the gambling tables but he collects like a wicked usurer.

“Now get thee gone; and since thou’rt still alive,” The one identified as Giovanni voiced out without looking a glance at Dante. “Know that a neighbor of mine, Vitaliano his name will have his seat here on my left-hand side.”

Dante shuddered at the mention of the name. He heard of that name; a bird of the same feather flocks together. He felt he was no more of Florence then; he will deny himself the company of the sovereign cavalier was on him hung the satchel with three goats; one who can twist his mouth, and forth he thrust his tongue, like to an ox that licks its nose.

Dante turned and leave as the circle was most foul to his taste.