LXXVIII.
“We soon shall reach a bottom which divides
“The plain into two parts: A cruel dame
“A bridge maintains, which there a stream bestrides,
“Eriphila the savage beldam’s name;
“Who cheats, and robs, and scathes, whoever rides
“To the other shore, a giantess in frame;
“Who has long poisonous teeth her prey to tear,
“And scratches with her talons like a bear.
LXXIX.
“Besides that she infests the public way,
“Which else were free; she often ranging through
“All this fair garden, puts in disarray
“This thing or that. Of the assassin crew,
“That people who without the portal gay,
“Lately with brutal rage assaulted you,
“Many her sons, the whole her followers call,
“As greedy and inhospitable all.”
LXXX.
“For you not only her I would assail,
“But do a hundred battles, well content:
“Then of my person, where it may avail,
“Dispose (Rogero said) to your intent.
“Silver and land to conquer, plate or mail
“I wear not, I, in warlike cuirass pent;
“But to afford my aid to others due;
“And, most of all, to beauteous dames like you.”
