Monday, October 31, 2011

Three Furies

Head of Three Furies -- Detail

Cerberus

Cerberus
Cerberus, monster cruel and uncouth,
With his three gullets like a dog is barking
Over the people that are there submerged.

Red eyes he has, and unctuous beard and black,
And belly large, and armed with claws his hands;
He rends the spirits, flays, and quarters them.

Canto VI, Inferno, Longfellow translation

Drawing by Tom Duff

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Minos

Face of Minos -- Detail
There standeth Minos horribly, and snarls;
Examines the transgressions at the entrance;
Judges, and sends according as he girds him.

I say, that when the spirit evil-born
Cometh before him, wholly it confesses;
And this discriminator of transgressions

Seeth what place in Hell is meet for it;
Girds himself with his tail as many times
As grades he wishes it should be thrust down.

Canto V, Longfellow Translation

Drawing by Tom Duff