Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Harpies

Face of a Harpy

There do the hideous Harpies make their nests,
  Who chased the Trojans from the Strophades,
  With sad announcement of impending doom;

Broad wings have they, and necks and faces human,
  And feet with claws, and their great bellies fledged;
  They make laments upon the wondrous trees.


Inferno: Canto XIII, Longfellow Translation

Drawing by Tom Duff



Minotaur

Minotaur

As is that bull who breaks loose at the moment
  In which he has received the mortal blow,
  Who cannot walk, but staggers here and there,

The Minotaur beheld I do the like;
  And he, the wary, cried: "Run to the passage;
  While he wroth, 'tis well thou shouldst descend."


Inferno: Canto XII, Longfellow Translation

Drawing by Tom Duff