Canto IV

I woke to heavy thunderclap 1
As if two titans met and clashed
And stood then I and stared around
To see what place had me surround 4
I found myself upon the brink
The burning edge of hell's first ring
And looked I down into abyss
Deep valley that was filled with mist 8
And cries and wails assailed my ears
Moans of sadness dim and drear
Whispers by me slowly drifted
From a crowd of people lifted 12
Children sighed in sadness born
Before the savior crowned in thorns
Guide Virgil leads the way ahead
As followed I in growing dread 16
So we traversed that lonely way
With halting breath I softly prayed
And on the road through Limbo town
I saw a host all spread around 20
'You know the crime for which we dwell
Upon the bitter slopes of hell?'
I answered 'No' as down I climbed
He stumbled then as if struck blind 24
'The only sin we've ever known
Is not to worship God alone
These born before the risen Christ
Salvation lost for un-baptized' 28
'Can none be saved?' I begged to know
He told me this in voice full slow
'When first I came to this foul place
I saw a Lord descend in flames 32
And gathered he the kings of old
Were lifted in his golden robe
And all the lords of Israel past
Were saved as helpless demons gnashed 36
Now thirteen hundred years have gone
And yet poor Virgil lingers on
For always and a day we'll bide
In death beyond the risen Christ' 40
That God would let these souls be damned
In burning pit their spirits crammed
Because they knew not God alone
He cast them from his shining throne 44
So on we walked through hell's first ring
With subjects filled but with no king
And so beyond this Limbo town
We found the gate to second round. 48