BOOK THE NINTH.
339
Struck deeply-rooted, like the poison-tree
That with its shade spreads barrenness around.
These, Maid I were men by no atrocious crime
Blacken'd; no fraud, nor ruffian violence:
Men of fair dealing, and respectable 475
On earth, but such as only for themselves
Heap'd up their treasures, deaming all their wealth
Their own, and given to them, by partial Heaven,
To bless them only: therefore here they sit,
Possessed of gold enough, and by no pain 480
Tormented, save the knowledge of the bliss
They lost, and vain repentance. Here they dwell,
Loathing these useless treasures, till the hour
Of general restitution."
Thence they part,
And now arrived at such a gorgeous dome, 485
As even the pomp of Eastern opulence
Could never equal: wandered thro' it's halls
A numerous train; some with the red-swoln eye
Of riot and intemperance-bloated cheek;
That with its shade spreads barrenness around.
These, Maid I were men by no atrocious crime
Blacken'd; no fraud, nor ruffian violence:
Men of fair dealing, and respectable 475
On earth, but such as only for themselves
Heap'd up their treasures, deaming all their wealth
Their own, and given to them, by partial Heaven,
To bless them only: therefore here they sit,
Possessed of gold enough, and by no pain 480
Tormented, save the knowledge of the bliss
They lost, and vain repentance. Here they dwell,
Loathing these useless treasures, till the hour
Of general restitution."
Thence they part,
And now arrived at such a gorgeous dome, 485
As even the pomp of Eastern opulence
Could never equal: wandered thro' it's halls
A numerous train; some with the red-swoln eye
Of riot and intemperance-bloated cheek;
Some
