Canto 17 (excerpt)
This is possibly the work I’m most proud of. Unfortunately I can’t publish it all, for a bunch of reasons; but I just can’t leave it out altogether. So here are some extracts: this amounts to less than a quarter of its 50 stanzas.
It’s modelled on Dante’s Inferno and written using the same rhyme scheme, which is really not easy in English! So, apologies to Dante Alighieri (c.1265-1321)
My guide then drew me down a narrow stair
Towards a spacious hall built underground;
I felt me ent’ring then a foxes lair
So sweet and musky perfume lay around;
And by and by eight foxes forward drew
Approaching nigh to us, like toys new-found.
A circle close about us then they threw:
Eight maids with eager eyes and playful smile;
My guide said “Ladies, here is someone new,
“Pray introduce yourselves in modest style.”
A lady bold stepped forth, the vixen queen,
And bade us then to rest ourselves a while;
But modesty was scarce, and I had seen
One comely maiden who was clad in just
A garment short, so sheer she might have been
Full naked, and display no less her bust
Or legs, or other parts; my cheeks grew bright
My guide grew sharp; cried “Leave us, and adjust
“Your dress, for this is not a fitting sight!”
But clamour loud arose; my guide gave way
As eight strong voices claimed for them the right
To dress as comf’tably; and forth went they
Returning shortly; all were clad alike –
Eight bodies warm in semi-nude array!
…
Meanwhile my guide was dealing with the throng
As well she could; but that not good enough
To stop them singing each with body’s song
And which is she, which gentle and which rough
And how they mingled then, and who held whom
And by what means – soft hand or hard handcuff –
I could not tell, as scattered round the room
Lay singles, couples, scattered on the floor
Each girl full naked, all her skin a-bloom.
…
My lissom guide slid senseless to the floor.
Her vitals seared; but what a smile she wore.