CANTO XVIII.
THERE is a place in Hell called Malebolge,
Wholly of stone and of an iron color,
As is the circle that around it turns.
Right in the middle of the field malign
There yawns a well exceeding wide and deep, 5
Of which its place the structure will recount.
Round, then, is that enclosure which remains
Between the well and foot of the high, hard bank,
And has distinct in valleys ten its bottom.
As where for the protection of the walls 10
Many and many moats surround the castles,
The part in which they are a figure forms,
Just such an image those presented there;
And as about such strongholds from their gates
Unto the outer bank are little bridges, 15
So from the precipice's base did crags
Project, which intersected dikes and moats,
Unto the well that truncates and collects them.
