Land in the middle of the fen descried, Untilled and naked of inhabitants; There to escape all human intercourse, She with her servants stayed, her arts to practise, And lived, and left her empty body there. The men, thereafter, who were scattered round, Collected in that place, which was made strong By the lagoon it had on every side; They built their city over those dead bones, And, after her who first the place selected, Mantua named it, without other omen. 294 Its people once within more crowded were, Ere the stupidity of Casalodi 295 From Pinamonte had received deceit. Therefore I caution thee, if e’er thou hearest Originate my city otherwise, No falsehood may the verity defraud.” And I: “My Master, thy discourses are To me so certain, and so take my faith, That unto me the rest would be spent coals. But tell me of the people who are passing, If any one noteworthy thou beholdest,