And to the others said: “Now strike him not.” And unto me my Guide: “O thou, who sittest Among the splinters of the bridge crouched down, Securely now return to me again.” Wherefore I started and came swiftly to him; And all the devils forward thrust themselves, So that I feared they would not keep their compact. And thus beheld I once afraid the soldiers Who issued under safeguard from Caprona, 311 Seeing themselves among so many foes. Close did I press myself with all my person Beside my Leader, and turned not mine eyes From off their countenance, which was not good. They lowered their rakes, and “Wilt thou have me hit him,” They said to one another, “on the rump?” And answered: “Yes; see that thou nick him with it.” But the same demon who was holding parley With my Conductor turned him very quickly, And said: “Be quiet, be quiet, Scarmiglione”; Then said to us: “You can no farther go Forward upon this crag, because is lying All shattered, at the bottom, the sixth arch.