I stared into the vaccuous abyss

Wherein the foulest sinners screaming dwell.

For traitors, God reserved this pit of Hell.

Eternal justice burns them still for this.

 

"Throw down your coil" commands my hellish guide.

I watched with dread the thrown rope disappear.

As from the gloom the source of all my fear

Emerged I beheld it terrified.

 

A smiling face of seeming honesty

Stood fixed upon a lion's shoulders foul.

A half serpent  it bore a deadly sting.

What hope had man against monstrosity?

All courage sapped from its beholders soul.

Could my own will prevail 'gainst such a thing?

 

Once more I searched the pit from whence it came,

Filled with damned screams and hell's eternal night,

Where God forbade them use of wholesome light,

For His mercy still clothed them in their shame.

 

My Guide called me to climb upon its back.

I hoped in vain my ears to have misheard

To carry us below had it appeared

I would more gladly lain upon the rack

 

But on it's back I fearfully arrived,

Apart from this there is no leaving hell 

To fur I clung which gives all earth its stink

By means of this my dark descent survived

A deeper pit than mortal man e'er fell

And thus returned to fill this page with ink.