2. Dante's Divine Comedy

3. CANTO 12 The seventh circle, First Ring: the Violent against their neighbors. Dante and Virgil are guided by Nessus across the boiling river of blood (Phelgethon). In the river they see Tyrants and Murderers who are watched by Centaurs.

4. Dante and Virgil crossed the heap of stones which often then moved because of his strange weight. After crossing they came upon the stream of blood where those who injure others violently, boil. Most of the people here had an insane anger or a desire for wealth. There was a broad ditch bent into an arc so that it could embrace all of that plain and between it and the base of the embankment raced files of Centaurs who are armed with arrows.

5.  When seeing Dante and Virgil three of the Centaurs moved towards them.  In the pack of Centaurs was Nessus who died because of lovely Deianira and of himself wrought vengeance for himself.  In his chest was the mighty Chiron, tutor of Achilles; the third is Pholus.  There arrows aimed at any souls that thrusts above the blood more than its guilt allots.

7. Virgil explains why they are there to the Centaur’s. Virgil asks for a guide to get them thru their journey. Chiron tells Nessus to guide them throughout the rest of their way. Dante and Virgil crossed the boiling ditch’s banks hearing cries from those who boiled for ruthless crimes they committed.

8. In the pit Dante saw Alexander, Ezzelino, and Obizzo of Este. Obizzo of Este was murdered by his son in the above world. A little farther on they ran into a group that seemed to rise above they boiling blood.