The water was darker than perse,
in company with that black stream
we entered, descending by a rough, strange path.

A marsh is formed, which has the name of Styx,
by this sad river, when it has descended
down to the foot of its malign dark banks.

Then I, who stood intent and wondering,
saw people that were mired in that slough
all naked with their faces scarred with rage.

The struck each other, not with hands alone,
but with head and chest and feet as well,
with teeth they tore each other limb from limb.