of absolute tones to make it as definite and dramatic as any opera.


I. INFERNO

The legend of the portal is proclaimed at the outset in a rising phrase
(of the low brass and strings)

[Music: (Doubled in two lower 8ves.)
_Lento_
(3 trombones and tuba: violas, cellos and brass)]

_Per me si va nella cit-ta do-lente;
Per me si va nell'eterno dolore;_

and in still higher chant--

_Per me si va tra la perduta gente._

Then, in antiphonal blast of horns and trumpets sounds the fatal doom in
grim monotone (in descending harmony of trembling strings):

[Music: (Chant in octaves of trumpets and horns)
La-scia-te ogni spe-ran- - -za.
(Brass, wood and _tremolo_ strings)]

_Lasciate ogni speranza mi ch' entrate!_[A]

[Footnote A: