…Were all i’ the way o’ the brute who never once
Author and Text
Ceases, amid all provocation more,
To bear in mind the first tormentor, first
Giver o’ the wound that goaded him to fight:
And, though a dozen follow and reinforce
The aggressor, wound in front and wound in flank,
Continues undisturbedly pursuit,
And only after prostrating his prize
Turns on the pettier, makes a general prey.
So Guido rushed against Violante, first
Author of all his wrongs, fons et origo
Malorum–drops first, deluge since,–which done,
He finished with the rest. Do you blame a bull?