Perdonanza

When some I ’d recognized, I saw and knewthe shade of him who through his cowardicethe great Refusal made. I understoodimmediately, and was assured that thisthe band of cowards was, who both to Goddispleasing are, and to His enemies.These wretched souls, who never were alive,were naked, and were sorely spurred to actionby means of wasps and hornets that were there.The latter streaked their faces with their blood,which, after it had mingled with their tears,was at their feet sucked up by loathsome worms.[Divina Commedia, Inferno, Canto III]