It should be noted that Clive James was translating the text into quatrain poetry (with an ABAB rhyming scheme). He was not going for a literal translation. You

It should be noted that Clive James was translating the text into quatrain poetry (with an ABAB rhyming scheme). He was not going for a literal translation. You can search for the line here in context: https://www.clivejames.com/hell---cantos-1-3.html https://www.clivejames.com/hell---cantos-1-3.html