VIII/4 The poets' journey receives its first major check at the forbidding entrance to the city of Dis. This barring of the way ahead is tersely rendered by the instantly recognisable NO ENTRY sign (in which as will be seen lurks another function). The crosses emphasise the denial and echo those of the second illustration to this Canto. Above the sign are indications of the three Furies dripping blood. The sign was copied in colour and proportion in a street-sign climbing expedition by Nick Tite. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.