This book constitutes an early working draft of Phillips' translation of Dante's Inferno. The text begins with Canto V (From that initial circle I went down), and ends with Canto XXVI (Florence, rejoice! You're so important now). The pages include drawings and handwriting in red, brown, blue, green and black ink. About seventy-five of these small drawings which accompany the text (but not necessarily illustrating it) depict images of strange gargoyle-like creatures, optical elements, animals, and an opened book. Tom Phillips' poem on page one sets the tone for the project, "impure suburban night - corrupt with orange light - be silent for my concentration's weak - your planes, though high are not the muse I seek - I want to hear this old Italian speak." The endpapers are red and white fleurs-de-lis and include a book plate depicting Dante reading in his study which is signed by Phillips.Page 2 marks the beginning of Canto V. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.