Commentary Inf XXII 59-60

Barbariccia, as leader of the troupe, intervenes to allow Virgil the opportunity for further questions. Cirïatto had gored Ciampolo as he dangled from the end of Graffiacane's hook (vv. 55-57). Now Barbariccia extends his long arms around the place where the pitchy sinner stands in order to ward off the others: he wants Ciampolo for himself. (This view and our translation respect the readings of the details of this passage and of v. 123 [[Inf XXII 123]] in the Bosco/Reggio commentary [DDP Bosco.Inf.XXII.59-60]).