nd
Which sayeth _neque nubent_, thou hast heard
Well canst thou see why in this wise I speak.'"
(XIX, 127.)

In this part of Purgatory Dante treats his readers to two other
instances of surprise. The first case which also makes use of the
dramatic quality of suspense, postponing the explanation to the
following canto in order to prolong the eager expectation of the reader,
narrates the occurrence of a wonderful phenomenon, the shaking of the
mountain of Purgatory, accompanied by a harmonious outburst of joyful
thanksgiving.

* * * * *

"We were striving to surmount the way so far as was permitted to our power
when I felt the mountain quake like a thing which is falling; whereupon a
chill gripped me, as is wont to grip him who is given to death. Of a surety
Delos was not shaken so violently ere Latona made her nest therein to give
birth to heaven's two eyes. Then began on all sides a shout, such that the
Master drew toward me saying: 'Fear not while I do guide thee.' _Gloria in
Excelsis Deo_ all were saying, by what I understood from those near by,
whose cry could be heard. Motionless we stood and in suspense, like the
shepherds who first heard that hymn, until the quaking ceased and it was
ended. Then we took up again our holy way, looking at the shades, that lay
on the ground already returned to their wonted plaint. No ignorance, if my
memory err not in this, did ever with so great assault give me yearning for
knowledge, I then seemed to have while pondering: nor by reason of our
haste was I bold to ask; nor of myself could I see aught there; thus I went
on timid and pensive."

His curiosity is satisfied in an unexpected way. "The natural thirst which
never is sated, save with the water whereof the poor Samaritan woman asked
the grace, was burning within me--and lo, even as Luke writes to us that
Christ appeared to the two who were on the way, already risen from the
mouth of the tomb, a shade appeared to us saying: 'My brothers God give you
peace.' Quickly we turned us and Virgil gave back to him the sign that is
fitting thereto. Then began, 'May the true court that binds me in eternal
exile, bring thee peace to the council of the blest.' 'How,' said he, and
meantime we met sturdily, 'If ye are shades that God deigns not above, who
hath escorted you so far by his stairs'? And my Teacher: 'If thou lookest
at the marks which this man bears and which the angel outlines clea