ad better
spend the night in a neighboring dell. He then leads Virgil and Dante
to a hollow, where, resting upon fragrant flowers, they prepare to
spend the night, with a company of spirits who chant "Salve Regina."
Among these the new-comers recognize with surprise sundry renowned
monarchs, whose doings are briefly described.

_Canto VIII._ Meantime the hour of rest has come, the hour described
by the poet as--

Now was the hour that wakens fond desire
In men at sea, and melts their thoughtful heart
Who in the morn have bid sweet friends farewell,
And pilgrim newly on his road with love
Thrills, if he hear the vesper bell from far
That seems to mourn for the expiring day.

Dante and Virgil then witness the evening devotions of these spirits,
which conclude with a hymn so soft, so devout, that their senses are
lost in ravishment. When it has ended, the spirits all gaze
expectantly upward, and soon behold two green-clad angels, with
flaming swords, who alight on eminences at either end of the glade.
These heavenly warriors are sent by Mary to mount guard during the
hours of darkness so as to prevent the serpent from gliding unseen
into their miniature Eden. Still led by Sordello, the poets withdraw
to a leafy recess, where Dante discovers a friend whom he had cause to
believe detained in hell. This spirit explains he is not indeed
languishing there simply because of the prayers of his daughter
Giovanna, who has not forgotten him although his wife has married
again.

Dante is just gazing with admiration at three stars (symbols of Faith,
Hope, and Charity), when Sordello suddenly points out the serpent, who
is no sooner descried by the angels than they swoop down and put him
to flight.

"I saw not, nor can tell,
How those celestial falcons from their seat
Moved, but in motion each one well descried.
Hearing the air cut by their verdant plumes,
The serpent fled; and, to their stations, back
The angels up return'd with equal flight."

_Canto IX._ Dante falls asleep in this valley, but, just as the first
gleams of light appear, he is favored by a vision, wherein--like
Ganymede--he is borne by a golden-feathered eagle into a glowing fire
where both are consumed. Wakening with a start from this disquieting
dream, Dante finds himself in a different spot, with no companion save
Virgil, and notes the sun is at least two hours high.

Virgil now assures him that, thanks to Santa L