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Dante awakens in stark terror. But he finds he's beside his constant companion, Virgil. And he's a long way up the mountain, looking far down at the sea.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we hear Virgil tell about the arrival of Lucy and discover that the Christian truth of comedy is always textured by the classical poetics of tragedy.

Here are the segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:

[01:30] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto IX, lines 43 - 63. If you'd like to read along or to continue the conversation, please scroll down this page.

[03:23] Virgil sprays Dante the pilgrim with aphorisms, perhaps the best the classical world can do.

[05:06] PURGATORIO, Canto IX, has many parallels with INFERNO, Canto IX.

[07:46] Lucy shows up--but first, a problem with my translation.

[09:50] More importantly, which Lucy shows up?

[14:03] Apparently even a saint has to obey the laws of Mount Purgatory.

[15:07] Shock! Virgil follows Lucy to the gate of Purgatory!

[15:48] Why is the story given to Virgil? Why doesn't Dante the pilgrim just experience the ascent in Lucy's arms "in real time"?

[18:00] The classical imagery is not overwhelmed by the Christian truth of comedy. Rather, the classical imagery is the constant texture of Dante's truth.

[21:00] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto IX, lines 43 - 63.

And here’s my English translation of Purgatorio, Canto IX, Lines 43 – 63

No one else was beside me except my comforter

The sun was already up, more than two hours high.

And my gaze was turned toward the sea.

 

“Don’t be afraid,” said my liege-lord.

“Be steadfast, for all’s going well with us.

Don’t bridle yourself but give reins to all the strength you’ve got.

 

“At last, you’ve now gotten to Purgatory.

Check out the rock face there that encircles it

And note the entrance where it seems to gap open.

 

“A little while ago, in the early light just before the day’s dawn—

That is, when your spirit was asleep in you

And [you were lying] on the flowers that adorn that place down there—

 

“A lady came and said, ‘I am Lucy.

Permit me to gather up this guy who sleeps

So that I can quickly get him on his way.’

 

“Sordello and the other noble souls stayed put.

She picked you up and once it had become light,

She went on up [the mountain]. I then came along in her steps.

 

“She set you down right here, but first her gorgeous eyes

Showed me the entrance that’s standing open.

Then at the same moment, both she and sleep withdrew from you.”