Dante Book IV Canto VIII Scene I

 Canto VIII

Gates of Purgatory

Scene I

“I once read that the sunset symbolizes the completion of a day's work and shows the passage of time. As the sun sets, it is time to end the day and take a break. The awesome beauty of the setting sun is also symbolic of the beauty and mystery of life itself. As the sun sets, light fades, which is symbolic of the forces of darkness.” Dante expressed his appreciation for the daily event. (https://askinglot.com/what-does-a-beautiful-sunset-mean)

“The time of sunset is defined in astronomy as the moment when the upper limb of the Sun disappears below the horizon. Night occurs when the Sun reaches 18 degrees below the horizon and no longer illuminates the sky.” Virgil gave his technical view of it. (https://askinglot.com/what-does-a-beautiful-sunset-mean).

“Where’s Cato?” Dante asked. He heard then the ‘hymn’ popularly heard.

Te lucis ante terminum,

Rerum Creator poscimus,

Ut pro tua clementia

Sis præsul et custodia.

Or the translated version.

Before the end of the day,

Creator of the world, we pray

That with Thy wonted favor Thou

Wouldst be our Guard and Keeper now.

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te_lucis_ante_terminum)

 

It was when Dante woke from his sleep and sat on the bedding he made. He looked and saw one of the souls was facing east and was singing leading the others to sing the hymn. He sat there taking in the music and then he looked at Virgil.

“Where’s Cato? And where is the Guide who brought us here?” Dante called out. Virgil appeared and did his look around on Cato.

“Oh, Cato left.” Virgil had dug up his memory files. “He said bye and left.”

“Why, and where is the guide?” Dante asked again.

“First, Cato had a different task. Second, I did not see the guide during the dark. I was tuned to low on my programs to save power. Let me ask where he may be.”

“I doubt he may not be found.” Dante sighed. “He is an Angel. I know that.”

“Angel? Did you rest far too long?” Virgil spat out. He then did an analysis and continued. “You can’t have slept more than six hours and twenty minutes. Dawn came too early here.”

“It was in the hymn. Before the end of the day, Creator of the world, we pray That with Thy wonted favor Thou, Wouldst is our Guard and Keeper now.” Dante recited the words. “God intervened and offered the Angel to guide them.”

“Preposterous!” Virgil hit back. It was uncommon for the program to do that. “You are hallucinating, Poet. There is no Angel here. We are in a man-designed program to emulate the scenes of Hell then and now Purgatory, and it’s to mess the mind of those here. Get that clear in your head. We need to move on.”

Dante was taken aback by Virgil's outburst. He looked at Dante who stepped away.

“You know he is wrong.” Dante looked at the voice. It was the old guide there. “He need not know the truth. There is God here in here even though it’s an artificial realm. Remember this, Dante. God is everywhere, and turn to no one but God for guidance.”

 

“I don’t understand.” Dante shook his head. “I ---”

“Think of it like your radical atoms. It appeared when you least expected it. So go find your own body. The atoms may slip away in the next blink.”

Dante lowered his head. It was then he felt the tap on his shoulder. He awakened from his sleep.

“Dante, it’s time for us to move. The sun is up.” It was Virgil. “We got some new guests.”

Dante saw what resembled a set of iron wrought tall gates with the design of the word “P”. It may mean the name of the place or Lord knows in the many instances the ‘P’ may mean Probation which was what Purgatory was all about. and it was guarded by a pair of Angels.

“Seriously, blonde.” Dante smiled. “Why not redhead or ---”

“Red may not be the shade of Heaven; spidey when seen at times and red may be the preference of Hell; satanic huh?” Virgil is in his usual mood of offering analysis.  

“Seriously, blonde,” Dante repeated.

“What is with you on the shade?” Virgil snapped back.

“I disliked blonde. And guards? Were they expecting anyone to rush in? These souls are here and the indolent before them, and none of them were rushing here.” Dante explained and raised his question.

“Maybe Purgatory --- Wait, Purgatory is the place every soul here.”

“You need guards? And flaming swords? It’s an exaggeration

He referred to them as a guard for they were armed with the long sword that appeared to be in their hands. The last time he had read of guards of those forms were the Templer Knights.

“I am sure that Doctor could have done a better description.” Dante sighed. “Flaming swords --- Might as well be a red and silver armored suit with air jets to fly.”

“That may also be a marvelous idea.” Virgil smiled.

“Do step forth, Dante.” The guide appeared once more. “They await you there.”