As one who goes, yet, where he tends, knows not."

_Canto III._ While painfully ascending the steep slope, Dante, seeing
only his own shadow lengthening out before him, fears his guide has
abandoned him, and is relieved to see Virgil close behind him and to
hear him explain that disembodied spirits cast no shadow. While they
are talking, they reach the foot of the mountain and are daunted by
its steep and rocky sides. They are vainly searching for some crevice
whereby they may hope to ascend, when they behold a slowly advancing
procession of white-robed figures, from whom Virgil humbly inquires
the way.

"As sheep, that step from forth their fold, by one,
Or pairs, or three at once; meanwhile the rest
Stand fearfully, bending the eye and nose
To ground, and what the foremost does, that do
The others, gathering round her if she stops,
Simple and quiet, nor the cause discern;
So saw I moving to advance the first,
Who of the fortunate crew were at the head,
Of modest mien, and graceful in their gait.
When they before me had beheld the light
From my right side fall broken on the ground,
So that the shadow reach'd the cave; they stopp'd,
And somewhat back retired: the same did all
Who follow'd, though unwitting of the cause."

These spirits too are startled at the sight of a living being, but,
when Virgil assures them Dante is not here without warrant, they
obligingly point out "the straight and narrow way" which serves as