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 Lucia (type of God's
grace), he has in sleep been conveyed to the very entrance of
Purgatory. Gazing at the high cliffs which encircle the mountain,
Dante now perceives a deep cleft, through which he and Virgil arrive
at a vast portal (the gate of penitence), to which three huge steps of
varying color and size afford access. At the top of these steps, on a
diamond threshold, sits the Angel of Absolution with his flashing
sword. Challenged by this warder, Virgil explains that they have been
guided hither by Santa Lucia, at whose name the angel bids them draw