compassionately beside this august sufferer, he is implored to warn
the pope's kinswoman to eschew the besetting sin of their house.

_Canto XX._ A little further on, among the grovelling figures which
closely pave this fifth cornice, Dante beholds Hugues Capet, founder
of the third dynasty of French kings, and stigmatized as "root of that
ill plant," because this poem was composed only a few years after
Philip IV's criminal attempt against Pope Boniface at Agnani. The
poets also recognize there Pygmalion (brother of Dido), Midas, Achan,
Heliodorus, and Crassus, [18] ere they are startled by feeling the
whole mountain tremble beneath them and by hearing the spirits
exultantly cry "Glory to God!"

_Canto XXI._ Clinging to Virgil in speechless terror, Dante hears his
guide assure the spirit which suddenly appears before them that the
Fates have not yet finished spinning the thread of his companion's
life. When questioned by the travellers in regard to the noise and
earthquake, this spirit informs them that the mountain quivers with
joy whenever a sinner is released, and that, after undergoing a
punishment of five hundred years, he--Statius--is now free to go in
quest of his master Virgil, whom he has always longed to meet. Dante's
smile at these words, together with his meaning glance at Virgil,
suddenly reveal to the spirit that his dearest wish is granted, and
Statius reverently does obeisance to the poet from whose fount he
drew his inspiration.

_Canto XXII._ The three bards are next led by an angel up another
staircase, to the sixth cornice (Dante losing another _P._ on the
way), where the sins of gluttony and drunkenness are punished. As they
circle around this ledge, Dante questions how Statius became guilty of