the sin of covetousness, for which he was doomed to tramp around the
fifth circle. In reply Statius rejoins that it was not because of
covetousness, but of its counterpart, over-lavishness, that he
suffered so long, and principally because he was not brave enough to
own himself a Christian. Then he inquires of Virgil what have become
of their fellow-countrymen Terence, Caecilius, Plautus, and Varro,
only to learn that they too linger in the dark regions of ante-hell,
where they hold sweet converse with other pagan poets.

Reverently listening to the conversation of his companions, Dante
drinks in "mysterious lessons of sweet poesy" and silently follows
them until they draw near a tree laden with fruit and growing beside a
crystal stream. Issuing from this tree a voice warns them against the
sin of gluttony--which is punished in this circle--and quotes such
marked examples of abstinence as Daniel feeding on pulse and John the
Baptist living on locusts and wild honey.

_Canto XXIII._ Dante is still dumbly staring at the mysterious tree
when Virgil bids him follow, for they still have far to go. They next
meet weeping, hollow-eyed spirits, so emaciated that their bones start
through their skin. One of these recognizes Dante, who is aghast that
his friend Forese should be in such a state and escorted by two
skeleton spirits. Forese replies that he and his companions are
consumed by endless hunger and thirst, although they eat and drink
without ever being satisfied. When Dante expresses surprise because a
man only five years dead should already be so high up the mount of
Purgatory, Forese explains that his wife's constant prayers have
successively freed him from detention in the other circles. In return
Dante states why he is here and names his companions.