Purgatory by Dante Alighieri. Short summary

5 seconds

Virgil and Dante came very close to the second realm, Purgatory. The entrance was guarded by a guard named Cato. The latter greeted Dante and Virgil unkindly.

1 minute

Dante and Virgil, after visiting Hell, set out for Purgatory. On the approach to this realm was its guard, Cato, who greeted the guests unfriendly. Cato asked Virgil and Dante who they were and how dare they come here. Virgil began to explain and, wanting to placate the guard of Purgatory, complimented his wife, Marzia. However, Dante and Virgil were sent to the seashore. There was abundant dew in the grass that grew near the sea. Virgil took it and washed the soot off Dante, which was left as a reminder of his journey through Hell.

Soon Dante and Virgil saw a ship sailing toward them, steered by an angel. On board the ship were the souls of dead people who had not gone to Hell. After a while, the souls came ashore, after which the angel sailed away. They surrounded Virgil and Dante. The latter recognized one of the souls as his fellow singer, Cosella. Dante wanted to embrace his friend, but could not do so because Cosella had become incorporeal.