“The concubine of old Tithonus now Gleamed white upon the eastern balcony, Forth from the arms of her sweet paramour; With gems her forehead all relucent was, Set in the shape of that cold animal Which with its tail doth smite amain the people; And of the steps with which she mounts the Night Had taken two in that place where we were, And now the third was bending down its wings.” ---------------------------------------------------------------- 5th day. Dawn. At the Gate of Purgatory. “Nell’ ora che comincia i tristi lai La rondinella presso alla mattina.” _Purg._ ix. 13, 14. “Just at the hour when her sad lay begins The little swallow, near unto the morning.” (See also ix. 52 “nell’ alba che precede al giorno,” and ix. 59 “come il di fu chiaro.”) (See also “At dawn, which doth precede the day.” and “As day grew bright”). ---------------------------------------------------------------- More than 2 hours after sunrise (after 8 a.m.). “Il sole er’ alto già più che due ore.“ _Purg._ ix. 44. “And now the sun was more than two hours high.” ---------------------------------------------------------------- About 9.30 a.m. On the 1st Cornice of the Mountain. “Pria lo scemo della luna Rigiunse al letto suo per rícorcarsi, Che noi fossimo fuori di quella cruna.” _Purg._ x. 14-16. “Sooner had the moon’s decreasing disc Regained its bed to sink again to rest. Than we were forth out of that needle’s eye.” ---------------------------------------------------------------- 12 noon. Ascent to the 2nd Cornice. “Più era già per noi del monte volto, E del cammin del sole assai più speso Che non stimava l’animo non sciolto. . . . . . ... Vedi che torna Dal servigio del dì l’ancella sesta.” _Purg._ xii. 73-81. “More of the mount by us was now encompassed, And far more spent the circuit of the sun, Than had the mind preoccupied imagined. . . . . . ... Lo, returning is From service of the day the sixth handmaiden.” ---------------------------------------------------------------- 3 p.m. (midnight in Italy). Ascent to the 3rd Cornice.