“And four handmaidens of the day already Were left behind, and at the pole the fifth Was pointing upwards still its burning horn.” (Dante refers to “the other day” when he began the journey.) “Di quella vita mi volse costui Che mi va innanzi, l’ altr’ ier, quando tonda Vi si mostrò la suora di colui— E il sol mostrai.” _Purg._ xxiii. 118-121. “Out of that life he turned me back who goes In front of me, some days agone, when round The sister of him yonder showed herself— And to the sun I pointed.” ---------------------------------------------------------------- Between 2 and 4 p.m. Ascent to the 7th Cornice. “Il sole avea lo cerchio di merigge Lasciato al Tauro, e la notte allo Scorpio.” _Purg._ xxv. 2, 3. “The sun bad his meridian circle To Taurus left, and Night to Scorpio.” ---------------------------------------------------------------- Evening. On the 7th Cornice, west side of the Mountain. “Feriami il sole sull’ omero destro, Che già, raggiando, tutto l’ occidente Mutava in bianco aspetto di cilestro.” _Purg._ xxvi. 4-6. “On the right shoulder smote me now the sun, That, raying out, already the whole west Changed from its azure aspect into white.” ---------------------------------------------------------------- Sunset at sea-level, 6 p.m. About to cross the zone of fire. “Sì come quando i primi raggi vibra La dove il suo Fattore il sangue sparse, Cadendo Ibero sotto l’ alta Libra, E l’ onde in Gange da nona riarse, Sì stava il sole; onde il giorno sen giva.” _Purg._ xxvii. 1-5. “As when he vibrates forth his earliest rays In regions where his Maker shed his blood, The Ebro falling under lofty Libra, And waters in the Ganges burnt with noon, So stood the sun; hence was the day departing.” ---------------------------------------------------------------- Sun about to set on the mountain heights. At the foot of the last stairway. “Lo sol sen va, soggiunse, e vien la sera.” _Purg._ xxvii. 61. “The sun departs, it added, and night cometh.” ---------------------------------------------------------------- Sun sets. Climbing the last stairway.