As they linger by the seaside, they suddenly see a bright light far off over the waters, which, as it approaches nearer, turns out to be a boat wafted by angelic wings and bearing to purgatory the souls of the saved, among them a musician, a friend of Dante's who at his request, sings one of the poet's own songs: "Meanwhile we lingered by the water's brink, Like men, who, musing on their road, in thought Journey, while motionless the body rests. When lo! as, near upon the hour of dawn, Through the thick vapors Mars with fiery beam Glares down in west, over the ocean floor; So seemed, what once again I hope to view, A light, so swiftly coming through the sea, No winged course might equal its career. From which when for a space I had withdrawn Mine eyes, to make inquiry of my guide, Again I looked, and saw it grown in size And brightness: then on either side appeared Something, but what I knew not, of bright hue, And by degrees from underneath it came Another. My preceptor silent yet Stood, while the brightness, that we first discerned, Opened the form of wings: then when he knew The pilot, cried aloud, 'Down, down; bend low Thy knees; behold God's angel: fold thy hands: Now shalt thou see true ministers indeed. Lo! how all human means he sets at nought; So that nor oar he needs, nor other sail Except his wings, between such distant shores. Lo! how straight up to heaven he holds them reared, Winnowing the air with those eternal plumes, That not like mortal hairs fall off or change.' "As more and more toward us came, more bright Appeared the bird of God, nor could the eye Endure his splendor near: I mine bent down. He drove ashore in a small bark so swift And light, that in its course no wave it drank. The heavenly steersman at the prow was seen, Visibly written Blessed in his looks. Within, a hundred spirits and more there sat. "'In Exitu Israel de Egypto,' All with one voice together sang, with what In the remainder of that hymn is writ. Then soon as with the sign of holy cross He blessed them, they at once leaped out on land: He, swiftly as he came, returned. The crew, There left, appear'd astounded with the place, Gazing around, as one who sees new sights. "From every side the sun darted his beams, And with his arrowy radiance from mid heaven Had chased the Capricorn, when that strange tribe, Lifting their eyes toward us: 'If ye know, Declare what path will lead us to the mount.' "Them Vergil answered: 'Ye suppose, perchance, Us well acquainted with this place: but here, We, as yourselves, are strangers. Not long erst We came, before you but a little space, By other road so rough and hard, that now The ascent will seem to us as play.' The spirits, Who from my breathing had perceived I lived, Grew pale with wonder.