In this second volume of Dante Alighieri's ageless classic, the *Comedie* (*Commedia*) , Vergil and Dante emerge from their upward climb out the lower depths of Hell, at the center of the earth, to find themselves at the shores of the Mountain of Purgatory, exactly opposite Jerusalem in the Hemisphere of Water, where it is the only land below the Equator. Here they encounter other newcome souls and those who are awaiting entry into the punishments. In Canto IX they pass through the Gate of Purgatory and begin the upward climb through the seven circles to the Garden at the top where Beatrice is waiting for Dante to lead him on the ascent to the stars.