Like the winner in a gambling contest fending off those who press in around him, Dante promises all the souls what they ask for in order to get away, leaving them to continue praying that others will pray for them. Among the souls are contemporary figures who died violent deaths. Dante asks Virgil whether prayer is effective since, in his works, Virgil denied “that prayers can ever bend what Heaven dictates” (184). Virgil explains that prayer was not then “linked or joined to God” (184).

As Virgil and Dante discuss how quickly to travel, they see a lone soul. Virgil asks him if he knows of a better route. Ignoring Virgil’s question, the soul asks where they are from. When Virgil says Mantua, the soul leaps up and identifies himself as Sordello, a fellow citizen. He and Virgil embrace.

The men’s warmth, inspired by their shared hometown, causes Dante to reflect on Italy’s fraught political situation. Comparing Italy to a wild horse, he wonders why Justinian bothered “form[ing] your reins,” complains that the saddle is “riderless,” and the “beast” has become “untamed and wild” due to neglect (185). He blames “German Albert” and his father for abandoning Italy to internal strife (185).