Commentary Purg VII 82-84

The souls of the princes of the world invoke the merciful Queen of Heaven, underscoring their present humility.  This Marian evening hymn includes the fitting verses: 'to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.'  (For the full text of the hymn, see DDP Singleton.Purg.VII.82.)  Poletto (DDP Poletto.Purg.VII.82)) noted the echo here of another part of the scene presided over by Musaeus in Aeneid VI.656-658: the souls seated in the Elysian fields who sing songs of praise in that fragrant place.

      For the association of the Salve, Regina with Compline see Heilbronn (Heil.1972.1), p. 50.