Commentary Purg X 65

Perhaps no passage in a poem that refers to David more than to any other personage from the Old Testament (see Holl.1973.1) is more compelling in establishing the 'figural relationship' between the two poets.  Dante, too, is the 'humble psalmist,' David's modern counterpart.  It seems just to say that no one has developed this observation as well as has Barolini (see especially Baro.1984.1, pp. 275-78).  Tommaseo (DDP Tommaseo.Purg.X.64-66) long ago dealt with this scene as a metaphor for great Dante's low vernacular poetry performed beneath the scornful gaze of pedantry: 'But Dante is more than poet in certain respects, because he does not fear to appear less than poet and dances with his robe hitched up; but princess Michal -- I might call her 'pedantry' -- sniffs from the window.'

      Singleton cites a passage from Gregory the Great's Moralia (DDP Singleton.Purg.X.65) for David's humility: 'What is thought by others of his doings, I know not; I am more [amazed] at David dancing, than fighting.  For by fighting he subdued his enemies; but by dancing before the Lord he overcame himself.'