Commentary Purg XXVII 110-111

Awakening, the protagonist (and Statius, but Virgil only problematically so) is associated with travelers who are getting nearer home.  It is quite clear that 'home' now is at the very least the garden of Eden, and perhaps the true paradise that lies above.  There are no thoughts of Florence here.  In these lines the true pilgrimage becomes a journey from God, into the world, and back to God.  It is interesting to compare the beautiful and sad opening of the eighth canto of this cantica, with its traveler whose thoughts are on friends left behind in the world.  This pilgrim/traveler has apparently learned a good deal on the mountain.