Commentary Purg XXXIII 13-15

This tercet reminds the reader exactly who is present in this scene (see C.Purg.XXXII.88), Beatrice, her handmaids (the seven virtues), Dante, Matelda, and Statius.  Not only is the Church Triumphant no longer in sight, the Church Militant has been dragged off to France.

      The way in which Statius is referred to ('the sage who had remained') reminds the reader, yet again, of the absence of Virgil, denied this moment.