The Inferno Canto II
The first day ends and Dante begins to doubt whether he has enough strength of spirit to complete this journey. He asks Virgil to consider again whether he is virtuous enough to succeed. He compares himself to æneas and Paul, who traveled to the immortal world, and fears he does not match them in worthiness. Virgil tells him that a beautiful spirit, Beatrice, a woman Dante loved in real life, called Virgil from heaven and told him to guide Dante. Dante is encouraged and tells his guide to lead him on.