Then he inquires of Virgil what have become of their fellow-countrymen Terence, Caecilius, Plautus, and Varro, only to learn that they too linger in the dark regions of ante-hell, where they hold sweet converse with other pagan poets.
Reverently listening to the conversation of his companions, Dante drinks in "mysterious lessons of sweet poesy" and silently follows them until they draw near a tree laden with fruit and growing beside a crystal stream.

Issuing from this tree a voice warns them against the sin of gluttony--which is punished in this circle--and quotes such marked examples of abstinence as Daniel feeding on pulse and John the Baptist living on locusts and wild honey.
_Canto XXIII._ Dante is still dumbly staring at the mysterious tree when Virgil bids him follow, for they still have far to go.

They next meet weeping, hollow-eyed spirits, so emaciated that their bones start through their skin.

One of these recognizes Dante, who is aghast that his friend Forese should be in such a state and escorted by two skeleton spirits.

Forese replies that he and his companions are consumed by endless hunger and thirst, although they eat and drink without ever being satisfied.