The poets begin walking along the high banks of the stream, protected from the snow-like flames by the steam that the boiling brook emits. A company of wandering shades comes into sight and they stare closely at the poets. One of the shades recognizes Dante and is overjoyed to see him. The shade is Ser Brunetto Latini, and once identified, he asks to walk with Dante for a bit because if he stops for even a moment, he will have to lay still under the flames for 100 years and not be allowed to fan them off.
Dante and Brunetto begin walking, with Dante up on the high bank and Brunetto at his hem. Dante explains how his journey though Hell came to be, and Brunetto praises Dante's work with the highest of words and gives him some advice, as well as a prophesy about his coming exile. Dante tells Brunetto that he wishes him alive again, that he sees him as a paternal figure, and that he feels deep gratitude for his teachings.
Dante speaks with great kindness and gratitude for Brunetto's past help and teaching, and tells him that he thinks of him often. Dante also says he will ask a certain lady about the prophecies and is prepared to accept what Fortune wills for him.
Dante asks Brunetto what other souls reside with him in this burning plain and is told that only a few can be mentioned. All of the spirits with him were scholars of renown, and all of them are guilty of the same crime — sodomy (even though Brunetto does not name it). Suddenly, Brunetto feels a calling and must return to his band. Before he goes, he tells Dante to remember his great book, the Treasure.
