Near a waterfall, Dante notices three Florentines. As he approaches, they quickly realize that he, too, is a fellow Florentine based on his attire. They introduce themselves as former nobles who, while alive, went by the names Guido Guerra, Tegghiaio Aldobrandi, and Jacopo Rusticucci. Jacopo asks Dante to tell them about the current state of Florence, explaining that the spirits of former Florentines are concerned because Guillim Borsier has told them many stories, all of them discouraging. Dante shares with them his knowledge about self-made men and excesses in Florence, and they request that he tell the living about them. Suddenly, the three men run away, disappearing just as quickly as they appeared.

Dante and Virgil reach the waterfalls; Dante compares the water to other rivers he has seen in Italy. Without asking or explaining, Virgil takes off Dante’s rope belt and throws it into the water. A creature emerges from the water and takes the belt.