Context: In the seventh ring of Hell are three divisions for those who commit violence against God, against nature, and against art. In the middle one Dante meets an old friend, his preceptor, the author Ser Brunetto Latini. The sinner, having done violence against nature, asks Dante why his journey and with whom, begging the poet to walk along so that the torturous fire raining down may not become the more intense. After hearing the purpose of the pilgrimage, Brunetto gives good advice: "If thou but follow thy star, thou canst not miss at last a glorious haven," and especially urges Dante to avoid fame, covetousness, envy, and pride. Dante replies that he will so behave "that, so my conscience have no plea against me,/ Do Fortune as she list I stand prepared."