As the marchers begin to sing a hymn, Dante falls asleep under the tree. When he awakens, Dante finds himself alone with Beatrice and her maids. Guarding the chariot, Beatrice tells Dante to watch what is about to happen with care and to write about it when he returns to Earth. An eagle emerges from the sky and attacks the tree, dropping feathers on the chariot. Beatrice scares off a fox that tries to enter the chariot then a dragon emerges from the ground and breaks the chariot.
Feathers cover the remains of the chariot that sprouts seven horned heads.
A whore takes a seat upon the chariot then a giant joins her. The giant kisses the harlot passionately but then beats her when he sees her attention turn to Dante. Angrily, the giant pulls the chariot away and into the woods. Beatrice s maids weep over the destruction of the chariot but Beatrice tells Dante, Matilda, and Statius to follow her. Dante tells Beatrice that he won t ask her any questions because she already knows what is proper for him to understand.