Rick Seddon wrote:

 > I cannot understand your insistence on linking Dido with F&P.

I don't think there was an allusion. Steve posted that Singleton said
there was an allusion, I was questioning that and hoping to get some
opinions on it. I didn't think that I was getting them but I just
more carefully read past posts and discovered that I did. I'll drop
that subject.

Two more comments though. Rick, you wrote earlier:

 > During Dante's (pilgrim) visit with them it is Paolo who weaps the
 > entire time, not Francesca.

I agree that Paolo is weeping at this time. I'll note that whether
Francesca is weeping is more dubious. She says something like "I will
tell you as one who weeps and tells." (diro` come colui che piange e
dice.) So she might be speaking with lots of emotion but perhaps
she is not actually shedding tears.


 > Dido is not even specifically mentioned by Dante. She is inferred.

Dido is mentioned by name in the Paolo and Francesca canto (Inferno, V)
The Cary translation has:

     As doves
     By fond desire invited, on wide wings
     And firm, to their sweet nest returning home,
     Cleave the air, wafted by their will along;
     Thus issu'd from that troop, where Dido ranks,
     They through the ill air speeding; with such force
     My cry prevail'd by strong affection urg'd.

Dante (7 bit Italian from Project Gutenberg):

     Quali colombe dal disio chiamate
       con l'ali alzate e ferme al dolce nido
       vegnon per l'aere dal voler portate;

     cotali uscir de la schiera ov'e` Dido,
       a noi venendo per l'aere maligno,
       si` forte fu l'affettuoso grido.

Regards,
    Rick Parker

A modern Paolo and Francesca illustration:
     http://www.johnwinslow.com/paoloandfrancesca.html