The Divine Comedy

Midway upon the journey of our lifeI found myself within a forest dark, For the straight-forward pathway had been lost.Ah me! how hard a thing it is to sayWhat was this forest savage, rough, and stern, Which in the very thought renews the fear.So bitter is it, death is little more; But of the good to treat, which there I found, Speak will I of the other things I saw there.I cannot well repeat how there I entered, So full was I of slumber at the momentIn which I had abandoned the true way.But after I had reached a mountain's foot, At that point where the valley terminated, Which had with consternation pierced my heart, Upward I looked, and I beheld its shoulders, Vested already with that planet's raysWhich leadeth others right by every road.Then was the fear a little quietedThat in my heart's lake had endured throughoutThe night, which I had passed so piteously.And even as he, who, with distressful breath, Forth issued from the sea upon the shore, Turns to the water perilous and gazes;So did my soul, that still was fleeing onward, Turn itself back to re-behold the passWhich never yet a living person left.After my weary body I had rested, The way resumed I on the desert slope, So that the firm foot ever was the lower.And lo! almost where the ascent began, A panther light and swift exceedingly, Which with a spotted skin was covered o'er!And never moved she from