INFERNO. CANTO I. MIDWAY upon the journey of our life For the straightforward pathway had been lost. What was this forest savage, rough, and stern, So bitter is it, death is little more; But of the good to treat, which there I found, So full was I of slumber at the moment At that point where the valley terminated, Upward I looked, and I beheld its shoulders, Vested already with that planet's rays Then was the fear a little quieted That in my heart's lake had endured throughout The way resumed I on the desert slope, 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 before my face, Nay, rather did impede so much my way, And up the sun was mounting with those stars But not so much, that did not give me fear With head uplifted, and with ravenous hunger, Seemed to be laden in her meagreness, And many folk has caused to live forlorn! She brought upon me so much heaviness, With the affright that from her aspect came, And the time comes that causes him to lose, "Have pity on me," unto him I cried, Sub Julio was I born, though it was late, And lived at Rome under the good Augustus, A poet was I, and I sang that just Son of Anchises, who came forth from Troy, |