Midway

upon the journey of our life I found myself within a forest dark, For the straightforward pathway had been

lost.

Ah me!

how hard a thing it is to say What 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 moment In 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 rays Which leadeth others

right

by every road.

Then was the fear a little quieted That in my heart's lake had endured throughout The 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 pass Which never

yet a living person left.