In The Dark Wood

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 renewed my 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 the 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 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.