Belacqua

And he tome: ‘This mountain is so fashioned

that theclimb is harder at the outset

and, as oneascends, becomes less toilsome.

‘Whenclimbing uphill will seem pleasing –

as easy as thepassage of a boat

that letsthe current float it down the stream –

‘at thatpoint this trail will be done.

There lookto rest your weariness.

This I knowfor truth.  I say no more.’

As soon ashe had said these words

a voiceclose by called out: ‘Perhaps

you’ll feelthe need to sit before then.’

Ed elli ame: “Questa montagne e tale,

che sempreal cominciar di sotto e grave;

e quant’ ompiu va su, e men fa male.

Pero, quand’ella ti parra soave

tanto, chesu andar ti fia leggero

com aseconda giu andar per nave,

allor saraial fin d’esto sentiero;

quivi diriposar l’affano aspetta.

Piu nonrispondo, e questo so per vero.”

E com’ elliebbe sua parola detta,

una voce dipresso sono: “Forse

che disedere in pria avrai distretta!”  

Dante:  Purgatorio, Canto IV, lines 88-99 (Robert and Jean Hollander translation).