Belacqua

And he to me: ‘This mountain is so fashioned

that the climb is harder at the outset

and, as one ascends, becomes less toilsome.

‘When climbing uphill will seem pleasing –

as easy as the passage of a boat

that lets the current float it down the stream –

‘at that point this trail will be done.

There look to rest your weariness.

This I know for truth.  I say no more.’

As soon as he had said these words

a voice close by called out: ‘Perhaps

you’ll feel the need to sit before then.’

Ed elli a me: “Questa montagne e tale,

che sempre al cominciar di sotto e grave;

e quant’ om piu va su, e men fa male.

Pero, quand’ ella ti parra soave

tanto, che su andar ti fia leggero

com a seconda giu andar per nave,

allor sarai al fin d’esto sentiero;

quivi di riposar l’affano aspetta.

Piu non rispondo, e questo so per vero.”

E com’ elli ebbe sua parola detta,

una voce di presso sono: “Forse

che di sedere in pria avrai distretta!”  

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