Dante's Destination

As he was growing tired of climbing the steep mountain to reach Heaven, Dante begged his guide: 

"How far we have to journey: for the hill

Mounts higher, than this sight of mine can mount." 

Thus his guide replied:

"Such is this steep ascent,

That it is ever difficult at first.

But more a man proceeds, less evil grows.

When pleasant it shall seem to thee, so much

That upward going shall be easy to thee

As in a vessel to go down the tide,

Then of this path thou wilt have reach'd the end.

There hope to rest thee from thy toil." 

Then as they continued their journey, at one point, Dante suddenly realized that his steps were getting lighter and easier to take. He asked:

"Say, master, of what heavy thing have I

Been lightened, that scarce aught the sense of toil

Affects me journeying?"

His guide then answered him: 

"When sin's broad characters, 
that yet remain upon thy temples, 
though well nigh effaced, shall be, as one is, all clean razed out,
Then shall thy feet by heartiness of will be so overcome, 
they not alone shall feel no sense of labour, 
but delight much more shall wait them, 
urged along their upward way."




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Quotes from Divine Comedy by Dante (1265-1321)