“Steep is the path at first: the steeds, though strong,

Fresh from their rest, can hardly crawl along;

The middle part lies through the topmost sky,

Whence oft, as I the earth and sea descry,

I shudder, terrors through my bosom thrill.

The ending of the path is sheer down hill,

And needs the careful guidance of the rein,

Forever when I sink beneath the main,