Io ritornai da la santissima onda rifatto sì come piante novelle rinnovellate di novella fronda, puro e disposto a salire alle stelle. - Dante Alighieri

As soon as that majestic force,
which had already pierced me once
before I had outgrown my childhood, struck my eyes,

I turned to my left with the confidence
a child has running to his mamma
when he is afraid or in distress

to say to Virgil: 'Not a single drop of blood
remains in me that does not tremble — I know the signs of the ancient flame.'

But Virgil had departed, leaving us bereft:
Virgil, sweetest of fathers,
Virgil, to whom I gave myself for my salvation.

And not all our ancient mother lost
could save my cheeks, washed in the dew,
from being stained again with tears.

O sun which clears all mists from troubled sight,
such joy attends your rising that I feel
as grateful to the dark as to the light.

Turn back and seek the safety of the shore; tempt not the deep, lest, losing unawares me and yourselves, you come to port no more.