He who awaits the call, but sees the need, Already sets his spirit to refuse it.

Hope not ever to see heaven. I come to lead you to the other shore; into the eternal darkness; into fire and ice.

Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.

Through me you pass into the city of woe: Through me you pass into eternal pain: Through me among the people lost for aye. Justice the founder of my fabric moved: To rear me was the task of power divine, Supremest wisdom, and primeval love. Before me things create were none, save things Eternal, and eternal I shall endure. All hope abandon, ye who enter here.

Where the way is hardest, there go thou; Follow your own path and let people talk.

Justice divine has weighed: the doom is clear. All hope renounce, ye lost, who enter here.

O you, who in some pretty boat, Eager to listen, have been following Behind my ship, that singing sails along Turn back to look again upon your own shores; Tempt not the deep, lest unawares, In losing me, you yourselves might be lost. The sea I sail has never yet been passed; Minerva breathes, and pilots me Apollo, And Muses nine point out to me the Bears. You other few who have neck uplifted Betimes to the bread of angels upon Which one lives and does not grow sated, Well may you launch your vessel Upon the deep sea.