[John Isbell]

"What matters it how far we go?"
His scaly friend replied.
"There is another shore, you know,
Upon the other side.
The further off from England,
The nearer is to France.
Then turn not pale, beloved snail,
But come and join the dance."

I've long loved these lines, which IMO perfectly describe Dante's Purgatorio. I can also confirm from experience that indeed, the further off from England, the nearer is to France.

Cheers,
John