Page:King Alfred's Version of the Consolations of Boethius.djvu/145

 perishable things true happiness, which is God. I know not how to show their folly as clearly and blame it as strongly as I would, for they are more pitiful, more foolish, and more unhappy than I can well say. Wealth and honours are their desire, and when they have these they ignorantly fancy they have true happiness.'

When Philosophy had sung this lay, she began again to discourse, and spake on this wise: 'I have now said enough to thee concerning semblances and shadows of true happiness. But if thou art now able to discern the semblances of true happiness, then I must next show thee true happiness itself.'

Then I answered, saying, 'Now I perceive quite clearly that there is no sufficiency of every good in these worldly riches, no perfect power in any worldly authority. True honour does not exist in this world, nor do the greatest of glories lie in this worldly glory, nor the highest joy in fleshly lusts.'

Then Philosophy made answer and said, 'Dost thou then fully understand why it is so?'

'I may,' I answered, 'understand somewhat of it, but nevertheless I would know it more fully and more plainly from thee.'

'It is sufficient evident,' answered Philosophy, 'that God is single and indivisible, though ignorant men divide