Page:King Alfred's Version of the Consolations of Boethius.djvu/222

 His kingdom. But if thou wilt inquire into the high power of Almighty God, then thou wilt perceive evil in nothing, though now there seems to thee much evil here on this earth. Therefore it is right that the good should have an excellent reward of their goodness, and that the wicked should have punishment for their wrong-doing. That which is right is not evil, but good. But I perceive that I have wearied thee with this long discourse, for now thou wouldst fain hear a song. Well then, hear one, for 'tis the medicine and the drink thou hast long been craving, so that thou mayest the more readily receive my teaching.'

After Philosophy had uttered this discourse she began once more to sing, and her words were on this wise:

'If thou desire with clear mind to apprehend the Higher Power, behold the luminaries of the high heavens. These bodies keep up the ancient pace wherein they were created, so that the fiery sun toucheth not that part of the heavens where the moon journeyeth, nor doth the moon touch the part where the sun runneth, as long as he is there. The star we call Ursa never cometh into the west, though all other stars journey with the heavenly sphere after the sun round the earth. This is no marvel, for it is very nigh unto the upper end of the axle. But the star we call the evening star, when seen in the west, betokeneth eventide. Then it passeth with the sun into the earth's shadow until it overtaketh the sun from behind and riseth in front of him. Then we call it the morning star, for it riseth