Page:King Alfred's Version of the Consolations of Boethius.djvu/252



Of his own mind,    through the Master's grace,

Though often the winds    of worldly troubles

Batter and bruise him,    or never bating

Cares be fretting,    when the fierce gusts

Of worldly blessings    blow unkindly,

Though him ever    the endless worry

Of earthly fortune    sore confound him.'

VIII
After Wisdom    these words had spoken,

Clearly set forth,    soon she began

Sooth words to sing,    and thus she spoke

'Oh! the ancient days    for all earth-dwellers

Throughout the world    were ever the best.

Then was each man    ever contented

With fruits of the earth;    'tis otherwise now.

Not then in the world    were wealthy homes,

Nor many kinds    of meat and drink;

Nor anything of raiment    recked men then,

In these days to men    of all things dearest;

For then such was not    seen as yet,

Never the sea-folk    had seen it at all.

No, nor anywhere    of it had heard.

Ah! then the sin of lust    they longed not to do,

But in degree    they duly followed

The call of nature    as Christ appointed.

But one meal daily    they always made

Of the earth's increase,    at hour of even,