Page:King Alfred's Version of the Consolations of Boethius.djvu/271



And by river-beaches,    for brightest jewels,

White and crimson,    and of every colour.

Yes, they know also    where it is needful

Fishes to seek,    and many such things,

The wealth of the world. Well they do so,

Men all yearning,    year's end to year's end.

But of all things    this is most wretched,

That fools have become    so utterly blind,

In midst of error,    that in mind they cannot

Readily tell    where blessings eternal,

Happiness true,    are hidden away,

For they will not follow    in their footsteps

Nor seek the blessings;    robbed of sense,

In this frail life        they think to find it,

True Happiness,    God Himself.

I know no means    whereby I may

Within my breast    blame as severely

Such men's folly,    as fain I would do

Nor can I tell you    with full clearness;

For they are feebler    and more foolish,

More severed from blessing,    than I can set forth.

Wealth and possessions,    these they wish for,

And men's worship    they are eager to win.

When they have compassed    what their mind craves,

Then do they witless    think in their folly

That True Happiness    they have at last.