Page:King Alfred's Version of the Consolations of Boethius.djvu/272



XX
O my Master,    You are Almighty,

Great and noble,    in glory famous;

And You are wonderful    to all with wisdom!

O You God Eternal    of all creation,

You have wondrously    well created

Unseen creatures,    and also those

That are seen of men! Softly You rule

The bright creation    with Your craft

And power of wisdom. You to this world

From first beginning    forth to the ending

Have dealt out seasons,    as it most suited,

In regular order,    such that they ever

Are faring out,    or else returning.

You Your creatures    that cannot move

Unto Your will    wisely compel,

Yourself abiding    still and stirless,

And unchanging    for ever and ever.

None is mightier,    none more famous,

Nor midst all creatures        is Your match to be found.

And as yet never    have You felt need

Of all the works    which You have wrought,

But by Your will    all You have worked,

And with the power    that You possess.

You have made the world    and every creature

Yet no need had You,    none whatever,

Of all this grandeur. 'Tis great, the nature

Of Your goodness,    regard it who will;