Page:King Alfred's Version of the Consolations of Boethius.djvu/274

 its own birthplace,

Each possesses    its proper station,

Though each of them        be with the other

Much commingled,        and with the might also

Of the Father Almighty    firmly united,

In harmony single,    smoothly together,

By Your command,    O kindly Father,

So that none of them    over another's bounds

Dares trespass,    for dread of the Lord,

But these servants together    suffer union,

The King's champions,    chill with heat,

Wet with dryness;    yet are they warring.

Water and earth    all increase bring,

Cold in their ways    the one and the other

Water wet and cold    round the land winds,

The all-green earth,    yet either is cold.

Air is a mixture    in the midst dwelling;

Nought should we wonder    that it is warm and cold,

The wet cloudbank    by the wind blended;

For midmost it lies,    as men hear tell,

Between fire and earth. Full many know

That highest over earth    of all things created

Fire lives,    and land is lowest.

Oh, 'tis wonderful,    Chief of war-hosts,

That with Your bare thought    You bring to pass