Page:King Alfred's Version of the Consolations of Boethius.djvu/278



Move and guide    through Your strong might,

So that no less    thereof lives

In a single finger,    even the smallest,

Than in the whole body. But a little ago

I clearly sang that    the soul was

In every thane    a threefold creature,

For all sages    this do say,

That three natures are seen    in every soul;

Passion first comes,    second desire;

The third is by nature    nobler than the others,

Reason we call it;    it causes no shame,

For the beasts have it not,    but to man it belongs.

Countless creatures    contain the two others;

Nearly every beast    boasts desire,

And likewise passion    each possesses

Wherefore mankind,    over the world,

Has other creatures    all surpassed;

For what men have    the others have not,

Even that single virtue    of which we have sung.

This mighty reason    in every man

Shall ever subdue    desire to itself,

And likewise passion    hold in its power.

She with thought    the mind of a thane,

And with reflection    shall rule in all things.

She has most might    in man's spirit,

And is most perfect    of all his powers.

Lo! You the Soul,    Sender of triumph,

High King of nations,    thus did create,

So that it turns    and turns about,

Round itself moving,    even as all moves,