Page:King Alfred's Version of the Consolations of Boethius.djvu/280



The soul in the flesh. See, ever to You

They yearn to go from here,    for from You hither

They had their source,    and shall seek You again.

But the body of man    must ever abide

Here on the earth,    for coming from her

He grew in the world. Together they were

No longer nor less    than to them was allowed

By the Almighty,    who ages aforetime

Made them comrades;    the true King is He.

He fashioned the land,    and filled it thereafter

With manifold races,    as men have told me,

And sorts of beasts,    mankind's Saviour.

Then did He sow    many a seed

Of trees and plants    in the tracts of earth.

Grant to our minds,    God Eternal,

That they may to You,    Master of all things,

Through these miseries    mount to heaven,

And from these cares,    kindly Father,

Ruler of nations,    may rise to You;

That then with eyes open    we may be able

With the eyes of the mind,    through Your aid mighty,

The fount to gaze on    of all goodness,

Yourself to view,    victorious God.

Grant strong sight    to the gaze of our minds,

That we may on Yourself    be able thereafter

To fix them firmly,    Father of angels.

Scatter the mist    that now for a season

Before the eyes    of our understanding

Thickly has hung,    heavy and darksome.

Send, we pray You,    to our spirits' eyes