Page:King Alfred's Version of the Consolations of Boethius.djvu/282



This is the only haven    we ever shall have

After the tossing    of troublous billows,

After each tempest,    truly peaceful.

This is the sanctuary,    the sole comfort

Of all weary mortals,    when they are over,

Our worldly troubles;    'tis the pleasant prize

That shall be ours to own    after these hardships.

But well do I think,    no treasure golden,

No jewel of silver,    no gem of cunning,

No wealth of this world    will ever illumine

The eyes of the mind;    nor do they amend

Their keenness of sight    so that they spy

Bliss unfeigned;    but they far more

The eyes of the mind    of every man

Blind in his breast    than make them brighter.

So each of the things    that now on earth

In this their life    is loved by mankind,

Frail and earthly,    fleets away.

But they be wondrous,    the Beauty and Brightness

That give brightness    and beauty to each,

And possess ever after    power over all.

It is not the will    nor the wish of the Ruler

That our souls should perish,    but He prefers

With light to fill them,    life's Controller.

If any creature therefore    with his eyes undimmed,

The glance of his spirit,    may ever gaze on

The clear brightness    of the heavenly beam,

Then will he say    that the sun's shining

Is merely darkness    to the mind of each man,

If it be measured    with the mighty light