Page:King Alfred's Version of the Consolations of Boethius.djvu/299



That has buried it    and abode with it long

Then I know well    that lie will not marvel

At many a thing    that now to mankind

A sign and a wonder    everywhere seems.

XXIX
If you desire    deeply to learn

The lofty power    of the world's Lord

With clear understanding,    consider diligently

The stars of heaven,    how they ever stand

In lasting peace;    long have they done so,

Even as the Prince of Glory    has prepared them

At their first forming,    so that the fiery one,

The sun, may not approach    the cold one's path,

The moon's marches. Lo! the mighty orbs

Cross not the one    the course of the other

Until it has fleeted    far on its way.

Nor will that star    ever seek in its journey

The west of the heavens,    to which wise men give

The name of Ursa. All other stars

After the sun    sink with the heavens

Below earth's base;    alone he bides.

It is no wonder;    he is wondrously near

The higher axle-end    of the heavenly sphere.

Then brightly beams    one star beyond others

That soars in the east,    the sun preceding;

Him the sons of men    star of the morning