Page:King Alfred's Version of the Consolations of Boethius.djvu/301



The cold earth closely    within herself kept it

Held and hidden    by the might of the Holy,

By the King's commandment. Each plant comes,

Brought forth by earth    every year,

And the heat of summer    for the sons of men.

Every year    yields and drys

Over land's wide surface    seed and leaflet.

Harvest offers    to hands of mortals

Store of ripeness    then rain and hailstorm

And snow too comes,    soaking the ground

In time of winter,    when fierce is weather.

For earth receives    every seed-grain,

And makes it swell    every season,

And in the spring-time    leaves are sprouting.

But the kind Master    for mankind's children,

To all that grows    gives nurture,

To fruits in the world;    brings them forth

When He chooses,    Chief of heaven,

And them discovers    to the dwellers on earth,

And anon removes,    mankind's Saviour.

The Highest Good    on His high-seat

Sole King sits,    and this world spacious

Does His service;    all His subjects

Thence He rules    with His reins of leading.

No marvel is this    He is God of multitudes,

King and Lord    of all that lives,

Fount and First Cause    of all His creatures,

Maker and Worker    of this our world,