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

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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