The Consolation of Philosophy

That this fair world in settled course her several forms should vary,

That a perpetual law should tame the fighting seeds of things,

That Phoebus should the rosy day in his bright chariot carry,

That Phoebe should govern the nights which Hesperus forth brings,

That to the floods of greedy seas are certain bounds assigned,

Which them, lest they usurp too much upon the earth, debar,

Love ruling heaven, and earth, and seas, them in this course doth bind.

And if it once let loose their reins, their friendship turns to war,

Tearing the world whose ordered form their quiet motions bear.

By it all holy laws are made and marriage rites are tied,

By it is faithful friendship joined. How happy mortals were,

If that pure love did guide their minds, which heavenly spheres

doth guide!"