The Consolation of Philosophy
Boethius (480–524)
De consolatione philosophiae
First published 524
Boethius's prison dialogue with Lady Philosophy on fortune, happiness, providence, freedom, and divine foreknowledge.
Book 1
Meter I: Meter 1
Prose I: Prose 1
Meter II: Meter 2
Prose II: Prose 2
Meter III: Meter 3
Prose III: Prose 3
Meter IV: Meter 4
Prose IV: Prose 4
Meter V: Meter 5
Prose V: Prose 5
Meter VI: Meter 6
Prose VI: Prose 6
Meter VII: Meter 7
Book 2
Prose I: Prose 1
Meter I: Meter 1
Prose II: Prose 2
Meter II: Meter 2
Prose III: Prose 3
Meter III: Meter 3
Prose IV: Prose 4
Meter IV: Meter 4
Prose V: Prose 5
Meter V: Meter 5
Prose VI: Prose 6
Meter VI: Meter 6
Prose VII: Prose 7
Meter VII: Meter 7
Prose VIII: Prose 8
Meter VIII: Meter 8
Book 3
Prose I: Prose 1
Meter I: Meter 1
Prose II: Prose 2
Meter II: Meter 2
Prose III: Prose 3
Meter III: Meter 3
Although the rich man from his mines of gold
Dig treasure which his mind can never fill,
And lofty neck with precious pearls enfold,
And his fat fields with many oxen till,
Yet biting cares will never leave his head,
Nor will his wealth attend him being dead.