The Consolation of Philosophy

What cause of discord breaks the bands of love?

What God between two truths such wars doth move?

That things which severally well settled be

Yet joined in one will never friendly prove?

Or in true things can we no discord see,

Because all certainties do still agree?

But our dull soul, covered with members blind,

Knows not the secret laws which things do bind,

By the drowned light of her oppressed fire.

Why then, the hidden notes of things to find,

Doth she with such a love of truth desire?

If she knows that which she doth so require,

Why wisheth she known things to know again?

If she knows not, why strives she with blind pain?

Who after things unknown will strive to go?

Or will such ignorant pursuit maintain?

How shall she find them out? Or having so,

How shall she then their forms and natures know?

Because this soul the highest mind did view,

Must we needs say that it all nature knew?

Now she, though clouds of flesh do her debar,

Forgets not all that was her ancient due,

But in her mind some general motions are,

Though not the skill of things particular.

He that seeks truth in neither course doth fall;

Not knowing all, nor ignorant of all,

He marketh general things which he retains,

And matters seen on high doth back recall,

And things forgotten to his mind regains,

And joins them to that part which there remains."