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
Nubibus atris
Condita nullum
Fundere possunt
Sidera lumen.
Si mare uoluens 5
Turbidus Auster
Misceat aestum,
Vitrea dudum
Parque serenis
Vnda diebus 10
Mox resoluto
Sordida caeno
Visibus obstat.
Quique uagatur
Montibus altis 15
Defluus amnis,
Saepe resistit
Rupe soluti
Obice saxi.
Tu quoque si uis 20
Lumine claro
Cernere uerum,
Tramite recto
Carpere callem,
Gaudia pelle, 25
Pelle timorem
Spemque fugato
Nec dolor adsit.
Nubila mens est
Vinctaque frenis, 30
Haec ubi regnant."