Boethius
Anicii Manlii Severini Boethiiv.c. et inl. excons. ord. ex mag. off. patricii
Philosophiae Consolationis
Liber I
I
Carmina qui quondam studio florente peregi, Flebilis heu maestos cogor inire modos. Ecce mihi lacerae dictant scribenda camenae Et veris elegi fletibus ora rigant. 5Has saltem nullus potuit pervincere terror, Ne nostrum comites prosequerentur iter. Gloria felicis olim viridisque iuventae Solantur maesti nunc mea fata senis. Venit enim properata malis inopina senectus 10Et dolor aetatem iussit inesse suam. Intempestivi funduntur vertice cani Et tremit effeto corpore laxa cutis. Mors hominum felix quae se nec dulcibus annis Inserit et maestis saepe vocata venit. 15Eheu quam surda miseros avertitur aure Et flentes oculos claudere saeva negat.
Consolation I
Boethius
The Consolation of Philosophy
Book I
I
Verses I made once glowing with content; Tearful, alas, sad songs must I begin. See how the Muses grieftorn bid me write, And with unfeigned tears these elegies drench my face. But them at least my fear that friends might tread my path Companions still Could not keep silent: they were once My green youth’s glory; now in my sad old age They comfort me. For age has come unlooked for, hastened by ills, And anguish sternly adds its years to mine; My head is white before its time, my skin hangs loose About my tremulous frame: I am worn out. Death, if he come Not in the years of sweetness But often called to those who want to end their misery Is welcome. My cries he does not hear; Cruel he will not close my weeping eyes.