King Alfred's Poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

Well,—O ye children of men in mid earth!
Every freeman should seek till he find
That, which I spake of, good endless in worth;
These, which I sing of, the joys of the mind.

Let him who is narrow'd and prison'd away
By love of this mid earth empty and vain,
Seek out for himself full freedom today,
That-soul feeding joys he may quickly attain.

For, such of all toil is the only one goal,
For sea-weary keels hythe-haven from woes,
The great quiet dwelling that harbours the soul
Still calm in the storm, and from strife a repose.

That is the peace-place, and comfort alone
Of all that are harm'd by the troubles of life,
A place very pleasant and winsome to own
After this turmoil of sorrow and strife.

But right well I wot that no treasure of gold
Nor borders of gemstones, nor silvery store,
Nor all of earth's wealth the mind's sight can unfold,
Or better its sharpness true joys to explore:

But rather, make blind in the breast of each man
The eyes of his mind than make ever more bright,
For, sorry and fleeting as fast as they can
Are all who in this flitting earth can delight.

Yet wondrous the beauty and brightness is seen
Of that which hath brighten'd and beautified all
So long as on this middle earth they have been,
And afterward happily holds them in thrall.

For the Ruler he wills not that soul should be nought,
Himself will enlighten it, Lord of life given!
If any man then with the eyes of his thought
May see the clear brightness of light from high heaven,

Then will he say that the blaze of the sun
Is darkness itself to the glory so bright
Which Great God Almighty shines out on each one
Of souls of the happy for ever in light.