King Alfred the Great modern English translations by Michael R Burch

KING ALFRED THE GREAT MODERN ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS King Alfred the Great (circa 849-899) was the first English king to be a notable scholar, poet and translator. Alfred has been credited with translating Latin works of Boethius into Old English (i.e., Anglo-Saxon English), although it is not known if he did the translations himself, assisted, or just commissioned the work. Boethius Lay VI: Nothing Permanent on Earth from King Alfred the Great's Meters of Boethius, circa 880 AD loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Wisdom once again unlocked her word-hoard, Sang her glorious maxims, another truth-song For Boethius, sharing her knowledge: "When the sun shines clearest, serenest in the heavens, All the other stars are quickly obscured Everywhere on earth, because their brightness Is not brightness at all, compared to his. When the wind blows mildly from the southwest, The flowers joyfully adorn the fields everywhere beneath the clouds. But then the stark strong storm emerges from the northeast To quickly rend the rose's beauty. The destructive northern storm, compelled by necessity, Wildly agitated, lashes out at the spacious sea, Litters its shores with debris. Alas! Nothing lovely lasts on earth. Here nothing is permanent; Time in the end will take its toll And fears torment the soul.” King Alfred the Great Quotes Remember the suffering that befell us when we did not cherish learning ourselves, nor communicate it to others. — King Alfred the Great, translation by Michael R. Burch The saddest thing about any man is ignorance, the gladdest thing knowledge. — King Alfred the Great, translation by Michael R. Burch As often as you can, free yourself from worldly affairs to acquire wisdom. — King Alfred the Great, translation by Michael R. Burch I desire my name to be remembered for good works. — King Alfred the Great, translation by Michael R. Burch The premature vow snaps itself. — King Alfred the Great, translation by Michael R. Burch Such chaos, when love and duty clash! — King Alfred the Great, translation by Michael R. Burch Should life be labor alone? — King Alfred the Great, translation by Michael R. Burch Time speeds even in the middle of the night. — King Alfred the Great, translation by Michael R. Burch I embrace destiny and the doom assigned. — King Alfred the Great, translation by Michael R. Burch Keywords/Tags: King Alfred the Great, Anglo-Saxon, Boethius, earth, wisdom, song, sun, heavens, stars, rose, time