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
Copyright ©
Michael Burch
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