LINES

FROM THE ANGLO-SAXON OF KING ALFRED.

When the sun

Clearest shines

Serenest in the heaven,

Quickly are obscured

Over the earth

All other stars;

Because their brightness is not

Brightness at all

Compared with

The sun’s light.

When mild blows

The southwestern wind

Under the clouds,

Then quickly grow

The flowers of the field,

Joyful that they may.

But the stark storm,

When it comes strong

From north and east,

It quickly takes away

The beauty of the rose.

And also the northern storm,

Constrained by necessity,

That it is strongly agitated,

Lashes the spacious sea

Against the shore.

Alas! that our earth

Aught of permanent

Work in the world

Does not ever remain!

Rev. S. Fox’s version, 800.