[842] ‘Misimi a leggere quello non conosciuto da molti libro di Boezio, nel quale, cattivo e discacciato, consolato s’ avea,’ Conv. ii. 13. This statement that the book was ‘not known by many’ is curious. On the use of Boethius by Dante, see Dr. Moore, u. s. pp. 282-8, 355, 356.
[843] I have not read this book myself; but More’s great-grandson Cresacre More describes it as ‘a most excellent book, full of spiritual and forcible motives, expressing lively Sir Thomas’ singular resolution to apply all those wholesome medicines to himself,’ Life of Sir T. More, ch. x. ad init.
[844] c. viii, Sedgefield, p. 20; cf. c. vii. § 2, p. 15.
[845] In Memoriam, vi.
[846] Matthew Arnold, Geist’s Grave.
‘Sunt lacrimae rerum, et mentem mortalia tangunt.’
[847] On the strength of this, Boethius obtained the honours of saintship, Moore, u. s. p. 282. Dante places Boethius in heaven, but among the theologians in the Sun, Paradiso, x. 124 ff., not among the warriors and martyrs of the Cross in Mars; though he says of his soul—
‘Ed essa da martiro
E da esilio venne a questa pace.’
[848] Stewart, p. 33.