| CONSOLATIO PHILOSOPHIAE 3 metrum 5 | TRUE POWER |
| Boethius | tr. James Harpur |
Qui se uolet esse potentem, animos domet ille feroces nec uicta libidine colla foedis summittat habenis; etenim licet Indica longe tellus tua iura tremescat et seruiat ultima Thyle, tamen atras pellere curas miserasque fugare querelas non posse potentia non est. | ‘All spirits are enslaved which serve things evil.’ .............................................................Shelley To gain true power, tame your violence: don’t let yourself be steered by vile lust. So what if India treats you as her master or if some distant land does what you ask her? Unless you quit your grumbling and despair you’ll find your power nothing but hot air. |
Transl. Copyright © James Harpur 2007