Page:King Alfred's Version of the Consolations of Boethius.djvu/243

For the sons of Rome.⁠They sought right soon
Help from the high one;⁠he then vowed
To give the Romans⁠all rights olden,
Safe to sojourn⁠in their wealthy dty,
While God him granted⁠the Goths' dominion
To own and possess.⁠All this the prince broke,
Oath after oath;⁠Arian error
He loved better⁠than the law of the Lord.
The good Pope John⁠he judged in his anger,
Reft of his head;⁠a heinous deed!
Countless wrongs⁠were likewise wrought
By the Gothic leader⁠on each of the good.
in those days a leader⁠in Rome was living,
A high-bom chieftain,⁠cherishing his lord,
While that the high-seat⁠was held by the Greeks;
A man most righteous.⁠He was 'mid the Romans
A giver of treasure,⁠glorious ever.
Wise toward this world,⁠wishful of honour.
Learned in booklore;⁠Boethius the name was
That this herb had,⁠that so highly was famed.
Time after time⁠he turned in his mind
The evil and insult⁠by alien princes
Grievously given.⁠To the Greeks he was true,
Remembering the honours⁠and ancient rights
By his Others aforetime⁠fully enjoyed.
Their love and kindness.⁠Then with cunning
He planned and brooded⁠how he might bring
The Greeks to his country,⁠that once more the Caesar
Might have full power⁠o'er his people.
Then to their former lords⁠letters of embassy