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The Consolation of Philosophy

SONG VIII. LOVE IS LORD OF ALL.

Why are Nature's changes bound

To a fixed and ordered round?

What to leagued peace hath bent

Every warring element?

Wherefore doth the rosy morn

Rise on Phoebus' car upborne?

Why should Phoebe rule the night,

Led by Hesper's guiding light?

What the power that doth restrain

In his place the restless main,

That within fixed bounds he keeps,

Nor o'er earth in deluge sweeps?

Love it is that holds the chains,

Love o'er sea and earth that reigns;

Love--whom else but sovereign Love?--

Love, high lord in heaven above!

Yet should he his care remit,

All that now so close is knit

In sweet love and holy peace,

Would no more from conflict cease,

But with strife's rude shock and jar

All the world's fair fabric mar.

Tribes and nations Love unites

By just treaty's sacred rites;

Wedlock's bonds he sanctifies

By affection's softest ties.

Love appointeth, as is due,

Faithful laws to comrades true--

Love, all-sovereign Love!--oh, then,

Ye are blest, ye sons of men,

If the love that rules the sky

In your hearts is throned on high!

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