<h3>SONG VII.<br/>The Perturbations of Passion.</h3>
<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
<span>Stars shed no light<br/></span>
<span class="i2">Through the black night,<br/></span>
<span class="i4">When the clouds hide;<br/></span>
<span>And the lashed wave,<br/></span>
<span class="i2">If the winds rave<br/></span>
<span class="i4">O'er ocean's tide,—<br/></span></div>
<div class="stanza">
<span>Though once serene<br/></span>
<span class="i2">As day's fair sheen,—<br/></span>
<span class="i4">Soon fouled and spoiled<br/></span>
<span>By the storm's spite,<br/></span>
<span class="i2">Shows to the sight<br/></span>
<span class="i4">Turbid and soiled.<br/></span></div>
<div class="stanza">
<span>Oft the fair rill,<br/></span>
<span class="i2">Down the steep hill<br/></span>
<span class="i4">Seaward that strays,<br/></span>
<span>Some tumbled block<br/></span>
<span class="i2">Of fallen rock<br/></span>
<span class="i4">Hinders and stays.<br/></span><SPAN name="Page_39" id="Page_39" /></div>
<div class="stanza">
<span>Then art thou fain<br/></span>
<span class="i2">Clear and most plain<br/></span>
<span class="i4">Truth to discern,<br/></span>
<span>In the right way<br/></span>
<span class="i2">Firmly to stay,<br/></span>
<span class="i4">Nor from it turn?<br/></span></div>
<div class="stanza">
<span>Joy, hope and fear<br/></span>
<span class="i2">Suffer not near,<br/></span>
<span class="i4">Drive grief away:<br/></span>
<span>Shackled and blind<br/></span>
<span class="i2">And lost is the mind<br/></span>
<span class="i4">Where these have sway.<br/></span></div>
</div>
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<h2>BOOK II.<br/> THE VANITY OF FORTUNE'S GIFTS</h2>
<div class="blockquot"><p class="center">Summary</p>
<p class="extend"> CH. I. Philosophy reproves Boethius for the foolishness of his
complaints against Fortune. Her very nature is caprice.—CH. II.
Philosophy in Fortune's name replies to Boethius' reproaches, and
proves that the gifts of Fortune are hers to give and to take
away.—CH. III. Boethius falls back upon his present sense of
misery. Philosophy reminds him of the brilliancy of his former
fortunes.—CH. IV. Boethius objects that the memory of past
happiness is the bitterest portion of the lot of the unhappy.
Philosophy shows that much is still left for which he may be
thankful. None enjoy perfect satisfaction with their lot. But
happiness depends not on anything which Fortune can give. It is to
be sought within.—CH. V. All the gifts of<SPAN name="Page_42" id="Page_42" /> Fortune are external;
they can never truly be our own. Man cannot find his good in
worldly possessions. Riches bring anxiety and trouble.—CH. VI.
High place without virtue is an evil, not a good. Power is an empty
name.—CH. VII. Fame is a thing of little account when compared
with the immensity of the Universe and the endlessness of
Time.—CH. VIII. One service only can Fortune do, when she reveals
her own nature and distinguishes true friends from false. </p>
</div>
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