Will ye seek within the wood Red gold on the green-trees tall? For it grows not there at all: Would Seek they gems of glittering sheen. ye on some hill-top set, When ye list to catch a trout Or a carp, your fishing-net? Men, methinks, have long found out For they know they are not there. In the salt sea can ye find, When ye list to start and hunt In the woods to look, I wot, Is it wonderful to know That for crystals red or white One must to the sea-beach go, Or for other colours bright, Seeking by the river side Or the shore at ebb of tide? Likewise, men are well aware Where to seek them when they wish; But of all things 'tis most sad So besotted and so mad Where the ever-good is nigh Therefore, never is their strife Seeking here their bliss to gain, Ah! I know not in my thought Can I show their fault within; For, more bad and vain are they All their hope is to acquire Worship, goods, and worldly weal; Those True joys they then receive. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs, of thistles ?" : Alfred is of the Wise Teacher's school and bids us seek the chief good beyond this evil world. XX. OF GOD AND HIS CREATURES. O qui perpetua mundum ratione gubernas,-Terrarum cœlique sator, qui tempus ab ævo Eala min Drihten ! That thu eart ælmihtig, Mærthum gefraege, 5 |