Religion

Book III, Song V: Self-Mastery

by Boethius c. AD 480–524

Translated by H. R. James (1897) · From The Consolation of Philosophy (1897)

Religion

Who on power sets his aim,
First must his own spirit tame;
He must shun his neck to thrust
'Neath th' unholy yoke of lust.
For, though India's far-off land
Bow before his wide command,
Utmost Thule homage pay--
If he cannot drive away
Haunting care and black distress,
In his power, he's powerless.

MLA

Boethius. “Book III, Song V: Self-Mastery.” Translated by H. R. James. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/boethius/19/.

Chicago

Boethius. “Book III, Song V: Self-Mastery.” Translated by H. R. James. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/boethius/19/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Boethius