The Consolation of Philosophy · 73 of 78

Book V, Song III: Truth’s Paradoxes

Why does a strange discordance break The ordered scheme’s fair harmony? Hath God decreed ’twixt truth and truth There may such lasting warfare be, That truths, each severally plain, We strive to reconcile in vain?

Or is the discord not in truth, Since truth is self consistent ever? But, close in fleshly wrappings held, The blinded mind of man can never Discern—so faint her taper shines— The subtle chain that all combines?

Ah! then why burns man’s restless mind Truth’s hidden portals to unclose? Knows he already what he seeks? Why toil to seek it, if he knows? Yet, haply if he knoweth not, Why blindly seek he knows not what?

Who for a good he knows not sighs? Who can an unknown end pursue? How find? How e’en when haply found Hail that strange form he never knew? Or is it that man’s inmost soul Once knew each part and knew the whole?

Now, though by fleshly vapours dimmed, Not all forgot her visions past; For while the several parts are lost, To the one whole she cleaveth fast; Whence he who yearns the truth to find Is neither sound of sight nor blind.

For neither does he know in full, Nor is he reft of knowledge quite; But, holding still to what is left, He gropes in the uncertain light, And by the part that still survives To win back all he bravely strives.