Haven On Earth

O Thou, who by Mind everlasting rulest the world, Maker of land and sky, who orderest Time to flow from the beginning, and Thyself at rest, makest all things move; whom no external causes urged to fashion the work of fluctuating matter, but the innate Form of Highest Good, beyond all rivalry. Thou deducest all from a heavenly pattern, Thyself most beautiful, guiding a beautiful universe of Mind, moulding it to that Image, and commanding it’s perfect parts to combine for the perfection of the whole. Thou bindest the elements by numbers, that cold should match with heat, and dry with moist, lest the pure flame should fly off, or the heavy things overlay all lands.

In like manner Thou bringeth into being Souls, and the lesser lives, yoking sublime to frail vehicles, which by a kindly law Thou makest to return to Thyself by virtue of their native fire.

Grant, O Father, to our minds, to climb to that august abode, grant us to visit the Fountain of the Good, Grant that, finding the Light, we may open wide and fix on Thee the eyes of our souls. Scatter the mists and the heaviness of the earthly mass, and shine out with Thine own splendour; for Thou art the Serene, Thou art the tranquil resting place of the steadfast; to behold Thee is the aim. Thou art at once the Beginning, the Carrier, the Guide, the Pathway, and the End.

Boethius, A.D. 475