BOOK I

THE SORROWS OF BOETHIUS

SUMMARY

Boethius' complaint (Song I). — Chapter I: Philosophy appears to Boethius, drives away the Muses of Poetry, and herself laments (Song II) the disordered condition of his mind. — Chapter II: Boethius is speechless with amazement. Philosophy wipes away the tears that have clouded his eyesight. — Chapter III: Boethius recognizes his mistress, Philosophy. To his wondering inquiries, she explains her presence and recalls the persecutions to which Philosophy has often been subjected by an ignorant world. — Chapter IV: Philosophy bids Boethius declare his griefs. He relates the story of his unjust accusation and ruin. He concludes with a prayer (Song V) that the moral disorder in human affairs may be set right. — Chapter V: Philosophy admits the justice of Boethius' self-vindication but grieves for the unhappy change in his mind. She promises to tranquillize his spirit with soothing remedies. — Chapter VI: Philosophy tests Boethius' mental state with questions, discovering three causes of his soul's sickness: (1) He has forgotten his own true nature; (2) he does not know the end toward which the universe tends; (3) he does not know how the world is governed.