#  Book IV, Prosa 5, Metrum 5 

 



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*Apparent confusion of the universe*

Page 124   
  
'It is no wonder,' she answered, 'if one who knows not the order and   
reasons of nature, should think it is all at random and confused. But doubt   
not, though you know not the cause of such a great matter of the world`s   
government, doubt not, I say, that all is rightly done, because a good   
Governor rules the universe.   
  
  
**Book IV, Metrum 5** \[*With knowledge, confusion disappears*.\]  
  
  
  
'If any man knows not that the star Arcturus has his course nearest the   
topmost pole how shall he not be amazed that Boetes so slowly takes his   
wain and is so late to dip his brightness in the ocean, and yet so swiftly   
turns to rise again? The law of heaven on high will but bewilder him. When   
the full moon grows dim to its horns, darkened by the shadow of dull night,   
when Phoebe thus lays bare all the varying bands of the stars, which she   
had hidden by the power of her shining face: then are the nations stirred   
by the errors of the vulgar, and beat without ceasing brazen cymbals. No   
man is surprised when the blasts of the wind beat a shore with roaring   
waves, nor when a solid mass of frozen snow is melted by   
  
Page 125   
  
the warmth of Phoebus`s rays; for herein the causes are ready at hand to be   
understood. But in those other matters the causes are hidden, and so do   
trouble all men`s hearts, for time does not grant them to advance with   
experience in such things as seldom recur: the common herd is ever amazed   
at all that is extraordinary. But let the cloudy errors of ignorance   
depart, and straightway these shall seem no longer marvellous.'

  
Translated by: W.V. Cooper, J.M. Dent and Company. London, 1902.