King Alfred's Old English Version of St. Augustine's Soliloquies Turned into Modern English

Alfred the Great

Translated by Henry Lee Hargrove

4 chapters · about 72 min

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The opening

BOOK I

Then said he, his mind often went fearing and searching out various and rare things, and most of all about himself—what he was; whether his mind and his soul were mortal and perishable, or ever-living and eternal; and again, about his God, what He was, and of what nature He was; and what good it were best for him to do, and what evil best to forsake. Then answered me something, I know not what, whether myself or another thing; nor know I whether it was within me or without; but this one thing I most truly know, that it was my Reason; and it said to me:

Reason. If thou have any good steward that can well hold that which thou gettest and committest unto him, show him to me; but if thou have none so prudent, search till thou find him; for thou canst not both always keep watch and ward over that which thou hast gained, and also get more.

Augustine. To what shall I commit what more I get, if not to my memory?

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About this edition

The words
Henry Lee Hargrove's English translation, copied word for word.
Left out
  • The source library's header, footer and license, in 2 places
  • The title page and opening pages before chapter 1, in 2 places
  • Pictures and their captions
  • Notes and pages added by translators, editors or publishers, in 5 places
  • A preface, foreword or afterword