To pleasant songs my work was erstwhile given, and bright were all my labours then; but now in tears to sad refrains am I compelled to turn. Thus my maimed Muses guide my pen, and gloomy songs make no feigned tears bedew my face. Then could no fear so overcome to leave me companionless upon my way. They were the pride of my earlier bright-lived days: in my later gloomy days they are the comfort of my fate; for hastened by unhappiness has age come upon me without warning, and grief hath set within me the old age of her gloom. White hairs are scattered untimely on my head, and the skin hangs loosely from my worn-out limbs. Aeterna Press

At the heart of 'The Consolation of Philosophy (3 Classic Translations by James, Cooper and Sedgefield)' lies a profound exploration of fate, free will, and the human pursuit of eternal truths, articulated through the divergent lenses of three seminal translations. These versions illuminate the intricate tapestry of Boethius' late antique philosophy, serving as a testament to the enduring appeal and interpretative flexibility of his magnum opus. The collection showcases a rich diversity in literary approaches, revealing the nuanced ways in which language, cultural context, and philosophical outlook can shape the reception of a timeless classic. The selected translations stand as notable achievements in their own right, each contributing a unique voice to the polyphonic dialogue surrounding Boethius' work. The anthology is underpinned by the extensive expertise of Ancius Manlius and Severinus Boethius, whose lives, intersecting the fading light of the Roman Empire and the dawning of the Medieval era, offer invaluable perspectives on the transition of Western thought. Their individual and collective experiences, deeply entwined with the socio-political upheavals and intellectual currents of their time, provide a rich backdrop against which to frame and understand the included translations. This convergence of historical context, philosophical depth, and literary expression presents readers with an unmatched opportunity to engage with 'The Consolation of Philosophy' across multiple dimensions. Educators, students, and enthusiasts of philosophical literature are especially encouraged to explore this collection, not only as a means to deepen their understanding of Boethius' legacy but also to appreciate the dynamic interplay between translation, interpretation, and cultural transmission. Through its celebration of intellectual diversity and its invitation to comparative analysis, the collection fosters a deeper, more nuanced appreciation of one of philosophy's most enduring works.

Consolation of Philosophy (Latin: Consolatio Philosophiae) is a philosophical work by Boethius, written around the year 524. It has been described as the single most important and influential work in the West on Medieval and early Renaissance Christianity, and is also the last great Western work of the Classical Period. Anicius Manlius Severinus Boëthius, commonly called Boethius (c. 480–524 or 525 AD), was a philosopher of the early 6th century. He was born in Rome to an ancient and prominent family which included emperors Petronius Maximus and Olybrius and many consuls. His father, Flavius Manlius Boethius, was consul in 487 after Odoacer deposed the last Western Roman Emperor. Boethius, of the noble Anicia family, entered public life at a young age and was already a senator by the age of 25. Boethius himself was consul in 510 in the kingdom of the Ostrogoths. In 522 he saw his two sons become consuls. Boethius was imprisoned and eventually executed by King Theodoric the Great, who suspected him of conspiring with the Eastern Roman Empire. While jailed, Boethius composed his Consolation of Philosophy, a philosophical treatise on fortune, death, and other issues. The Consolation became one of the most popular and influential works of the Middle Ages.

Boethius was an eminent public figure under the Gothic emperor Theodoric, and an exceptional Greek scholar. When he became involved in a conspiracy and was imprisoned in Pavia, it was to the Greek philosophers that he turned. THE CONSOLATION was written in the period leading up to his brutal execution. It is a dialogue of alternating prose and verse between the ailing prisoner and his 'nurse' Philosophy. Her instruction on the nature of fortune and happiness, good and evil, fate and free will, restore his health and bring him to enlightenment. THE CONSOLATION was extremely popular throughout medieval Europe and his ideas were influential on the thought of Chaucer and Dante.

This edition offers you the first Modern English version of Chaucer’s only previously untranslated major work, Boece. Boece is Chaucer’s Middle English translation of the 6th-century CE philosopher Boethius’s The Consolation of Philosophy. For over a thousand years, The Consolation underpinned Christian understanding of Fate, Fortune, Free Will, and Divine Providence, and its ideas influenced Chaucer’s major works. While many editions offer a Modern English translation from the original Latin, this edition gives you an approachable version of Chaucer’s translation and puts you face-to-face with his phrasings and emendations. Here, the father of English poetry’s voice finally speaks up, so you can enjoy his poetic turns and even track where the language from Boece echoes in The Canterbury Tales and Troilus and Criseyde.