Boethius, Consolation of Philosophy (12th c., Lombard script)

This part +

that is, the mind of man

Alas, plunged into what a steep depth
The mind grows dull, having abandoned its own light,
It tends to go into external darkness.
As often as it is increased by earthly blasts,
Noxious care grows to an immense size.
This man, once free under an open heaven,
Accustomed to go in the ethereal paths,
Beheld the lights of the rosy sun,
He visited the stars of the cold moon,
And whoever reflects the wandering courses of the stars,
Varying through flexed spheres,
He, a victor, held them comprehended in numbers.
Furthermore, he used to search out the causes whence
The sounding blasts agitate the seas of the deep,
What spirit rolls the stable orb,
Or why the star falling into the Hesperian waves
Rises from the glowing east,
What tempers the peaceful hours of spring,
So that it may adorn the earth with rosy flowers,
Who gave that in the full year the fertile
Autumn may flow with heavy grapes,
And he was accustomed to render the various hidden
Causes of nature.
Now he lies with the light of his mind worn out,
And with heavy chains pressing his neck,
Bearing his face downward with the weight,
He is compelled, alas, to behold the stupid earth.

that is, staggering

But, she says, it is time for medicine,
Rather than complaint.
Then looking at me with her whole strength,
She said, "Are you that man who, once nourished by our milk,
Educated by our food,
Had progressed into the strength of a virile mind?
Yet we had given you such weapons
That, unless you had cast them aside first,
Would protect you with unconquered firmness.
Do you recognize me?
Why are you silent? Are you silent from shame or from stupor?
I would prefer shame.
But as I see, stupor has oppressed you.
And when she had seen that I was not only silent,
But utterly speechless and mute,
She gently moved her hand to my chest,
And said, 'There is no danger.
He suffers from lethargy, a common
Disease of deluded minds.
He has forgotten himself for a little while.
He will remember easily,
If he has recognized us beforehand.
So that he may be able to,
Let us wipe away for a little while his eyes, clouded by the mist of mortal things.'
Having spoken this, she gathered her garment into a fold,
And dried my eyes, flowing with tears."