For myself, I adopted it as the pivot of my interpretation, and as such I used it in the last lecture I gave on the subject, which was in May, 1899. But now at length, by the wider and more searching investigation which has been required in the preparation of this Essay, I have satisfied myself that all the parts of this composite work are bound together by a unity of thought which manifests the effort of a single mind. All available testimony indicates that this was none other than the mind of king Alfred. In support of this broad assertion I will here bring forward a new illustration from the original writings of the king. When he had translated the _Pastoral Care_ he furnished it with a prologue and an epilogue, both in verse: the prologue is given above, in the second of these chapters; the epilogue is quoted here. It illustrates his love of figure and symbol, and his aptness for the development of a train of allegorical thought: Ðis is nu se wæterscipe This is now the watering ðe us wereda God which the world’s Creator to frofre gehêt for refreshment promised fold buendum. us who till the field. He cwæð ðæt he wolde He said it was his will ðæt on worulde forð that in the world thenceforth of ðæm innoðum out of the inward soul â libbendu wætru fleowen waters aye enduring flow ðe wel ón hine gelifden under of loyal believers under heaven. lyfte. Is hit lytel tweo There is little doubt ðæt ðæs wæterscipes that of this watering welsprynge is the well-spring is on hefonrice; in the heavenly kingdom; ðæt is Halig Gast. for it is the Holy Ghost. Ðonan hine hlodan From that fountain fetched it halge and gecorene, faithful men elect, siððan hine gierdon and at length ’twas guided ða ðe Gode herdon by hearers of God ðurh halgan bêc through holy books hider on eorðan hither on earth geond manna môd men’s minds to pervade missenlice. in manners diverse.