I shall to this stead,

Where never cometh light;

There I shall meet

Many a foul wight;

Nor shall I never see

Christ, that is so bright."

The King, that all this world made.

Through His holy might,

Keep our soul

From that evil wight;

And let us hate that woe,

And love that right,

And bring our soul

To heavenly light. Amen.

(Early English Text Society.)

ACH day me cometh tidings three,
Very sore be they ;

The one is, that I shall hence;

The other, that I know not when ;

The third is my most care,

That I know not whither I shall fare.

(Early English Text Society.)

LONG LIFE.

AN may long life ween,

M

But oft for him lieth the wrenche' Fair weather turneth oft to rain, And wonderfully maketh his blench.2

Therefore man, thou thee bithenche,3
All shall fade thy green;

Wellaway, nys king nor queen

That shall not drink of Death's drench;
Man, ere thou fall off thy bench,
Thy sin thou aquench.

'Nis none so strong, nor stark, nor keen, That may escape Death's wyther blench;

Young and old, bright and sheen,

All he riveth on one strength;

5

Fox and ferlich " is his wrench,7

Nor may no man thereto gainsay,
Wellaway! by threat or bene,

4

Meed, craft, or leeche's drink;
Man, leave sin and lusts thine,
Well thou do, and well thou think.

Do by Solomon's rede,

Man, and then thou shalt well do;
Do as He thee taught and said,
That thine ending thee bringeth to ;
Then shalt thou never mis-do,
But sore thou might thee adread.
Wellaway such weeneth to lead
Long life, and bliss underfo;
But Death lurketh in his shoe,
Him stilly to for-do.

9

Man, why wilt thou not thee beknow,
Man, why wilt thou not thee besee;
Of foul filth thou art isown,
Worm's food thou shalt be;
Here thou hast not bliss days three,
But thy life all thou leadest in woe;
Wellaway! Death thee shall down throw,
There thou weenest highest to steo;
In death shall thy life end,

And in weeping all thy glee.

9 Receive.

1 Ascend.