Chapter 5

Finalnis often writtenn~; som~.1.possibly MS.ertha; finalein this MS. is often written very likea.2.looks likeba.3.looks likeordanda.9.MS. Harleian 4486.15th century.[fol. 146, ro.]Memento homo quod cinis es & [in] cinerem reuerteris,Ffac benedumviuis, post mortemviuere si vis.When1lyffe is most loued1, & deth is moste hated,4Then dethe2drawethehis drawghte& makytheman fullenaked.1Erthe owte of erthe is wonderly wrowghte,Erthe of the erthe hathe gete an abbey of nawte,Erthe apon erthe hathesett allehis thowghte8How erthe apon erthe may be hye browte.2Erthe apon erthe be he3a kynge,Butt how ertheschalleto erthe thynkethehe nothynge.4When erthe byddetheerthe his rent home brynge,12Then schalleerthe owte of erthe haue a pyteous partynge.3Erthe apon erthe wynnethecastelles& towres.Then seytheerthe to erthe: ‘These bythealleowres’.When erthe apon erthe hath byggedevp his bowres,16Then schalleerthe for the erthe suffre scharpe schowres.4Erthe gothe apon erthe as molde apon molde.So goetheerthe apon erthe allegleteryngein golde,Lyke as erthe into erthe neuergo scholde,20And ȝet schalle erthe into ertherather then he wolde.5Why erthe louetheerthe wonder me thynke,Or why that erthe for erthe swete wylleor swynke,Ffor whan erthe apon erthe is browte withyn þe brynke,24Then schalleerthe of the erthe haue a fowle stynke.6Loo, erthe apon erthe, consyderethow mayHow erthe commytheto erthe naked alleway.Why scholde erthe apon erthe go stowte or gay,28Whan erthe schallepasse owte of erthe in a pore aray?[fol. 146, vo.]7Therfor erthe apon erthe that wykedly hast wroughte,Whyle erthe is apon erthe torne agayne thy thowghte,And pray to God apon erthe that alleerthe hath wroughte32That this erthe apon this erthe to blysse may be browte.8Now Lorde that madyst for erthe & sufferdyst paynes ylle,Lett neuerthis erthe for this erthe inmyschyffe spylle,But that this erthe in this erthe be euerworchyngethy wylle,36So that this erthe fro þiserthe may stye vp to thy hylle.Amen.1.Finalnis uniformly writtenn~in this text excepting in the wordin. Finaldis frequently writtend~.2, 3.added above the line.4.The first words in ll. 11, 14, 15 seem to have been freshened up.10.MS. Lambeth 853.c. 1430-1450.[fol. 35.]Whanne liif is moost loued, and deeþ is moost hatid:Þanne dooþ deeþ drawe his drawȝt, & makiþ manful nakid.De terra plasmasti me,&c.41Erþe out of erþe is wondirly wrouȝt,Erþe of erþe haþ gete a dignyte of nouȝt,Erþe uponerþe haþ sett al his þouȝt,How þat erþe upon erþe may be hiȝ brouȝt.82Erþe upon erþe wold he be a king;But how erþe schal to erþe þenkiþ he no [fol. 36] þing;Whanne þat erþe biddiþ erþe hise rentis hom bring,Þan schal erþe out of erþe haue a piteuous parting.123Erþe vpon erþe wynneþ castels & touris,Þan seiþ erþe to erþe: ‘Now is þis al houris’.Whanne erþe upon erþe haþ biggid up hise boure[s],Þanne schal erþe uponerþe suffir scharpe schouris.164Erþe gooth vpon erþe as molde upon molde,So gooth erþe upon erþe al gliteringe in golde,Like as erþe vnto erþe neuere go schulde,And ȝit schal erþe vnto erthe raþerþan he wolde.205O þou wrecchid erþe þat on erþe traueilist nyȝt and day,To florische þe erþe, to peynte þe erþe withwantowne aray,Ȝit schal þou erþe for al þi erþe, make þou it neuere so queynte & gay,[fol. 37.]Out of þis erþe in-to þe erþe, þere to clinge as a clot of clay.246O wrecchid man whi art þou proud, þat art of þe erþe makid?Hiderbrouȝttist þou no schroud, but poore come þou and nakid.Whanne þi soule is went out, & þi bodi in erþe rakid,Þan þi bodi þat was rank & undeuout, of alle men is bihatid.287Out of þis erþe cam to þis erþe þis wrecchid garnement;To hide þis erþe, to happe þis erþe, to himwas cloþinge lente;Now gooþ erþe upon erþe, ruli raggid and rent,Þerfore schal erþe vndir þe erþe haue hidiose turment.328Whi þat erþe to myche loueþ erþe wondir me þink,Or whi þat erþe for superflue erþe to sore sweete wole or swynk;Ffor whanne þat erþe uponerþe is brouȝt withinne þe brink,Þan schal erþe of þe erþe haue a rewful swynk.369Lo erþe upon erþe considere þou may,[fol. 38.]How erþe comeþ into erþe nakid al way,Whi schulde erþe upon erþe go now so stoute or gay,Whanne erþe schal passe out of erþe in so poore aray?10Wolde God þerfore þis erþe, while þat he is upon this erþe,40Vpon þis wolde hertili þinke,& how þe erþe out of þe erþe schal haue his aȝen-risynge,And þis erþe for þis erþe schal ȝeelde streite rekenyng;Schulde neuere þan þis erþe for þis erþe mysplese heuene king.4411Þerfore þou erþe upon erþe put so wickidli hast wrouȝt,While þat þou erþe art upon erþe turne aȝen þi þouȝt,And praie to þat God uponerþe þat al þe erþe haþ wrouȝt,Þat þou erþe upon erþe to blis may be brouȝt.4812O þou Lord þat madist þis erþe for þis erþe & suffridist heere peynes ille,Lete neuere þis erþe for þis erþe myscheue ne spille,But þat þis erþe on þis [fol. 39] erþe be euere worchinge þi wille,So þat þis erþe from þis erþe may stie up to þin hiȝ hille.Amen.52Memento homo quod cinis es, et incineremreuerteris,Ffac bene dum viuis. post mortem viuere si uis.Tangere qui gaudet. meretricem qualiter audet.Palmis pollutis. regem tractare salutis.56Credo in deum patrem omnipotentem.(Here follows the Creed in English verse.)11.MS. Laud Misc.23. Before 1450.[fol. 111, vo.]Whan lyf is moost louyd & deeþ is moost hatyd:Thanne deeth drawyth his draut and makith man ful nakid.1Erthe out of erthe is wondirly wrouȝt,4Erthe of the erthe hath gete a dignyte of nowthe,Erthe vp-on erthe hath set al his thouȝtHow that erthe vp-on erthe may be hyȝ browth.2Erthe vp-on erthe wolde be a kyng;8But how erthe shal to erthe thinkiþ he no thing;Whanthat erthe biddeth erthe his rentys hoom bring,Thanne shal erthe out of the erthe haue a petouspartyng.3Erthe vp-on erthe wynnyth castellis and towris1,12Thanne seith erthe to erthe: ‘This is al owris.’Whan erthe vp-on erthe hath biggid alle his bouris,Thanne shal erthe for erthe suffre sharp showris.4Erthe gooth up-on erthe as moolde vp-on moolde,16So gooth erthe vp-on erthe al gleteryng in goolde,Like as erthe vn-to erthe neuere goo2shulde;Yit shal erthe vnto erþe3ratherethan he wolde.5O thou wrecchid erthe, that on the erthe [fol. 112,ro] traueylist nyȝt and day,20To florisshethe erthe, to peynte the erthe wyth wantone a-ray;Ȝit shal thow erthe, for allethyn erthe, make thow it neuerso queynt & gay,Out of the erthe in-to the erthe, ther to clynge as clot of clay.6O wrecchide man whi art thow prude, that art of erthe makid?24Hidir broutyst thow no shroude, but porecam thow & nakid.Whan thi soule is went out, & thi body in erthe rakid,Thanne thi body that was rank and louyd of alle men, is hatyd.7Out of the erthe cam to this erthe his wantyng garnement;28To hyde this erthe, to wrappe this erthe, to him was clothing lent;Now gooth erthe up-on erthe, ruly raggid and rent,Therfor shal erthe vndir erthe haue hidous turment.8Whi that erthe louyth erthe wondir me thinke,32Or whi that erthe for erthe swete wole or swinke;Ffor whan that erthe up-on the erthe is brouȝt wyth-inne the brinke,Thanne shal erthe of the erthe haue a rewfullestinke.-->9Lo erthe up-on erthe consider thow may,36How erthe in-to the erthe comyth nakid al-way,Whi shuld erthe vp-on erthe go stout [fol. 112, vo] or gay,Whanerthe shal passe out of erthe in a porearay?10Wolde therforethis erthe on this erthe, on this hertly thinke,40How that erthe out of the erthe shal haue risynge,And thus erthe for erthe4yeelde shal streyt rikenynge,Shulde neuereerthe for erthe mysplese heuene kyng.11Thow erthe up-on erthe, that wickydly hast wrout,44While that erthe is vp-on erthe, turne a-ȝen thi thout,And preye to God vp-on erthe, that alle the erthe hath wrouȝt,That erthe vp-on erthe to blisse may be brouȝt.12Lord God that erthe madist & for the erthe suffredist peynys ille,48Lete neuere þis erþe5for this erthe myscheue ne spille,But that this erthe in this erthe be euere worching thi wille,So that erthe fro this erthe stye up on thyn hyȝe hille. Amen.parcharite, God it graunte that it so be.52-->6Tangerequi gaudes meretricem qualiteraudes7.Palmis pollutis regem tractaresalutis.(The poemWhi is the wor[l]d belouyd that fals is and veyn,follows immediately.)1.towrisadded in margin by the same hand.2.MS.goo ne;necrossed out, and markedṇẹ.3.vnto erþeinserted in red above the line.4.for ertherepeated and crossed out in red.5.þis erþeadded above the line,erþein red.6.In left marginde sacerdotibus.7.in right marginhocin decretis.12.MS. Cotton Titus A.xxvi. 15th century.[fol. 153, ro.]1Erthe oute of erthe is wondirly wroght,Erthe of þe erthe hathe goten a dyngnyte of noght,Erthe vpon erthe hathe set allehys thovght4Houe erthe vpon erthe maye be hyghe broght.2Erthe vpon erthe wolde be a kyng;Bot how erthe shalleto erthe thynkethe he nothyng;Whan that erthe biddethe erthe hys rentis hom to bryng,8Than shalleerthe oute of erthe haue a pytous partyng.3Whan erthe vpon erthe wynythe casteles & tourys,Than says erthe to erthe: ‘Þys is alleourys’.And whan erthe vpon erthe hathe byggid hys bourys,12Than shalleerthe vpon erthe suffer sharpe shoures.4Erthe gothe vpon erthe as molde vpon molde1,So gothe erthe vpon erthe alleglytryng in golde,Lyke as erthe into erthe never goo sholde;16And yet shal2erthe in to erthe rathar then he wolde.[fol. 153, vo.]5O thou wreched erthe that on erthe trauayles nyght & dayeTo fflorysshe3and paynt þe erthe withwanton araye;Yet sshalle þou, erthe, for allethy erthe, make þou it neuerso queynt or gaye,20Oute of thys erthe in to erthe to klyng as clot in claye.6O wrechyd man, why4art þou5prowde that of erth art maked,And hyder thou broght no shrowde, bot pore com and nakyd?Lewe thy syne and lyffe in ryght,24And than shalt thou lyffe in heuyn as a knyght.Finalnis writtenn~as a rule in this text, som~.1.MS.moldee.2.MS.shal doorde, the second word crossed out.3.MS.To fflorysshe þe erthe, the last two words crossed out, cf. MS. Lambeth,v. 5, MS. Rawl. Poet.,v. 15.4.MS.why at,atcrossed out.5.MS.þt.13.MS. Rawlinson Poetical 32.After 1450.[fol. 32, vo.]A descripture alchimicall of erthe & the nature of man1.Whanne life is most louyd,And deth is most hatid,Deth drawith his drauȝte4And makith a man nakid.1Erthe oute of ertheIs wonderly wrouȝte;Erthe hath of the erthe8Ȝetyn a dignite of noughte.2Erthe a-pon ertheHath set alle his thoughteHow erthe apon erthe12May be hiere y-broughte.3Erthe a-pon ertheWolde be made a kyng,How erthe schal to erthe16Thynkyng no thyng.4Whanne erthe biddith ertheThan he his rente hom brynge,Thanne schal erthe for erthe20Haue a petous partynge.5Whanne erthe apon ertheHath billid al his bowris,Thanne schalle erthe for erthe24Suffre ful harde schowris.[fol. 33, ro.]6Erthe a-pon ertheWynnyth castellis and towris.Thanne saithe erthe to erthe:28‘This is alle owris’.7Erthe gothe apon ertheAs molde a-pon molde,Erthe gothe apon erthe32Gleteryng alle in golde,8As thouh erthe to ertheNeuera-yen go schulde,But yit schal erthe to þeerthe36Rather thanne he wolde.9Oute of the erthe cam the ertheWantynge his garnament,To hide the erthe, to lappe the erthe,40To hym was clothing y-lent.10Now goth the erthe apon ertheDisgesily ragged and to-rent,Therfore schal erthe vnder erthe44Suffer ful grete turment.11Whi that erþe loueþ ertheWonder y may thinke,Or whi that erthe for the erthe48Unresonably swete wol or swynke,[fol. 33, vo.]12Ffor whanne erthe vnder ertheIs brouȝte withynne brynke,Thanne schal erthe of the erthe52Haue an oribyll stynke.13Yif erthe wold of ertheThus hartily haue thynkynge,And how erthe out of erthe56Shal at last haue risynge,14Thanne schal erthe for ertheYelde riht streite rekenynge,Thanne schuld [erthe] for erthe60Neuer mys-plese heuene kynge.15Thow wrecchid erthe þat thus for ertheTrauelist nyht and dayTo florische the erthe, to paynte the erthe64With thi wanton array,16Yit schalt thou erthe for alle thi erthe,Make thou neuer so gay,Ffor thi erthe in to erthe68Clynge as clotte in clay.17Thinke now erthe how thou in ertheGoist euer in dethis2grace,And thanne thou erthe for the erthe72Shalt neuer stryue ne race.[fol. 34, ro.]18Bute for thou erthe with thi ertheHauntist enuye and hate,Therefor schal erthe for erthe76Be excludid from heuene gate.19Ffowle erthe whi louyst thou ertheThat is thi dedly foo,And bildist on erthe80As thou schuldist dwelle euer moo?20But thou erthe forsake the erthe,Or that thou hennys goo,Vnder erthe for lust of erthe84Thou schalt haue sorow and woo.21Whiles erthe may in ertheTo festis and to drynkis gon,Til the be made frome the erthe88As bare as any bon.22Thanne if erthe comyth to ertheMakyng sorow and mone,Thanne saith erthe to the erthe,92‘Thou were a felow, but now art thou none’.23Thus the erthe queytith the ertheThat doith to him seruyse,Or tristyn on erthe, or plese the erthe96In any maner wise.[fol. 34, vo.]24Therfor thou erthe be ware of ertheAnd thou the wele auyse,Lest thou erthe perische for erthe100By-fore the hihe iustyse.25Ffor the erthe was made of ertheAt the first begynnynge,That erthe schuld labour the erthe104In trowthe and sore swynkynge;26But now erthe lyueth in ertheWith falshode and begilynge,Therfor schal erthe for erthe108Be punsched in payne euerlastynge.27But erthe forsake the ertheAnd alle his falshede,And of the erthe restore the erthe112Goodis that ben mys-gete,28Or that erthe be doluyn in ertheAnd vnder fote y-trede,Ffor synne of erthe, þat hath do in erthe,116Fful sore he schalle be bete.29Drede thou erthe while thou in ertheHast witte & resoune at thi wille,That, erthe, for loue of erthe,120Thi soule thou nougth spille.[fol. 35, ro.]30And thou erthe, repente the in ertheOf alle that thou hast don ille,And thanne schalt thou, erthe apon erthe,124Goddis biddyngis fulfille.31Lord God that erthe tokist in erthe,And suffredist paynes ful stille,Late neuer erthe for the erthe128In dedly synne ne spille,32But that erthe in this ertheBe doynge euer thi wille,So that erthe for the erthe132Stye vp to thi holy hille. Amen. S. J.1.Added in a later hand, probably 16th century.2.MS.deth is.14.MS. Porkington 10.15th century.[fol. 79, vo.]11Erthe vpponertheis woundyrely wrouȝte;Erthe vpponerthe has set al his þouȝte2[fol. 80, ro.]How erthe vpponerth to erthe schallebe3brouȝte;4Ther is none vpponerth has hit in þouȝte.4Take hede!Whoso þinkyse on5his ende, ful welleschal he spede.2Erth vpponerth woldebe a kynge;8How erth schal to erthe he þinkisno þinge.Whenerth byddyþ erth his rent whome brynge,Thenschal erth fro þe erth have a hardeparttynge,Withcare;12Ffor erth vpponerþe wottisneuerwerþerfor to fare.3Erth vpponerth wynnis castyllis& tovris.Thensayþe erth to erth: ‘Al þis is ourus’.Whenerth vpponerth has bylde al his bovres,16Thenschal erth fro þe erth soffyrescharpe schorrys,Andesmarte.Man, amendeþe betyme, þi lyfe ys but a starte.4Erth gose on erth as moldevponnemolde,20Lyke as erth to þe erth neuera-gayne scholde;Erth gose on erth glytteryng in golde6,[fol. 80, vo.]Ȝet shale erth to þe erth, raþerþenhe wolde.Be owris!24Ȝefe þi almiswithþi hande. Trust to no secatovrs.5Why þat erth louis erþe merwel me þinke,7Or why erth vpponerth wyl swet or swinke,7Ffor whenerth vpponerth is brouþt to þe brynke,28Thenschal erth frov þe erth have a fovl stynkeTo smele,Wars þenþe caryonþat lyis in þe fele.6Lo, erth vpponerth, consayfe þis þou maye,32That þou commys frome þe erth nakydealway[e];How schuldeerth vpponerth soe8prodeor gaye,Sen9erth vnto erth schal pase insymple araye,Unclade?36Cloth þe nakyd whyl þou may, for so Gode þe bade.7Erth vpponerth, me þinkyȝ þe ful blynde,That on erth ryches to set al10þi mynde;In þe gospel wryttyne exampul I fynde,40The pore went to heyuyn, þe rych to hel I fynde,Witt skyle:[fol. 81, ro.]The commandmentisof Godewoldehe not fulfyle.8Erth vpponerth, deyle duly thy goode44To þe porepepul þat favtt pe þi fovde,Ffor þe loue of þi Lorde, þat rent was on þe roode,Andefor þi loue on þe crose sched his11hart blode,—Go rede!—48nWittovte anny place to reste on his hede.9Erth vpponerth, take tent to my steyuyne;Whyl þou leuyst, fulfyle þe werkys of mercy vij.Loke þou lete, for oode ne for ewyne,52Ffor þo byne þe werkisþat helpyne vs to heyuyne,In haste.Tho dediswho so dose þar, hyme neuerbe agaste.10Erth vpponerth, be þou neuerso gaye,56Thow moue12wendeof þis worldean vnreydy waye;Turne þe betyme, whyle þat þou maye,Leste it lede þe into hele, to logege þerfor13ay,In pyne;60Ffor þeris noþerto gett brede, ale, ne wyne.[fol. 81, vo.]11Erth vpponerth, Godeȝeyf þe grace,Whyle þou leuuyst vpponerth, to purway þe a placeIn heywynto dweylle, whyl þat þou hast space;64That myrthe for to myse it wera karful case.Ffor whye?That myrth is withowttynende, I tel þe securlye.12I concele erth vpponerth þat wykydely has wroȝte,68Whyl erth is on erth, to torn allehis þovȝte,Andepray to Gode vpponerth, þat al madeof nov[ȝte]14,That erth owte of erth to blys may be bovȝte15Witt myȝthe16,72Thorow helpe Jhesu Cryst þat was oureladisbyrthe.Do for þiself.1.Cf. Halliwell, Early Eng. Misc. in Prose and Verse, printed for the Warton Club,1855, p. 39, Fiedler, Mod. Lang. Review,III.iii. 225.2, 4.MS.þoũȝte.3.MS.bo.5.MS.oñ,on~, throughout.6.MS.in ĩ golde.7.These two lines are transposed in the MS.8.MS.soe, Halliwellsoe, Fiedlergoe.9.MS.señ.10.H.setal.11.H. F.schedhis.12.MS.mõu.13.MS.þrfor, H. F.therefor.14.MS. onlynovnow legible.15.MS.bovȝte, Halliwellbouȝt, Fiedlerbrouȝt.16.MS. Halliwellmyȝthe, probably erroneous formyrthe.15.MS. Balliol 354.Before 1504.[fol. 207, vo.](Richard Hill’s Commonplace-Book.)1Erth owt of erth is worldly wrowght,Erth hath gotenopponerth a dygnite of nowght,Erth vpon erth hath1set all his thowght,4How þat erth vpon erth myght be hye browght.2Erth vpon erth wold be a kyng,But how þat erth shall to erth, he thynkith no thyng;Whenerth biddith erth his rentes2home bryng,8Thenshall erth for erth haue a hard partyng.3Erth vpon erth wynneth castlles2& towres,Thenseyth erth vnto erth: ‘Þis is all owres’;But whenerth vponerth hath bildyd his bowres,12Thanshall erth for erth suffre hard showres.4Erth vpon erth hath welth vpon molde,Erth goth vpon erth glydryng all ingolde,Like as he vnto erth neuertorn shuld;16& yet shal erth vnto erth sonerthanhe wold.5Why þat erth loweth erth, wonder3I thynk;Or why þat erth will for erth swet or swynk;For whanerth vpon erth is browght within þe brynk,20Than shall erth for erth suffre a fowle stynk.6As erth vpon erth were þe worthyes ix,& as erth vpon erth inhonour dide shyne;But erthe liste not to know how þei shuld enclyn,24& þercrownnys leyd inerth, whandeth hath made hys fyne.[fol. 208, ro.]7As erth vpon erth, fulleworthy was Josue,Dauyd þe worthy kyng, Judas Machabe;They were but erth vpon erth, nonof themthre,28And so fromerth vnto erth þei loste þerdignite.8Alisanderwas but erth, þat all the world wan,& Ector vpon erth was hold a worthy man,& Julius Cesar þat þe empire first be-gan;32& now, as erth within erth, þei lye pale & wan.9Arthur was but erth, for all his renown;No more was kyng Charlis, ne Godfrey of Bolown;But now erth hath torned þernoblenes vpsodown;36& thus erth goth to erth, by short conclusion.10Who so rekyn also of WilliamConquerowre4,Kyng Harry þe first, þat was of knyghthode flowre4;Erth hath closed themful streytly inhis bowre4;40Loo, the ende of worthynes! here is no more socowre4.11Now thei þat leve vpon erth, both yong & old,Thynk how ye shall to erth, be ye neuerso bold;Ye be vnsiker, wheþerit be inhete or cold,44Like as your brether5did beffore, as I haue told.12Now ye folk þat be here, ye may not long endure,But þat ye shall torn to erth, I do you ensure;& yf ye lyst of þe trewth to se a playn fugure,48Go to seynt Powlis, & see þerthe portratowre4.13All ys erth, & shall be erth, as it shewithther,6Þer-for, or dredfull deth withhis dart you dere,& for to torn into erth, no manshall it forbere,52Wisely purvey you beffore, & þer-of haue no fere.14Now, sith by deth we shal al pas, it is to vs certeyn,For of þe erth we comall, & to þe erth shall torn agayn;Þer-for to strive of grucche it were but invayn,56For all is erth, & shall be erth, no thyng more certayn.15Now erth vppon erth, consydre thow may,How erth commeth to erth nakyd all way.Why shuld erth vpon erth go stowt or gay,60Sith erth owt of erth shall passe in pore a-ray?16I consaill you vpon erth þat wikkidly haue wrowght,Whill þat erth is on erth, torn vp your thowght,& pray to God vppon erth, þat all þe erth hath wrowght,64Þat erth owt of erth to blis may be browght.Amen.Cf. Roman Dyboski, E.E.T.S. extra ser. ci(1907), p. 90.1.D. erron.hat[h].2.D. readsrentes,castlles.3.MS.worder.4.D. reads-owrthroughout.5.D. erron.brother.6.Line 50 would be better placed after l. 51.

Finalnis often writtenn~; som~.1.possibly MS.ertha; finalein this MS. is often written very likea.2.looks likeba.3.looks likeordanda.

Finalnis often writtenn~; som~.

1.possibly MS.ertha; finalein this MS. is often written very likea.

2.looks likeba.

3.looks likeordanda.

9.MS. Harleian 4486.15th century.[fol. 146, ro.]Memento homo quod cinis es & [in] cinerem reuerteris,Ffac benedumviuis, post mortemviuere si vis.When1lyffe is most loued1, & deth is moste hated,4Then dethe2drawethehis drawghte& makytheman fullenaked.1Erthe owte of erthe is wonderly wrowghte,Erthe of the erthe hathe gete an abbey of nawte,Erthe apon erthe hathesett allehis thowghte8How erthe apon erthe may be hye browte.2Erthe apon erthe be he3a kynge,Butt how ertheschalleto erthe thynkethehe nothynge.4When erthe byddetheerthe his rent home brynge,12Then schalleerthe owte of erthe haue a pyteous partynge.3Erthe apon erthe wynnethecastelles& towres.Then seytheerthe to erthe: ‘These bythealleowres’.When erthe apon erthe hath byggedevp his bowres,16Then schalleerthe for the erthe suffre scharpe schowres.4Erthe gothe apon erthe as molde apon molde.So goetheerthe apon erthe allegleteryngein golde,Lyke as erthe into erthe neuergo scholde,20And ȝet schalle erthe into ertherather then he wolde.5Why erthe louetheerthe wonder me thynke,Or why that erthe for erthe swete wylleor swynke,Ffor whan erthe apon erthe is browte withyn þe brynke,24Then schalleerthe of the erthe haue a fowle stynke.6Loo, erthe apon erthe, consyderethow mayHow erthe commytheto erthe naked alleway.Why scholde erthe apon erthe go stowte or gay,28Whan erthe schallepasse owte of erthe in a pore aray?[fol. 146, vo.]7Therfor erthe apon erthe that wykedly hast wroughte,Whyle erthe is apon erthe torne agayne thy thowghte,And pray to God apon erthe that alleerthe hath wroughte32That this erthe apon this erthe to blysse may be browte.8Now Lorde that madyst for erthe & sufferdyst paynes ylle,Lett neuerthis erthe for this erthe inmyschyffe spylle,But that this erthe in this erthe be euerworchyngethy wylle,36So that this erthe fro þiserthe may stye vp to thy hylle.Amen.

[fol. 146, ro.]

Memento homo quod cinis es & [in] cinerem reuerteris,

Ffac benedumviuis, post mortemviuere si vis.

When1lyffe is most loued1, & deth is moste hated,

Then dethe2drawethehis drawghte& makytheman fullenaked.

1Erthe owte of erthe is wonderly wrowghte,

Erthe of the erthe hathe gete an abbey of nawte,

Erthe apon erthe hathesett allehis thowghte

How erthe apon erthe may be hye browte.

2Erthe apon erthe be he3a kynge,

Butt how ertheschalleto erthe thynkethehe nothynge.

4When erthe byddetheerthe his rent home brynge,

Then schalleerthe owte of erthe haue a pyteous partynge.

3Erthe apon erthe wynnethecastelles& towres.

Then seytheerthe to erthe: ‘These bythealleowres’.

When erthe apon erthe hath byggedevp his bowres,

Then schalleerthe for the erthe suffre scharpe schowres.

4Erthe gothe apon erthe as molde apon molde.

So goetheerthe apon erthe allegleteryngein golde,

Lyke as erthe into erthe neuergo scholde,

And ȝet schalle erthe into ertherather then he wolde.

5Why erthe louetheerthe wonder me thynke,

Or why that erthe for erthe swete wylleor swynke,

Ffor whan erthe apon erthe is browte withyn þe brynke,

Then schalleerthe of the erthe haue a fowle stynke.

6Loo, erthe apon erthe, consyderethow may

How erthe commytheto erthe naked alleway.

Why scholde erthe apon erthe go stowte or gay,

Whan erthe schallepasse owte of erthe in a pore aray?

[fol. 146, vo.]

7Therfor erthe apon erthe that wykedly hast wroughte,

Whyle erthe is apon erthe torne agayne thy thowghte,

And pray to God apon erthe that alleerthe hath wroughte

That this erthe apon this erthe to blysse may be browte.

8Now Lorde that madyst for erthe & sufferdyst paynes ylle,

Lett neuerthis erthe for this erthe inmyschyffe spylle,

But that this erthe in this erthe be euerworchyngethy wylle,

So that this erthe fro þiserthe may stye vp to thy hylle.

Amen.

1.Finalnis uniformly writtenn~in this text excepting in the wordin. Finaldis frequently writtend~.2, 3.added above the line.4.The first words in ll. 11, 14, 15 seem to have been freshened up.

1.Finalnis uniformly writtenn~in this text excepting in the wordin. Finaldis frequently writtend~.

2, 3.added above the line.

4.The first words in ll. 11, 14, 15 seem to have been freshened up.

10.MS. Lambeth 853.c. 1430-1450.[fol. 35.]Whanne liif is moost loued, and deeþ is moost hatid:Þanne dooþ deeþ drawe his drawȝt, & makiþ manful nakid.De terra plasmasti me,&c.41Erþe out of erþe is wondirly wrouȝt,Erþe of erþe haþ gete a dignyte of nouȝt,Erþe uponerþe haþ sett al his þouȝt,How þat erþe upon erþe may be hiȝ brouȝt.82Erþe upon erþe wold he be a king;But how erþe schal to erþe þenkiþ he no [fol. 36] þing;Whanne þat erþe biddiþ erþe hise rentis hom bring,Þan schal erþe out of erþe haue a piteuous parting.123Erþe vpon erþe wynneþ castels & touris,Þan seiþ erþe to erþe: ‘Now is þis al houris’.Whanne erþe upon erþe haþ biggid up hise boure[s],Þanne schal erþe uponerþe suffir scharpe schouris.164Erþe gooth vpon erþe as molde upon molde,So gooth erþe upon erþe al gliteringe in golde,Like as erþe vnto erþe neuere go schulde,And ȝit schal erþe vnto erthe raþerþan he wolde.205O þou wrecchid erþe þat on erþe traueilist nyȝt and day,To florische þe erþe, to peynte þe erþe withwantowne aray,Ȝit schal þou erþe for al þi erþe, make þou it neuere so queynte & gay,[fol. 37.]Out of þis erþe in-to þe erþe, þere to clinge as a clot of clay.246O wrecchid man whi art þou proud, þat art of þe erþe makid?Hiderbrouȝttist þou no schroud, but poore come þou and nakid.Whanne þi soule is went out, & þi bodi in erþe rakid,Þan þi bodi þat was rank & undeuout, of alle men is bihatid.287Out of þis erþe cam to þis erþe þis wrecchid garnement;To hide þis erþe, to happe þis erþe, to himwas cloþinge lente;Now gooþ erþe upon erþe, ruli raggid and rent,Þerfore schal erþe vndir þe erþe haue hidiose turment.328Whi þat erþe to myche loueþ erþe wondir me þink,Or whi þat erþe for superflue erþe to sore sweete wole or swynk;Ffor whanne þat erþe uponerþe is brouȝt withinne þe brink,Þan schal erþe of þe erþe haue a rewful swynk.369Lo erþe upon erþe considere þou may,[fol. 38.]How erþe comeþ into erþe nakid al way,Whi schulde erþe upon erþe go now so stoute or gay,Whanne erþe schal passe out of erþe in so poore aray?10Wolde God þerfore þis erþe, while þat he is upon this erþe,40Vpon þis wolde hertili þinke,& how þe erþe out of þe erþe schal haue his aȝen-risynge,And þis erþe for þis erþe schal ȝeelde streite rekenyng;Schulde neuere þan þis erþe for þis erþe mysplese heuene king.4411Þerfore þou erþe upon erþe put so wickidli hast wrouȝt,While þat þou erþe art upon erþe turne aȝen þi þouȝt,And praie to þat God uponerþe þat al þe erþe haþ wrouȝt,Þat þou erþe upon erþe to blis may be brouȝt.4812O þou Lord þat madist þis erþe for þis erþe & suffridist heere peynes ille,Lete neuere þis erþe for þis erþe myscheue ne spille,But þat þis erþe on þis [fol. 39] erþe be euere worchinge þi wille,So þat þis erþe from þis erþe may stie up to þin hiȝ hille.Amen.52Memento homo quod cinis es, et incineremreuerteris,Ffac bene dum viuis. post mortem viuere si uis.Tangere qui gaudet. meretricem qualiter audet.Palmis pollutis. regem tractare salutis.56Credo in deum patrem omnipotentem.

[fol. 35.]

Whanne liif is moost loued, and deeþ is moost hatid:

Þanne dooþ deeþ drawe his drawȝt, & makiþ manful nakid.

De terra plasmasti me,&c.

1Erþe out of erþe is wondirly wrouȝt,

Erþe of erþe haþ gete a dignyte of nouȝt,

Erþe uponerþe haþ sett al his þouȝt,

How þat erþe upon erþe may be hiȝ brouȝt.

2Erþe upon erþe wold he be a king;

But how erþe schal to erþe þenkiþ he no [fol. 36] þing;

Whanne þat erþe biddiþ erþe hise rentis hom bring,

Þan schal erþe out of erþe haue a piteuous parting.

3Erþe vpon erþe wynneþ castels & touris,

Þan seiþ erþe to erþe: ‘Now is þis al houris’.

Whanne erþe upon erþe haþ biggid up hise boure[s],

Þanne schal erþe uponerþe suffir scharpe schouris.

4Erþe gooth vpon erþe as molde upon molde,

So gooth erþe upon erþe al gliteringe in golde,

Like as erþe vnto erþe neuere go schulde,

And ȝit schal erþe vnto erthe raþerþan he wolde.

5O þou wrecchid erþe þat on erþe traueilist nyȝt and day,

To florische þe erþe, to peynte þe erþe withwantowne aray,

Ȝit schal þou erþe for al þi erþe, make þou it neuere so queynte & gay,

[fol. 37.]

Out of þis erþe in-to þe erþe, þere to clinge as a clot of clay.

6O wrecchid man whi art þou proud, þat art of þe erþe makid?

Hiderbrouȝttist þou no schroud, but poore come þou and nakid.

Whanne þi soule is went out, & þi bodi in erþe rakid,

Þan þi bodi þat was rank & undeuout, of alle men is bihatid.

7Out of þis erþe cam to þis erþe þis wrecchid garnement;

To hide þis erþe, to happe þis erþe, to himwas cloþinge lente;

Now gooþ erþe upon erþe, ruli raggid and rent,

Þerfore schal erþe vndir þe erþe haue hidiose turment.

8Whi þat erþe to myche loueþ erþe wondir me þink,

Or whi þat erþe for superflue erþe to sore sweete wole or swynk;

Ffor whanne þat erþe uponerþe is brouȝt withinne þe brink,

Þan schal erþe of þe erþe haue a rewful swynk.

9Lo erþe upon erþe considere þou may,

[fol. 38.]

How erþe comeþ into erþe nakid al way,

Whi schulde erþe upon erþe go now so stoute or gay,

Whanne erþe schal passe out of erþe in so poore aray?

10Wolde God þerfore þis erþe, while þat he is upon this erþe,

Vpon þis wolde hertili þinke,

& how þe erþe out of þe erþe schal haue his aȝen-risynge,

And þis erþe for þis erþe schal ȝeelde streite rekenyng;

Schulde neuere þan þis erþe for þis erþe mysplese heuene king.

11Þerfore þou erþe upon erþe put so wickidli hast wrouȝt,

While þat þou erþe art upon erþe turne aȝen þi þouȝt,

And praie to þat God uponerþe þat al þe erþe haþ wrouȝt,

Þat þou erþe upon erþe to blis may be brouȝt.

12O þou Lord þat madist þis erþe for þis erþe & suffridist heere peynes ille,

Lete neuere þis erþe for þis erþe myscheue ne spille,

But þat þis erþe on þis [fol. 39] erþe be euere worchinge þi wille,

So þat þis erþe from þis erþe may stie up to þin hiȝ hille.

Amen.

Memento homo quod cinis es, et incineremreuerteris,

Ffac bene dum viuis. post mortem viuere si uis.

Tangere qui gaudet. meretricem qualiter audet.

Palmis pollutis. regem tractare salutis.

Credo in deum patrem omnipotentem.

(Here follows the Creed in English verse.)

11.MS. Laud Misc.23. Before 1450.[fol. 111, vo.]Whan lyf is moost louyd & deeþ is moost hatyd:Thanne deeth drawyth his draut and makith man ful nakid.1Erthe out of erthe is wondirly wrouȝt,4Erthe of the erthe hath gete a dignyte of nowthe,Erthe vp-on erthe hath set al his thouȝtHow that erthe vp-on erthe may be hyȝ browth.2Erthe vp-on erthe wolde be a kyng;8But how erthe shal to erthe thinkiþ he no thing;Whanthat erthe biddeth erthe his rentys hoom bring,Thanne shal erthe out of the erthe haue a petouspartyng.3Erthe vp-on erthe wynnyth castellis and towris1,12Thanne seith erthe to erthe: ‘This is al owris.’Whan erthe vp-on erthe hath biggid alle his bouris,Thanne shal erthe for erthe suffre sharp showris.4Erthe gooth up-on erthe as moolde vp-on moolde,16So gooth erthe vp-on erthe al gleteryng in goolde,Like as erthe vn-to erthe neuere goo2shulde;Yit shal erthe vnto erþe3ratherethan he wolde.5O thou wrecchid erthe, that on the erthe [fol. 112,ro] traueylist nyȝt and day,20To florisshethe erthe, to peynte the erthe wyth wantone a-ray;Ȝit shal thow erthe, for allethyn erthe, make thow it neuerso queynt & gay,Out of the erthe in-to the erthe, ther to clynge as clot of clay.6O wrecchide man whi art thow prude, that art of erthe makid?24Hidir broutyst thow no shroude, but porecam thow & nakid.Whan thi soule is went out, & thi body in erthe rakid,Thanne thi body that was rank and louyd of alle men, is hatyd.7Out of the erthe cam to this erthe his wantyng garnement;28To hyde this erthe, to wrappe this erthe, to him was clothing lent;Now gooth erthe up-on erthe, ruly raggid and rent,Therfor shal erthe vndir erthe haue hidous turment.8Whi that erthe louyth erthe wondir me thinke,32Or whi that erthe for erthe swete wole or swinke;Ffor whan that erthe up-on the erthe is brouȝt wyth-inne the brinke,Thanne shal erthe of the erthe haue a rewfullestinke.-->9Lo erthe up-on erthe consider thow may,36How erthe in-to the erthe comyth nakid al-way,Whi shuld erthe vp-on erthe go stout [fol. 112, vo] or gay,Whanerthe shal passe out of erthe in a porearay?10Wolde therforethis erthe on this erthe, on this hertly thinke,40How that erthe out of the erthe shal haue risynge,And thus erthe for erthe4yeelde shal streyt rikenynge,Shulde neuereerthe for erthe mysplese heuene kyng.11Thow erthe up-on erthe, that wickydly hast wrout,44While that erthe is vp-on erthe, turne a-ȝen thi thout,And preye to God vp-on erthe, that alle the erthe hath wrouȝt,That erthe vp-on erthe to blisse may be brouȝt.12Lord God that erthe madist & for the erthe suffredist peynys ille,48Lete neuere þis erþe5for this erthe myscheue ne spille,But that this erthe in this erthe be euere worching thi wille,So that erthe fro this erthe stye up on thyn hyȝe hille. Amen.parcharite, God it graunte that it so be.52-->6Tangerequi gaudes meretricem qualiteraudes7.Palmis pollutis regem tractaresalutis.

[fol. 111, vo.]

Whan lyf is moost louyd & deeþ is moost hatyd:

Thanne deeth drawyth his draut and makith man ful nakid.

1Erthe out of erthe is wondirly wrouȝt,

Erthe of the erthe hath gete a dignyte of nowthe,

Erthe vp-on erthe hath set al his thouȝt

How that erthe vp-on erthe may be hyȝ browth.

2Erthe vp-on erthe wolde be a kyng;

But how erthe shal to erthe thinkiþ he no thing;

Whanthat erthe biddeth erthe his rentys hoom bring,

Thanne shal erthe out of the erthe haue a petouspartyng.

3Erthe vp-on erthe wynnyth castellis and towris1,

Thanne seith erthe to erthe: ‘This is al owris.’

Whan erthe vp-on erthe hath biggid alle his bouris,

Thanne shal erthe for erthe suffre sharp showris.

4Erthe gooth up-on erthe as moolde vp-on moolde,

So gooth erthe vp-on erthe al gleteryng in goolde,

Like as erthe vn-to erthe neuere goo2shulde;

Yit shal erthe vnto erþe3ratherethan he wolde.

5O thou wrecchid erthe, that on the erthe [fol. 112,ro] traueylist nyȝt and day,

To florisshethe erthe, to peynte the erthe wyth wantone a-ray;

Ȝit shal thow erthe, for allethyn erthe, make thow it neuerso queynt & gay,

Out of the erthe in-to the erthe, ther to clynge as clot of clay.

6O wrecchide man whi art thow prude, that art of erthe makid?

Hidir broutyst thow no shroude, but porecam thow & nakid.

Whan thi soule is went out, & thi body in erthe rakid,

Thanne thi body that was rank and louyd of alle men, is hatyd.

7Out of the erthe cam to this erthe his wantyng garnement;

To hyde this erthe, to wrappe this erthe, to him was clothing lent;

Now gooth erthe up-on erthe, ruly raggid and rent,

Therfor shal erthe vndir erthe haue hidous turment.

8Whi that erthe louyth erthe wondir me thinke,

Or whi that erthe for erthe swete wole or swinke;

Ffor whan that erthe up-on the erthe is brouȝt wyth-inne the brinke,

Thanne shal erthe of the erthe haue a rewfullestinke.

-->9Lo erthe up-on erthe consider thow may,

How erthe in-to the erthe comyth nakid al-way,

Whi shuld erthe vp-on erthe go stout [fol. 112, vo] or gay,

Whanerthe shal passe out of erthe in a porearay?

10Wolde therforethis erthe on this erthe, on this hertly thinke,

How that erthe out of the erthe shal haue risynge,

And thus erthe for erthe4yeelde shal streyt rikenynge,

Shulde neuereerthe for erthe mysplese heuene kyng.

11Thow erthe up-on erthe, that wickydly hast wrout,

While that erthe is vp-on erthe, turne a-ȝen thi thout,

And preye to God vp-on erthe, that alle the erthe hath wrouȝt,

That erthe vp-on erthe to blisse may be brouȝt.

12Lord God that erthe madist & for the erthe suffredist peynys ille,

Lete neuere þis erþe5for this erthe myscheue ne spille,

But that this erthe in this erthe be euere worching thi wille,

So that erthe fro this erthe stye up on thyn hyȝe hille. Amen.

parcharite, God it graunte that it so be.

-->6Tangerequi gaudes meretricem qualiteraudes7.

Palmis pollutis regem tractaresalutis.

(The poemWhi is the wor[l]d belouyd that fals is and veyn,follows immediately.)

1.towrisadded in margin by the same hand.2.MS.goo ne;necrossed out, and markedṇẹ.3.vnto erþeinserted in red above the line.4.for ertherepeated and crossed out in red.5.þis erþeadded above the line,erþein red.6.In left marginde sacerdotibus.7.in right marginhocin decretis.

1.towrisadded in margin by the same hand.

2.MS.goo ne;necrossed out, and markedṇẹ.

3.vnto erþeinserted in red above the line.

4.for ertherepeated and crossed out in red.

5.þis erþeadded above the line,erþein red.

6.In left marginde sacerdotibus.

7.in right marginhocin decretis.

12.MS. Cotton Titus A.xxvi. 15th century.[fol. 153, ro.]1Erthe oute of erthe is wondirly wroght,Erthe of þe erthe hathe goten a dyngnyte of noght,Erthe vpon erthe hathe set allehys thovght4Houe erthe vpon erthe maye be hyghe broght.2Erthe vpon erthe wolde be a kyng;Bot how erthe shalleto erthe thynkethe he nothyng;Whan that erthe biddethe erthe hys rentis hom to bryng,8Than shalleerthe oute of erthe haue a pytous partyng.3Whan erthe vpon erthe wynythe casteles & tourys,Than says erthe to erthe: ‘Þys is alleourys’.And whan erthe vpon erthe hathe byggid hys bourys,12Than shalleerthe vpon erthe suffer sharpe shoures.4Erthe gothe vpon erthe as molde vpon molde1,So gothe erthe vpon erthe alleglytryng in golde,Lyke as erthe into erthe never goo sholde;16And yet shal2erthe in to erthe rathar then he wolde.[fol. 153, vo.]5O thou wreched erthe that on erthe trauayles nyght & dayeTo fflorysshe3and paynt þe erthe withwanton araye;Yet sshalle þou, erthe, for allethy erthe, make þou it neuerso queynt or gaye,20Oute of thys erthe in to erthe to klyng as clot in claye.6O wrechyd man, why4art þou5prowde that of erth art maked,And hyder thou broght no shrowde, bot pore com and nakyd?Lewe thy syne and lyffe in ryght,24And than shalt thou lyffe in heuyn as a knyght.

[fol. 153, ro.]

1Erthe oute of erthe is wondirly wroght,

Erthe of þe erthe hathe goten a dyngnyte of noght,

Erthe vpon erthe hathe set allehys thovght

Houe erthe vpon erthe maye be hyghe broght.

2Erthe vpon erthe wolde be a kyng;

Bot how erthe shalleto erthe thynkethe he nothyng;

Whan that erthe biddethe erthe hys rentis hom to bryng,

Than shalleerthe oute of erthe haue a pytous partyng.

3Whan erthe vpon erthe wynythe casteles & tourys,

Than says erthe to erthe: ‘Þys is alleourys’.

And whan erthe vpon erthe hathe byggid hys bourys,

Than shalleerthe vpon erthe suffer sharpe shoures.

4Erthe gothe vpon erthe as molde vpon molde1,

So gothe erthe vpon erthe alleglytryng in golde,

Lyke as erthe into erthe never goo sholde;

And yet shal2erthe in to erthe rathar then he wolde.

[fol. 153, vo.]

5O thou wreched erthe that on erthe trauayles nyght & daye

To fflorysshe3and paynt þe erthe withwanton araye;

Yet sshalle þou, erthe, for allethy erthe, make þou it neuerso queynt or gaye,

Oute of thys erthe in to erthe to klyng as clot in claye.

6O wrechyd man, why4art þou5prowde that of erth art maked,

And hyder thou broght no shrowde, bot pore com and nakyd?

Lewe thy syne and lyffe in ryght,

And than shalt thou lyffe in heuyn as a knyght.

Finalnis writtenn~as a rule in this text, som~.1.MS.moldee.2.MS.shal doorde, the second word crossed out.3.MS.To fflorysshe þe erthe, the last two words crossed out, cf. MS. Lambeth,v. 5, MS. Rawl. Poet.,v. 15.4.MS.why at,atcrossed out.5.MS.þt.

Finalnis writtenn~as a rule in this text, som~.

1.MS.moldee.

2.MS.shal doorde, the second word crossed out.

3.MS.To fflorysshe þe erthe, the last two words crossed out, cf. MS. Lambeth,v. 5, MS. Rawl. Poet.,v. 15.

4.MS.why at,atcrossed out.

5.MS.þt.

13.MS. Rawlinson Poetical 32.After 1450.[fol. 32, vo.]A descripture alchimicall of erthe & the nature of man1.Whanne life is most louyd,And deth is most hatid,Deth drawith his drauȝte4And makith a man nakid.1Erthe oute of ertheIs wonderly wrouȝte;Erthe hath of the erthe8Ȝetyn a dignite of noughte.2Erthe a-pon ertheHath set alle his thoughteHow erthe apon erthe12May be hiere y-broughte.3Erthe a-pon ertheWolde be made a kyng,How erthe schal to erthe16Thynkyng no thyng.4Whanne erthe biddith ertheThan he his rente hom brynge,Thanne schal erthe for erthe20Haue a petous partynge.5Whanne erthe apon ertheHath billid al his bowris,Thanne schalle erthe for erthe24Suffre ful harde schowris.[fol. 33, ro.]6Erthe a-pon ertheWynnyth castellis and towris.Thanne saithe erthe to erthe:28‘This is alle owris’.7Erthe gothe apon ertheAs molde a-pon molde,Erthe gothe apon erthe32Gleteryng alle in golde,8As thouh erthe to ertheNeuera-yen go schulde,But yit schal erthe to þeerthe36Rather thanne he wolde.9Oute of the erthe cam the ertheWantynge his garnament,To hide the erthe, to lappe the erthe,40To hym was clothing y-lent.10Now goth the erthe apon ertheDisgesily ragged and to-rent,Therfore schal erthe vnder erthe44Suffer ful grete turment.11Whi that erþe loueþ ertheWonder y may thinke,Or whi that erthe for the erthe48Unresonably swete wol or swynke,[fol. 33, vo.]12Ffor whanne erthe vnder ertheIs brouȝte withynne brynke,Thanne schal erthe of the erthe52Haue an oribyll stynke.13Yif erthe wold of ertheThus hartily haue thynkynge,And how erthe out of erthe56Shal at last haue risynge,14Thanne schal erthe for ertheYelde riht streite rekenynge,Thanne schuld [erthe] for erthe60Neuer mys-plese heuene kynge.15Thow wrecchid erthe þat thus for ertheTrauelist nyht and dayTo florische the erthe, to paynte the erthe64With thi wanton array,16Yit schalt thou erthe for alle thi erthe,Make thou neuer so gay,Ffor thi erthe in to erthe68Clynge as clotte in clay.17Thinke now erthe how thou in ertheGoist euer in dethis2grace,And thanne thou erthe for the erthe72Shalt neuer stryue ne race.[fol. 34, ro.]18Bute for thou erthe with thi ertheHauntist enuye and hate,Therefor schal erthe for erthe76Be excludid from heuene gate.19Ffowle erthe whi louyst thou ertheThat is thi dedly foo,And bildist on erthe80As thou schuldist dwelle euer moo?20But thou erthe forsake the erthe,Or that thou hennys goo,Vnder erthe for lust of erthe84Thou schalt haue sorow and woo.21Whiles erthe may in ertheTo festis and to drynkis gon,Til the be made frome the erthe88As bare as any bon.22Thanne if erthe comyth to ertheMakyng sorow and mone,Thanne saith erthe to the erthe,92‘Thou were a felow, but now art thou none’.23Thus the erthe queytith the ertheThat doith to him seruyse,Or tristyn on erthe, or plese the erthe96In any maner wise.[fol. 34, vo.]24Therfor thou erthe be ware of ertheAnd thou the wele auyse,Lest thou erthe perische for erthe100By-fore the hihe iustyse.25Ffor the erthe was made of ertheAt the first begynnynge,That erthe schuld labour the erthe104In trowthe and sore swynkynge;26But now erthe lyueth in ertheWith falshode and begilynge,Therfor schal erthe for erthe108Be punsched in payne euerlastynge.27But erthe forsake the ertheAnd alle his falshede,And of the erthe restore the erthe112Goodis that ben mys-gete,28Or that erthe be doluyn in ertheAnd vnder fote y-trede,Ffor synne of erthe, þat hath do in erthe,116Fful sore he schalle be bete.29Drede thou erthe while thou in ertheHast witte & resoune at thi wille,That, erthe, for loue of erthe,120Thi soule thou nougth spille.[fol. 35, ro.]30And thou erthe, repente the in ertheOf alle that thou hast don ille,And thanne schalt thou, erthe apon erthe,124Goddis biddyngis fulfille.31Lord God that erthe tokist in erthe,And suffredist paynes ful stille,Late neuer erthe for the erthe128In dedly synne ne spille,32But that erthe in this ertheBe doynge euer thi wille,So that erthe for the erthe132Stye vp to thi holy hille. Amen. S. J.

[fol. 32, vo.]

A descripture alchimicall of erthe & the nature of man1.

Whanne life is most louyd,And deth is most hatid,Deth drawith his drauȝte4And makith a man nakid.1Erthe oute of ertheIs wonderly wrouȝte;Erthe hath of the erthe8Ȝetyn a dignite of noughte.2Erthe a-pon ertheHath set alle his thoughteHow erthe apon erthe12May be hiere y-broughte.3Erthe a-pon ertheWolde be made a kyng,How erthe schal to erthe16Thynkyng no thyng.4Whanne erthe biddith ertheThan he his rente hom brynge,Thanne schal erthe for erthe20Haue a petous partynge.5Whanne erthe apon ertheHath billid al his bowris,Thanne schalle erthe for erthe24Suffre ful harde schowris.[fol. 33, ro.]6Erthe a-pon ertheWynnyth castellis and towris.Thanne saithe erthe to erthe:28‘This is alle owris’.7Erthe gothe apon ertheAs molde a-pon molde,Erthe gothe apon erthe32Gleteryng alle in golde,8As thouh erthe to ertheNeuera-yen go schulde,But yit schal erthe to þeerthe36Rather thanne he wolde.9Oute of the erthe cam the ertheWantynge his garnament,To hide the erthe, to lappe the erthe,40To hym was clothing y-lent.10Now goth the erthe apon ertheDisgesily ragged and to-rent,Therfore schal erthe vnder erthe44Suffer ful grete turment.11Whi that erþe loueþ ertheWonder y may thinke,Or whi that erthe for the erthe48Unresonably swete wol or swynke,[fol. 33, vo.]12Ffor whanne erthe vnder ertheIs brouȝte withynne brynke,Thanne schal erthe of the erthe52Haue an oribyll stynke.13Yif erthe wold of ertheThus hartily haue thynkynge,And how erthe out of erthe56Shal at last haue risynge,14Thanne schal erthe for ertheYelde riht streite rekenynge,Thanne schuld [erthe] for erthe60Neuer mys-plese heuene kynge.15Thow wrecchid erthe þat thus for ertheTrauelist nyht and dayTo florische the erthe, to paynte the erthe64With thi wanton array,16Yit schalt thou erthe for alle thi erthe,Make thou neuer so gay,Ffor thi erthe in to erthe68Clynge as clotte in clay.17Thinke now erthe how thou in ertheGoist euer in dethis2grace,And thanne thou erthe for the erthe72Shalt neuer stryue ne race.[fol. 34, ro.]18Bute for thou erthe with thi ertheHauntist enuye and hate,Therefor schal erthe for erthe76Be excludid from heuene gate.19Ffowle erthe whi louyst thou ertheThat is thi dedly foo,And bildist on erthe80As thou schuldist dwelle euer moo?20But thou erthe forsake the erthe,Or that thou hennys goo,Vnder erthe for lust of erthe84Thou schalt haue sorow and woo.21Whiles erthe may in ertheTo festis and to drynkis gon,Til the be made frome the erthe88As bare as any bon.22Thanne if erthe comyth to ertheMakyng sorow and mone,Thanne saith erthe to the erthe,92‘Thou were a felow, but now art thou none’.23Thus the erthe queytith the ertheThat doith to him seruyse,Or tristyn on erthe, or plese the erthe96In any maner wise.[fol. 34, vo.]24Therfor thou erthe be ware of ertheAnd thou the wele auyse,Lest thou erthe perische for erthe100By-fore the hihe iustyse.25Ffor the erthe was made of ertheAt the first begynnynge,That erthe schuld labour the erthe104In trowthe and sore swynkynge;26But now erthe lyueth in ertheWith falshode and begilynge,Therfor schal erthe for erthe108Be punsched in payne euerlastynge.27But erthe forsake the ertheAnd alle his falshede,And of the erthe restore the erthe112Goodis that ben mys-gete,28Or that erthe be doluyn in ertheAnd vnder fote y-trede,Ffor synne of erthe, þat hath do in erthe,116Fful sore he schalle be bete.29Drede thou erthe while thou in ertheHast witte & resoune at thi wille,That, erthe, for loue of erthe,120Thi soule thou nougth spille.[fol. 35, ro.]30And thou erthe, repente the in ertheOf alle that thou hast don ille,And thanne schalt thou, erthe apon erthe,124Goddis biddyngis fulfille.31Lord God that erthe tokist in erthe,And suffredist paynes ful stille,Late neuer erthe for the erthe128In dedly synne ne spille,32But that erthe in this ertheBe doynge euer thi wille,So that erthe for the erthe132Stye vp to thi holy hille. Amen. S. J.

Whanne life is most louyd,

And deth is most hatid,

Deth drawith his drauȝte

And makith a man nakid.

1Erthe oute of erthe

Is wonderly wrouȝte;

Erthe hath of the erthe

Ȝetyn a dignite of noughte.

2Erthe a-pon erthe

Hath set alle his thoughte

How erthe apon erthe

May be hiere y-broughte.

3Erthe a-pon erthe

Wolde be made a kyng,

How erthe schal to erthe

Thynkyng no thyng.

4Whanne erthe biddith erthe

Than he his rente hom brynge,

Thanne schal erthe for erthe

Haue a petous partynge.

5Whanne erthe apon erthe

Hath billid al his bowris,

Thanne schalle erthe for erthe

Suffre ful harde schowris.

[fol. 33, ro.]

6Erthe a-pon erthe

Wynnyth castellis and towris.

Thanne saithe erthe to erthe:

‘This is alle owris’.

7Erthe gothe apon erthe

As molde a-pon molde,

Erthe gothe apon erthe

Gleteryng alle in golde,

8As thouh erthe to erthe

Neuera-yen go schulde,

But yit schal erthe to þeerthe

Rather thanne he wolde.

9Oute of the erthe cam the erthe

Wantynge his garnament,

To hide the erthe, to lappe the erthe,

To hym was clothing y-lent.

10Now goth the erthe apon erthe

Disgesily ragged and to-rent,

Therfore schal erthe vnder erthe

Suffer ful grete turment.

11Whi that erþe loueþ erthe

Wonder y may thinke,

Or whi that erthe for the erthe

Unresonably swete wol or swynke,

[fol. 33, vo.]

12Ffor whanne erthe vnder erthe

Is brouȝte withynne brynke,

Thanne schal erthe of the erthe

Haue an oribyll stynke.

13Yif erthe wold of erthe

Thus hartily haue thynkynge,

And how erthe out of erthe

Shal at last haue risynge,

14Thanne schal erthe for erthe

Yelde riht streite rekenynge,

Thanne schuld [erthe] for erthe

Neuer mys-plese heuene kynge.

15Thow wrecchid erthe þat thus for erthe

Trauelist nyht and day

To florische the erthe, to paynte the erthe

With thi wanton array,

16Yit schalt thou erthe for alle thi erthe,

Make thou neuer so gay,

Ffor thi erthe in to erthe

Clynge as clotte in clay.

17Thinke now erthe how thou in erthe

Goist euer in dethis2grace,

And thanne thou erthe for the erthe

Shalt neuer stryue ne race.

[fol. 34, ro.]

18Bute for thou erthe with thi erthe

Hauntist enuye and hate,

Therefor schal erthe for erthe

Be excludid from heuene gate.

19Ffowle erthe whi louyst thou erthe

That is thi dedly foo,

And bildist on erthe

As thou schuldist dwelle euer moo?

20But thou erthe forsake the erthe,

Or that thou hennys goo,

Vnder erthe for lust of erthe

Thou schalt haue sorow and woo.

21Whiles erthe may in erthe

To festis and to drynkis gon,

Til the be made frome the erthe

As bare as any bon.

22Thanne if erthe comyth to erthe

Makyng sorow and mone,

Thanne saith erthe to the erthe,

‘Thou were a felow, but now art thou none’.

23Thus the erthe queytith the erthe

That doith to him seruyse,

Or tristyn on erthe, or plese the erthe

In any maner wise.

[fol. 34, vo.]

24Therfor thou erthe be ware of erthe

And thou the wele auyse,

Lest thou erthe perische for erthe

100

By-fore the hihe iustyse.

25Ffor the erthe was made of erthe

At the first begynnynge,

That erthe schuld labour the erthe

104

In trowthe and sore swynkynge;

26But now erthe lyueth in erthe

With falshode and begilynge,

Therfor schal erthe for erthe

108

Be punsched in payne euerlastynge.

27But erthe forsake the erthe

And alle his falshede,

And of the erthe restore the erthe

112

Goodis that ben mys-gete,

28Or that erthe be doluyn in erthe

And vnder fote y-trede,

Ffor synne of erthe, þat hath do in erthe,

116

Fful sore he schalle be bete.

29Drede thou erthe while thou in erthe

Hast witte & resoune at thi wille,

That, erthe, for loue of erthe,

120

Thi soule thou nougth spille.

[fol. 35, ro.]

30And thou erthe, repente the in erthe

Of alle that thou hast don ille,

And thanne schalt thou, erthe apon erthe,

124

Goddis biddyngis fulfille.

31Lord God that erthe tokist in erthe,

And suffredist paynes ful stille,

Late neuer erthe for the erthe

128

In dedly synne ne spille,

32But that erthe in this erthe

Be doynge euer thi wille,

So that erthe for the erthe

132

Stye vp to thi holy hille. Amen. S. J.

1.Added in a later hand, probably 16th century.2.MS.deth is.

1.Added in a later hand, probably 16th century.

2.MS.deth is.

14.MS. Porkington 10.15th century.[fol. 79, vo.]11Erthe vpponertheis woundyrely wrouȝte;Erthe vpponerthe has set al his þouȝte2[fol. 80, ro.]How erthe vpponerth to erthe schallebe3brouȝte;4Ther is none vpponerth has hit in þouȝte.4Take hede!Whoso þinkyse on5his ende, ful welleschal he spede.2Erth vpponerth woldebe a kynge;8How erth schal to erthe he þinkisno þinge.Whenerth byddyþ erth his rent whome brynge,Thenschal erth fro þe erth have a hardeparttynge,Withcare;12Ffor erth vpponerþe wottisneuerwerþerfor to fare.3Erth vpponerth wynnis castyllis& tovris.Thensayþe erth to erth: ‘Al þis is ourus’.Whenerth vpponerth has bylde al his bovres,16Thenschal erth fro þe erth soffyrescharpe schorrys,Andesmarte.Man, amendeþe betyme, þi lyfe ys but a starte.4Erth gose on erth as moldevponnemolde,20Lyke as erth to þe erth neuera-gayne scholde;Erth gose on erth glytteryng in golde6,[fol. 80, vo.]Ȝet shale erth to þe erth, raþerþenhe wolde.Be owris!24Ȝefe þi almiswithþi hande. Trust to no secatovrs.5Why þat erth louis erþe merwel me þinke,7Or why erth vpponerth wyl swet or swinke,7Ffor whenerth vpponerth is brouþt to þe brynke,28Thenschal erth frov þe erth have a fovl stynkeTo smele,Wars þenþe caryonþat lyis in þe fele.6Lo, erth vpponerth, consayfe þis þou maye,32That þou commys frome þe erth nakydealway[e];How schuldeerth vpponerth soe8prodeor gaye,Sen9erth vnto erth schal pase insymple araye,Unclade?36Cloth þe nakyd whyl þou may, for so Gode þe bade.7Erth vpponerth, me þinkyȝ þe ful blynde,That on erth ryches to set al10þi mynde;In þe gospel wryttyne exampul I fynde,40The pore went to heyuyn, þe rych to hel I fynde,Witt skyle:[fol. 81, ro.]The commandmentisof Godewoldehe not fulfyle.8Erth vpponerth, deyle duly thy goode44To þe porepepul þat favtt pe þi fovde,Ffor þe loue of þi Lorde, þat rent was on þe roode,Andefor þi loue on þe crose sched his11hart blode,—Go rede!—48nWittovte anny place to reste on his hede.9Erth vpponerth, take tent to my steyuyne;Whyl þou leuyst, fulfyle þe werkys of mercy vij.Loke þou lete, for oode ne for ewyne,52Ffor þo byne þe werkisþat helpyne vs to heyuyne,In haste.Tho dediswho so dose þar, hyme neuerbe agaste.10Erth vpponerth, be þou neuerso gaye,56Thow moue12wendeof þis worldean vnreydy waye;Turne þe betyme, whyle þat þou maye,Leste it lede þe into hele, to logege þerfor13ay,In pyne;60Ffor þeris noþerto gett brede, ale, ne wyne.[fol. 81, vo.]11Erth vpponerth, Godeȝeyf þe grace,Whyle þou leuuyst vpponerth, to purway þe a placeIn heywynto dweylle, whyl þat þou hast space;64That myrthe for to myse it wera karful case.Ffor whye?That myrth is withowttynende, I tel þe securlye.12I concele erth vpponerth þat wykydely has wroȝte,68Whyl erth is on erth, to torn allehis þovȝte,Andepray to Gode vpponerth, þat al madeof nov[ȝte]14,That erth owte of erth to blys may be bovȝte15Witt myȝthe16,72Thorow helpe Jhesu Cryst þat was oureladisbyrthe.Do for þiself.

[fol. 79, vo.]

11Erthe vpponertheis woundyrely wrouȝte;

Erthe vpponerthe has set al his þouȝte2

[fol. 80, ro.]

How erthe vpponerth to erthe schallebe3brouȝte;

Ther is none vpponerth has hit in þouȝte.4

Take hede!

Whoso þinkyse on5his ende, ful welleschal he spede.

2Erth vpponerth woldebe a kynge;

How erth schal to erthe he þinkisno þinge.

Whenerth byddyþ erth his rent whome brynge,

Thenschal erth fro þe erth have a hardeparttynge,

Withcare;

Ffor erth vpponerþe wottisneuerwerþerfor to fare.

3Erth vpponerth wynnis castyllis& tovris.

Thensayþe erth to erth: ‘Al þis is ourus’.

Whenerth vpponerth has bylde al his bovres,

Thenschal erth fro þe erth soffyrescharpe schorrys,

Andesmarte.

Man, amendeþe betyme, þi lyfe ys but a starte.

4Erth gose on erth as moldevponnemolde,

Lyke as erth to þe erth neuera-gayne scholde;

Erth gose on erth glytteryng in golde6,

[fol. 80, vo.]

Ȝet shale erth to þe erth, raþerþenhe wolde.

Be owris!

Ȝefe þi almiswithþi hande. Trust to no secatovrs.

5Why þat erth louis erþe merwel me þinke,

7Or why erth vpponerth wyl swet or swinke,

7Ffor whenerth vpponerth is brouþt to þe brynke,

Thenschal erth frov þe erth have a fovl stynke

To smele,

Wars þenþe caryonþat lyis in þe fele.

6Lo, erth vpponerth, consayfe þis þou maye,

That þou commys frome þe erth nakydealway[e];

How schuldeerth vpponerth soe8prodeor gaye,

Sen9erth vnto erth schal pase insymple araye,

Unclade?

Cloth þe nakyd whyl þou may, for so Gode þe bade.

7Erth vpponerth, me þinkyȝ þe ful blynde,

That on erth ryches to set al10þi mynde;

In þe gospel wryttyne exampul I fynde,

The pore went to heyuyn, þe rych to hel I fynde,

Witt skyle:

[fol. 81, ro.]

The commandmentisof Godewoldehe not fulfyle.

8Erth vpponerth, deyle duly thy goode

To þe porepepul þat favtt pe þi fovde,

Ffor þe loue of þi Lorde, þat rent was on þe roode,

Andefor þi loue on þe crose sched his11hart blode,—

Go rede!—

nWittovte anny place to reste on his hede.

9Erth vpponerth, take tent to my steyuyne;

Whyl þou leuyst, fulfyle þe werkys of mercy vij.

Loke þou lete, for oode ne for ewyne,

Ffor þo byne þe werkisþat helpyne vs to heyuyne,

In haste.

Tho dediswho so dose þar, hyme neuerbe agaste.

10Erth vpponerth, be þou neuerso gaye,

Thow moue12wendeof þis worldean vnreydy waye;

Turne þe betyme, whyle þat þou maye,

Leste it lede þe into hele, to logege þerfor13ay,

In pyne;

Ffor þeris noþerto gett brede, ale, ne wyne.

[fol. 81, vo.]

11Erth vpponerth, Godeȝeyf þe grace,

Whyle þou leuuyst vpponerth, to purway þe a place

In heywynto dweylle, whyl þat þou hast space;

That myrthe for to myse it wera karful case.

Ffor whye?

That myrth is withowttynende, I tel þe securlye.

12I concele erth vpponerth þat wykydely has wroȝte,

Whyl erth is on erth, to torn allehis þovȝte,

Andepray to Gode vpponerth, þat al madeof nov[ȝte]14,

That erth owte of erth to blys may be bovȝte15

Witt myȝthe16,

Thorow helpe Jhesu Cryst þat was oureladisbyrthe.

Do for þiself.

1.Cf. Halliwell, Early Eng. Misc. in Prose and Verse, printed for the Warton Club,1855, p. 39, Fiedler, Mod. Lang. Review,III.iii. 225.2, 4.MS.þoũȝte.3.MS.bo.5.MS.oñ,on~, throughout.6.MS.in ĩ golde.7.These two lines are transposed in the MS.8.MS.soe, Halliwellsoe, Fiedlergoe.9.MS.señ.10.H.setal.11.H. F.schedhis.12.MS.mõu.13.MS.þrfor, H. F.therefor.14.MS. onlynovnow legible.15.MS.bovȝte, Halliwellbouȝt, Fiedlerbrouȝt.16.MS. Halliwellmyȝthe, probably erroneous formyrthe.

1.Cf. Halliwell, Early Eng. Misc. in Prose and Verse, printed for the Warton Club,1855, p. 39, Fiedler, Mod. Lang. Review,III.iii. 225.

2, 4.MS.þoũȝte.

3.MS.bo.

5.MS.oñ,on~, throughout.

6.MS.in ĩ golde.

7.These two lines are transposed in the MS.

8.MS.soe, Halliwellsoe, Fiedlergoe.

9.MS.señ.

10.H.setal.

11.H. F.schedhis.

12.MS.mõu.

13.MS.þrfor, H. F.therefor.

14.MS. onlynovnow legible.

15.MS.bovȝte, Halliwellbouȝt, Fiedlerbrouȝt.

16.MS. Halliwellmyȝthe, probably erroneous formyrthe.

15.MS. Balliol 354.Before 1504.[fol. 207, vo.](Richard Hill’s Commonplace-Book.)1Erth owt of erth is worldly wrowght,Erth hath gotenopponerth a dygnite of nowght,Erth vpon erth hath1set all his thowght,4How þat erth vpon erth myght be hye browght.2Erth vpon erth wold be a kyng,But how þat erth shall to erth, he thynkith no thyng;Whenerth biddith erth his rentes2home bryng,8Thenshall erth for erth haue a hard partyng.3Erth vpon erth wynneth castlles2& towres,Thenseyth erth vnto erth: ‘Þis is all owres’;But whenerth vponerth hath bildyd his bowres,12Thanshall erth for erth suffre hard showres.4Erth vpon erth hath welth vpon molde,Erth goth vpon erth glydryng all ingolde,Like as he vnto erth neuertorn shuld;16& yet shal erth vnto erth sonerthanhe wold.5Why þat erth loweth erth, wonder3I thynk;Or why þat erth will for erth swet or swynk;For whanerth vpon erth is browght within þe brynk,20Than shall erth for erth suffre a fowle stynk.6As erth vpon erth were þe worthyes ix,& as erth vpon erth inhonour dide shyne;But erthe liste not to know how þei shuld enclyn,24& þercrownnys leyd inerth, whandeth hath made hys fyne.[fol. 208, ro.]7As erth vpon erth, fulleworthy was Josue,Dauyd þe worthy kyng, Judas Machabe;They were but erth vpon erth, nonof themthre,28And so fromerth vnto erth þei loste þerdignite.8Alisanderwas but erth, þat all the world wan,& Ector vpon erth was hold a worthy man,& Julius Cesar þat þe empire first be-gan;32& now, as erth within erth, þei lye pale & wan.9Arthur was but erth, for all his renown;No more was kyng Charlis, ne Godfrey of Bolown;But now erth hath torned þernoblenes vpsodown;36& thus erth goth to erth, by short conclusion.10Who so rekyn also of WilliamConquerowre4,Kyng Harry þe first, þat was of knyghthode flowre4;Erth hath closed themful streytly inhis bowre4;40Loo, the ende of worthynes! here is no more socowre4.11Now thei þat leve vpon erth, both yong & old,Thynk how ye shall to erth, be ye neuerso bold;Ye be vnsiker, wheþerit be inhete or cold,44Like as your brether5did beffore, as I haue told.12Now ye folk þat be here, ye may not long endure,But þat ye shall torn to erth, I do you ensure;& yf ye lyst of þe trewth to se a playn fugure,48Go to seynt Powlis, & see þerthe portratowre4.13All ys erth, & shall be erth, as it shewithther,6Þer-for, or dredfull deth withhis dart you dere,& for to torn into erth, no manshall it forbere,52Wisely purvey you beffore, & þer-of haue no fere.14Now, sith by deth we shal al pas, it is to vs certeyn,For of þe erth we comall, & to þe erth shall torn agayn;Þer-for to strive of grucche it were but invayn,56For all is erth, & shall be erth, no thyng more certayn.15Now erth vppon erth, consydre thow may,How erth commeth to erth nakyd all way.Why shuld erth vpon erth go stowt or gay,60Sith erth owt of erth shall passe in pore a-ray?16I consaill you vpon erth þat wikkidly haue wrowght,Whill þat erth is on erth, torn vp your thowght,& pray to God vppon erth, þat all þe erth hath wrowght,64Þat erth owt of erth to blis may be browght.Amen.

[fol. 207, vo.]

(Richard Hill’s Commonplace-Book.)

1Erth owt of erth is worldly wrowght,

Erth hath gotenopponerth a dygnite of nowght,

Erth vpon erth hath1set all his thowght,

How þat erth vpon erth myght be hye browght.

2Erth vpon erth wold be a kyng,

But how þat erth shall to erth, he thynkith no thyng;

Whenerth biddith erth his rentes2home bryng,

Thenshall erth for erth haue a hard partyng.

3Erth vpon erth wynneth castlles2& towres,

Thenseyth erth vnto erth: ‘Þis is all owres’;

But whenerth vponerth hath bildyd his bowres,

Thanshall erth for erth suffre hard showres.

4Erth vpon erth hath welth vpon molde,

Erth goth vpon erth glydryng all ingolde,

Like as he vnto erth neuertorn shuld;

& yet shal erth vnto erth sonerthanhe wold.

5Why þat erth loweth erth, wonder3I thynk;

Or why þat erth will for erth swet or swynk;

For whanerth vpon erth is browght within þe brynk,

Than shall erth for erth suffre a fowle stynk.

6As erth vpon erth were þe worthyes ix,

& as erth vpon erth inhonour dide shyne;

But erthe liste not to know how þei shuld enclyn,

& þercrownnys leyd inerth, whandeth hath made hys fyne.

[fol. 208, ro.]

7As erth vpon erth, fulleworthy was Josue,

Dauyd þe worthy kyng, Judas Machabe;

They were but erth vpon erth, nonof themthre,

And so fromerth vnto erth þei loste þerdignite.

8Alisanderwas but erth, þat all the world wan,

& Ector vpon erth was hold a worthy man,

& Julius Cesar þat þe empire first be-gan;

& now, as erth within erth, þei lye pale & wan.

9Arthur was but erth, for all his renown;

No more was kyng Charlis, ne Godfrey of Bolown;

But now erth hath torned þernoblenes vpsodown;

& thus erth goth to erth, by short conclusion.

10Who so rekyn also of WilliamConquerowre4,

Kyng Harry þe first, þat was of knyghthode flowre4;

Erth hath closed themful streytly inhis bowre4;

Loo, the ende of worthynes! here is no more socowre4.

11Now thei þat leve vpon erth, both yong & old,

Thynk how ye shall to erth, be ye neuerso bold;

Ye be vnsiker, wheþerit be inhete or cold,

Like as your brether5did beffore, as I haue told.

12Now ye folk þat be here, ye may not long endure,

But þat ye shall torn to erth, I do you ensure;

& yf ye lyst of þe trewth to se a playn fugure,

Go to seynt Powlis, & see þerthe portratowre4.

13All ys erth, & shall be erth, as it shewithther,

6Þer-for, or dredfull deth withhis dart you dere,

& for to torn into erth, no manshall it forbere,

Wisely purvey you beffore, & þer-of haue no fere.

14Now, sith by deth we shal al pas, it is to vs certeyn,

For of þe erth we comall, & to þe erth shall torn agayn;

Þer-for to strive of grucche it were but invayn,

For all is erth, & shall be erth, no thyng more certayn.

15Now erth vppon erth, consydre thow may,

How erth commeth to erth nakyd all way.

Why shuld erth vpon erth go stowt or gay,

Sith erth owt of erth shall passe in pore a-ray?

16I consaill you vpon erth þat wikkidly haue wrowght,

Whill þat erth is on erth, torn vp your thowght,

& pray to God vppon erth, þat all þe erth hath wrowght,

Þat erth owt of erth to blis may be browght.

Amen.

Cf. Roman Dyboski, E.E.T.S. extra ser. ci(1907), p. 90.1.D. erron.hat[h].2.D. readsrentes,castlles.3.MS.worder.4.D. reads-owrthroughout.5.D. erron.brother.6.Line 50 would be better placed after l. 51.

Cf. Roman Dyboski, E.E.T.S. extra ser. ci(1907), p. 90.

1.D. erron.hat[h].

2.D. readsrentes,castlles.

3.MS.worder.

4.D. reads-owrthroughout.

5.D. erron.brother.

6.Line 50 would be better placed after l. 51.

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