University of Virginia Library

previous section Religious Lyrics of the XVth Century
next section

158. Knight, King, Clerk Wend to Death

[_]

A. Cotton MS. Faustina B. vi, Part II (verses written on scrolls)

I wende to dede, knight stithe in stoure,
thurghe fyght in felde i wane þe flour;
Na fightis me taght þe dede to quell—
weend to dede, soth i ȝow tell.
249

I weende [to dede], a kynge I-wisse;
What helpis honor or werldis blysse?
Dede is to mane þe kynde wai—
i wende to be clade in clay.
I wende to dede, clerk ful of skill,
þat couth with worde men mare & dill.
Sone has me made þe dede ane ende—
beese ware with me! to dede i wende.
[_]

B. B.M. Addit. MS. 37049

I wende to dede, a kyng y-wys;
What helps honour or warldis blys?
Ded is to man þe kynde way—
I wende to be cled in claye.
I wende to dede, clerk ful of skill,
þat cowthe with wordes men mate & stylle.
So Sone has þe dede me made ane ende—
Bes war with me! to dede I wende.
I wende to dede, knyght styf in stowre,
þorow fyght in felde I wan þe flowre;
No fyghts me taght þe ded to qwell—
[[OMITTED]] telle.
[_]

C. Stowe MS. 39

I wende to ded, clerk full of skill,
þat couth with word mate men at will;
Sone has me made þe ded an ende—
Be war with me! to ded I wende.
I wende to ded, a kyng I-wys;
What helpes here honur or worldis blys?
250

I wende to ded, knyght styffe in stoure,
Thurgh fight in felde I wane þe floure;
No feghtis me taght þe ded to qwell—
I wende to ded, soth I ȝow tell.
Be ȝe wele now warre with me!
My name þen is ded;
May þer none fro me fle,
þat any lyfe gun led,
kynge, kasere, þeȝn, no knyght,
Ne clerke þat cane on boke rede,
Beest, ne foghel, ne oþer wyght,
Bot I sal make þam dedde.
previous section Religious Lyrics of the XVth Century
next section