Yorkshire writers :: :: University of Virginia Library

Yorkshire writers

Rolle, Richard (1290?-1349)

Poems of Ms. Cambr. Dd V. 64, fol. 134–142.

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VIII.

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XII.

XIV.

Poems of Ms. Thornton.

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[III].

[III.]

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XI.

XII.

Appendix I. (2 Charms for the tooth-ache.)

I. A charme for þe tethe-werke.

II.

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XII. [Memento Homo Quod Cinis Es]

Memento Homo Quod Cinis Es,
Et in cenerem Reuerteris.

Perce michi domine, nichil enim sunt dies mei; quid est homo quia (magnificas eum)?

Limus

Erthe owte of erthe: es wondirly wroghte,
Erthe hase getyn one erthe: a dignyte of noghte,

Homo
Erthe appone erthe: hase sett alle his thoghte,

primus
How þat erthe appone erthe: may be heghe broghte.

374

Erthe appone erthe: wolde be a kynge;

Sordens;
Bot howe þat erthe to erthe sall: thynkis he no-thynge.
Whene erthe bredis erthe: and his rentis home brynge,

Mutare
Thane schalle erthe of erthe: hafe full harde partynge.

Nequimus;

Erthe appone erthe: wynnys castells and towrrys,
Thane saise erthe vn-to erthe: “this es alle owrris”;

Vnde

Whene erthe appone erthe: hase bigged vp his bowrris,
Thane schalle erthe for erthe: suffire scharpe scowrrys.

Erthe gose appone erthe: as golde appone golde:

Superbimus?
He that gose appone erthe: gleterande as golde,
Lyke als erthe neuer-more: goo to erthe scholde,

Terram
And ȝitte schall erthe vn-to erthe: ȝa rathere þane he wolde.

Terra

Now why þat erthe luffis erthe: wondire me thynke,
Or why þat erthe for erthe: scholde oþer swete or swynke;

Redimus.
For whene þat erthe appone erthe: es broghte with-in brynke,
Thane schalle erthe of erthe: hafe a foulle stynke.