The Dance of Death Edited from mss. Ellesmere 26/A.13 and B. M. Lansdowne 699, collated with the other extant mss. By Florence Warren: With introduction, notes, etc. by Beatrice White |
The Dance of Death | ||
1
THE DAUNCE OF DEATH
2
VERBA TRANSLATORIS
I
O [ȝ]ee folkes harde herted as a stoneWhich to the world haue al your aduertence
Like as hit sholde laste euere in oone
Where ys ȝoure witte where ys ȝoure prouidence
To see a-forne the sodeyne vyolence
Of cruel dethe that ben so wyse and sage
Whiche sleeth allas by stroke of pestilence
Bothe ȝonge and olde of low and hie parage.
II
Dethe spareth not low ne hye degrePopes kynges ne worthi Emperowrs
When thei schyne moste in felicite
He can abate the fresshnes of her flowres
Ther briȝt sune clipsen with hys showres
Make hem plownge from theire sees lowe
Maugre the myght of al these conquerowres
Fortune hath hem from her whele [y]throwe.
III
Considereth this ȝe folkes that ben wyseAnd hit enprenteth in ȝowre memorialle
Like the exawmple whiche that at Parise
I fownde depicte ones on a walle
4
Ther of frensshe clerkes tak[yng] acqueyntaunce
I toke on me to translaten al
Owte of the frensshe Macabrees daunce.
IV
BI whos a-vyse and cownseille atte lesteThurh her sterynge and her mocioune
I obeyed vnto her requeste
Ther of to make a pleyne translacioun
In Inglisshe tunge of entencioun
That prowde folkes whiche that ben stoute & bolde
As in a myrrowre to-forn yn her reasoun
Her owgly fyne may clierli ther be-holde.
V
By exaumple that thei yn her ententisA-mende her life in eueri maner age
The whiche daunce at seint Innocentis
Portreied is with al the surplu[s]age
To schewe this worlde is but a pilgrimage
Ȝeuen vn-to vs owre lyues to correcte
And to declare the fyne of owre passage
Ryght a-noon my stile I wille directe.
6
VI
O creatures ȝe that ben resonableThe life desiringe whiche is eternal
Ȝe mai sene here doctryne ful notable
Ȝowre life to lede whiche that ys mortal
Ther bi to lerne in [e]special
How ȝe schulle trace the daunce of machabre
To man and woman yliche natural
For dethe ne spareth hye ne lowe degre.
VII
In this myrrow[r]e eueri wight mai fyndeThat hym behoueth to go vpon this daunce
Who gothe to-forne or who schal go be-hynde
All dependeth in goddes ordynaunce
Where-fore eche man lowely take his chaunce
Deth spareth not pore ne blode royal
Eche man ther-fore haue yn remembraunce
Of oo matier god hathe forged al.
VIII
O ȝe that ben sette moste hye In dygniteOf al estatis in erthe spiritual
And liche as Petur had the souerente
Ouer the churche and states temporal
8
As moste worthi lorde and gouernowre
For al the worschip of ȝowre astate papal
And of lordschip to god is the honowre.
IX
FIrst me be-houeth this daunce for to ledeWhiche sate yn erthe hyest yn my see
The state ful parilous who so taketh hede
To occupie Petirs dignitie
But for al that deth I mai not flee
On his daunce with other for to trace
For whiche al honoure who prudentely can see
Is litel worthe that doth soo sone pace.
X
SIr Emperowre lorde of al the groundeSoueren Prince ande hyest of noblesse
Ȝe most forsake of golde ȝowre appil rounde
Sceptre and swerde & al ȝowre hie prouesse
Be-hinde leue ȝowre tresowre & richesse
And with other to my daunce obeie
Aȝens my myght is worth noon hardynesse
Adames children alle thei mosten deie.
10
XI
I not to whom that I mai appeleTowchyng dethe whiche dothe me so constreyne
Ther is no geyne to helpe my quarele
But spade & picoys my graue to atteyne
A simple shete ther is no more to seyne
To wrappe yn my bodi and visage
Ther-vp-on sore I may compleyne
That lordes grete have litle a-vauntage.
XII
Ye ben a-basshed hit semeth and yn dredeSire Cardynal hit sheweth be ȝowre chere
But yit for-thi ȝe folow shul yn dede
With other folke my daunce for to lere
Ȝowre grete a-rai al shal be-leue here
Ȝowre hatte of rede ȝowre vesture of grete coste
All these thinges rekened well I-fere
In grete honowre gode avise is loste.
XIII
I haue grete cause certis this is no faileTo be a-basshed and gretli drede me
Sithen dethe is come me sodeynli to assaile
That I shal neuer here after clothed be
12
Mi hatte of rede leve eke yn distresse
Bi whiche I haue [lerned] wel and se
How that al ioye endeth yn heuynesse.
14
XIV
O noble Kynge moste worthi of renownCome forth a-noon for al ȝowre worthinesse
That somme-tyme had a-bowte yow envroun
Grete [r]ialte and passynge hye noblesse
But right a-noon al ȝowre grete hyenesse
Sool fro ȝowre men yn haste ȝe schul hit lete
Who most haboundeth here yn grete richesse
Shal bere with him but a sengle shete.
XV
I haue not lerned here-a-forne to daunceNo daunce in sothe of fotynge so sauage
Where-fore I see be clere demonstraunce
What pride is worth force or hye lynage
Deth al fordoth this is his vsage
Grete and smale that yn this worlde soiourne
Who is moste meke I holde he is moste sage
For [w]e shalle al to dede asshes turne.
XVI
Sire Patriark al ȝowre humble chereNe quyte ȝow not ne ȝowre humylite
Ȝowre dowble cros of golde & stones clere
Ȝowre power hole and al ȝowre dignyte
16
Possede a-noon as I reherce can
Trusteth neuere that ȝe shul pope be
For foli hope deceyueth many a man.
XVII
Worldli honowre grete tresowre and richesseHaue me deceyued sothfastli in dede
Myne olde Joies ben turned to tristesse
What vaileth hit suche tresowr to possede
Hi[e] clymbyng vp [a f]alle hathe for his mede
Grete estates folke wasten owte of nombre
Who mounteth hye hit is sure & no drede
Grete burdoun dothe hym ofte encombre.
XVIII
Hit is my right to reste & yow constraynWith vs to daunce my maiester sire Conestable
For more stronge than euer was Charlemayn
Dethe hathe a-forced & more worshipable
For hardynesse [n]e knyȝthode this is no fable
Ne stronge armoure of plates ne of maile
What geyneth armes of folkes most notable
Whan cruel deth luste hem to assaile.
18
XIX
Mi purpose was & hole entenciounTo assaille ✗ castelles and myȝty [forteresses]
And brynge folke vn-to subieccioun
To seke honowre fame & grete richesses
But I se welle that alle wordli prowesses
Deth can a-bate whiche is a grete despite
To hym al-on sorowe & eke swetenesse[s]
For aȝeyne deth is founden no respite.
XX
Sire archebisshop whi do ȝe ȝow with-draweSo frowardli as hit were bi disdeyne
Ȝe moste a-proche to my mortal lawe
Hit to contrarie hit were not but yn veyne
For dai be dai ther is none other geyne
Deth at honde pursueth eueri coost
Preste & dette mote be ȝolde a-ȝeyne
And atte oo day men counten with her hooste.
20
XXI
Alas I wote not what partie for to fleFor drede of dethe I haue so grete distresse
To a-scape his myght I can no refute se
That who so knewe his constreynt & duresse
He wolde take reasoun to maistresse
A-dewe my tresowr my pompe & pride al-so
Mi peynted chambres my porte & my fresshnesse
For thynge that behoueth nedes mote be do.
XXII
Ȝe that amonge lordes and barounsHau had so longe worship & renoun
Forȝete ȝowre trumpettes & yowre clariowns
This is no dreme ne symulacioun
Somme-tyme ȝowre custome & entencioun
Was with ladies to daunce yn the shade
But ofte hit happeth In conclusioun
That oo man breketh that another made.
XXIII
Ful ofte sithe I haue ben auctorisedTo hye Emprises & thynges of grete fame
Of hie and lowe my thanke also deuysed
Cherisshed with ladies and wymmen hye of [n]ame
22
In lordes courte whiche that was notable
But dethes stroke hath made me so lame
Under heuene in erthe is no thynge stable.
XXIV
Come forth a-noon my lady & PrincesseȜe most al-so go vp-on this daunce
Nowt mai a-vaile ȝowre grete straungenesse
Nowther ȝowre beaute ne ȝowre grete plesaunce
Ȝowre riche a-rai ne ȝowre daliaunce
That somme-tyme cowde so many holde on honde
In loue for al ȝowre dowble variaunce
Ȝe mote as now this foting vnderstonde.
XXV
Allas I see ther is noon other boteDethe hathe yn erthe no ladi ne maiestresse
And on his daunce ȝitte moste I nedes fote
For ther [n]is quene Countesse ne duchesse
Flouryng in beaute ne yn feirnesse
That she of dethe mote dethes trace sewe
For to ȝowre beaute & counterfete fresshnesse
Owre rympled age seithe farewel adiewe.
24
XXVI
Mi lorde Sire Bisshop with ȝowre mitre & croseFor al ȝowre riches sotheli I ensure
For al ȝowre tresowre so longe kepte in clos
Ȝowre worldli godes & godes of nature
And of ȝowre shepe the gostli dredeful cure
With charge comytted to ȝowre prelacie
For to accounte ȝe shul be browȝt to lure
No wight is sure that clymbeth ouer hye.
XXVII
Mi herte trewly is nowether glad ne meriOf sodeyne tidinges whiche that ȝe bringe
Mi festes turned in to simple ferie
That for discomforte me liste no thyng synge
The worlde contrarie now to me In werkynge
That al folkes can so disherite
He that al with-halte allas atte owre partynge
And al shal passe safe oneli owre merite.
XXVIII
Come forthe Sire Squyer right fressh of ȝowre araiThat can of daunces al the newe gyse
Thowȝ ȝe bare armes fressh horsed ȝisterdai
With spere & shelde atte ȝowre vncouthe deuyse
26
Daunceth with vs hit wille no better be
Ther is no sokoure in no maner wise
For no man mai fro dethes stroke fle.
XXIX
Sitthen that dethe me holdeth in his laceȜitte shal I speke oo worde or I pace
Adieu al myrthe adieu [now] al solace
Adieu my ladyes somme-tyme so fressh of face
Adieu beaute plesaun[ce] & solace
Of dethes chaunge eueri dai is pryme
Thynketh [o]n ȝowre sowles or that deth manace
For al shal rote & no man wote what tyme.
30
XXX
Come forthe Sire Abbot with ȝowre brode hatte[B]e[e]th not abasshed though ȝe haue right
Grete is ȝowre hede ȝowr beli large & fatte
Ȝe mote come daunce thowȝ ȝe be nothing light
Leve[th] ȝowre abbei to somme other wight
Ȝowre eire [is] of age ȝowre state to occupie
Who that is fattest I haue hym be-hight
In his graue shal sonnest putrefie.
XXXI
Of thi [th]retis haue I noon envieThat I shal now leue al gouernaunce
But that I shal as a cloistre[r] deie
This dothe to me passynge grete greuaunce
Mi liberte nor my grete habundaunce
What mai a-vaile in eny maner wyse
Ȝitte axe I merci with hertli repentaunce
Though yn diynge to late men hem a-vise.
32
XXXII
And ȝe my ladi Jentel dame abbesseWith ȝowre mantels furred large & wide
Ȝowre veile ȝowre wimple passyng of grete richesse
And beddes softe ȝe mote now leyne a-side
For to this daunce I shal be ȝowre gide
Thowgh ȝe be tender & borne of Jentille blode
While that ȝe lyve for ȝowre selfe prouyde
For after deth no man hathe no gode.
XXXIII
Allas that dethe hathe thus for me ordeynedThat yn no wise I mai hit not declyne
Thowgh hit so be ful ofte I haue constreyned
Breste & throte my notes owte to twyne
Mi chekes rounde vernysshed for to shyne
Ungirte ful ofte to walke atte large
Thus cruel dethe dothe al estates fyne
Who hath no ship mote rowe yn bote or barge.
36
XXXIV
Come forthe Sire Bailli that knewe al the giseBi ȝowre office of trewthe & rightwisnesse
Ȝe moste come to a newe assise
Extorcions & wronges to redresse
Ȝe ben sommened as lawe bitte expresse
To ȝefe a-comptes the Juge wille ȝow charge
Whiche hathe ordeyned to exclude al falsnesse
That eueri man schal bere his owne charge.
XXXV
O thou lorde god this is an harde JourneTo whiche a-forne I toke but litel hede
Mi chaun[c]e is turned & that forthynketh me
Some-tyme with Juges what me liste to spede
Lai yn my myȝte be favoure or for mede
But sitthen ther is no rescuse be bataile
I holde hym wise that coude see yn dede
Aȝen dethe that noon appele mai vaile.
38
XXXVI
Come forthe maister that loken vp so ferreWith instrumentis of astronomy
To take the grees & hight of eueri sterre
What mai a-vaile al ȝowre astrologie
Sith [of] Adam alle the genelegye
Made firste of god to walke vp-on the grounde
Dethe dothe a-reste thus seieth theologie
And al schal dye for an appil rounde.
XXXVII
For al my crafte cunnynge or scienceI can not fynde no provisioun
Ne yn the sterres serche owte no defence
Be domefyinge nor calculacioun
Saue finyalli in conclusioun
For to discryue owre cunnynge euery dele
Ther is no more be sentence of resoun
Who lyueth a-right mote nedes dye wele.
XXXVIII
Sire Burgeys what do ȝe lenger tarieFor al ȝowre aver & ȝowre grete richesse
Thowgh ȝe be straunge deynous & contrarie
To this daunce ȝe mote ȝow nedes dresse
40
From other hit came & shal vn-to straungeres
He is a fole that yn soche besynesse
Wote not for hom he stuffeth his garneres.
XXXIX
Certes to me hit is grete displesaunsTo leue al this & mai hit not assure
Howses rentes tresoure & substauns
Dethe al fordothe suche is his nature
There-fore wise is no creature
That sette [h]is herte on gode that mote disseuere
The worlde hit lente & he wille hit recure
And w[h]o moste hathe [l]othest dieth euer.
XL
And ȝe Sire Chanoun with many grete prebendeȜe mai no lenger haue distribucioun
Of golde & siluer largeli to dispende
For ther is now no consolacioun
But daunce with vs for al ȝowre hye renoun
For ȝe of dethe stonde vp on the brinke
Ȝe mai ther of haue no dilacioun
Dethe cometh ai when men leste on hym thenke.
42
XLI
Mi benefices with many a personageGod wote ful lite mai me now comforte
Dethe hathe of me so grete a-vantage
Al my richesse mai me not disporte
Amys o[f] gris thei wille aȝen resorte
Vnto the worlde surplus & prebende
Al is veyneglorie treuli to reporte
To dei welle eche man shulde entende.
44
XLII
Ȝe riche marchaunt ȝe mote loke hiderwardeThat passed haue ful many dyuerse londe
On hors on fote hauyng moste rewarde
To lucre & wynnynge as I vndurstonde
But now to daunce ȝe mote ȝeue me ȝowre honde
For al ȝowre laboure ful litel a-vaileth now
A-dieu veyneglorie bothe of fre and bonde
No[ne] more coueite than thei that haue ynow.
XLIII
Be many an hille and many [a] straunge valeI haue trauailed with my marchaundise
Ouer the see do carye many a bale
To sundri Iles mo than I can deuyse
Myn herte inwarde ai frette with couetise
But al for nowght now dethe [dothe] me constreyne
Be whiche I seie be recorde of the wise
Who al embraceth litel schal restreyne.
46
XLIV
Gefe me ȝowre honde with chekes dede & paleCaused of wacche & longe abstinence
Sire Chartereux & ȝowre selfe a-vale
Vn-to this daunce with humble pacience
To stryue aȝen mai be no resistence
Lenger to lyve sette not ȝowre memorie
Thowgh I be lothsome as yn apparence
Above al men deth hath the victorie.
48
XLV
Vn to the worlde I was dede longe a-gonBe my ordre and my professioun
Thowgh eueri man be he neuer so stronge
Dredeth to dye be kyndeli mocioun
After his flessheli Inclynacioun
But plese hit to god my sowle for to borowe
From fendes myȝt & fro dampnacioun
Somme ben to dai that shul not be to morowe.
XLVI
Come forthe Sire Sergeaunt with ȝowr stateli maceMake no defence ne no rebellioun
Not may availe to grucche in this cace
Thowgh ȝe be deynous of condicioun
For nowther peele ne proteccioun
Mai ȝow fraunchise to do nature wronge
For ther is noon so sturdi Champioun
Thowgh he be myȝti a-nother is as stronge.
XLVII
How dar this dethe sette on me a-resteThat am the kynges chosen officere
Whiche ȝesterdai bothe este & weste
Myn office dede ful surquedous of chere
50
And mai not fle thowgh I had hit sworne
Eche man is lothe to dye ferre and nere
That hath not lerned for to dye a-forne.
XLVIII
Sire monke also with ȝowre blake abiteȜe mai no lenger holde here soioure
Ther is no thinge that mai ȝow here respite
Aȝeyn my myght ȝow for to do socoure
Ȝe mote accounte towchyng ȝowre laboure
How ȝe haue spente hit in dede worde & thowght
To erthe and asshes turneth eueri floure
The life of man is but a thynge of nowght.
XLIX
I had leuere in [the] cloystre beAtte my boke and studie my seruice
Whiche is a place contemplatif to se
But I haue spente my life in many vise
Liche as a fole dissolute and nyce
God of his merci graunte me repentaunce
Be chere owtewarde harde to deuyce
Al ben not meri whiche that men seen daunce.
L
Thow vserere loke vp & be-holdeUn to wynnynge thow settest al thi peyne
Whose couetise wexeth neuer colde
Thi gredi thruste so sore the dothe constreyne
52
Suche an etik thyn herte frete shal
That but of pite God his honde refreyne
Oo parilous stroke shal make the lese al.
LI
Now me behoueth sodeynly to deyWhiche is to me grete peyne & grete greuaunce
Socowre to fynde I see no maner weie
Of golde ne siluer be no cheuisshaunce
Dethe thrugh his haste a-bitte no puruiaunce
Of folkes blynde that can not loke welle
Ful ofte happeth be kynde or fatal chaunce
Somme haue feyre yȝen that seen neuer a dele.
LII
Usure to god is ful grete offenceAnd in his sight a grete abusioun
The pore borweth par cas for Indigence
The riche lent be fals collucioun
Onli for lucre in his entencioun
Dethe shal hem bothe to accomptes fette
To make rekennynge be computacioun
No man is quytte that is be-hynde of dette.
LIII
Maister of phisik whiche [o]n ȝowre vryneSo loke and gase & stare a-ȝenne the sunne
For al ȝowre crafte & studie of medicyne
Al the practik & science that ȝe cunne
54
Aȝeyne my myght ȝowre crafte mai not endure
For al the golde that ȝe ther-bi haue wonne
Good leche is he that can hym self recure.
LIV
Ful longe a-gon that I vn-to phesikeSette my witte and my diligence
In speculatif & also in practike
To gete a name thurgh myn excellence
To fynde oute a-ȝens pestilence
Preseruatifes to staunche hit & to fyne
But I dar saie shortli in sentence
A-ȝens dethe is worth no medicyne.
LV
Þe that be Jentel so fresshe & amerousOf ȝeres ȝonge flowryng in ȝowre grene age
Lusti fre of herte and eke desyrous
Ful of deuyses and chaunge yn ȝowre corage
Plesaunt of porte of loke & [of] visage
But al shal turne in to asshes dede
For al beaute is but a feynte ymage
Whiche steleth a-wai or folkes can take hede.
LVI
Allas allas I can now no socoureA-ȝeyns dethe for my selfe prouyde
Adieu of ȝowthe the lusti fressh floure
Adieu veynglorie [of bewte and of pride]
56
Adieu my ladyes so fresshe so wel be-seyne
For a-ȝeyne dethe no thynge mai abide
And wyndes grete gon doune with litel reyne
LVII
Come forthe Maistresse of ȝeres ȝonge & greneWhiche holde ȝowre self of beaute souereyne
As feire as ȝe was sum tyme pollicene
Penelope and the quene Eleyne
Ȝitte on this daunce thei wenten bothe tweyne
And so shul ȝe for al ȝowre straungenesse
Though daunger longe yn loue hathe lad ȝow reyne
A-rested is ȝowre chaunge of dowblenesse.
LVIII
O cruel dethe that sparest noon a-stateTo olde and ȝonge thow arte indefferente
To my beaute thou haste I-seide checke-mate
So hasti is thi mortal Jugemente
For yn my ȝowthe this was myn entente
To my seruyce many a man to a lured
But she is a fole shortli yn sentemente
That in her beaute is to moche assured.
58
LIX
Sire aduocate shorte processe for to makeȜe mote come plete a-fore the hye Juge
Many a quarel ȝe haue vndurtake
And for lucre to do folke refuge
But my fraunchise is so large & huge
That counceile noon a-vaile mai but trouth
He skapeth wyseli of dethe the grete deluge
To-fore the dome who is not teynte with slouth.
LX
Of right and resoun be natures laweI can [not] put a-ȝen dethe no defence
Ne be no sleyght me kepe ne with-drawe
For al my witte and [my] grete prudence
To make appele from his dredeful sentence
No thyng yn erthe mai a man preserue
A-ȝeyne his myght to make resistence
God quyte al men liche as thei deserue.
60
LXI
Maister ioroure whiche that atte assiseAnd atte shires questes doste embrace
Depart[ist] londe like to thy deuyse
And who moste ȝaf moste stode yn thi grace
The pore man loste londe and place
For golde thow [cow]dest folke disherite
But now lete see with thi teynte face
To-fore the Juge howe thow cannest the quyte.
LXII
Somme tyme I was cleped yn my CuntreThe belle wedyr and that was not a lite
Not loued but drad of hye & lowe degre
For whom me liste be crafte y coude endite
And hange the trewe & the thief respite
Al the cuntre be my worde was lad
But y dar sei shortli for to write
Of my dethe many a man is glad.
LXIII
O thow Minstral that cannest so note & pipeUn-to folkes for to do plesaunce
By the right honde [anoone] I shal the gripe
With these other to go vp-on my daunce
Ther is no scape nowther a-voydaunce
On no side to contrarie my sentence
For yn musik be crafte & accordaunce
Who maister is shew his science.
62
LXIV
This newe daunce is to me so straungeWonder dyuerse and passyngli contrarie
The dredful fotyng dothe so ofte chaunge
And the mesures so ofte sithes varie
Whiche now to me is no thyng necessarie
Ȝif hit were so that I myght asterte
But many a man ȝif I shal not tarie
Ofte daunceth but no thynge of herte.
64
LXV
Maister Jon Rikelle some tyme tregetowreOf nobille harry kynge of Ingelonde
And of Fraunce the myghti Conquerowre
For alle the sleightes and turnyng of thyn honde
Thow moste come nere this daunce to vndurstonde
Nowȝt mai a-vaile alle thi conclusiouns
For dethe shortli nowther on see ne londe
Is not deceyued be noon illusiouns.
LXVI
What mai a-vaile Maugik naturalOr any crafte shewed be apparence
Or cours of sterres aboue celestial
Or of the heuene al the Influence
A-ȝens dethe to stonde atte defence
Legerdemeyn now helpeth me right nowght
Fare welle my crafte and al soche sapience
For dethe mo maistries ȝitte than y hathe wrowght.
LXVII
O Sire Curate that ben here now presentThat had ȝowre worldli Inclynacioun
Ȝowre herte entier ȝowre study & entent
Moste on ȝowre tithes & oblacioun
Whiche shulde haue ben of conuersacioun
Mirroure vn-to other light & exaumplarie
Like ȝowre deserte shal be ȝowre guerdoun
And to eche laboure due is the salarie.
66
LXVIII
Mawgre my wille I moste condescendeFor dethe assaileth eueri lifli thynge
Here yn this worlde who can comprehende
His sodeyn stroke & his vnware comynge
Fare-wel tithes and fare-wel myn offrynge
I mote go Counte yn ordre by and by
[And for my shepe] make a Juste rekenynge
Whom he acquyteth I holde he is happi.
LXIX
Thow laborere whiche yn sorow & peyneHaste had thi life in ful grete trauaile
Thow moste eke daunce & ther fore not disdeyne
For ȝif thow do hit mai the not a-vaile
And cause whi that I the assaile
Is wonli this from the to disseuere
The fals worlde that can so folke faile
He is a fole that weneth to lyve euere.
LXX
I haue wisshed after dethe ful ofteAl-be that I wolde haue fled hym nowe
I had leuere to haue leyne vnsofte
In wynde & reyne & haue gon atte plowe
With spade & pikeys and labored for my prowe
Dolue & diched & atte Carte goon
For I mai sey & telle playnli howe
In this worlde here ther is reste noon.
68
LXXI
Sire Cordelere to ȝow my hande is rawghtTo this daunce ȝow to conueie ande lede
Whiche yn ȝowre prechynge hau ful ofte tawght
How [þat] I am moste gastful for to drede
Al-be that folke take ther of none hede
Ȝitte is ther noon so stronge ne so hardi
But dethe dar reste and lette for no mede
For dethe eche owre is present & redy.
LXXII
What mai this be that yn this world no manHere to a-bide mai haue no seuerte
Strengh richesse ne what so that he can
Wordly wisdom al is but vanyte
In grete astate ne yn pouerte
Is no thynge founde that mai fro dethe defende
For whiche I sei to hye & lowe degre
Wise is that synner that dothe his lif a-mende.
LXXIII
Litel Enfaunt that were but late borneSchape yn this worlde to haue no plesaunce
Thow moste with other that gon here to forne
Be lad yn haste be fatal ordynaunce
70
Ther mai non age a-scape yn sothe ther fro
Late eueri wight haue this yn remembraunce
Who lengest leueth moste shal suffre wo.
LXXIV
A a a a worde I can not spekeI am so ȝonge I was bore ȝisterdai
Dethe is so hasti on me to be wreke
And liste no lenger to make no delai
I cam but now and now I go my wai
Of me no more no tale shal be tolde
The wille of god no man with-stonde mai
As sone dyeth a ȝonge man as an olde.
LXXV
O ȝe [Sir] Clerke suppose ȝe to be freFro my daunce or ȝowre selfe defende
That wende haue risen vn-to hye degre
Of benefices or somme grete prebende
Who clymbeth hyest somme-tyme shal dessende
Lete no man grucche a-ȝens his fortune
But take yn gre what [euer god] hym sende
Whiche punyssheth al whan tyme is oportune.
72
LXXVI
Shal I that am so ȝonge a Clerke now deyeFro my seruyse and haue no bette guerdoun
Is there no geyne ne noon better weye
No sure fraunchise ne proteccioun
Dethe maketh al weie a short conclusioun
To late ware whan men ben on the brynke
The worlde shal faile and al possessioun
For moche faileth of thynge that foles thynke.
LXXVII
Ȝe that haue lyued longe yn wildernesseAnd there contynued longe yn abstynence
Atte laste ȝitte ȝe mote ȝow dresse
Of my daunce to haue experience
For ther-aȝeyne is no resistence
Take now leue of thyn Ermytage
Where-fore eche man aduerte this sentence
That this life here is no sure Eritage.
LXXVIII
LIfe yn deserte callid solitarieMai a-ȝeyne dethe haue respite noon ne space
Atte vnsette owre his comyng dothe not tarie
And for my parte welcome be goddes grace
Thankyng hym with humble chere & face
Of al his ȝiftes and grete habundaunce
Fynalli affermyng yn this place
No man is riche that lacketh suffisaunce.
74
LXXIX
That is welle seyde & thus shulde euery wightThanke his god and al his wittes dresse
To loue and drede hym with al his herte & myght
Setth dethe to a-scape mai be no sekernesse
As men deserue god quytte of rightwisnesse
To riche and pore vp-on eueri side
A better lessoun ther can no Clerke expresse
Than til to morowe is no man sure to a-bide.
LXXX
Ȝe folke that loken vpon this purtratureBeholdyng here alle the estates daunce
Seeth what ȝe ben & what is ȝowre nature
Mete vnto wormes not elles yn substaunce
And haue this myrroure euer yn remembraunce
[H]ow I lye here som-tyme crowned kynge
To al estates a trewe resemblaunce
That wormes fode is fyne of owre lyuynge.
LXXXI
Man is nowght elles platli for to thenkeBut as a wynde whiche is transitorie
Passyng ay forthe whether he wake or wynke
Towarde this daunce haue this yn memorie
Remembr[ing]e ay ther is [no] bette victory
In this life here than fle synne atte leste
Than shul ȝe reigne yn Paradyse with glorie
Happi is he that maketh yn heuene his feste.
76
LXXXII
Ȝitte ther be folke mo than sixe or seueneReckeles of life yn many maner wyse
Like as ther were helle noon ne heuene
Suche fals errowre lete eueri man despice
For holi seyntes & olde Clerkes wise
Writen contrarie her falsnes to deface
To lyue welle take this for beste Emprise
Is moche worthe when men shul hennes pace.
LXXXIII
O ȝe my lordes and maistres al in fereOf a-venture that shal this daunce [r]ede
Loweli I preye with al myn herte entere
To correcte where as ȝe see nede
For nowght elles I aske for my mede
But godeli supporte of this translacioun
And with fauowre to soupewaile drede
Benyngneli in ȝowre correccioun.
LXXXIV
Owte of the frensshe I drowe hit of ententNot worde be worde but folwyng the substaunce
And fro Paris to Inglond hit sent
Oneli of purpose ȝow to do plesaunce
Rude of langage y was not borne yn fraunce
Haue me excused my name is Jon Lidgate
Of her tunge I haue no suffisaunce
Her corious metris In Inglissh to translate.
Amen.
The Dance of Death | ||