Chaucerian and Other Pieces/Piece27

by Anonymous

[ Introduction for this Piece ] | [ Notes on this Piece ]

XXVII. LEAULTE VAULT RICHESSE.

This warldly joy is only fantasy,
Of quhich non erdly wicht can be content;
Quho most has wit, lest suld in it affy,
Quho taistis it most, most sall him repent;
Quhat valis all this richess and this rent, 5
Sen no man wat quho sall his tresour have?
Presume nocht gevin that god has don but lent,
Within schort tyme the quhiche he thinkis to crave.

⁠Leaulte vault richesse.

XXVII. From MS. Arch. Seld. B. 24, fol. 138; I give rejected spellings. 1. Ioy; onely. 3. leste. 6. wate. 7. done. 9. richess.