Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918/This World's Joy

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This World's Joy

c. 1300

WYNTER wakeneth al my care,
Nou thise leves[1] waxeth bare;
Ofte I sike[2] and mourne sare
When hit cometh in my thoht
Of this worldes joie, hou hit geth al to noht.

Nou hit is, and nou hit nys,[3]
Al so hit ner nere,[4] ywys;
That moni mon seith, soth[5] hit ys:
    Al goth bote Godes wille:
    Alle we shule deye, thah[6] us like ylle.

Al that gren me graveth grene,
Nou hit faleweth[7] al bydene:[8]
Jehsu, help that hit be sene
    And shild us from helle!
For y not whider[9] y shal, ne hou longe her duelle.[10]

  1. this leves] these leaves.
  2. sike] sigh.
  3. nys] is not
  4. al so hit ner nere] as though it had never been.
  5. soth] sooth
  6. thah] though.
  7. faleweth] fadeth.
  8. al bydene] forthwith.
  9. y not whider] I know not whither.
  10. her duelle] here dwell.