Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918/This World's Joy
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
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]