Classic Poem

O mortal folk, you may behold and see
How I lie here, sometime a mighty knight;
The end of joy and all prosperity
Is death at last, thorough his course and might;
After the day there cometh the dark night;
For though the day be never so long,
At last the bells ringeth to evensong.

And my self called La Graunde Amoure,
Seeking adventure in the worldly glory,
For to attain the riches and honoure,
Did think full lytell that I should here lie,
Till death did mate me full right privily.
Lo what I am! and where to you must!
Like as I am, so shall you be all dust.

Then in your mind inwardly despise
The brittle world so full of doubleness,
With the vile flesh, and right soon arise
Out of your sleep of mortal heaviness;
Subdue the devil with grace and mekeness,
That after your life frail and transitory
You may then live in joy perdurably . . .