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1 All Cristen men that walkys me by, Behold and see this dolefull sight! Hit happith me noght to call and crye, For I am dampned a woofull wight. Beware by me, both kyng and knyght, And amend you here while ye have space, For I have lost everlastyng light — Mercy is goon! I gete no grace.                        2 When I was yong, as nowe be ye, I kepyd never to have oder lif; I spendid my yeres in vanité, In veynglory, debate, and strif. Gret othis they wer with me full rif; I had no grace for to amend; I sparid neyther maydyn ne wif; 1 And that hath brought me to this end.                        3 I had no grace when I was here For to arise and me repent Unto the tyme that I lay on bere — Then was to late, for I was shent! This ffendes ffell they have me hent, Awey with them I am conveyed — In balefull fire I shal be brent! Alas! This world hath me disseyvid!                        4 Of gloteny I had my ffyll; In slewith alwey I led my lif; Lechery pley I lovid full well; All synnes in me they war full rif! I slewe myself withoutyn knyf! Dolefull deth this hath me dight. Beware by me, both man and wif, Lest that ye with Lucifer light.                        5 For when that I was in my fflouris, Then was I light as bird on brere! Therfor I suffer here sharp showris, And bye that bargeyn wunder dere — I abyde in paynes many and sere! Therfor this I make my mone, For nowe may help me no prayer, For I had no god but gold alone.                        6 Example take ye all at me Of your mysdedes for to amend! Ther was no vice that ever myght be But part of theym I had an ende - My pride and wreth myght ever be kend; Envy and covetise lovyd I ay! Nowe it is wors than I wend! Therfor my song is "Well-a-wey!"                        7 In delicat metes I had delite, And myghty wynes unto my pay; That makes the wormys on me to bite — Therfor my song is "Well-a-wey!" I myght not fast. I wold not pray. I thought to amendyd me in myn age. I drowe on forth from day to day. Therfor I abide here in this cage!                        8 This cage is everlastyng fire That I am ordeynid in to dwell. Hit is me gevyn unto my hire, Evyr to bren in the fyre of hell. This am I feterd with fendes fell, And ther to abide as best in stall. Ther is no tonge my care can tell — Beware ye have not such a fall!                        9 This am I lappid all aboute With todys and snakes, as ye may see; They gnawe my body in and oute — Alas! Alas! Full woo is me! Hit is to late! It will not be! I knowe that we will nevyr twyn! 2 For Hym that died for you and me, Ryse up and rest not in your synne!                        10 Woo be to theym, whatever they be, That hath ther five wittes at will, And will not example take by me, And knowe the good from the ill. The pore for faute lat theym not spill - 3 For and ye do, your deth is dight; Your fflesly lust you not fulfill, For then with Lucyfer shall ye light!                        11 Alas, that ever I gotyn was, Or modyr me bare! Whi did she soo? For I am lost for my trespas, And ever to abide in endles woo! I have no frendes, but many a foo! Behold howe I am all totorne — They rif me this ffrom toppe to too! Alas, that ever was I borne!                        12 Good brother, have this eft in mynd, And thynk that thou shall die awey: Unto thy soule be not unkynd. Remembyr hit both nyght and day. And besely loke that thou praye, Besechyng Hym that is Hevyn Kyng To save the at the dredefull day, When every soule shall geve rekenyng.                        13 Ther is no man for the shall pray, Nother justice ne man of lawe. Thy charter helpith the not that day. Thy pletyng is not worth an hawe. God geve the grace thyself to knowe, And every man in his degré. 4 Farewell! I here an horne blowe. All Cristyn men, beware by me!

walk by me; (see note) sorrowful It is no use to me; (see note) damned; creature; (see note) (see note) opportunity; (see note) (see note) (see note)     (see note) imagined; a different; (see note) spent; (see note) quarrel; (see note) oaths; numerous; (see note) (see note) (see note) (see note)     fair occasion; (see note) (see note) Until; bier; (see note) too; ruined; (see note) Thus; wicked fiends; taken; (see note) (see note) painful; shall be burnt; (see note) deceived; (see note)     gluttony; (see note) sloth Lecherous; (see note)   (see note) Grief-inflicting; assailed; (see note) (see note) alight (i.e., end up); (see note)     youthful prime; (see note) briar; (see note) afflictions; (see note) pay dearly for that bargain; (see note) various; (see note) thus; complaint; (see note) (see note) (see note)     from; (see note)     I made my goal wrath; known cupidity; always thought (see note)     foods; (see note) strong; pleasure; (see note) (see note) (see note) (see note) to [have] amended; old age; (see note) carried on; (see note) (see note)     (see note) destined; (see note) given to me as my reward; (see note) burn; (see note) Thus; fettered by; (see note) beast; (see note) (see note) (see note)     Thus; (see note) toads; (see note) (see note)   (see note) (see note) (see note) (see note)     whatever rank; (see note) senses; (see note) (see note) And will not know (see note) For if; appointed; (see note) (see note) (see note)     begotten; (see note) mother bore me sins will forever abide; (see note)   completely torn; (see note) rip me thus; toe; (see note)       hereafter; (see note) (see note) (see note) (see note) actively; (see note) (see note) you; (see note) give an account [of its sins]; (see note)     (see note) Neither; (see note) (see note) Thy legal pleading is worthless; (see note) (see note) (see note) (see note) (see note)