Here is a good counseil for synful men to take heede to while
thei ben in this liif.they are life
Mi leeve liif that lyvest in welthe,dear beloved lives prosperity
In mete, and drinke, and fayr schroud,food garment
In richesse, honour, and in bodili helthe,
Loke therfore thou be nought proud.so that
line5But whanne thou art in thi beste lekinge,when delight
Have mynde sum tyme, I thee rede,Remember instruct
How foule thou schalt lie and stynkeshall
A litil after that thou art deed.dead
I was ful fair, now am I foul;all
line10My faire fleisch bigynneth forto stinke;flesh
Wormis fynden at me greet prow:in me great benefit
I am hire mete; I am hire drinke.their food
I ligge wounded in a clout;lie wound shroud
In boordis narwe I am nailid.narrow boards nailed
line15Allas, that evere I was proud.
Now alle mi freendis ben to me failid.have failed me
In mi riggeboon bredith an addir kene;spine grows cruel adder
Min eiyen dasewyn swithe dymme;footnote
Mi guttis roten; myn heer is grene;guts rot hair colorless
line20Mi teeth grennen swithe grymme.footnote
Mi bodi that sumtyme was so gaybeautiful
Now lieth and rotith in the grounde;lies rots
Mi fair hed is al now goon awai,head away
And I stynke foulere than an hounde.explanatory note 1
line25Mi faire feet, mi fyngris longe,fingers
Myn eiyen, myn eeren, and mi lymes alleeyes ears limbs
Noon wil now with other honge,Not at all hold together
But everech wole from other falle.footnote
I rede every man that wiis wil be,instruct wise
line30Take kepe herof that I have seid.heed of that which
Thanne may he sikir of heven beThen sure (bound) to obtain heaven
Whanne he schal in erthe be laid.When