fol. 41r¶ IncipitMacrobiusexplanatory note 1
fol. 41vO creatures yetextual note 1 that been resonable,have reason
The liff desiryng which is eternall,
Ye may seen heer doctrine ful notable,see
Your liff to leede which that is mortall,life
line5Therby to lerne in especiallin particular
How ye shal trace the daunce which that ye seefollow
To man and wooman yliche naturall,textual note 2alike
For Deth ne sparith hih nor lowe degre.does not spare
¶ Angelusexplanatory note 2Angel
In this myrrourexplanatory note 3 every man may fynde
line10That hym behovyth to goon upon this daunce.That he must go
Whoo goth before or who goth behynde,goes
All dependith in Goddis ordynaunce.God’s plan
Wherfore eche mann lowly take his chaunce;humbly
Deth spareth nothir poore nor blood roiall.royal
line15Eche man therfore have this in remembraunce:
Of oon mateer God hath forgid all.footnote
¶ PapaPope
Ye that be sett hih in dignyté
Of all estatis in erthe spirituall,Out of all religious positions on earth
And lik to Petir have the sovereyntéexplanatory note 4
line20Ovir the chirche most in especiall:in particular
Upon this daunce ye first begynne shall,
As most worthi lord and governour,
For al the worshippe of your estat papallhigh esteem papal estate
And of all lordshippe to God is the honour.dominion
¶ ResponsumResponse
line25First me bihovyth this daunce with Deth to leede,It is proper for me
Wich sat in erthe hihest in my see —Who seat of authority
Thestat ful periloustextual note 3 whoso takith heede
To occupie Seynt Petris dignyté —footnote
But for al that froDeth I may nat flee,from
line30Upon this daunce with othir for to trace,with others to follow
For sich honour, who prudently can see,such
Is litel worthe that doth so soone passe.pass [away]
fol. 42r¶ ImperatorEmperor
Sir Emperour, lord of all the ground,earth
Most sovereyn prynce surmountyng of noblesse:preeminent nobility
line35Ye must forsake of gold your appill round,explanatory note 5
Septre and swerd and all your hih prowesse.Scepter sword martial deeds
Behynde yow lat tresour and richesse,leave
And with othir to my daunce obeye.
Ageyn my mythtextual note 4 vaileth non hardynesse;Against might prevails valor
line40Adamis children all thei must deye.Adam’s children (i.e., humanity)
¶ Responsum
I not to whom I may appele,know not appeal
Whan Deth me sailith that doth me constreyn.assails compel
Ther is no gynne to socour my quarele,aid assist complaint
But spade and picois my grave to atteyne,pickaxe reach
line45A symple shete — ther is no more to seyn —explanatory note 6to say
To wrappen in my body and visage,textual note 5face
Wherupon sore I me compleynfervently
That lordis grete have litel avauntage.advantage
¶ CardinalisCardinal
Ye be abaissht, it seemeth, and in drede,upset full of dread
line50Sir Cardynall — it seemeth bi your cheer —expression
But for al that ye folwe shal in deedeyou shall follow indeed
With othir estates this daunce for to leer.textual note 6to learn
Your gret array al shal levyn heer,fine clothing shall be left
Your hatt of red,explanatory note 7 your vesture of gret cost.garment
line55Al these thynges rekenyd weel ifeere:footnote
In gret worship good avystextual note 7 is lost.judgment
¶ Responsum
I have gret cause — trewly it is no faile —certainly mistake
To been abaissht and gretelytextual note 8 to dreede me,upset to have great dread
SithDeth is come me sodeynly tassaile,Because to attack me suddenly
line60That I shalltextual note 9 nevir hereaftirtextual note 10 clothid be
In grise nor ermyn lik to my degré;gray fur (possibly squirrel) ermine
Myn hat oftextual note 11 red levyn heer in distresse,leave
Bi whichtextual note 12 I have lernyd weel and see
How that al joie eendith in hevynesse.sorrow
fol. 42v¶ Imperatrixexplanatory note 8Empress
line65Lat se your hand, my lady dame Empresse,Let [me] see
Have no disdeyn with me for to daunce.scorn
Ye may aside leyn al your richesse,leave aside
Your fresh attyres, devises of plesaunce,fancy clothes stratagems of flattery
Your soleyn cheeris, your strange countenaunce,distant expression haughty attitude
line70Your clothis of gold most uncouthly wrouht,outlandishly made
Havyng of Deth ful litel remembrance.
But now yetextual note 13 se weel al is come to nouht.nothing
¶ Responsum
What availeth gold, richesse, ortextual note 14 perre,What use is wealth precious stones
Or what availeth hih blood or jentylnesse,high birth or nobility
line75Or what availeth freshnesse or beauté,radiance
Or what is worth hih porte ortextual note 15 straungenesse?textual note 16haughty attitudealoofness
Deth seith chekmatexplanatory note 9 to al sich veyn noblesse.checkmate vain
All worldly power now may me nat availe:
Raunsoun, kynrede, frenshippe, nor worthynesse,Ransom kindred friendship
line80SynDeth is come myn hih estate tassaile.Because to attack
¶ PatriarchaPatriarch
Sir Patriarch, ful sad and humble of cheere,explanatory note 10attitude
Ye mote with othir gon on this daunce with me.textual note 17must
Your dowble crosexplanatory note 11 of gold and stonys cleer,double cross
Your power hool, and al your dygnytéwhole rank
line85Som othir shal of trouth and equitétruth and fairness
Be possessidtextual note 18 in hast, as I rehers can.as I can say
Trust nevyr that ye shal pope be,
For foly hope disseiveth many a man.foolish
¶ Responsum
Worldly honour, grete tresour,textual note 19 and richesse
line90Havetextual note 20 me disseyved sothfastly in deede.deceived truly indeed
My joies old be turned to distresse.
What availeth ittextual note 21 sich honour to possede?What use is it suchpossess
Hih clymbyng up a fal hath to his meede;for its reward
Gret estat folk waste out of noumbre.footnote
line95Whoso mountith hihest stondith most in drede,footnote
Such hevy berden doth hem oftetextual note 22 encoumbre.
fol. 43r¶ RexKing
Right noble kyng, most worthi of renoun,renown
Cum forth anon for al your worthynesse,Come at once nobility
That somtyme had so gret possession,possession of lands
line100Rewmys obeyng unto your hih noblesse.Realms high nobility
Ye most of nature to this daunce yow dressemust naturally prepare yourself
And fynally your crowne and sceptre leete.leave
For whoso most haboundith in gret rychesseabounds
Shal bere with hym but a sengle sheete.single [winding] sheet
¶ Responsum
line105I have nat lernyd heer afforn to daunceheretofore
No daunce in soth of fotyng so savage,in truth frenzied
Wherbi I see ful cleerly in substaunce:in essence
What pride is worth force or hih parage?footnote
Deth all fordoth — this is his usage —destroys practice
line110Gret and smal that in this world sojourne.
Who that is most meek hath most avauntage,
For we shul all to dede asshis torne.
¶ ArchiepiscoposArchbishop
Sir Archebisshop, whitextual note 23 do ye so withdraweretreat
Your look, your face as it wer bi disdeyn?with contempt
line115Yee must obey to mytextual note 24 mortal lawe:
It to constreyne it were but in veyn.to control
For day bi day, be right wele certeyn,
Deth at hond pursewith every coste.course of action
Preestes and Deth may nat be holden ageyn,Loans delayed
line120For at oon our men contith wit ther oste.the [last] hour reckon host
¶ Responsum
Allas, I wot nat what partye for to flee,don’t know where to flee
For dreede of Deth I stonde in sich distresse,such
Tescape his power I can no refute see.footnote
But who thattextual note 25 knewe his constreynt and duresse,oppression cruelty
line125He wolde take reson to maistressemistress
And seyn adieutextual note 26 pompe, and pride also,say goodbye
My peynted paleys, my tresour,textual note 27 and richesse.painted palace
Thyng that behovyth nedis must be do.footnote
fol. 43v¶ Princepsexplanatory note 12Prince
Riht myhty prynce, be rith weell certeynbe completely certain
line130Thistextual note 28 daunce to yow is not eschewable.textual note 29not avoidable
For more myhty than ever was Carlemayn,explanatory note 13Charlemagne
Or worthy Arthour of prowes ful notablemilitary deeds
With al his knyhtes oftextual note 30 the Rounde Table —explanatory note 14
What did ther platis, ther armour, or ther maile,plate armor chainmail
line135Ther strong corage, ther sheeldes defensable,spirit defensive shields
Ageyns Deth availetextual note 31 whan he hem dide assaile?them
¶ Responsumtextual note 32
My purpos was and myn entencionintent
To assegetextual note 33 castellis and myhti forteresses,textual note 34besiege castles mighty
Rebellis to bryng unto subjeccion,
line140To seeke worship,textual note 35 fame, and grete rychesses.textual note 36
But I se weel that al wordly prowessestextual note 37earthly valor
Deth can abate, wherof I have despite.demolish contempt
To hym allon sorwe eke swetnesses,textual note 38alone also
For ageynsDeth is founde no respite.against reprieve
¶ EpiscoposBishop
line145Com ner, Sir Bisshoppe, with your myteer and croos,miter and cross
For al your richesse, soth I yow ensure,truly I assure you
For al your tresour so longe kepte in cloos,privately owned
Your wordly goodis and goodis of nature,earthly goods natural goods (e.g., crops)
And of your sheep the gostly dreedful cure,spiritual serious duty
line150With charge commytted to your prelacie,prelacy (office of the bishop)
For to acountetextual note 39 ye shal be brouht to lure.explanatory note 15brought under control
No wiht is sewr that clymbith on hih.person secure
¶ Responsum
Of these tidynges I am nothyng glaad,not at all
Which Deth to me so sodeynly doth bryng.suddenly
line155It makith my face and countenaunce ful saad
That for discomfort me lyst nothyng to syng;desire
The worldtextual note 40 contrary to me in werkyng
Which al estatis can so disherite.disinherit
And needis we must onto our departyng,
line160And al shal passe save oonly our merite.footnote
fol. 44r¶ Comes et Baroexplanatory note 16Earl and Baron
Erl or Baron, which that thourhtextual note 41 regiounsthrough
Have sore laboured for worship and renoun,earnestly
Forget your trompetis and your clariouns.
Thistextual note 42 is no dreem nor symulacioun.deception
line165Somtyme your custom and your entencoundesire
Was in estat and wordly wurshippe to glade,to take joy
But often tyme it happith, in conclusion,
Oo man brekyth that anothir made.One breaks
¶ Responsum
Ful often tyme I have ben auttorisedauthorized
line170To hih empryse and thyng of gret fame.martial deeds
Of gret estatis my thank also devised,gratitude contrived
Cherishidtextual note 43 with princes and lordis hih of name,
Nor nevyr on me was put no diffamefootnote
In roial courtes, which that weer notable.
line175But Deth unwarly al power makith lame,unexpectedly helpless
And undir hevene in erthe is nothyng stable.
¶ Abbas et priorexplanatory note 17Abbot and prior
Sir Abbot and Priour with your brood hatt,broad
To been abassht ye have a maner riht.upset good reason
Gret is your hed, your bely rounde and fatt;belly
line180Ye must come daunce thouh ye be nat liht.
Leven your lordshippe to som othir wiht,Leave person
Your eyer is of age your statetextual note 44 to ocupye.heir position
Whoso is fattest to hym I have behiht,him I have designated
In his grave sonnest shal putrefie.soonest decay
¶ Responsum
line185Of thy manace I have no gret envyethreat grudge
That I shal leve al maner governaunce.
But that I shal as a cloistrer die —cloistered monk
This doth to me somwhat the lesse grevaunce.explanatory note 18somewhat lesser offence
My libertes nor my gret aboundaunce,footnote
line190What may thei availe in any maner wise?help any kind of way
Yit aske I mercy with devoute repentaunce,
Thouh toforn Deth too late men them avise.examine themselves
fol. 44v¶ Abbatissaexplanatory note 19textual note 45Abbess
And ye, my lady gentyl dame Abbesse,of noble rank or birth
With your mantyl furryd large and wide,sleeveless overgarment
line195Your veile, your wympil, your ryng of gret richesse,headdress
And beddis softe ye must now leyne aside,bedding discard
For to this daunce I must be your gyde.
Thouh ye be tendre, born of gentil blood,delicate noble
Whil that ye live yoursilf provide,prepare yourself
line200For aftir Deth no man hath no good.textual note 46possessions
¶ Responsum
Allas, that Deth hath for me sotextual note 47 ordeyned
That in no wise I may nat hym eschewe;way escape
Unto this dauncetextual note 48 of riht I am constreynedrightly compelled
That heer with othir I must his trace sewe.follow his steps
line205This pilgrymage to every man is dewe,due
An ernest mateer, a mateer of no jape.matter joke
Who that is alwey redy shal nevir reweregret
The hour abydyng that God hath for hym shape.awaiting created
¶ Iudexexplanatory note 20Judge
That hand of youres, my Lord Justice,
line210That have rewlid so long the lawe,ruled
Weel may men holde yow war and wise,Well knowledgeable
So that this drauht be weel drawe;drawn
Escape shal ye nat, wold ye never so fawe,desirous
Sich dome to have as ye have yoven in soth.footnote
line215Wherfore men seyn of an old sawe:adage
Weel is hym that alwey weel doth.explanatory note 21well
¶ Responsum
Allas, ne were that myn entent
Was weele dressid, thouh I othirwhile erryd.intended well otherwise
Now shuld I uttrely be shamyd and shentharmed
line220For many causes that I have oftyn deferrid,textual note 49referred to a higher court
Sauff mercy oonly now were I marrid.footnote
Blissid therfore is every wiht,Blessed person
As bi Holy Scriptur may ben averrid,demonstrated
That in all tyme doth lawe and kepith riht.
fol. 45r¶ Doctor utrisque IurisDoctor of both laws
line225Com forth, Doctour of Canon and Cyvile.explanatory note 22
In bothe these lawis of long contynuaunce,
Your tyme hath spent — bewar ye did no gile —deceit
In your mateers for to han fortheraunce.matters personal benefit
Now must ye lerne with me for to daunce;
line230All your lawe may yow nat availe.assist
Giff me your hand and make no perturbaunce:
Your hour is come — this is withouten faile.
¶ Responsum
A mercy, Jhesu, whow mankynde is freelefrail
And litel tyme in this worlde abydyng;
line235No man of his liff hath charter nor seele.explanatory note 23lifeseal
Therfore it may be likned in all thyng
Unto a flour so amorously floorsshyng,ardently flourishing
Which with a froste bigynneth riht sone to fade.immediately
Whan cruell Deth his massage list to bryng,message chooses
line240Al liffly thyng he bryngeth in the shade.textual note 50living
¶ Miles et armigerexplanatory note 24Knight or squire
Knyht or Scwyer, riht fressh of your arayattire
That can of daunses al the newe gise:textual note 51knows dances fashion
Thouh ye bare armes wele-horsid yisterday,footnote
With speere and sheeld at your uncouth devise,textual note 52of outlandish design
line245And took upon yow many strange emprise,textual note 53remarkable deeds
Dansith with us, it wole no bettir be;
Ther is no socour in no maner wise,assistance of any kind
For no man may from Dethis power flee.
¶ Responsum
Sithtextual note 54 that Deth metextual note 55 holdith in his lace,Because snare
line250Yit shal I speke a woord or I pace:Yet before go
Adieu, al myrthe, adieu now al solace;
Adieu, my ladies somtyme so fressh of face;youthful
Adieu, beauté that lastith but short space!time
Of Dethis chaunge every day is pryme;a new beginning
line255Thynk on your sowlis or that Deth manace,before Death threatens
For al shal rote, and no mann wot what tyme.decay knows
fol. 45v¶ Maiorexplanatory note 25Mayor
Com forth, Sir Mayr, which had governaunce
Bi pollicie to rewle this cité:policy rule
Thouh your power were notable in substaunce,great
line260To flee my daunce ye have no liberté.freedom
Estate is noon nor wordly dygnytéfootnote
That may escape ontextual note 56 of my daungeris.any powers
To fynde rescew exaumple ye may se
Nouthir bi richesse nor force of officeres.footnote
¶ Responsum
line265What helpith now thestat in which I stood,the estate
To rewle cites or comouns to governe,rule populaces
Plente of richesse, or increce of good,increase
Or olde wynnyng that cometh to me so yerne?wealth quickly
Deth al defaceth, whoso list to lerne;desires
line270Me for tareste he comyth on so faste.to arrest
Eche man therfore shold afore discernein advance
Prudently to thynk upon his laste.
¶ Canonicus RegularisCanon Regular
Lat see your hand, Sir Chanon Reguler,explanatory note 26
Somtyme ysworntextual note 57 to religion,vowed
line275As humble soget and obedienceer,subject subordinate
Chastly to live lik your profession.according to
But ther may be no consolacion
Ageyn my sawes sodeyn and cruell,decrees
Except oonly — for short conclusion —
line280Who liveth in vertu mot nedis dey weel.virtuously must
¶ Responsum
Whi shulde I grutche or disobeyecomplain
The thyng totextual note 58 which, of verreytextual note 59 kyndly riht,by truly natural right
Was I ordeyned and born for to deye,
As in this world is ordeyned every wiht?person
line285Which to remembre is nothyng liht;no small thing
Prayng the Lord that was sprad on the RoodePraying spreadCross
To medle mercy with His eternal myhtmix power
And save the sowles that he bouht with his blood.
fol. 46r¶ DecanusDean
Sir Dean or Chanon, with many gret prebend,explanatory note 27
line290Ye may no lenger ha distribuciounshave a share [of alms]
In gret array your tresour to dispende,fine clothing to squander
With all your richesse and your possessiouns,
For Kynde hath sett hir revoluciouns,Nature
Eche man som day to daunce on Dethis brynk.
line295Therof ye may have no dilaciouns,delays
For Deth cometh evir whan men lest on hym thynke.always least
¶ Responsum
My divers cures, my riche personages —explanatory note 28
Allas ful litel thei may me now comforte.very little
Deth upon me hath geten his avantages;got the better of me
line300All my richesse can make me now no sporte.no consolation
Amystextual note 60 of grey, thei must ageyn resorteFine garments of grey return
Unto the world with many a gret prebende;
For which trewly, as clerkis can reporte,
To deye weel eche man sholde entende.
¶ MonialisMonk
line305Thouh ye be barbid and claad in clothis blaake,explanatory note 29tonsured wearing
Chastly receyved the mantil and the ryng,explanatory note 30mantle ring
Ye may nat the cours of nature forsake,
To daunce with othir now at my comyng.
In this world is non abidyng,no one living
line310Nouthir of maide, widewe, nor wiff,Neither
As ye may seen heer cleerly bi wrytyng,
That ageyns Deth is founde no preservatiff.protection
¶ Responsum
It helpith nat to stryve ageyn Nature,
Namely whan Deth bigynneth tassaile,begins to attack
line315Wherfore I counseil every creature
To been redy ageyn this fel batayle.fierce battle
Vertu is sewrer than othir plate or maile,Virtue more secure either armor chainmail
Also nothyng may helpe more attextual note 61 sich a nede
Than to provide a sur acquytaile
line320With the hand of almesse to love God and drede.footnotealms
fol. 46v¶ ChartreuxCarthusian
Yeve me your hand with chekis ded and pale,Give
Causid of watche and long abstynence,wakefulness (i.e., for a vigil)
Sir Chartreux,explanatory note 31 and dothtextual note 62 your chyne valelower your chin
Unto this daunce with humble pacience.
line325To stryve ageyn may be no resistence;against
Lenger to live set nat your memorie.direct not your attention
Thouh I be lothsom outward in apparence,loathsome
Above all men Deth hath the victorie.
¶ Responsum
Unto this world I was dedtextual note 63 ago ful longe
line330Bi myn ordre and my profession.[Carthusian] order
Thowgh everytextual note 64 man, be he nevyr so strong,
Dredithtextual note 65 to deye bi naturall mocionnatural instinct
Afftyr his flesshly inclynacion,
Plese it the Lordtextual note 66 my sowle for to borweborrow
line335Fro feendis myht and fro dampnacion;the Devil’s might damnation
Som arn today that shal nat be tomorwe.are
¶ Sergeant in lawe
Come neer, Sir Sergeant,explanatory note 32 short processe for to make,legal argument
Ye must cum pleete afore the Jugetextual note 67 on hihe,plead your case before
Many a quarell thouh ye have undirtakecomplaint
line340And for lucre doon folk gret remedie.profit legal redress
Ther shal your sotil wittis be deemyd foly,textual note 68crafty
Yif sleathe and covetise be nat exiled.sloth covetousness
Bewar bitymes and labour for mercy,promptly
For thei that trust most themsilf ar sonnest bigiled.themselves deceived
¶ Responsum
line345Of riht and reson bi Natures lawe,textual note 69
I can alleggen nor make no diffence,make a formal legal claim defense
Nor bi sleihte nor statute me withdrawecunning myself excuse
Tescape awey from this dreedful sentence,To escape
For al my witt nor gret prudence.explanatory note 33
line350No thyng intextual note 70 erthe may no man preserve
Ageyns His myht to make resistence;
God qwyteth al men lyke as they deserve.textual note 71repays
fol. 47r¶ Generosaexplanatory note 34Rich Gentlewoman
Com forth maistresse, of yeeres yong and grenemistress fresh
Which hold yoursilff of beauté sovereyn.preeminent
line355As fair as ye wastextual note 72 whilomPolliceene,explanatory note 35textual note 73once Polyxena
Penolopetextual note 74 andtextual note 75 the queen Eleyn,explanatory note 36Helen
Yit on this daunce thei wenttextual note 76 bothe tweyn,explanatory note 37Yet both of them
And so shal ye for al your strangenesse.despite haughtiness
Thouh deynous daungeer longe hath lad your reyn,scornful resistance reign
line360Unto this daunce ye mote your fotyng dresse.must footing turn
¶ Responsum
O cruel Deth that sparist non estat,
To old and yong thou art indifferent.
To my beauté thou hast seyd chekmat,checkmate
So hasty is thi mortall jugement.swift
line365For in my youthe this was myn entent,
To my servise many a man to have lurid.lured
But she is a fool, shortly in sentement,concisely
That in hir beauté is too myche assurid.
¶ Magister in AstronomiaMaster of astronomy
Com forth, mayster,textual note 77 that loken up so ferre
line370With instrumentis of astronomye
To take the grees and hithe of every sterre.degrees and height
What may availe al your astrologye,textual note 78help
Sith of Adam al the genealogie,Since descendants
Maade first of God to walke upon thetextual note 79 gronde,
line375Deth doth arrest? Thus seith theologie,
And alle shul deie for an appyll rounde.explanatory note 38
¶ Responsum
For al my craft, connyng, or scienceknowledge
I can fynde no provision,provision (i.e., against death)
Nor in the sterristextual note 80 serche out no difference,
line380Bi domofyeng nortextual note 81 calculacion,By locating the position of the stars
Sauff fynaly — in conclusion —Except
For to descrivetextual note 82 our connyng every deel,explain in every aspect
Ther is no more bi sentence of reson,by doctrine
Who livith aryghttextual note 83 most nedis deye weel.must necessarily die well
fol. 47v¶ FraterFriar
line385Com forth, thou frere, to thee myn hand is rauhtextended
Upon this daunce thee to conveie and lede,
Which in thi prechyngtextual note 84 hast ful oftetextual note 85 tauht,taught
How that I am gastfull for to dreedeterrifying
(Althouh that folk take ther of non heede).
line390Yit is ther non so strong nor so hardy,no one fearless
But I dar arrest hym and lett for no meede,confinefree compensation
For Deth eche hour is present and redy.
¶ Responsum
What may this be that in this world no man
Heer for tabide may have no sureté?to abide certainty
line395Strengthe, richesse,textual note 86 nor what so thattextual note 87 he can:nor anything else he can do
Oftextual note 88 wordly wisdam is al but vanité.vanity
In gret estate nor in poverté
Is no thyng founde that may fro Deth deffende,
For which I sei to hih and lowe degré,
line400Wis is the synner that doth his liff amende.
¶ Sergaunt
Com forth, thou Sergeanttextual note 89 with thi stately maas;explanatory note 39
Make no deffence nor no rebellion.
Nouht may availe to grotchen in this caas,aid complaincase
Thouh thou be deynous of condicioun,arrogant by nature
line405For nouthir appele nor protectiounappeal
May thee franchise to do nature wrong.empower
For ther is non so sturdi a champioun;
Thouh he be myhty, Deth is yit mor strong.
¶ Responsum
How darst thou, Deth, set on me arrest,take me into custody
line410Which am the kyngis chosen officeerWho
And yistirday walkyng est and west
Myn office did with ful dispitous cheere?scornful attitude
But now this day I am arrestedtextual note 90 heeredetained
And may nat flee, thouh I hadde it sworn.explanatory note 40
line415Eche man is loth to deie, ferr or neer,unwilling to die
That hath nat lernyd for totextual note 91 deie afforn.before
fol. 48r¶ IurourJuror
Maister Jurour,explanatory note 41 which that at assisessessions of civil court
And at shiris questis didist enbrace,shire’s inquests illegally influence
Departist lond aftir thi devises,Divided schemes
line420And who most gaff most stood in thi grace:gave (i.e., bribed)
The poore man lost bothe lond and place;position
For gold thou coudist folk disherite.disinherit
But lat se now, that withynne so short a space,see time
Before the Juge how thow canst thee acquyte.acquit yourself
¶ Responsum
line425Somtyme I was callid in my contrécountry
The bellewedir, and that was nat a lite.bellwether not a small thing
Nat lovid but drad of hih and lowe degré,feared by
For whomtextual note 92 me list bi craft I coude endite,I pleased cunning convict
Hang the trewe and the theef acquyte;
line430Al the contre bi my woord was lad.led
But I dar say, shortly for to write,quickly
Of my deth many oon wole be ful glad.multiple ones (i.e., many) will
¶ MimusMinstrel
Gentil menstral,explanatory note 42 shewe me nowtextual note 93 thi witt,skill
How thou canst pleye or foote ariht this daunce.step correctly
line435I dar weel sei that an harder fitttune
Than this fil nevyr untotextual note 94 thi chaunce.befell luck
Look therfore what may best avaunceassist
Thi sowle as now and use that I reede:advise
Refuse nyce play and veyn plesaunce;foolish merriment and vain delight
line440Bettir late than nevyrexplanatory note 43 to do good deede.
¶ Responsum
Ey,benedicité, this world is freele.Oh, bless changeable
Now glad, now sory, what shal men use?
Harpe, lute, phidil, pipe — farwell! —fiddle
Sautry, sithol, and shalmuse,Psaltery stringed instrument (cithole)reed flute
line445Al wordly myrthe I here refuse.reject
God graunte me grace of sich penaunce,such
As may myn old synnes excuse,
For alle be nat mery that othirwhyle daunce.explanatory note 44otherwise
fol. 48v¶ Famulusexplanatory note 45Attendant
Servant or officer in thyn office,
line450Yifthou hast ben as God wold and riht,If desires righteous
To pore and riche doon pleyn justice,complete
Fled extorcioun with al thi myht,
Than maist thou in this daunce go liht,easily
Or elles ful hevy shalt thou be thanne.then
line455Whan alle domys shal fynaly be diht,judgments made
Go we hens, the tyde abidith no man.explanatory note 46time waits for
¶ Responsum
Shal I so sone to Dethis daunce,soon
That wend to have lyved yeeris many moWho supposed more
And sodeynly forsake al my plesauncedelight
line460Of offices and profites that longtextual note 95 therto?belong
Yit oon thyng I consel or I go —before
In office lat no man doon outrage,injury
For dreede of God and peyn also;
Also service is noon heritage.inheritance
¶ PhisicusPhysician
line465Ye phisiciens for mony, that loken so fastmoney intently
In othir mennys watris what thei eyle,explanatory note 47urine ails them
Look weel to yoursilf or att lastAttend to yourself
I not what your medicynes nor crafte may availe,know not help
For Deth comyng sodeynly doth assaileattack
line470As weel lechis as othir — that shal ye knowe.easily physicians
Atte , withouten any faile,
Whan al men shal repe as thei have sowe.explanatory note 48
¶ Responsum
Allas too long and too myche in phisikmedicine
For lucre I plyedtextual note 96 al my bisynesse,profit plied business
line475Bothe in speclacion and in practik,theorizing practice
To knowe and konne al bodily siknesse.understand
But of gostly helthe I was reklesse,spiritual well-being ignorant
Wherfore shal helpe nothir herbe nor roote,neither
Nor no medicyne, sauffGoddis goodnesse,except
line480For ageyns Deth is fynaly no boote.explanatory note 49explanatory note 50remedy
fol. 49r¶ MercatorMerchant
Come, riche marchant, and looke hidirward,over here
Which hast passid thorow manytextual note 97 dyvers lond,various
On hors, on foote, havyng most rewardesteem
To lucre and wynnyng, as I undirstonde:To profit and wealth
line485But now to daunce thou must yeve me thyn hond.give
Al thyn old labour, wher is it become now?
Adieu, veynglorie, bothe of fre and bonde!master and servant
Non more coveitith than he that hath inow.No one covets enough
¶ Responsum
Bi many an hill and many strongtextual note 98 valeBy foreign valley
line490I have travailid with mytextual note 99 marchaundise,
Bi straunge seeis carried many a bale,seas unit of measurement for goods
To sondri iles, more than I can devise.tell
Myn hert inward evir frett with covetisealways loaded
But al for nouht — Deth doth me constreyne —detain
line495For which I sei, bi record of the wise,
Who al enbracith, he lityl shal restreyn.embraces restrain
¶ Artifexexplanatory note 51Artisan
Yeve hidir thyn hand, thou Artificeer,Give here Craftsman
For ther is founde no subtilitécleverness
Bi witt of man that fro my daungeerpower
line500To save hymsilff can have no liberté.ability
My strook is sodeyn, fro which no man may flee,
Bi coriousté nor cunnyng of fressh devise.ingenuity new plans
Kynde hath ordeyned it will non othir be:Nature it will not be otherwise
Eche man mote passe whan deth settith assise.must session of civil court
¶ Responsum
line505Ther is no craft serchid out nor souht,
Cast nor compassid, bi old nor newe entaile —Reckoned or measured design
I se ful weel withynne myn owen thouht —
Ageyns Deth ther may nothyngtextual note 100 availe;help
She pershith sheeldis, she pershith plate and maile,pierces
line510Ageyns hir strok cunnyg nor science,cleverness knowledge
Whan that hir list mortally to assaile —chooses
Allas, allas — ther may be no deffence.explanatory note 52
fol. 49v¶ LaborariusLaborer
Thou, Labourer, which in sorwe and peyn
Hast lad thi liff and in gret travaile,toil
line515Thou must here daunce and therfore nat disdeyn,do not be angry
For thouh thou do it, may thee nat availe.help
And cause whi that I thee assaileattack
Is oonly frotextual note 101 thee for to dissevirein order to separate
This fals world that causith folk to faile.
line520For he is a foole that wenyth to liven evir.desires
¶ Responsum
I have wisshid aftir Dethe ful oft,very often
Althouh I wold have fleed hym now —
I had levir to ha leyn unsoftrather to have lain uncomfortable
In wynde and reyn and gontextual note 102 forth at the plouh,textual note 103
line525With spade and picoys laboured for my prouh,pickaxe fortune
Dolvyn and dikid and atte cart goon.Worked hard at manual labor
For I may seyn and pleynly avow:
In this world here rest is ther noon.
¶ InfansChild
Litil child that were but late born,recently
line530Shape in this worldtextual note 104 to have no plesaunce,Created delight
Thou must with othir that goon her toforngo here before
Be lad with hem with sotyl ordynaunce.led skillful judgment
Lerne of newe to gontextual note 105 on this daunce,again
Ther may non age in soth skape therfro.in truth escape from there
line535Lat every wiht have this in remembraunce:person
Whoso lengest levith most shal sofren woo.suffer
¶ Responsum
A, A, A — o worde I cannat speke.one
I am ful yong, I was born yisterday.
Deth is ful hasty on me to been wrekeeager to do me harm
line540And of his strok list make no delay.desires
I cam but now and now I go my way,
Of me no moretextual note 106 tale shal be tolde.
The will of God no man withstond may,
For as sone deieth a yong sheep as an olde.explanatory note 53
fol. 50r¶ HeremitaHermit
line545Ye that have lived long in wildirnesseexplanatory note 54
And contynued long in abstynence:
Tyme is come that ye motetextual note 107 yow dressemust prepare
Of my daunce to have thexperience,
For ther ageyns is no resistence.
line550Take now leve of thyn hermitage.textual note 108
Wherfore eche man advertise this sentence:take note of wisdom
That this liff heer is but a pylgrymage.explanatory note 55
¶ Responsum
Liff in deserte callid solitarye
May ageyns Deth have no respite nor space.textual note 109reprieve
line555At unsett howr his comyng doth nat tarye,unspecified hour delay
And for my part welcom be Goddis grace,
Thankyng my Lord with humble cheer and faceattitude
Of his yiftis such as I have assayed,gifts determined
Fynally affermyng in this place,
line560No man is riche, but he that halt Hym payed.he who pleases the Lord
¶ ConclusioConclusion
Yetextual note 110 folk that loken upon this scripture,explanatory note 56
Conceyveth heer that al estatis daunce,Understand
Seth what ye be and what is your nature:See
Mete unto wormys, nat ellis in substaunce.Meat nothing else
line565And have this myrrour ay in remembrauncealways
Before your mynde aboven al thyng:
To all estatis a trew resemblaunce
That wormes foode is ende of your lyvyng.
What is mannys liff but a countenaunceoutward show
line570Or as atextual note 111 puff of wyndeexplanatory note 57 that is transitorie,
As may be weel perceived bi this Daunce?
Therfore ye that reden this storye,
Keepe thentent in your memorye,the intent
And it shal steer yow into gostly liff,spiritual life
line575Teschewe peyn and come unto glorie,To avoid punishment
And be your socour in al gostly stryff.help spiritual struggle
fol. 50vBe nat afferd this scriptur in tyme of pleyafraid pleasure
In your mynde to revolve and reede.contemplate
For trust trewly ye shal nevir the sonner deye,sooner
line580But it shal cause yow synne for to dreede;
The which refusid, ye shal have gret meede.reward
Therfore among have mynde on this lettircontinually
And use vertu, prayer, and almesse deede,charitable deeds
And than I dar sey ye shal doon the bettir.