Here is a good counseil for synful men to take heede to whilethei ben in this liif.they are life
Mi leeve liif that lyvest in welthe,dear beloved lives prosperityIn mete, and drinke, and fayr schroud,food garmentIn richesse, honour, and in bodili helthe,Loke therfore thou be nought proud.so that
line5But whanne thou art in thi beste lekinge,when delightHave mynde sum tyme, I thee rede,Remember instructHow foule thou schalt lie and stynkeshallA litil after that thou art deed.dead
I was ful fair, now am I foul;allline10My faire fleisch bigynneth forto stinke;fleshWormis fynden at me greet prow:in me great benefitI am hire mete; I am hire drinke.their food
I ligge wounded in a clout;lie wound shroudIn boordis narwe I am nailid.narrow boards nailedline15Allas, 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 adderMin eiyen dasewyn swithe dymme;
Mi guttis roten; myn heer is grene;guts rot hair colorlessline20Mi teeth grennen swithe grymme.
Mi bodi that sumtyme was so gaybeautifulNow lieth and rotith in the grounde;lies rotsMi fair hed is al now goon awai,head awayAnd I stynke foulere than an hounde.
line25Mi faire feet, mi fyngris longe,fingersMyn eiyen, myn eeren, and mi lymes alleeyes ears limbsNoon wil now with other honge,Not at all hold togetherBut everech wole from other falle.
I rede every man that wiis wil be,instruct wiseline30Take kepe herof that I have seid.heed of that whichThanne may he sikir of heven beThen sure (bound) to obtain heavenWhanne he schal in erthe be laid.When