human
Can you write me a poem about terre, bishops and earth?
assistant
Sure, here's a poem about terre, bishops and earth:
  with the same poem in Anglo-French, and in Middle English, occurs
with an additional verse or two.]
except MS. Porkington.]
the lines, are clearly indicated.]
the verses in brackets are only conjectural.]
as MS. Lamb., but the variant readings preclude the idea of its
being a copy of Lamb., unless the scribe deliberately tried to
modify his original on the lines of Harl. 4486 and Rawl. P. The
changes in the text (ll. 26, 27, 47: see Notes) show that it
than the Lambeth text.]
versions in the Appendix where the Latin text uses _terra in
terra_, and the French _terre en terre_.]
begins:
Whanne eorthe hath eorthe wiþ wrong igete--
and in the French version:
Quant terre auera en terre large terre gayne.]
St. Helen's, Bishopsgate.]
(_Elegies and Epitaphs_, Glouc. 1892) as found by him on the tomb
Earth walks upon Earth like glittering gold,
Earth says to Earth, 'We are but mould';
Earth builds upon Earth castles and towers,
Earth says to Earth, 'All is ours'!]
Poesie_, iii. 212.--(I know of a most noble guest in the
him honourably: they, prospering, shall find abundance and bliss,
sorrow, if the servant obeys his lord and master ill upon their
journey, and will not show him reverence, the one brother to the
other: that shall afflict them both, when they two depart,
hastening hence, from the bosom of their common kinswoman, mother
sharper than needles, who first of all the worms in the grave
forces his way to him.)]
Erþe toc of erþe erþe wyþ woh,
Erþe oþer erþe to þe erþe droh,
Erþe leyde erþe in erþene þroh,
Þo heuede erþe of erþe erþe ynoh.
Þan erþ mai of erþ nim hír inow.
Erþ vp erþ falliþ fol frow;
Erþ toward erþ delful hi{m} drow.
Of erþ þou wer{e} makid, a{nd} mon þou art ilich;
In on erþ awaked þe pore a{nd} þe riche.
Tu{n}c de t{er}ra cepiam t{er}ra sorciatur.
De t{er}ra plasmaris, es simil{is} virroni,
Vna t{er}ra paup{er}es ac dites s{un}t proni.
Erþ toward erþ wormes to feden;
Erþ b{er}riþ to erþ al is lif deden;
When erþ is i{n} erþe, heo muntid þi meden.
When erþ is i{n} erþe, þe rof is on þe chynne;
Þan schullen an hu{n}dred wormes wroten on þe skin.
Vesta p{er}git uestibus s{upe}r ueste{m} vare,
Artat{ur} & uermibus vesta pastu{m} dare;
Ac cu{m} gestis o{mn}ibus ad uesta{m} migrare;
Cu{m} uesta sit scrobibus, q{u}is wlt suspirare?
Cu{m} sit uesta po{n}ita, doma ta{n}git mentu{m};
Tu{n}c i{n} cute ca{n}dida verru{n}t u{er}mes centu{m}.
Whi erþ hatid erþ, a{nd} erþ erþ verrid.
Erþ haþ erþ, a{nd} erþ erþ teriþ,
Erþ geeþ on erþ, a{nd} erþ erþ berriþ.
Of erþ þow wer{e} bigun, on erþ þou schalt end;
Al þ{a}t þou i{n} erþ wonne, to erþ schal hit wend.
Hum{us} humu{m} repetit, & re{spo}nsu{m} datur,
Humu{m} q{u}are n{e}gligit, & humo fruatur.
Hum{u}s humu{m} porrigit, sic & operatur,
S{upe}r humu{m} p{er}agit, humo q{uod} portatur.
Humo sic i{n}ciperis, ac humo meabis;
Q{uo}d humo q{ue}sieris, humo totu{m} dabis.
Erþ askeþ carayne of ki{n}g a{nd} of kni[gh]t;
Whan erþ is i{n} erþ, so low[gh] he be li[gh]t.
Whan þi ri[gh]t a{nd} þi wow[gh] wendiþ þe bi-for,
Be þou þre ni[gh]t i{n} a þrou[gh], þi f{r}endschip is i-lor.
Terra ui{m}q{ue} b{r}auivm t{er}ra collucratur;
Tot{us} cet{us} hominvm de t{er}ra patratur;
Ops cadau{er} militvm q{ue} regis sc{r}utatur;
Cu{m} det{ur} i{n} tumulvm, mox t{er}ra voratur.
Cu{m} ius & i{us}ticivm cora{m} te migrabu{n}t,
Pauci p{er} t{r}inoctivm morte{m} deplorabu{n}t.
Erþ is ar la{ng} wei, þouw we lutil wene,
Þ{a}t weriþ g{r}ouer a{nd} g{r}oy a{nd} schrud so schene,
Whan erþ makiþ is liuerei, he g{r}auiþ vs i{n} g{r}ene.
Whan erþ haþ erp wiþ st{r}einþ þus geten,
Alast he haþ is leinþ miseislich i-meten.
Dic uesta{m} dext{r}arium regiq{ue} regine,
It{er} lo{n}gu{m} marium, q{uod} e{st} sine fine,
I{n}dum{en}tu{m} uarium dans cedit se{n}tine,
Q{ua}ndo dat corrodium, noa t{r}adit ruine.
Cu{m} p{er} fortitudinem tenet hanc luc{r}atam,
Capit lo{n}gitudinem mis{er}e metatam.
Erþ is þi moder, in erþ is þi mold.
Erþ uppon erþ be þi soule hold;
Er erþe go to erþe, bild þi long bold.
Hum{us} q{ue}rit pl{ur}ima sup{er} humu{m} bona,
Hum{us} e{st} mat{er} tua, i{n} q{u}a sumas dona.
A{n}i{m}e sis famula s{upe}r humu{m} prona;
Domu{m} d{e}i p{er}petra m{un}do cu{m} corona.
Ops t{ur}res edificat ac castra de petra;
Q{ua}n{do} fatu{m} capiat, penora {sun}t tetra.
Whar of þou co{m} a{nd} whoder schaltou wend.
Make þe wel at on wiþ hi{m} þ{a}t is so hend,
A{nd} dred þe of þe dome lest sin þe schend.
For he is king of blis, a{nd} mon of moch{e} mede,
Þ{a}t deliþ þe dai f{r}am ni[gh]t, a{nd} leniþ lif a{nd} dede.
De fine nouissimo mauors mediteris,
Huc q{u}o uen{er}is uico, dic q{u}o g{r}adieris.
Miti p{r}ude{n}tissimo co{n}cordare deris,
Hesides iudic[i]o, ne noxa da{m}pneris.
Q{uia} rex e{st} gl{or}ie, dans m{en}sura restat;
Mutat nocte{m} de die, vita{m} morte{m} prestat.
Ffor erth hath geten of erth a nobul thyng of noght,
Erthe uppon erthe hath set alle hys thoght
How erthe uppon erthe may be hygh broght.
But how erth shall to erth thynketh he nothyng;
But when erth byddyth erth his dute hom bryng,
Than shall erth fro erth have a peteus partyng.
Than sayth erth unto erth: 'This is alle owres'.
But whan erth uppon erth hath byllyd all his bowrys,
Thanne shalle erth for erth suffer sharpe showres.
And erth goth uppo{n} erth glyttryng alle gold,
Lyke as erth unto erth neuer goe sholde;
Ann justly tha[n] shalle erth go to erth
rather þa{n} he wolde.
Or why that erth for erth swet wylle or swynke,
Ffor whan erth uppon erth is broght w{i}t{h}i{n} þe brynke,
Than shal þe erth of erth have a ryght fowle sty[n]ke.
Ffac bene du{m} vivis, post morte[m] viv{er}e si vis.
Wha{n} lyffe is most louyd and deth most hated,
Than deth drawyth hys drawght and maketh ma{n} ful naked.
Et in cenerem Reuerteris.
Erthe hase getyn one erthe a dignyte of noghte,
Erthe appon{e} erthe hase sett alle his thoghte
How þat erthe appon{e} erthe may be heghe broghte.
Bot howe þ{a}t erthe to erthe sail thynkis he no thynge.
When erthe bredis erthe & his rentis home brynge,
Thane schalle erthe of erthe hafe full harde partynge.
Thane saise erthe vnto erthe: 'This es alle owrris'.
When erthe appo{ne} erthe hase bigged vp his bourris,
Than schalle erthe for erthe suffire scharpe scowrrys.
He that gose appon{e} erthe gleterande as golde,
Lyke als erthe neu{er} more goo to erthe scholde,
And [gh]itt schal erthe vnto erthe [gh]a
rathere þan he wolde.
Or why þ{a}t erthe for erthe scholde oþ{er} swete or swynke,
For when þ{a}t erthe appon{e} erthe
es broghte w{i}t{h}in brynke,
Thane schalle erthe of erthe hafe a foulle stynke.
have _schowrys_.]
Erthe apon erthe hath worschyp of nogth,
Erthe apon erthe hath set al hys thowth
How erthe apon erth myth be hy browth.
How erth schal to þe erth thy[n]k he no thyng{e}.
Whan erth bydyth erth hys rent h[om]e bryng{e},
Þan schal erth fro þe erth [haue] a delful partyng{e}.
Þan seyth erth to þe erth: 'Þose beth al owrys'.
Whan erth apon erth hath byggyt al hys bowrys,
Þan schal erth for þe erth suffyr scharpe [s]chowrys.
Þ{a}t erth cometh owte of þ{e} erth nakyt alway.
Þan how scholde erth apon erthe be prowt [or gay]
Whan erth schal to þ{e} erth in so pore aray?
Erth goth on erth glydderande in golde,
Lyk as erth to erth neuyre go scholde.
Whyle erth ys apon erth to turne al hys tho[w]th.
Now pray we to God þ{a}t al erth wrowth,
Þat erth owt of erth to blys myth be browth.
the MS., and the writing is much worn and stained, and in many
cases barely legible. A few letters have been re-written in black
original hand still clear.]
(William Gregory's Commonplace-Book.)
Whenne lyfe ys moste louyde, and dethe ys moste hatyde,
Dethe drawythe hys draught{e}, and makythe man nakyde.
Erthe vppon erthe hathe sette hys thought{e}
Howe erthe a-pon erthe may be hy brought{e}.
Howe erthe shalle vnto erthe thynkythe he noo thynge.
Whenne erthe byddys erthe hys rentys home brynge,
Thenne shalle erthe of the erthe haue a pytyus partynge.
Thenne erthe saythe vnto erthe: 'Thys ys alle owrys'.
Whenne erthe a-pon erthe hathe bylde vppe hys bourys,
Thenne shalle erthe for the erthe suffer sharpe schowrys.
Erthe gothe a-pon erthe alle gleterynge in golde,
Lyke as erthe vnto erthe neuyr [go] scholde,
And yet shalle erthe vnto erthe rathyr thenne he wolde.
Or why erthe for the erthe swete wylle or swynke,
Ffor whenne erthe a-pon erthe ys brought{e} w{i}t{h}yn brynke,
Thenne shalle erthe of erthe haue a foule stynke.
Howe erthe comythe to erthe nakyd alle day.
Why scholde erthe a-pon erthe goo stowte and gay,
Syn erthe vnto erthe shalle pas in pore a-ray?
And pray to God a-pon erthe that alle the erthe
hathe wrought{e},                          [fol. 55, v^o.]
That erthe owte of the erthe to blys may be brought.
Amen. Caue si vis.
And erthe apon erthe hathe ysette all{e} hys thought{e}
Howe that erth{e} apon erth{e} hye myght be brought{e},
But how that erth{e} scal to the erth{e}
thyngketh{e} he noht{e}.
Butte how that erth{e} schal to erth{e} thynketh he no thynge,
Ffor when erth{e} byddyth{e} erth{e} hys rente home brynge,
Than hath{e} erth{e} apon erth{e} heuy partyng.
And erth{e} sayth{e} to the erth{e}: 'Thys ys all{e} ourys'.
Wanne erth{e} apon erth{e} syttyth{e} wyth-in hys bovrys,
Ye[gh]t schall{e} erth{e} for the erthe
suffre scharpe schourys.
And erth{e} goyth on erth{e} gletterant as golde,
Like as erth{e} apon erth{e} neuer dye schoulde.
Or why that erth{e} apon erth{e} swete or swynke,
Ffor whan{ne} erth{e} apon erth{e} ys brought wyth-in the brynke,
Howe erth{e} cometh to the erth{e} naked all{e} waye.
Why schulde erth{e} apon erth{e} go stowte or gay,
Syth erth{e} apon erth{e} schal passe in pore aray?
And y pray to God apon erth{e}
that all{e} erth{e} hath wrought{e},
Whanne lyf ys moste louyd,
And dethe ys most hatyd,
Dethe drawyth hys drawghte
And maketh a man ful naked.
De t{er}ra plasmasti me.
column. A signature apparently follows, but is indecipherable.]
Erthe vpon erthe   gete nobley of noughte,
Erthe vpon erthe   has sete all his thovghte
How erthe vpon erthe   may be hye brovghte.
How erthe sall to erthe   thenkys he nothyng,
For whan erthe byddes erthe   his rent home brynge,
Þan sall erthe from erthe   haf petus p{ar}tynge.
Than says erthe vnto erthe:   'This is all ovres'.
But whan erthe opon erthe   has bigged his borowes,
Than sall erthe for the erthe   sofur sharpe shovres.
Erthe gothe opon erthe   glyd{er}yng os golde,
Lyke as erthe to erthe   neu{er} go shulde.
Vr why þ{a}t erthe vpon erthe   swetys or swynkes,
Ffor whan erthe opon erthe   is brente w{i}t{h}in þe brynkes,
Þan sall erthe of the erthe   hafe a foule stynke.
How erthe comes into þe erthe   nakyd all way.
Why sulde erthe vpon erthe   go stovte or gay,
Sethen erthe oute of erthe   sall passe in por aray?
The whyle þ{a}t erthe is vpon erthe   to turn vp his thouthe,
And praye to God vpon erthe   þat all the erthe wrouhte,
Þ{a}t erthe oute of erthe   to blys may be browthe.
Erth hath gotyn vppon erth a dygnyte of noght,
Erth ypon erth hath sett all hys thowht
How erth apon erth may be hey browght.
But how that erth gott to erth he thyngkys nothyng.
When erth byddys erth hys rentys whom bryng,
Then schall erth apon erth haue a hard p{ar}tyng.
Then seth erth vnto erth: 'Thys ys all owrys'.
When erth apon erth hath bylde hye bowrys,
Then schall erth for erth suffur many hard schowrys.
Lyke as erth apon erth neu{er} goo schold.
Erth goth apon erth as glisteryng gold,
And yet schall erth vnto erth rather then he wold.
Or why that erth wold for erth other swett or swynke.
When erth apon erth ys broght w{ith}yn the brynke,
Then schall erth apon erth have a fowll stynke.
How erth co{m}myth to erth nakyd all way.
Why schall erth apon erth goo stowte or gay,
Seth erth out of erth schall passe yn poor aray?
The w{h}yll þ{a}t erth ys apon erthe to torne hys thowht,
And pray to God vpon erth þ{a}t all erth wroght,
That all crystyn soullys to þe blis may be broght.
How that erthe opon erthe may be hy broght.
Erthe oute of erthe is wonderly wroght,
Erthe hase of erthe a dignytie of noght.
Bot how erthe shall{e} to erthe thynkis he nothyng.
Ya bot when erthe byddis erthe his rentis hym bryng,
Than shall{e} erthe hafe of erthe a full{e} harde p{ar}tyng.
Than sais erthe vnto erthe: 'All{e} þis is ours'.
Ya bot when erthe opon erthe hath byggid vp his bowres,
Than shall{e} erthe for erthe suffre sharpe showres.
Like as erthe vnto erthe neu{er} go shulde.
Ya bot when erthe goeth on erthe as colde opon colde,
Yit shall{e} erthe vnto erthe rather þan{ne} he wolde.
Or whi þat erthe for erthe swete wyll{e} or swynke,
Ffor when erthe opon erthe is brought with-in brynke,
Than shall{e} erthe hafe of erthe a wonder foule stynke.
Noght bot þ{a}t erthe opon erthe shall{e} hafe a fall{e}.
Bot when erthe oute of erthe
shall{e} com to the laste call{e},
Than sall{e} erthe be full{e} ferde for þe sely sall{e}.
And thynk þ{o}u erthe opon erthe what maistres þ{o}u mase,
And how erthe opon erthe what gatis at þ{o}u gase,
And þ{o}u sall{e} fynde it forsuthe
that þ{o}u haste many fase.
Graunte þ{a}t erthe vpon erthe may govern hym so,
Þat when erthe vnto erthe shall{e} be taken to,
That þe saule of þis erthe suffre no wo.
Ffac b{e}n{e} du{m} viuis, post morte{m} viuere si vis.
When lyffe is most loued, & deth is moste hated,
Then dethe draweth{e} his drawght{e}
& makyth{e} man full{e} naked.
Erthe of the erthe hathe gete an abbey of nawte,
Erthe apon erthe hath{e} sett all{e} his thowghte
How erthe apon erthe may be hye browte.
Butt how erth{e} schall{e} to erthe thynketh{e} he nothyng{e}.
When erthe byddeth{e} erthe his rent home bryng{e},
Then schall{e} erthe owte of erthe
haue a pyteous p{ar}tyng{e}.
Then seyth{e} erthe to erthe: 'These byth{e} all{e} owres'.
When erthe apon erthe hath bygged{e} vp his bowres,
Then schall{e} erthe for the erthe suffre scharpe schowres.
So goeth{e} erthe apon erthe all{e} gleteryng{e} in golde,
Lyke as erthe into erthe neu{er} go scholde,
And [gh]et schalle erthe into erth{e} rather then he wolde.
Or why that erthe for erthe swete wyll{e} or swynke,
Ffor whan erthe apon erthe is browte w{i}t{h}yn þe brynke,
Then schall{e} erthe of the erthe haue a fowle stynke.
How erthe com{m}yth{e} to erthe naked all{e} way.
Why scholde erthe apon erthe go stowte or gay,
Whan erthe schall{e} passe owte of erthe in a pore aray?
Whyle erthe is apon erthe torne agayne thy thowght{e},
And pray to God apon erthe that all{e} erthe hath wroughte
That this erthe apon this erthe to blysse may be browte.
Lett neu{er} this erthe for this erthe i{n} myschyffe spylle,
But that this erthe in this erthe
be eu{er} worchyng{e} thy wylle,
So that this erthe fro þ{is} erthe
may stye vp to thy hylle.
excepting in the word _in_. Final _d_ is frequently written
freshened up.]
Whanne liif is moost loued, and deeþ is moost hatid:
Þanne dooþ deeþ drawe his draw[gh]t, & makiþ ma{n} ful nakid.
De terra plasmasti me, _&c._
Erþe of erþe haþ gete a dignyte of nou[gh]t,
Erþe upo{n} erþe haþ sett al his þou[gh]t,
How þat erþe upon erþe may be hi[gh] brou[gh]t.
B{u}t how erþe schal to erþe þenkiþ he no [fol. 36] þing;
Wha{n}ne þat erþe biddiþ erþe hise rentis hom bring,
Þan schal erþe out of erþe haue a piteuous parting.
Þan seiþ erþe to erþe: 'Now is þis al houris'.
Wha{n}ne erþe upon erþe haþ biggid up hise boure[s],
Þanne schal erþe upo{n} erþe suffir scharpe schouris.
So gooth erþe upon erþe al gliteringe in golde,
Like as erþe vnto erþe neu{er}e go schulde,
And [gh]it schal erþe vnto erthe raþ{er} þan he wolde.
make þou it neu{er}e so queynte & gay,
Out of þis erþe in-to þe erþe,
þ{er}e to clinge as a clot of clay. [fol. 37.]
but poore come þou and nakid.
Whanne þi soule is went out, & þi bodi in erþe rakid,
Þan þi bodi þat was rank & undeuout, of alle men is bihatid.
To hide þis erþe, to happe þis erþe, to hi{m} was cloþinge lente;
Þ{er}fore schal erþe vndir þe erþe haue hidiose turment.
Or whi þat erþe for sup{er}flue erþe
to sore sweete wole or swynk;
Ffor wha{n}ne þat erþe upo{n} erþe is brou[gh]t
Þan schal erþe of þe erþe haue a rewful swynk.
How erþe comeþ i{n}to erþe nakid al way, [fol. 38.]
Whi schulde erþe upon erþe go now so stoute or gay,
Wha{n}ne erþe schal passe out of erþe in so poore aray?
& how þe erþe out of þe erþe schal haue his a[gh]en-risynge,
And þis erþe for þis erþe schal [gh]eelde streite rekenyng;
Schulde neu{er}e þan þis erþe for þis erþe mysplese heuene king.
While þat þou erþe art upon erþe turne a[gh]en þi þou[gh]t,
And praie to þat God upo{n} erþe þat al þe erþe haþ wrou[gh]t,
Þat þou erþe upon erþe to blis may be brou[gh]t.
heere peynes ille,
Lete neu{er}e þis erþe for þis erþe myscheue ne spille,
But þat þis erþe on þis [fol. 39] erþe
be eu{er}e worchinge þi wille,
So þ{a}t þis erþe from þis erþe may stie up to þin hi[gh] hille.
Ffac bene dum viuis. post mortem viu{er}e si uis.
Tangere qui gaudet. meretricem qualiter audet.
Palmis pollutis. regem tractare salutis.
Credo in deum patrem omnipotentem.
(_Here follows the Creed in English verse._)
Whan lyf is moost louyd & deeþ is moost hatyd:
Thanne deeth drawyth his draut and makith man ful nakid.
Erthe of the erthe hath gete a dignyte of nowth{e},
Erthe vp-on e{r}the hath set al his thou[gh]t
How that erthe vp-on erthe may be hy[gh] browth.
But how erthe shal to erthe thinkiþ he no thi{n}g;
Wha{n} that erthe biddeth erthe his rentys hoom bring,
Thanne shal erthe out of the erthe haue a pet{ous} partyng.
Tha{n}ne seith erthe to erthe: 'This is al owris.'
Whan erthe vp-on erthe hath biggid alle his bouris,
Thanne shal erthe for erthe suffre sharp showris.
So gooth erthe vp-on erthe al gleteryng in goolde,
Like as erthe vn-to erthe neu{er}e goo shulde;
Yit shal erthe vnto erþe rather{e} than he wolde.
To florissh{e} the erthe, to peynte the erthe
wyth wantone a-ray;
make thow it neu{er} so queynt & gay,
Out of the erthe in-to the erthe, ther to clynge as clot of clay.
Whan thi soule is went out, & thi body in erthe rakid,
Tha{n}ne thi body that was rank and louyd of alle men, is hatyd.
To hyde this erthe, to wrappe this erthe,
to him was clothing lent;
Now gooth erthe up-on erthe, ruly raggid and rent,
Therfor shal erthe vndir erthe haue hidous turme{n}t.
Or whi that erthe for erthe swete wole or swinke;
Ffor whan that erthe up-on the erthe
is brou[gh]t wyth-i{n}ne the brinke,
Thanne shal erthe of the erthe haue a rewfull{e} stinke.
How erthe in-to the erthe comyth nakid al-way,
Whi shuld erthe vp-on erthe go stout [fol. 112, v^o] or gay,
Wha{n} erthe shal passe out of erthe in a por{e} aray?
And thus erthe for erthe yeelde shal streyt rikenynge,
Shulde neuer{e} erthe for erthe mysplese heuene kyng.
While that erthe is vp-on erthe, turne a-[gh]en thi thout,
And preye to God vp-on erthe, that alle the erthe hath wrou[gh]t,
But that this erthe in this erthe be eu{er}e worching thi wille,
So that erthe fro this erthe stye up on thyn hy[gh]e hille. Amen.
Tange{re} qui gaudes m{er}etricem qualit{er} audes.
Palmis pollutis regem tractar{e} salutis.
(_The poem _Whi is the wor[l]d belouyd that fals is and veyn_,
follows immediately._)
Erthe of þe erthe hathe goten a dyngnyte of noght,
Erthe vpon erthe hathe set all{e} hys thovght
Houe erthe vpon erthe maye be hyghe broght.
Bot how erthe shall{e} to erthe thynkethe he nothyng;
Whan that erthe biddethe erthe hys rentis hom to bryng,
Than shall{e} erthe oute of erthe haue a pytous p{ar}tyng.
Than says erthe to erthe: 'Þys is all{e} ourys'.
And whan erthe vpon erthe hathe byggid hys bourys,
Than shall{e} erthe vpon erthe suffer sharpe shoures.
So gothe erthe vpon erthe all{e} glytryng in golde,
Lyke as erthe into erthe never goo sholde;
And y{e}t shal erthe in to erthe rathar then he wolde.
To fflorysshe and paynt þe erthe w{i}t{h} wanton araye;
Y{e}t sshalle þou, erthe, for all{e} thy erthe,
make þ{o}u it neu{er} so queynt or gaye,
Oute of thys erthe in to erthe to klyng as clot in claye.
And hyder thou broght no shrowde, bot pore com and nakyd?
Lewe thy syne and lyffe in ryght,
And than shalt thou lyffe in heuyn as a knyght.
A descripture alchimicall of erthe & the nature of man.
Whanne life is most louyd,
And deth is most hatid,
Deth drawith his drau[gh]te
And makith a man nakid.
Is wonderly wrou[gh]te;
Erthe hath of the erthe
Hath set alle his thoughte
How erthe apon erthe
May be hiere y-broughte.
Wolde be made a kyng,
How erthe schal to erthe
Thynkyng no thyng.
Than he his rente hom brynge,
Thanne schal erthe for erthe
Haue a petous partynge.
Hath billid al his bowris,
Thanne schalle erthe for erthe
Suffre ful harde schowris.
Thanne saithe erthe to erthe:
'This is alle owris'.
As molde a-pon molde,
Erthe gothe apon erthe
Gleteryng alle in golde,
Neu{er} a-yen go schulde,
But yit schal erthe to þ{e} erthe
Rather thanne he wolde.
Wantynge his garnament,
To hide the erthe, to lappe the erthe,
To hym was clothing y-lent.
Disgesily ragged and to-rent,
Therfore schal erthe vnder erthe
Suffer ful grete turment.
Wonder y may thinke,
Or whi that erthe for the erthe
Unresonably swete wol or swynke,
Thanne schal erthe of the erthe
Haue an oribyll stynke.
Thus hartily haue thynkynge,
And how erthe out of erthe
Shal at last haue risynge,
Yelde riht streite rekenynge,
Thanne schuld [erthe] for erthe
Neuer mys-plese heuene kynge.
Trauelist nyht and day
To florische the erthe, to paynte the erthe
With thi wanton array,
Make thou neuer so gay,
Ffor thi erthe in to erthe
Clynge as clotte in clay.
Goist euer in dethis grace,
And thanne thou erthe for the erthe
Shalt neuer stryue ne race.
Therefor schal erthe for erthe
Be excludid from heuene gate.
That is thi dedly foo,
And bildist on erthe
As thou schuldist dwelle euer moo?
Or that thou hennys goo,
Vnder erthe for lust of erthe
Thou schalt haue sorow and woo.
To festis and to drynkis gon,
Til the be made frome the erthe
As bare as any bon.
Makyng sorow and mone,
Thanne saith erthe to the erthe,
'Thou were a felow, but now art thou none'.
That doith to him seruyse,
Or tristyn on erthe, or plese the erthe
In any maner wise.
Lest thou erthe p{er}ische for erthe
By-fore the hihe iustyse.
At the first begynnynge,
That erthe schuld labour the erthe
In trowthe and sore swynkynge;
With falshode and begilynge,
Therfor schal erthe for erthe
Be punsched in payne euerlastynge.
And alle his falshede,
And of the erthe restore the erthe
Goodis that ben mys-gete,
And vnder fote y-trede,
Ffor synne of erthe, þ{a}t hath do in erthe,
Fful sore he schalle be bete.
Hast witte & resoune at thi wille,
That, erthe, for loue of erthe,
Thi soule thou nougth spille.
And thanne schalt thou, erthe apon erthe,
Goddis biddyngis fulfille.
And suffredist paynes ful stille,
Late neuer erthe for the erthe
In dedly synne ne spille,
Be doynge euer thi wille,
So that erthe for the erthe
Stye vp to thi holy hille. Amen. S. J.
Erthe vppo{n} erthe has set al his þou[gh]te
How erthe vppo{n} erth to erthe schall{e} be brou[gh]te;
Ther is no{n}e vppo{n} erth has hit in þou[gh]te.
Take hede!
Whoso þinkyse on his end{e}, ful well{e} schal he sped{e}.
How erth schal to erthe he þink{is} no þinge.
Whe{n} erth byddyþ erth his rent who{m}e brynge,
The{n} schal erth fro þe erth have a hard{e} parttynge,
Ffor erth vppo{n} erþe wott{is}
The{n} sayþe erth to erth: 'Al þ{i}s is ourus'.
Whe{n} erth vpp{on} erth has bylde al his bovres,
The{n} schal erth fro þe erth soffyr{e} scharpe schorrys,
And{e} smarte.
Ma{n}, amend{e} þe betyme, þi lyfe ys but a starte.
Lyke as erth to þe erth neu{er} a-gayne schold{e};
Erth gose on erth glytteryng in gold{e},
Be owris!
Or why erth vppo{n} erth wyl swet or swinke,
Ffor whe{n} erth vppo{n} erth is bro{u}þt to þe brynke,
The{n} schal erth frov þe erth have a fovl stynke
To smele,
Wars þe{n} þe caryo{n} þ{a}t lyis in þe fele.
That þ{o}u co{m}mys frome þe erth nakyd{e} alway[{e}];
How schuld{e} erth vppo{n} erth soe prod{e} or gaye,
Sen erth v{n}to erth schal pase i{n} symple araye,
Cloth þe nakyd whyl þ{o}u may, for so Gode þe bade.
That on erth ryches to set al þi mynd{e};
In þe gospel wrytty{n}e exampul I fynde,
The pore went to heyuy{n}, þe rych to hel I fynd{e},
W{i}tt skyle:
The co{m}mandment{is} of God{e} wold{e} he not fulfyle.
To þe por{e} pepul þ{a}t favtt pe þi fovde,
Ffor þe loue of þi Lord{e}, þ{a}t rent was on þe roode,
And{e} for þi loue on þe crose sched his hart blode,--
W{i}ttovte a{n}ny place to reste on his hede.
Whyl þ{o}u leuyst, fulfyle þe w{er}kys of mercy vij.
Loke þ{o}u lete, for oode ne for ewyne,
Ffor þo by{n}e þe werk{is} þat helpyne vs to heyuy{n}e,
In haste.
Tho ded{is} who so dose þar, hy{m}e neu{er} be agaste.
Thow moue wend{e} of þ{i}s world{e} an vnreydy waye;
Turne þe betyme, whyle þ{a}t þ{o}u maye,
Leste it lede þe into hele, to logege þ{er} for ay,
In pyne;
Ffor þ{er} is noþ{er} to gett bred{e}, ale, ne wyne.
In heywy{n} to dweyll{e}, whyl þ{a}t þ{o}u hast space;
That myrthe for to myse it w{er} a karful case.
Ffor whye?
That myrth is w{i}t{h}owtty{n} end{e}, I tel þe securlye.
And{e} pray to Gode vppo{n} erth,
That erth owte of erth to blys may be bov[gh]te
Thorow helpe Jh{e}su Cryst þ{a}t was our{e} lad{is} byrthe.
Do for þiself.
printed for the Warton Club, _1855, p. 39_, Fiedler, Mod. Lang.
(Richard Hill's Commonplace-Book.)
Erth hath gote{n} oppo{n} erth a dygnite of nowght,
Erth vpon erth hath set all his thowght,
How þ{a}t erth vpon erth myght be hye browght.
But how þ{a}t erth shall to erth, he thy{n}kith no thyng;
Whe{n} erth biddith erth his rent{es} home bryng,
The{n} shall erth for erth haue a hard p{ar}tyng.
The{n} seyth erth vnto erth: 'Þis is all owres';
But whe{n} erth vpo{n} erth hath bildyd his bowres,
Tha{n} shall erth for erth suffre hard showres.
Erth goth vpon erth glydryng all i{n} golde,
Like as he vnto erth neu{er} torn shuld;
& yet shal erth vnto erth son{er} tha{n} he wold.
Or why þ{a}t erth will for erth swet or swynk;
For wha{n} erth vpon erth is browght w{i}t{h}in þe brynk,
Than shall erth for erth suffre a fowle stynk.
& as erth vpon erth i{n} honour dide shyne;
But erthe liste not to know how þei shuld enclyn,
& þ{er} crow{n}nys leyd i{n} erth,
wha{n} deth hath made hys fyne.
They were but erth vpon erth, no{n} of the{m} thre,
And so fro{m} erth vnto erth þei loste þ{er} dignite.
& Ector vpon erth was hold a worthy ma{n},
& Julius Cesar þ{a}t þe empire first be-gan;
& now, as erth w{i}t{h}in erth, þei lye pale & wan.
No more was kyng Charlis, ne Godfrey of Bolown;
But now erth hath t{o}rned þ{er} noblenes vpsodown;
& thus erth goth to erth, by short co{n}clusion.
Kyng Harry þe first, þ{a}t was of knyghthode flowr{e};
Erth hath closed the{m} ful streytly i{n} his bowr{e};
Loo, the ende of worthynes! here is no more socowr{e}.
Thynk how ye shall to erth, be ye neu{er} so bold;
Ye be vnsiker, wheþ{er} it be i{n} hete or cold,
Like as yo{u}r brether did beffore, as I haue told.
But þ{a}t ye shall torn to erth, I do you ensure;
& yf ye lyst of þe trewth to se a playn fugure,
Go to seynt Powlis, & see þ{er} the portratowr{e}.
Þ{er}-for, or dredfull deth w{i}t{h} his dart you dere,
& for to torn i{n} to erth, no ma{n} shall it forbere,
Wisely pu{r}vey you beffore, & þ{er}-of haue no fere.
For of þe erth we co{m} all, & to þe erth shall torn agayn;
Þ{er}-for to strive of grucche it were but i{n} vayn,
For all is erth, & shall be erth, no thyng more c{er}tayn.
How erth co{m}meth to erth nakyd all way.
Why shuld erth vpon erth go stowt or gay,
Sith erth owt of erth shall passe in pore a-ray?
Whill þ{a}t erth is on erth, torn vp yo{u}r thowght,
& pray to God vppon erth, þ{a}t all þe erth hath wrowght,
Þ{a}t erth owt of erth to blis may be browght.
Whe{n} erthe schal to erthe in so por{e} aray?
Whyle erthe ys apon erthe to tu{r}ne al his þo[gh]t,
And{e} p{r}ay to God þ{a}t al þe world wro[gh]t
Þ{a}t erthe out of erthe to blesse may be bro[gh]t.
contained the beginning of the poem, has been torn out.]
Eird hes gottin vpone eird ane dignite for nocht,
Eird apone eird hes set all his thocht
How þat eird vpone eird till hicht may be brocht.
And how þat eird gois to eird thinkis he no thing.
Quhone eird bydd{is} eird his rentis hame to bring,
Than sall eird haue to eird herd depairting.
Than sayis eird vntill eird: 'All þir ar owris'.
Quhone eird apone eird hes biggit all his bowris,
Than sall eird vpone eird suffir scharp schowris.
Lyke as eird vnto eird never go sold.
Eird gois apone eird glitterand as gold,
Or quhy þat eird will for eird owþir swet or swynk.
Quhone þat eird w{i}t{h}in eird is closit vndir bynk,
Than sall eird w{i}t{h}in eird haue ane ewill stynk.
How eird vnto eird gois nakit away,
Quhy sould eird apone eird go ow{er} proud or gay,
Sen eird vntill eird sall wend in pure array?
Q{uhi}ll eird is apone eird to turne all his thocht,
And pray to God apone eird þat maid all of nocht,
That eird vpone eird to blys may be brocht.
Q{uo}d marsar.
(Transcribed from the Maitland MS. 1622-3.)
Eird hes gottin vpoun eird ane dignitie for nocht,
Eird vpoun eird hes sett all his thocht
How þat eird vpoun eird till hicht may be brocht.
Quhen eird bidd{is} eird his rentis hame to bring,
Than sall eird haue to eird herd depairting.
Than sayis eird vnto eird: 'All now ar ouris'.
Quhen eird vpoun eird hes biggit all his towris,
Than sall eird vpoun eird suffer grit showris.
Lyk as eird vnto eird neuer go sold,
Eird gois vpoun eird glitterand as gold,
Or quhy þat eird will for eird owther sweit or swink,
Quhen þat eird w{i}t{h}in eird is closit vnder bink,
Than sall eird w{i}t{h} eird haue ane evill stink.
How eird vnto eird gois nakit away,
Quhy sould eird vpoun eird go o{u}r proud or gay,
Sen eird vntill eird sall wend in pure aray?
Q{uhi}ll eird is vpoun eird to turne all his thocht,
And pray to God vponn eird þat maid all of nocht,
That eird vpoun eird to blis may be brocht.
Erthe takys on erth a nobylay of nought;
Now erthe vpon erthe layes all his þought
How erthe vpon erthe sattys all at noght.
Erthe says to erth: 'This is alle owr{is}'.
But q{ua}n erth vpon erth has byg{g}yd his bowr{is},
Than xal erth for the erth haue scharpe schowr{is}.
But hove erth xal to erth thynkyth he no thyng.
And sethe he made that erth & callyd it Ad{a}m,
For loue of erthe, the wych was woman,
That erth in this erthe fyrst be-gan.
Erthe a-geyn erth holdys it full toght,
Erthe vpon [erth] stelis hym a slogh,
Erthe on this erth thynkys he has neu{er} i-nowe.
Prykys and prankys on a palfreye;
When erth has gotyn erth alle that he maye,
He schal haue but seven fote at his last daye.
Bu[t] an olde sely cloth to wynde erthe in,
When erthe is in erth for wormys wyn,
The rof of his hows xal ly on his chyn.
Then has erth fro erthe a dolfull p{ar}tyng.
How erth for erth wyll swete and swynke.
When erth is in erthe broght w{i}t{h}-in the brynke,
What as herth than of erthe but a fowle sty{n}ke?
Erthe vp-on erth glydys as golde,
As erthe leve in erthe eu{er} mor{e} schulde.
How erthe xal to erth when deth wyll hy{m} take.
Erthe may of erth at þe last take a fowle,
When erth is in erthe her{e} so long in his slogh.
And erthe rydys on erth on a fayr stede,
When he was goty{n} in erth erth to his mede,
Than is erth layde in erthe wormys to fede.
Whylke ar the wormys the flesch brede?
God wote the wormys for to ryght rede.
Erthe is as sone wroth as is the wynde,
Swyche fowle erth mekyl may we fynde,
That wyl speke fayr{e} befor{e} vs & falsly be-hy{n}de.
Erth berys p{r}ide in herte & i{n} cloth,
When erth is layde i{n} erth þan xal it be loth.
Erth for this erth yeld{is} a gret rent,
If erth in thys erth levyd in good entent
Than dar{e} erthe nevyr recke wher{e} that he went.
And erth wyth is erth fyghtys ful fast,
Ther{e} is non so stowte that in erth may hy{m} cast,
And alle xal we be erth at the last.
When erth is layd in erth, blayke is his bo{ur}s;
If erth haue welth, he dwellyth in flowr{es},
And if erth haue mys don, he getyth scharpe sho{ur}s.
Ther wolde neu{er} erth in erth do a-mys.
God mad erth of erth, & namyd it for his,
Adam of erth in erthly paradys.
He had not in this erth but hong{er} & colde,
And in this erth also his body was solde,
Her{e} in this erth, whan þ{a}t he was xxx^ti [gh]er{e} olde.
Ffor to sawe erth owght of hell grou{n}de,
He deyd in erth vpon þe rode w{i}t{h} many a blody vou{n}de.
And went into hell as was gret nede,
And toke erth from sorowe þ{us} erth for to spede,
The ryght wey to heuen blys Iesus Cryst vs lede!
fine.
are perhaps inserted here with the idea of forming a six-lined
Erthe toc of erthe erthe wyth wote.
Montgomery's reprint of the poem in 1827 was taken from Bateman's
Citizen_ (Camden Society, 1876). The MS. is written throughout in
#Page 10.# #MS. Brighton.# Fiedler's account of this MS. is as
Whosoo hym be thowght   Inwardly and ofte
How hard hyt ys to flett
From bede to peyt   From peyt to peyne that neu{er}
Schall seys Certen
He wold not doo no syn   all þ{is} world to wynne.
The same lines are found on other monumental inscriptions. Weever
Faversham respectively, and Rogers (_Monuments and Monumental
He that hath thoughte
ful in-wardly and ofte
how hard it is to flyt
fro bedde on to pyt
fro pytte on to pyne
whiche neuyr schal haue fyne
for alle thys world to wynne
wold not do a synne.
þan þi bodi þat was rank & undeuout of alle men is bihatid--
Out of þis erþe cam to þis erþe þis wrecchid garnement.
Oute of the erthe cam the erthe wantynge his garnament.
thinkynge : risynge : rekenynge : kynge.
Now Lorde that madyst for erthe & sufferdyst paynes ille.
O þou Lord that madist þis erþe for þis erþe
& suffridist heere peynes ille.
Lo wordly folk{es} thou[gh] þ{is} p{ro}cese of dethe
Be not swete, ne synke not i{n} your mynde.
Whe{n} age co{m}myþ & schorteth is her brethe,
And dethe co{m}myþ, he is not far behynde;
The{n} her dyscressio{n} schal wel knov & fynde
That to have mynd of deþ it is ful nesseserry,
Ffor deth wyl co{m}e; dovtl{es} he wyl not long tarry.
Of what estate [gh]e be, [gh]ovng or wold,
That redyth vppon þ{is} dredful storrye,
As in a myrrovr her [gh]e may be-holde
The ferful ende of al your joy & glorie;
Therfor þ{is} mat{er} redvs vs to yovr memory:--
Thynke vppo{n} yovr end, & alle schal be we[le].
I slepe now in molde, as it is naturall
That erth vnto erth hath his reuerture:
What ordeyned God to be terestyall,
Without recours to the erth of nature?
Who to lyue euer may himselfe assure?
What is it to trust on mutabilyte,
Sith that in this world nothing may indure?
For now am I gone, that late was in prosperyte:
To presume thervppon, it is but a vanyte,
Not certayne, but as a chery fayre full of wo:
Reygned not I of late in greate felycite?
_Et, ecce, nunc in pulvere dormio!_
Far though from _Earth_ man hath originall,
And to the _Earth_, from whence he came doth fall,
Though he be Earth, & can claime nought but earth,
(As the fraile portion due vnto his birth)
Yet many thousands that the earth doth breed,
Haue no place (certain) where to lodge or feed.
The following lines occur in a small volume called _The Compleat
When Earth of Earth shall turn to Earth
That was but Earth even from its Birth,
Then Earth from Earth shall rise again
To endlesse joy, or endlesse pain,
Let Earth then serve and please his Maker
That Earth of Heaven may be pertaker.
From Earth wee came, to Earth wee must returne,
Witness this EARTH that Lyes within this VRNE.
Begott by EARTH: Borne also of Earth's WOMBE,
In Earth EARTH'S Body Lyes Vnder this STONE,
But from this Earth to Heauen EARTH'S soule is gone.
O Earth! O Earth observe this well,
That Earth to Earth must go to dwell,
That Earth to Earth must close remain
Till Earth for Earth shall come again.
as to the age of the original parchment roll (1400-1430), see
Introduction, p. xi.]
The three following _Erthe_ poems, in Latin, French, and English
Hic dum terra vix'it . . . . . . .
Ut in t'ra valeat . . . . . dere
Terra finem cap . . . . . . . gabit
Quod terra promiserat t'ra . . . urgabit.
. . . . . . . eyne de tere ou tere est benure.
RECORD OFFICE ROLL (Ex^r. K. R. Parl. Proc., Bdle. 1).