all his wits from outward things, and in himself busily to consider and behold that likeness set before him; for then there appeared before him the likeness of a fair young man, the which was suddenly overcome with death in hasty time for to die, and had not disposed for the health of his soul before: the which with a careful[1] voice cried, and said: CiRCUMDEDERUNT ME GENITUS MORTIS: DOLORES iNFERNi CIRCUMDEDERUNT ME. [Ps 17:5] That is: the way-menting[2] of death hath umbelapped me,[3] and the sorrows of hell have environed me.
Alas, my God Everlasting, whereto was I born into this world, and why, after that I was born, had I not perished anon? For the beginning of my life was weeping and sorrow, and now the end and the passing is with great care and mourning. O death how bitter is thy mind[4] to a liking heart, and nourished up in delights! O how little trowed I that I should so soon die! But now thou, wretched death, suddenly lying in wait as a thief, hast fallen upon me. Now for sorrow, wringing mine hands, I yield out my groaning and yelling, desiring to flee death. But there is no place to flee from it. I look on every side and I find no counsellor nor comforter; for death is utterly fixed and set in me, and therefore it may not be changed. I hear that horrible voice of death saying to me in this manner: " Thou art the son of death; neither riches, nor reason, nor kinsmen, nor friends, may deliver thee from my
