death, and yet they dread not death when it nigheth them. They be blind, and like to unreasonable beasts that see not, before their last end, nor that that is to come after death. And therefore I weep not all for sorrowing of the doom of death, but I weep for the harms of undisposed death; I weep not for I shall pass hence, but I am sprry for the harms of those days that be passed, the which unprofitably dispendeth without any fruit. Erravimus a via VERITATIS ET JUSTITIAE LUMEN NON LUXIT NOBIS, etc. [Wis 5:6, sqq] Alas, how have I lived. I have erred from the way of soothfastness, and the light of righteousness hath not shined into me, nor the truth of understanding was not received in my soul. Alas what profiteth to me pride, or the boast of riches; what hath that holpen me? All those be passed as shadows and as the mind[1] of gests[2] of one day passing forth. And therefore is now my word and my speech in bitterness to my soul, and my words full of sorrow, and mine eyes deceived.
O why had not I been ware in my youth of this that falleth me in my last days, when I was clothed with strength and beauty, and had many years before me to come; that I might have known the evils that have suddenly fallen upon me in this hour.
I took no force[3] to the worthiness of time, but freely [have] given me to lost and to wretched life, and spent my days all in vanities. And therefore, right as fishes be caught with the hook, and as birds
