be taken with the grin,[1] so am I taken with cruel death that hath come upon me suddenly; and my time of life is passed and slidden away, and may not be cleped again[2] of no man. There was none hour so short but therein I might have gotten ghostly winnings that pass in value all earthly goods withouten comparison. Alas, I wretched, why have I dispended so many gracious days in most vain and long speaking, and so little force have taken of myself!
O the unspeakable sorrow of mine heart! Why have I so given me to vanities, and why in all my life learned I not to die! Wherefore all ye that be here and see my wretchedness, ye that be jocund in the flower of youth, and have yet time able to live, behold me and take heed of my mischieves[3] and sorrows, and eschew[4] your harm by my peril. Spend ye in God the flower of your youth, and occupy ye the time that is given you in holy works; lest that if ye do like to me, ye suffer the pains that I suffer.
O everlasting God, to Thee I knowledge, complaining the great wretchedness that I feel of the wanton youth in which I hated words of blaming for my trespasses. I would not obey to him that taught me, and turned away the ear from them that would goodly counsel me. And I hated discipline, and mine heart would not assent to blaming. And therefore now am I fallen into a deep pit, and am caught with the grin of death. It had been better to me if
