the uttermost within this sen'night. Put[1] in thine heart as though thy soul were in purgatory and had in penance for thy trespass ten years in the furnace of the burning fire, and only this year is granted thee for thine help; and so behold often sithes thy soul among the burning coals, crying:
"O Thou best beloved of all Friends, help Thy wretched soul! Have mind on me, that am now in so hard prison. Have mercy on me that stand[2] all desolate, and suffer me no longer to be tormented in this dark prison. For I am forsaken of this world. There is none that showeth me kindness, or that would put to [a] hand to help me, needy. All men seek their own profit and have forsaken me, and left me in this painful burning flame and desolate."
[The] Disciple answered
Soothly this doctrine of thine were most profitable, whoso hath it by experience as thou hast. But though it so be, that thy words be seen full stirring and biting, nevertheless they profit little as to many folk, for they turn away their face that they will not see unto their end. Their eyes see not, nor their ears hear not. They weened to live long, and that deceiveth them; and for they dread not undisposed[3] death, therefore they take no keep of seeing to-fore the harms thereof, what time that the messenger of death cometh; — that is to say hard and great sickness.
