Image of Death hath so overlaid all my mind that unnethes[1] wot I whether I have seen the Image of Death or not; for I am so greatly astonicd that unnethes wot I whether this that I have seen be so in deed, or in likeness. O Lord of Lords, dreadful and merciful, I thank Thee with all mine heart of Thy special grace, and I behote[2] amendment, for I am made afeared with passing great dread.
Ah forsooth! I never perceived in my life the perils of undisposed death so openly as I have now in this hour. I believe for certain that this dreadful sight shall avail to my soul for ever. For certain now, I know, that we have not here none everlasting city, and therefore to the unchangeable state of the soul that is to come, I will dispose me with all my might. And I purpose me to learn to die. And I hope by God's grace to amend my life withouten any with- drawing or differing;[3] for sithen I am made so sore afeared so only to the mind, what should be to me the presence thereof? Wherefore now do away for me the softness of bedding, and the preciosity of clothing, and the sloth of sleep, and all that letteth me from my Lord Jesu Christ.
O Thou Holy and merciful Saviour put[4] me not to bitter death. Lo, I falling down before Thee, with weeping tears ask of Thee that Thou punish me here at Thy will, so that there Thou receive[5] not my wicked deeds into the last end; for soothly in that
