Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918/This World's Joy

by Anonymous

This World's Joy

c. 1300

WYNTER wakeneth al my care,
Nou thise leves^[1] waxeth bare;
Ofte I sike^[2] and mourne sare
When hit cometh in my thoht
Of this worldes joie, hou hit geth al to noht.

Nou hit is, and nou hit nys,^[3]
Al so hit ner nere,^[4] ywys;
That moni mon seith, soth^[5] hit ys:
    Al goth bote Godes wille:
    Alle we shule deye, thah^[6] us like ylle.

Al that gren me graveth grene,
Nou hit faleweth^[7] al bydene:^[8]
Jehsu, help that hit be sene
    And shild us from helle!
For y not whider^[9] y shal, ne hou longe her duelle.^[10]

 

1. this leves] these leaves.
2. sike] sigh.
3. nys] is not
4. al so hit ner nere] as though it had never been.
5. soth] sooth
6. thah] though.
7. faleweth] fadeth.
8. al bydene] forthwith.
9. y not whider] I know not whither.
10. her duelle] here dwell.