Cursor mundi (The cursur o the world). A Northumbrian poem of the XIVth century in four versions. Ed. by the Rev. Richard Morris ...

[A Prayer to Our Lady.]

Many a soule lady is comyn þ^e to And callyth at þ^e yate vndo knokkyng hit fynyth not to cry Line 10097 lady swete þou haue mercy Vndo vndo lady thyne ore To thy caytef byset full sore with-out thy castell I am by-set Line 10101 hard with thre fomen thret This world my flesh the fend als That foylyn me with fondyng fals To make me falle in fylthis fele Alle a-yen my soule hele Line 10106 A grete gederyng held they to-gedyr The fend formest he come thedir Wyth thre folijs by his side Tho were slowþ^e envie and pride

The world hath ij^o to his service Line 10111 That is avaryce and covetyse The flesh hath redy hym by lechory and glotony Line 10114 Thorogh thyse am I doune drevyn And as a wrecche alle to revyn I drede me sore long to ly But yf thy grace help lady Line 10118 That on the tryst be wont to Covir do me to passe thise diches ovir There þ^e castell stondyþ stable And charyte is so covenable Line 10122