Page 267
The Ten Stages of Man's Life.
Vita hominis decurrit in:
10. horis; 10 dictis; 10 radiis
In:
ten times of þe day
ten stappes of oure way
ten spokes þat tornen ay
waich & wreschede þou art in sith;
of alle maner beste, lest is ti mith.
Al þis world þe tornit to play;
þe more þou playst, þe more þou may.
Richesse makes man beholden aboute;
for to þe riche, men bowe & louthe.
Nou hastou fondin þat tou hast sout:
be wel war; it lastit nout.
strong þou was, nou failit þi mith;
þou waxist heui, þat was wel lit.
Al mi lif ic sorwe & care,
for det comit sone, þat noman wil spare.
Lore þou hast, boþe tonge & minde:
as tou hast liuid, þou ssalt sone finde.
al þis wo[r]ld þou ssal forsake,
for det is comun, þat wil þe take.
man & wimman han on ende;
for, esye he comun al; esye ho [[or he]] ssuln wende.
Of þi lif nou litel lete,
for þou art tornid to wormis mete.