12. This World fares as a Fantasy.
(11 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)
(1)
I wolde witen of sum wys wiht
Witterly what þis world were.
Hit fareþ as a foules fliht,
Now is hit henne, now is hit here;
Line 4
Ne be we neuer so muche of miht,
Now be we on benche, nou be we on bere,
And be we neuer so war and wiht,
Now be we sek, now beo we fere;
Line 8
Now is on proud wiþ-outen peere,
Now is þe selue .I.-set not by;
And whos wol alle þing her[t]ly here,
Þis world fareþ as a ffantasy.
Line 12
(2)
¶ Þe sonnes cours we may wel kenne,
Aryseþ Est and geþ doun West.
Þe Ryuers in-to þe séé þei renne,
And hit is neuer þe more al-mest.
Line 16
Wyndes Rosscheþ her and henne,
In snouȝ and reyn is non arest.