When hit cometh in my thoht
Of this worldes joie, hou hit goth al to noht.

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

Al that gren me graueth grene,
Nou hit faleweth albydene:
Jesu, help that hit be sene
Ant shild us from helle!
For y not whider y shal, ne hou longe her duelle.

this leves] these leaves. sike] sigh. nys] is not. al so hit ner
nere] as though it had never been. soth] sooth. bote] but,
except. thah] though. faleweth] fadeth. albydene] altogether. y
not whider] I know not whither. her duelle] here dwell.


Anonymous. c. 1300

6. A Hymn to the Virgin

OF on that is so fayr and bright
Velut maris stella,
Brighter than the day is light,
Parens et puella:
Ic crie to the, thou see to me,