Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition

Anglo-Irish poems of the Middle Ages (Author: [unknown])

Poem 4

Song of Michael of Kildare

1] Sweet Jesus, merciful and generous, who was stretched on the rood-tree, be with us now and forever, and protect us from sin. Do not allow those who are here to go to hell. Hear me, you who are so glorious of countenance, hope of all mankind! Cause us to see the Trinity and to gain the kingdom of heaven.
11] This world's love has gone away, like the dew on the grass on a summer's day. There are few, alas, who love God's teaching. We are all shrivelled like the earth, we ought to grieve sorely for that. Prince and king, what, do they expect to live for ever? Give up your pleasure and cry unceasingly: Jesus Christ have mercy!
21] Alas, alas, the prosperous men! Why will you fill your den with dung? Do you hope to take it hence? Nay, as I may prosper! You must see that the chattels of this life are entirely worthless. Run and fall on your knees to Christ who suffered five wounds, for you are trees fit to burn in the painful pit of hell.
31] God has sent you to the earth, has lent you a little period of time. He shall know how it is spent, I advise you, take heed. If it is hidden you shall be destroyed, for hell will be your reward. The bow is bent, the fire stoked for you if you are miserly. Unless you reform, you shall be sent away into ever glowing coals.
41] Your arrival was in poverty, so shall be your departure. You shall not carry a penny of all your property to the grave. That is a sorrowful tiding, for whoever wishes to hear it. Lord King, what makes a man so faithful to sinful filth? In torment he must not give a farthing, though he wanted to.
51] Rich man, think carefully, pay careful attention to what you are! You are only a fragile tree not attaining seven feet, clothed on the outside with gold and money, the axe is at the root. The ungracious devil considers it all a sport to root up this tree. As I may prosper, I advise you, flee and bring about your soul's deliverance.
61] Now you are in quiet and rest, you are the most important person of all the land. You pay no heed to God's command. Why will you not think about death? When you think you are living most splendidly, death will destroy your body. The poor coffin must be a nest for you who sits boldly on a bench. Though your enterprise shall range East and West, you will not be able to avoid anything.
71] Whether you are a baron or a knight, you shall be a sorrowful creature; when you lie stretched on a bier in very poor clothing, you have neither power nor strength; while you fear no man, with grief-filled sight - and that is right - you shall be led to the earth. Then your daylight must turn into night. Consider, man! This I caution.
81] The poor man asks good things of you every day, and you always say: ‘Beggar, go to the devil, you fill my ears completely with noise!’ Stung with hunger, he goes away with many a sorrowful tear. Woe, alas! You clod of earth, when you lie on a bier, you do not have particoloured fur, nor grey squirrel fur, nor red squirrel fur, nor fine striped cloth, but only a haircloth shroud.
91] Christ tells in Holy Scripture that a man of perverse under standing who was rich in this life was buried in the abyss of hell. Then he shall never escape from the sorrowful pit. He must sit deprived in hell, without wine and a loaf of white bread. The devil must sit to knit his fetters securely. Bitterly can he scream.
101] The poor man goes before you, thoroughly dried up like a tree, and cries out: ‘Lord, help me! Hunger has bound me. Let me die for charity's sake. I am overcome’. As I may prosper, and as Christ sees it, you shall be held responsible for his death, if he dies at that time, though you give him no wound.
111] I advise you: Rise and awaken, move quickly from corrupt sin. If you are taken in it, indeed you must go to hell, to live with the black devils in that grievous boiling heat. Make your way, endure the penance, tell your sins to a priest, so that lamentation and retribution shall depart from you, together with devils cruel and treacherous.
121] If your life is led in sin, do not be set against doing penance; whoever does so, as Holy Church teaches, is not mad. Do not be afraid of it, Christ shall be your physician. Thus Christ, whom the rood stretched, advised us with joyful words. When He commanded thus you could be glad, He loves no wretched man.
131] Jesus, gracious King of Heaven, may you be ever blessed! Lord, I beg of you, have concern for me. May you protect me from mortal sin while I live amongst the human race! May the gracious Virgin who bore you so lovingly under her garments, cause us to see the Trinity - we are all in need!
141] A friar minor made this song, may Jesus Christ be his aid! Lord, bring him - Friar Michael Kildare - to the heavenly stronghold. Shield him from the mansion of hell when he must go hence! Lady, flower of all virtue, remove his sorrow, shield him on every side from the shower of certain torments! Amen.