Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition

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

Poem 17

Earth

1] When man made of earth has acquired earthly goods with anguish, then earth can take her sufficiency from the earth. Man made of earth falls upon the earth in a very fragile manner, man made of earth moves himself miserably towards the earthen grave. You were made of the dust of the earth, and, man, you are all equal - the poor and the rich awoke in the same earth.
8] When earth acquires earth unjustly, then earth from earth inherits its fire. Earth on earth is suddenly deceived. Earth to earth has dragged itself and is grieved. Of earth you are fashioned and like to a thane. In the one earth rich and poor are stretched.
12] Man goes about in the world, moving here and there in garments, man goes towards the grave to feed worms. Man carries to the grave all the deeds of his life. When man is in the earth, it determines your just desserts. When man is in the grave the roof is on the chin. Then a hundred worms must writhe on the skin.
18] Earth walks in vestures on vestures various, and earth is contructed to give feed to the worms, and with all his achievements to depart to the earth; when earth is in the grave, who wants to sigh? When earth in earth is laid 'roof' reaches 'cornice', then in fair skin a hundred worms clean up.
23] Earth asks man and man answers it: why does man-born-of-earth hate man and why does man drive away man? Man possesses territory and man lacerates the earth. Man lives on earth and man obtains worldly things. Of dust you were created, in dust you must end. All that you gained on earth must return to the earth.
29] Earth questions earth, and a response is given, why earth earth ignores, and yet enjoys earth. Earth puts forth earth and thus earth operates, what by earth is borne rushes about on the earth. Thus from earth are you begun and to earth you will return, what from earth you will have won to earth you will all give back.
35] Man made of earth achieves sovereignty and power on earth. We are all dust, we are destined for the earth. Earth demands a rotten corpse from king and from knight, when man is in the grave, so low has he fallen. When your righteousness and your evil-doing proceed before you, if you are three nights in a grave, your friendship is dissolved.
41] Earth over earth wins power and prize, but the whole race of mankind is in clientage of earth. Earth searches out the corpse of knights and king. Once given to the tomb earth is soon consumed, when judgement and public mourning come to your turn, few will grieve for your passing for a triduum.
46] The world is a fine riding horse to king and to queen. Earth represents our path of life, yet we, who wear grey squirrel fur and such beautiful clothing, little conceive that when earth makes his garb he covers us in grass. When man has thus acquired worldly possessions with strength, at the end he has his length measured for him miserably.
52] Call earth a charger for king and for queen, a long sea-voyage that is without ending. Yet the motley garments it gives it consigns to the bilge. When it gives a banquet it is handing us to ruin. When earth by strength holds this earth as won, he receives a length of it miserly measured.
57] Man gets treasure and wealth in the world, earth is your progenitor, earth the dust to which you return. Upon earth, may the body made of earth be your soul's dwelling-place. Before earth goes to the grave build your great mansion! Man builds castles, man builds towers. When man is in the earth his dwelling places are black.
63] Earth on the earth seeks multiple goods, earth is your mother, in whom to acquire your gifts. Be a servant to your soul prostrate on the earth, complete the dwelling-place of God with a finely moulded cornice. Earth builds towers and castles of rock, but when destiny takes them foul are their stores.
68] Think, man, on your final end in the world, where you came from and whither you must go! Make yourself fully reconciled with Him who is so gracious, and fear the Judgement lest sin destroy you. For He is King of bliss and a Man of great spiritual reward, who separates the day from the night, and bestows life and death.
74] On your last end bravely meditate, reflect by what way you came hither by what way you will leave. Devote yourself in concord to the Meek and All-forseeing One. Stay with the [thought of His] judgement lest for sin you be condemned, for He is King of Glory and stands meting out measure, day into night He changes, life and death He bestows.