English poem
Whil God wes on erthe
by William Langland (1332–1386)
Whil God wes on erthe And wondrede wyde, Whet wes the resoun Why he nolde ryde? For he nolde no grom To go by ys syde, Ne grucchyng of no gedelyng To chaule ne to chyde. Spedeth ou to spewen, Ase me doth to spelle; The fend ou afretie With fleis ant with felle! Herkneth hideward, horsmen, A tidyng ich ou telle, That ye shulen hongen, Ant herbarewen in helle!
5276. Epist. ad. Philippens. iii, 19.
5283. Epist. Joan. iv, 16.