horrible place there is so great sorrow and pain that no -tongue may suffer to tell.
O how great a fool have I been unto this time, in-so-much as I have so little force taken of undisposed death, and the pain of purgatory that is so great. And how great wisdom it is to have these things oft before thine eyes. But now that I am so ferdly[1] monished and taught, I open mine eyes and dread it greatly.
Wisdom answering and said
These things that be said, my Son, in all times have in mind, while thou art whole, young, and mighty, and mayst amend thyself. But what time thou comest to that hour, in soothness and none otherwise may thou help thyself; then is there none other remedy but that thou commit thee to the mercy of God only; and that thou take My passion betwixt thee and My doom, lest that thou dread My righteousness more than needeth — for so thou might fall down from thine hope. And now, forasmuch as thou art afeard with a passing dread, be of good comfort; understanding that the dread of God is the beginning of wisdom. Seek thy books, and thou shalt find how many goods and profits the mind of death bringeth to man. [Ecc. 12:1] Wherefore have mind of thy Creator and Maker in the days of thy youth, or that the powder turn again into his earth, whence he came from, and the spirit turn again to the Lord that gave it him. And bless thou God of Heaven with all thine heart,
- ↑ fearfully
