THE LAMENTATION OF THE DYING CREATURE
The Dying Creature enset with Sickness incurable sorrowfully complaineth him thus
Alas that ever I sinned in my life. To me is come this day the dreadfullest tidings that ever I heard. Here hath been with me a sergeant of arms whose name is Cruelty,[1] from the King of all Kings, Lord of all Lords, and Judge of all Judges; laying on me the mace of His office, saying unto me : I arrest thee and warn thee to make thee ready, and that thou fail not to be ready in every hour when thou be called on; thou shalt not wit when. And call sadly to thine remembrance thine old and [long][2] continued offences; and the goodness of God, how largely He hath departed[3] with thee the gifts of nature, the gifts of fortune, and the gifts of grace. And how He hath departed with thee largely and ordained thee at thy baptism three borrows,[4] that thou shouldest safely and surely be kept in thy tender age
