WILLIAM DUNBAR

That strong unmerciful tyrand Takis, on the motheris breast sowkand, The babe full of benignitie : Timor Mortis conturbat me.

He takis the campion in the stour, The captain closit in the tour, The lady in bour full of bewtie: Timor Mortis conturbat me.

He spairis no lord for his piscence, Na clerk for his intelligence ; His awful straik may no man flee : Timor Mortis conturbat me.

Art-magicianis and astrologgis, Rethoris, logicianis, and theologgis, Them helpis no conclusionis slee : Timor Mortis conturbat me.

In medecine the most practicianis, Leechis, surrigianis, and physicianis, Themself from Death may not supplee : Timor Mortis conturbat me.

I see that makaris amang the lave* Playis here their padyanis, syne gois to grave ; Sparit is nocht their facultie : Timor Mortis conturbat me.

He has done petuously devour The noble Chaucer, of makaris flour, The Monk of Bury, and Gower, all three : Timor Mortis conturbat me.

sowkand] sucking. campion] champion. stour] fight,

piscence] puissance. straik] stroke. supplee] save. makaris] poets. the lave] the leave, the rest. padyanis] pageants.

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