This wrecched worldes transmutacioun,

As wele or wo, now povre and now honour,

With-outen ordre or wys discrecioun

Governed is by Fortunes errour;

5

But natheles, the lak of hir favour

Ne may nat don me singen, though I dye,

Iay tout perdu mon temps et mon labour:'

For fynally, Fortune, I thee defye!

Yit is me left the light of my resoun,