And erth goth uppon erth glyttryng alle gold,

Lyke as erth unto erth neuer goe sholde;

16

Ann justly tha[n][3] shalle erth go to erth rather þan[4] he wolde.

5 Why man erth loveth erth wondyr me thynke,

Or why that erth for erth swet wylle or swynke,

Ffor whan erth uppon erth is broght within þe[5] brynke,

20

Than shal þe[6] erth of erth have a ryght fowle sty[n]ke[6].

6 Memento[7] homo quod cinis es et in cinerem reverteris.