Howe King Edward the fourth[1219] through his surfeting and vntemperate life, sodaynly dyed in the middest of his prosperity, the nynth of Aprill, Anno 1483.

1. Miseremini mei yee that bee my frendes, This world hath formed mee downe to fall: How may I endure whan that euery thing ends? What creature is borne to be eternall? Now there is no more but pray for mee all, Thus say I, Edward, that late was your king, And twenty-two[1220] yeares ruled this imperiall,[1221] Some vnto pleasure and some to no lyking: Mercy I aske of my misdoyng, What avayleth it frendes to bee my foe? Sith I cannot resist, nor amend your complayning, Quia ecce[1222] nunc in puluere dormio. 2. I sleepe now in mould as it is naturall, As earth vnto earth hath his reuerture: What ordayned God to bee terrestriall,[1223] Without recourse to the earth by nature? Who to liue euer may himselfe assure? What is it to trust to mutability? Sith that in this worlde nothing may endure: (For now am I gone that was late in prosperity) To presume thereuppon it is but[1224] vanity: Not certayne, but as a chery fayre full of wo: Raigned not I of late in great prosperity?[1225] Et ecce in nunc puluere dormio. 3. Where was in my life such an one as I, While lady fortune had with me[1226] continuaunce: Graunted not shee mee to haue victory, In England to raigne and to contribute Fraunce? Shee tooke mee by the hand and led me a daunce, And with her sugred lips on mee shee smyled, But what for dissembled countenaunce, I could not beware till I was beguyled: Now from this world shee hath mee exiled, Whan I was lothest hence for to goe, And am in age as[1227] (who sayth) but a childe, Et ecce nunc in puluere dormio. 4. I had enough, I held mee not content, Without remembraunce that I should dye: And moreouer to encroch redy was I bent, I knew not how long I should it occupye, I made the towre strong, I wist not why: I knew not to whom I purchased Tartersall: I mended Douer on the mountayne hye: And London I prouoked to fortify the wall: I made Notingham a place full royall: Windsore, Eltam, and many other mo, Yet at the last I went from them all, Et ecce nunc in puluere dormio. 5. Where is now my conquest and victory? Where is my riches and royall array? Where be my coursers and my horses hye, Where is my myrth, my solace, and my play? As vanity to nought all[1228] is wythered away: O lady Bes long for mee may you call, For I am departed vntill dome’s day: But loue you that lord that is soueraine of all: Where bee my castles and buildings royall? But Windsore alone now haue I no moe, And of Eton the prayers perpetuall, Et ecce nunc in puluere dormio. 6. Why should a man bee prowde or presume hye? Saint Bernard thereof nobly doth treate, Saying a man is but a sacke of stercory, And shall retourne vnto wormes meate: Why, what became of Alexander the great? Or else of strong Sampson, who can tell? Were not wormes ordaynde theyr flesh to freate? And of Salomon that was of wit the well, Absolon preferred his hayre for to sell, Yet for his bewty wormes eate him also, And I but late in honoures did excell, Et ecce nunc in puluere dormio. 7. I haue played my pageant, now am I past, Yee wot well all I was of no great elde: Thus all thing concluded shalbe at the last, When death approcheth then lost is the fielde: Then seing this world me no longer vpheld, (For nought would conserue mee here in this place) In manus tuas Domine my spirit vp I yeelde, Humbly beseeching thee, O God, of thy grace, O you courteous commons your heartes embrace, Beningly now to pray for mee also, For right well you[1229] know your king I was: Et ecce nunc in puluere dormio.[1230]