(This text represents the normal seven-stanza type of the B version, but
without precise verbal agreement with any text printed above.)
[Transcriber's Note:
The initial "E" is printed in the middle of a large blank space,
E.E.T.S. notation for a decorative capital.]
1 [E]rthe vppon erthe so wondyrly wrought,
Erthe opon erthe hath gete a dignite of nought,
Erthe opon erthe hath set all hys thought
How erthe opon erthe may on hyght be brought. 4
2 Erthe opon erthe wold be a kyng;
But how that erthe goth to erthe thynketh he nothyng.
When erthe byddyth erthe hys rent home bryng,
Than erthe from erthe hath full hard partyng. 8
3 Erthe opon erthe wynneth castelles and towres;
Than seyth erthe to erthe: 'Thys ys all owres'.
When erthe opon erthe hath bylde halles and bowres,
Then shall erthe fro erthe suffre sharpe showres. 12
4 Erthe goth opon erthe as molde opon molde,
Erthe goth opon erthe and glytereth as golde,
Lyke as erthe to erthe neu{er} go sholde.
And yet shall erthe to erthe rather then he wolde. 16
5 Why erthe loueth erthe wondyr I may thynke,
Or why erthe for erthe wyll other swete or s[w]ynke,
Ffor when erthe in-to erthe ys brought w{i}t{h}yn the brynke,
Than shall erthe of erthe haue a foule stynke. 20
6 Lo erthe opon erthe consider{e} well thow may
How erthe co{m}meth to erthe nakyd alway.
Why shuld erthe than opon erthe go stout and gay
Seth erthe in-to erthe shall passe in a pore aray? 24
7 I counsell erthe opon erthe that wykkyd hath wrought,
Whyle erthe ys opon erthe to torne vp hys thought,
And pray God opon erthe that all erthe hath wrought,
That erthe out of erthe to blysse may be brought. Amen. 28
Memorare nouissima.
#B# VERSION 20.