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No man myghte gladen Theseus, |
| 1980 | Savynge his olde fader, Egeus, |
| That knew this worldes transmutacioun, |
| As he hadde seyn it chaunge bothe up and doun, |
| Joye after wo, and wo after gladnesse, |
| And shewed hem ensamples and liknesse. |
| 1985 | "Right as ther dyed nevere man," quod he, |
| "That he ne lyvede in erthe in som degree, |
| Right so ther lyvede never man," he seyde, |
| "In al this world that somtyme he ne deyde. |
| This world nys but a thurghfare ful of wo, |
| 1990 | And we been pilgrymes passynge to and fro. |
| Deeth is an ende of every worldes soore." |
| And over al this yet seyde he muchel moore, |
| To this effect ful wisely to enhorte |
| The peple, that they sholde hem reconforte. |
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No man might comfort then Duke Theseus, |
| 1980 | Excepting his old father, AEgeus, |
| Who knew this world's mutations, and men's own. |
| Since he had seen them changing up and down, |
| Joy after woe, and woe from happiness: |
| He showed them, by example, the process. |
| 1985 | "Just as there never died a man," said he, |
| "But he had lived on earth in some degree, |
| Just so there never lived a man," he said, |
| "In all this world, but must be sometime dead. |
| This world is but a thoroughfare of woe, |
| 1990 | And we are pilgrims passing to and fro; |
| Death is the end of every worldly sore." |
| And after this, he told them yet much more |
| To that effect, all wisely to exhort |
| The people that they should find some comfort. |
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