Of the Changes of Lyfe

I seik abowte this warld onstable,
To find a sentence conveniable ;
Bot I can not in all my witt,
Sa trew a sentence find of it,
As say, it is dissavable.

For ȝisterday, I did declair
How that the sasoun soft and fair,
Come in als fresche as pacok feddir ;
This day it stangis lyke ane eddir,
Concluding all in my contrair.

Ȝisterday fair sprang the flowris,
This day thai ar all slane with schouris ;
And foulis in forrest that sang cleir,
Now walkis with ane drerie cheir,
Full cauld ar bayth thair beddis and bouris.

So nixt to symmer, wynter bene ;
Nixt eftir confort, cairis keine ;
Nixt eftir myd nycht, the myrthfull morrow ;
Nixt eftir joy, ay cwmis sorrow :
So is this warld, and ay hes bene.

Quod Dumbar.