Like as the byrde in the cage enclosed

Like as the byrde in the cage enclosed
The dore unsparred and the hawke withowte
Twixte deth and prison piteously oppressed
Whether for to chuse standeth in dowte :
Certes so do I which do seke to bring aboute
Which should be best by determination
By losse of lyff, lybertye, or lyff by prison.

Oh, myscheffe by myscheffe to be redressed
Wher payne is the best ther lyeth little pleasure,
By short deth oute of daunger yet to be delyvered
Rather than with paynfull lyff, thraldom, and doloure.
For small pleasure moche payne to suffer ;
Soner therfore to chuse me thincketh it wysdome
By losse of lyff lybertye then lyff by prison.

By lengthe of lyff yet shulde I suffer
Adwayting time and fortunes chaunce :
Manye thinges happen within an howre :
That which me oppressed may me advaunce :
In time is trust, which by dethes grevaunce
Is utterlye lost : then were it not reason
By deth to chuse libertye, and not lyff by prison,

But deth were deliveraunce, in lyff lengthe of payne;
Of two ylles, let see nowe chuse the best,
This birde to deliver, you that here her playne.
Your advise you lovers ! which shalbe best ?
In cage in thraldome, or by hawke to be opprest?
And which for to chuse make playne conclusion
By losse of lyff lybertye, or lyff by prison?