The uncertainty of life.

No vainer thing there can be found
amid this vale of strife,
As ancient men report have made,
than trust uncertain life.
This true we daily find,
by proofs of many years,
And many times the troth is tried
by loss of friendly feres.
Hope whoso list in life
hath but uncertain stay,
As tail of eel that harder held
doth sooner slide away.
When least we think thereof,
most near approacheth it,
And suddenly possess the place
where life before did sit.
How many have been seen
in health to go to rest,
And yet ere morningtide have been
with cruel death oppressed.
How many in their meals
have joyfully been set,
That suddenly in all their feast
hath yielded earth their debt.
Sith thus the life is nought
that in this world we trust,
And that for all the pomp and pride,
the body turns to dust,
Hope for the life above,
which far surmounteth all;
With virtuous mind await the time
when God for us doth call.