When I was younger, I had this passion for finding out all I could about the plague and any kind of mass misery that occured in medieval history.. I have no idea what led me to this, but I came across this poem in the midst of everything and it seemed to powerful to me at the time. Of course, I read it now and it's a much different feeling that I get. I think that I was obsessed with being unhappy, although I myself was not. Maybe I thought that ;I was missing out on this thing that everyone else got to complain about, while little ole me was left with only cheerful thoughts and no complaints about life. How things change...

A Litany in Time of Plague
by: Thomas Nashe

Adieu, farewell, earth's bliss;
This world uncertain is:
Fond are life's lustful joys;
Death proves them all but toys;
None from his darts can fly;
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!

Rich men, trust not in wealth,
Gold cannot buy you health;
Physic himself must fade;
All things to end are made;
The plague full swift goes by:
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!

Beauty is but a flower
Which wrinkles will devour;
Brightness falls from the air,
Queens have died young and fair,
Dust hath clos'd Helen's eye:
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!

Strength stoops unto the grave,
Worms feed on Hector brave,
Swords may not fight with fate,
Earth still holds ope her gate;
Come, come, the bells do cry.
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!

Wit with his wantonness
Tasteth death's bitterness:
Hell's executioner
Hath no ears for to hear
What vain art can reply:
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!

Haste, therefore, each degree
To welcome destiny:
Heaven is our heritage,
Earth but a player's stage:
Mount we unto the sky.
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!