THE MONK’S TALE

De Casibus Virorum Illustrium

I will bewail in manner of tragedy

The ills of those that stood in high degree

And fell so far there was no remedy

To bring them out of their adversity;

For certain ’tis, when Fortune wills to flee,

There may no man the course of her withhold;

Let no man trust in blind prosperity;

Be warned by these examples true and old.