Now is my wark all fynyst and compleit,
Quham Jovis ire, nor fyris byrnand heit,
Nor trynschand swerd sal defas, ne doun thryng,
Nor lang proces of age, consumys al thyng.
Quhen that onknawyn day sall hym addres,5
Quhilk not bot on this body power hes,
And endis the dait of myn oncertan eld,
The bettir part of me salbe vpheld
Abufe the starnys perpetualy to ryng,
And heir my naym remane, but enparyng;10
Throw owt the Ile yclepit Albyon
Red sall I be, and sung with mony one.
Thus vp my pen and instrumentis full ȝore
On Virgillis post I fix for evirmore,
Nevir, from thens, syk materis to discryve:15
My muse sal now be cleyn contemplatyve,
And solitar, as doith the byrd in cage,
Sen fer byworn is all my childis age,
And of my days neir passyt the half dait
That natur suld me grantyn, weil I wait.20
Thus sen I feill down sweyand the ballans,
Heir I resyng vp ȝyngkeris observans:
Adew, gallandis, I geif ȝou all gud nycht,
And God salf euery gentill curtas wight! Amen.