THOMAS NASHE, Summer's Last    Will and Testament,  1600 ;    acted 1592. [A Litany in Time of Plague] 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 closèd 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 ! 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 ! Schelling, Felix E., ed. A Book of Elizabethan Lyrics. Boston: Ginn and Company, 1895. 52-53. to Works of Thomas Nashe Site copyright ©1996-2007 Anniina Jokinen. All Rights Reserved. Created by Anniina Jokinen on January 21, 2001. Last updated on February 7, 2007.