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Against his will he dieth that hath not learned to die. Learn to die and thou shalt con to live, for there shall none con to live that hath not learned to die; and he shall be cleped a wretch that cannot live and dare not die.

If thou wilt live freely learn to die wilfully; and if thou ask of me how many it learneth, I shall tell it thee anon.

Thou shalt understand that this life is not else but death; for death is a passing as every man knoweth well. Wherefore men say of a man when he dieth that he passeth; and when he is dead he is passed. This life is not but only a passing, yea, forsooth, and that a full short passing. For all the life of a man's youth — if he lived a thousand year — were not as a moment in regard to the other life that ever shall last; other in joy withouten end, other in torment everlasting. This witnesseth to us well earls, kings, and emperors, which some time had the joy of this