Page:Poems and ballads (IA poemsballads00swinrich).pdf/343

 But no meat comes in my mouth, Now I fare as the worm doth;

And no gold binds in my hair, Now I fare as the blind fare.

My live thews were of great strength, Now am I waxen a span's length;

My live sides were full of lust, Now are they dried with dust."

The first board spake and said: "Is it best eating flesh or bread?"

The second answered it: "Is wine or honey the more sweet?"

The third board spake and said: "Is red gold worth a girl's gold head?"

The fourth made answer thus: "All these things are as one with us."

The dead man asked of them: "Is the green land stained brown with flame?

Have they hewn my son for beasts to eat, And my wife's body for beasts' meat?