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So nature killed many through corruptions

death came driving after her and dashed all to dust

kings and knights, emperors and popes

he left no man standing, whether learned or ignorant

whatever he hit stirred never afterwards

many a lovely lady and her lover knights

swooned and died in sorrow of deaths blows

for god is deaf nowadays and will not hear us

and for our guilt he grinds good men to dust

William Langland - Piers Plowman ca 1370