Mirie it is while sumer y-last
With fugheles son
Oc nu neheth windes blast
And weder strong.
Ei, ei! What this nicht is long
And ich with wel michel wrong
Soregh and murne and fast.

[Beginning of the 13th century]

Mirie - merry
y-last - lasts
fugheles - birds
son - sound, song
Oc - but
nu - now
neheth - neareth, draws closer
weder strong - fierce weather
What... long - Oh but how long
ich - I
wel michel - "well mickle," very much
Soregh - sorrow, grieve
murne - mourn