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When Adam dalf and Eve span, go spire – if thou may spede –
Where was than the pride of man that now marres his mede?
--
When Adam delved and Eve spun, go ask – if you may succeed – Where then was the pride of man, which now deprives him of his reward?
--
"When Adam dalf and Eve span", line 1; Celia Sisam and Kenneth Sisam (eds.) The Oxford Book of Medieval English Verse (1970) p. 617. Translation: ibid. p. 404.
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Sometimes attributed to Richard Rolle. Adapted by John Ball during the Peasants' Revolt as "When Adam dalf, and Eve span, who was thanne a gentilman".

 

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