--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I that in heill was and gladnèss Am…" description: "\"“I that in heill was and gladnèss Am trublit now with great sickness And feblit with infirmitie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Our plesance here is all v..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d47/william-dunbar-30565_death-poems_i-that-in-heill-was-and-gladn-ss-am-trub_1675475.jpg" --- # I that in heill was and gladnèss Am trublit now with great… ![“I that in heill was and gladnèss Am trublit now with great sickness And feblit with infirmitie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Our plesance here is all vain glory, This fals world is but transitory, The flesh is bruckle, the Feynd is slee:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. The state of man does change and…” quote by William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d47/william-dunbar-30565_death-poems_i-that-in-heill-was-and-gladn-ss-am-trub_1675475.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d47/william-dunbar-30565_death-poems_i-that-in-heill-was-and-gladn-ss-am-trub_1675475.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d47/william-dunbar-30565_death-poems_i-that-in-heill-was-and-gladn-ss-am-trub_1675475.jpg) > ““I that in heill was and gladnèss Am trublit now with great sickness And feblit with infirmitie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Our plesance here is all vain glory, This fals world is but transitory, The flesh is bruckle, the Feynd is slee:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. The state of man does change and vary, Now sound, now sick, now blyth, now sary, Now dansand mirry, now like to die:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. No state in Erd here standis sicker; As with the wynd wavis the wicker So wannis this world's vanitie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Unto the Death gois all Estatis, Princis, Prelatis, and Potestatis, Baith rich and poor of all degree:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. He takis the knichtis in to the field Enarmit under helm and scheild; Victor he is at all mellie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. That strong unmerciful tyrand Takis, on the motheris breast sowkand, The babe full of benignitie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. He takis the campion in the stour, The captain closit in the tour, The lady in bour full of bewtie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. He spairis no lord for his piscence, Na clerk for his intelligence; His awful straik may no man flee:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Art-magicianis and astrologgis, Rethoris, logicianis, and theologgis, Them helpis no conclusionis slee:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. In medecine the most practicianis, Leechis, surrigianis, and physicianis, Themself from Death may not supplee:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. I see that makaris amang the lave Playis here their padyanis, syne gois to grave; Sparit is nocht their facultie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. He has done petuously devour The noble Chaucer, of makaris flour, The Monk of Bury, and Gower, all three:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. The good Sir Hew of Eglintoun, Ettrick, Heriot, and Wintoun, He has tane out of this cuntrie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. That scorpion fell has done infeck Maister John Clerk, and James Afflek, Fra ballat-making and tragedie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Holland and Barbour he has berevit; Alas! that he not with us levit Sir Mungo Lockart of the Lee:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Clerk of Tranent eke he has tane, That made the anteris of Gawaine; Sir Gilbert Hay endit has he:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. He has Blind Harry and Sandy Traill Slain with his schour of mortal hail, Quhilk Patrick Johnstoun might nought flee:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. He has reft Merseir his endite, That did in luve so lively write, So short, so quick, of sentence hie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. He has tane Rowll of Aberdene, And gentill Rowll of Corstorphine; Two better fallowis did no man see:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. In Dunfermline he has tane Broun With Maister Robert Henrysoun; Sir John the Ross enbrast has he:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. And he has now tane, last of a, Good gentil Stobo and Quintin Shaw, Of quhom all wichtis hes pitie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Good Maister Walter Kennedy In point of Death lies verily; Great ruth it were that so suld be:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Sen he has all my brether tane, He will naught let me live alane; Of force I man his next prey be:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Since for the Death remeid is none, Best is that we for Death dispone, After our death that live may we:- Timor Mortis conturbat me”” [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The poem repeatedly reminds that death and the fleeting nature of worldly glory dominate human existence, urging humility and awareness of mortality. **In simple terms:** Death and vanity dominate life. Key Takeaway Remember mortality, live modestly. Themes mortality vanity humility transience human frailty Mood somber reflective Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - contemplating death - reading medieval literature - discussing the nature of fame - teaching about humility - writing about mortality Key Concepts medieval poetry religious reflection social critique Questions to Reflect On - How does awareness of death shape your priorities? - What worldly pursuits seem fleeting now? A Different Perspective The poem’s archaic language can obscure its message for modern readers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death poems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death-poems/) [Rich and poor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rich-and-poor/) ## Related quotes > [Timor mortis conturbat me. The fear of death disturbs me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/timor-mortis-conturbat-me-the-fear-of-death-disturbs-me/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [“Timor mortis conturbat me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/timor-mortis-conturbat-me/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [I that in heill wes and gladnes Am trublit now with gret seiknes And feblit with infermite: Timor Mortis conturbat me.\* \* Fear of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/i-that-in-heill-wes-and-gladnes-am-trublit-now-with-gret-seiknes-and/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [If you would behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life. For life and death are one, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/if-you-would-behold-the-spirit-of-death-open-your-heart-wide-unto-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tecumseh/love-your-life-perfect-your-life-beautify-all-things-in-your-life/) [Tecumseh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tecumseh/) > [Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tecumseh/sing-your-death-song-and-die-like-a-hero-going-home/) [Tecumseh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tecumseh/) > [When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-elizabeth-frye/when-you-awaken-in-the-morning-s-hush-i-am-the-swift-uplifting-rush/) [Mary Elizabeth Frye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-elizabeth-frye/) > [Every moment of life is the last, every poem is a death poem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matsuo-basho/every-moment-of-life-is-the-last-every-poem-is-a-death-poem/) [Matsuo Basho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matsuo-basho/) > [Let children walk with Nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/let-children-walk-with-nature-let-them-see-the-beautiful-blendings/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Listen with your heart, you will understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pocahontas/listen-with-your-heart-you-will-understand/) [Pocahontas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pocahontas/) > [“Like dew drops on a lotus leaf I vanish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shinsui/like-dew-drops-on-a-lotus-leaf-i-vanish/) Shinsui > [And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/and-when-you-have-reached-the-mountain-top-then-you-shall-begin-to/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“I feel you calling, in the autumn sweet transformation. I have reached my brightest green to the gold burning sun. I have folded my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamara-rendell/i-feel-you-calling-in-the-autumn-sweet-transformation-i-have-reached/) [Tamara Rendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamara-rendell/) > [Death is nothing at all; it does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-scott-holland/death-is-nothing-at-all-it-does-not-count-i-have-only-slipped-away/) [Henry Scott Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-scott-holland/) > [How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-barrett-browning/how-do-i-love-thee-let-me-count-the-ways-i-love-thee-to-the-depth-and/) [Elizabeth Barrett Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-barrett-browning/) ## More by William Dunbar > [London, thou art the flower of cities all! Gemme of all joy, jasper of jocunditie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/london-thou-art-the-flower-of-cities-all-gemme-of-all-joy-jasper-of/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [A lawyer who does not know men is handicapped.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/a-lawyer-who-does-not-know-men-is-handicapped/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [Your law may be perfect, your knowledge of human affairs may be such as to enable you to apply it with wisdom and skill,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/your-law-may-be-perfect-your-knowledge-of-human-affairs-may-be-such/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [I that in heill wes and gladnes Am trublit now with gret seiknes And feblit with infermite: Timor Mortis conturbat me.\* \* Fear of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/i-that-in-heill-wes-and-gladnes-am-trublit-now-with-gret-seiknes-and/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [To God be humble, to thy friend be kind, and with thy neighbors gladly lend and borrow; His chance tonight, it maybe thine tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/to-god-be-humble-to-thy-friend-be-kind-and-with-thy-neighbors-gladly/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [Among my friends love is a payment. It is an old debt for a borrowing foolishly spent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/among-my-friends-love-is-a-payment-it-is-an-old-debt-for-a-borrowing/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [Our pleasance here is all vain glory, This false warld is but transitory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/our-pleasance-here-is-all-vain-glory-this-false-warld-is-but/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [Our pleasance here is all vain glory, This false world is but transitory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/our-pleasance-here-is-all-vain-glory-this-false-world-is-but/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [Gem of all joy, jasper of jocundity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/gem-of-all-joy-jasper-of-jocundity/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [“Timor mortis conturbat me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/timor-mortis-conturbat-me/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [Neither our vices nor our virtues further the poem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/neither-our-vices-nor-our-virtues-further-the-poem/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [Scotsmen are metaphisical and emotional, they are sceptical and mystical, they are romantic and ironic, they are cruel and tender, and full of mirth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/scotsmen-are-metaphisical-and-emotional-they-are-sceptical-and/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [London, thou art the flower of cities all!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/london-thou-art-the-flower-of-cities-all/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [Noble men in the quiet of morning hear Indians singing the continent's violent requiem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/noble-men-in-the-quiet-of-morning-hear-indians-singing-the-continent/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) > [Timor mortis conturbat me. The fear of death disturbs me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/timor-mortis-conturbat-me-the-fear-of-death-disturbs-me/) [William Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) [Explore all 17 William Dunbar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/) ## More Death poems quotes > [How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-barrett-browning/how-do-i-love-thee-let-me-count-the-ways-i-love-thee-to-the-depth-and/) [Elizabeth Barrett Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-barrett-browning/) > [Death is nothing at all; it does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-scott-holland/death-is-nothing-at-all-it-does-not-count-i-have-only-slipped-away/) [Henry Scott Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-scott-holland/) > [“I feel you calling, in the autumn sweet transformation. I have reached my brightest green to the gold burning sun. I have folded my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamara-rendell/i-feel-you-calling-in-the-autumn-sweet-transformation-i-have-reached/) [Tamara Rendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamara-rendell/) > [And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/and-when-you-have-reached-the-mountain-top-then-you-shall-begin-to/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“Like dew drops on a lotus leaf I vanish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shinsui/like-dew-drops-on-a-lotus-leaf-i-vanish/) Shinsui > [Listen with your heart, you will understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pocahontas/listen-with-your-heart-you-will-understand/) [Pocahontas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pocahontas/) > [Let children walk with Nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/let-children-walk-with-nature-let-them-see-the-beautiful-blendings/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Every moment of life is the last, every poem is a death poem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matsuo-basho/every-moment-of-life-is-the-last-every-poem-is-a-death-poem/) [Matsuo Basho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matsuo-basho/) > [When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-elizabeth-frye/when-you-awaken-in-the-morning-s-hush-i-am-the-swift-uplifting-rush/) [Mary Elizabeth Frye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-elizabeth-frye/) > [Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tecumseh/sing-your-death-song-and-die-like-a-hero-going-home/) [Tecumseh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tecumseh/) > [Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tecumseh/love-your-life-perfect-your-life-beautify-all-things-in-your-life/) [Tecumseh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tecumseh/) > [If you would behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life. For life and death are one, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/if-you-would-behold-the-spirit-of-death-open-your-heart-wide-unto-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Be the green grass above me, with showers and dewdrops wet; and if thou wilt, remember, and if thou wilt, forget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-rossetti/be-the-green-grass-above-me-with-showers-and-dewdrops-wet-and-if-thou/) [Christina Rossetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-rossetti/) > [Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-elizabeth-frye/do-not-stand-at-my-grave-and-cry-i-am-not-there-i-did-not-die/) [Mary Elizabeth Frye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-elizabeth-frye/) > [I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-scott-holland/i-am-waiting-for-you-for-an-interval-somewhere-very-near-just-around/) [Henry Scott Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-scott-holland/) [Browse all 24 Death poems quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death-poems/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I that in heill was and gladnèss Am trublit now with great sickness And feblit with infirmitie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Our plesance here is all vain glory, This fals world is but transitory, The flesh is bruckle, the Feynd is slee:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. The state of man does change and vary, Now sound, now sick, now blyth, now sary, Now dansand mirry, now like to die:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. No state in Erd here standis sicker; As with the wynd wavis the wicker So wannis this world's vanitie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Unto the Death gois all Estatis, Princis, Prelatis, and Potestatis, Baith rich and poor of all degree:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. He takis the knichtis in to the field Enarmit under helm and scheild; Victor he is at all mellie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. That strong unmerciful tyrand Takis, on the motheris breast sowkand, The babe full of benignitie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. He takis the campion in the stour, The captain closit in the tour, The lady in bour full of bewtie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. He spairis no lord for his piscence, Na clerk for his intelligence; His awful straik may no man flee:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Art-magicianis and astrologgis, Rethoris, logicianis, and theologgis, Them helpis no conclusionis slee:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. In medecine the most practicianis, Leechis, surrigianis, and physicianis, Themself from Death may not supplee:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. I see that makaris amang the lave Playis here their padyanis, syne gois to grave; Sparit is nocht their facultie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. He has done petuously devour The noble Chaucer, of makaris flour, The Monk of Bury, and Gower, all three:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. The good Sir Hew of Eglintoun, Ettrick, Heriot, and Wintoun, He has tane out of this cuntrie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. That scorpion fell has done infeck Maister John Clerk, and James Afflek, Fra ballat-making and tragedie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Holland and Barbour he has berevit; Alas! that he not with us levit Sir Mungo Lockart of the Lee:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Clerk of Tranent eke he has tane, That made the anteris of Gawaine; Sir Gilbert Hay endit has he:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. He has Blind Harry and Sandy Traill Slain with his schour of mortal hail, Quhilk Patrick Johnstoun might nought flee:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. He has reft Merseir his endite, That did in luve so lively write, So short, so quick, of sentence hie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. He has tane Rowll of Aberdene, And gentill Rowll of Corstorphine; Two better fallowis did no man see:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. In Dunfermline he has tane Broun With Maister Robert Henrysoun; Sir John the Ross enbrast has he:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. And he has now tane, last of a, Good gentil Stobo and Quintin Shaw, Of quhom all wichtis hes pitie:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Good Maister Walter Kennedy In point of Death lies verily; Great ruth it were that so suld be:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Sen he has all my brether tane, He will naught let me live alane; Of force I man his next prey be:- Timor Mortis conturbat me. Since for the Death remeid is none, Best is that we for Death dispone, After our death that live may we:- Timor Mortis conturbat me”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William Dunbar" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/i-that-in-heill-was-and-gladn-ss-am-trublit-now-with-great-sickness/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Death poems" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/i-that-in-heill-was-and-gladn-ss-am-trublit-now-with-great-sickness/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d47/william-dunbar-30565_death-poems_i-that-in-heill-was-and-gladn-ss-am-trub_1675475.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d47/william-dunbar-30565_death-poems_i-that-in-heill-was-and-gladn-ss-am-trub_1675475.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d47/william-dunbar-30565_death-poems_i-that-in-heill-was-and-gladn-ss-am-trub_1675475.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I that in heill was and gladnèss Am trublit now with great sickness And feblit with infirmitie:- Timor…” — William Dunbar", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "William Dunbar", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dunbar/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I that in heill was and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/i-that-in-heill-was-and-gladn-ss-am-trublit-now-with-great-sickness/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dunbar/i-that-in-heill-was-and-gladn-ss-am-trublit-now-with-great-sickness/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```