Of his life little is certain, but it is known that he was still alive in 1138.

He is called the "poet of penitence," and a gloomy turn was given to his thought by an unhappy love attachment in his youth.

A few stanzas of one of his poems run thus: Sleepless, upon my bed the hours I number, And, rising, seek the house of God, while slumber Lies heavy on men's eyes, and dreams encumber Their souls in visions of the night.
In sin and folly passed my early years, Wherefore I am ashamed, and life's arrears Now strive to pay, the while my tears Have been my food by day and night.
* * * * * Short is man's life, and full of care and sorrow, This way and that he turns some ease to borrow, Like to a flower he blooms, and on the morrow Is gone--a vision of the night.
How does the weight of sin my soul oppress, Because God's law too often I transgress; I mourn and sigh, with tears of bitterness My bed I water all the night.
* * * * * My youth wanes like a shadow that's cast, Swifter than eagle's wings my years fly fast, And I remember not my gladness past, Either by day or yet by night.
Proclaim we then a fast, a holy day, Make pure our hearts from sin, God's will obey, And unto him, with humbled spirit pray Unceasingly, by day and night.
May we yet hear his words: "Thou art my own, My grace is thine, the shelter of my throne, For I am thy Redeemer, I alone; Endure but patiently this night!" But his hymns, many of which won a permanent place in the prayer-book, are not always sad.

Often they are warm with hope, and there is a lilt about them which is almost gay.

His chief secular poem, "The Topaz" (_Tarshish_), is in ten parts, and contains 1210 lines.