Chapter XXIX: Appendix: Camb. Univ. MS. Ii. 3. 21, fol. 52 b (3)

++ÞAnne seide I þus. þou wost wel þiself þat þe couetise of mortal þinges ne hadden neuer lordshipe of me. but I haue wel desired matere of þinges to done. as who seiþ. I desired[e] to han matere of gou{er}naunce ouer comunalites. ¶ For vertue stille ne sholde not elden. þat is to seyn. þat list þat or he wex olde ¶ His uertue þat lay now ful stille. ne sholde nat p{er}isshe vnexcercised i{n} gouernaunce of comune. ¶ For whiche men myȝten speke or write{n} of his goode gouernement. ¶ _Philosophie._ ¶ For soþe q{uo}d she. {and} þat is a þing þat may drawen to gouernaunce swiche hertes as ben worþi {and} noble of hir nature. but naþeles it may nat drawen or tollen swiche hertes as ben y-brouȝt to þe ful[le] p{er}fecciou{n} of vertue. þat is to seyn couetyse of glorie {and} renou{n} to han wel administred þe comune þinges. or doon goode decertes to p{ro}fit of þe comune. for se now {and} considere how litel {and} how voide of al prise is þilke glorie. ¶ Certeine þing is as þou hast lerned by demonstrac{i}ou{n} of astronomye þat al þe envyronynge of þe erþe aboute ne halt but þe resou{n} of a prykke at regard of þe gretnesse of heuene. þat is to seye. þat yif þat þer were maked co{m}parisou{n} of þe erþe to þe gretnesse of heuene. men wolde Iugen in alle þat erþe [ne] helde no space ¶ Of þe whiche litel regiou{n} of þis worlde þe ferþe partie is enhabitid wiþ lyuyng beestes þat we knowen. as þou hast þi self lerned by tholome þat p{ro}uitħ it. ¶ yif þou haddest wiþ drawen {and} abated in þi þouȝte fro þilke ferþe partie as myche space as þe see {and} [the] mareys contenen {and} ouergon {and} as myche space as þe regiou{n} of droughte ou{er}streccheþ. þat is to seye sandes {and} desertes wel vnneþ sholde þer dwellen a ryȝt streite place to þe habitaciou{n} of men. {and} ȝe þan þat ben environed {and} closed wiþ i{n}ne þe leest[e] prikke of þilk prikke þenke ȝe to manifesten ȝoure renou{n} {and} don ȝoure name to ben born forþe. but ȝour{e} glorie þat is so narwe {and} so streyt yþronge{n} in to so litel boundes. how myche conteinþe it in largesse {and} in greet doynge. And also sette þis þer to þat many a nac{i}ou{n} dyuerse of tonge {and} of maneres. {and} eke of resou{n} of hir lyuyng ben enhabitid in þe cloos of þilke litel habitacle. ¶ To þe whiche nac{i}ou{n}s what for difficulte of weyes. {and} what for diu{er}site of langages. {and} what for defaute of vnusage entercomunynge of marchau{n}dise. nat only þe names of singler men ne may [nat] strecchen. but eke þe fame of Citees ne may nat strecchen. ¶ At þe last[e] Certis in þe tyme of Marcus tulyus as hym self writeþ in his book þat þe renou{n} of þe comune of Rome ne hadde nat ȝitte passed ne clou{m}ben ou{er} þe mou{n}taigne þat hyȝt Caucasus. {and} ȝitte was þilk tyme rome wel wexen {and} gretly redouted of þe p{ar}thes. and eke of oþer folk enhabityng aboute. ¶ Sest þou nat þan how streit {and} how comp{re}ssed is þilke glorie þat ȝe t{ra}uaile{n} aboute to shew {and} to multiplie. May þan þe glorie of a singlere Romeyne strecchen þider as þe fame of þe name of Rome may nat clymben ne passen. ¶ And eke sest þ{o}u nat þat þe maners of diu{er}se folk {and} eke hir lawes ben discordau{n}t amonge hem self. so þ{a}t þilke þing þat so{m}men iugen worþi of p{re}ysynge. oþer folk iugen þat it is worþi of torment. ¶ and þer of comeþ þat þouȝ a man delite hy{m} in p{re}ysyng of his renou{n}. he ne may nat i{n} no wise bryngen furþe ne sprede{n} his name to many manere peoples. ¶ And þerfore euery man{er} man auȝte to ben paied of hys glorie þat is puplissed among hys owen neyȝbores. ¶ And þilke noble renou{n} shal be restreyned wiþ-i{n}ne þe boundes of o maner folk but how many a man þat was ful noble in his tyme. haþ þe nedy {and} wrecched forȝetynge of writers put oute of mynde {and} don awey. ¶ Al be it so þat certys þilke writynges p{ro}fiten litel. þe whiche writy{n}ges longe {and} derke elde doþ aweye boþe he{m} {and} eke her auto{ur}s. but ȝe men semen to geten ȝow a p{er}durablete whan ȝe þenke þat in tyme comyng ȝoure fame shal lasten. ¶ But naþeles yif þou wilt maken co{m}parisou{n} to þe endeles space of eternite what þing hast þou by whiche þou maist reioysen þe of lo{n}g lastyng of þi name. ¶ For if þer were maked co{m}parysou{n} of þe abidyng of a mome{n}t to ten þousand wynter. for as myche as boþe þo spaces ben endid. ¶ For ȝit haþ þe moment some porciou{n} of hit al þouȝ it a litel be. ¶ But naþeles þilke self nou{m}bre of ȝeres. and eke as many ȝeres as þer to may be multiplied. ne may nat certys be comparisou{n}d to þe p{er}durablete þat is een[de]les. ¶ For of þinges þat han ende may be mad co{m}parisou{n} [but of thinges that ben w{i}t{h}-owtyn ende to thinges þ{a}t han ende may be maked no {com}parysou{n}]. ¶ And for þi is it al þouȝ renou{n} of as longe tyme as euer þe lyst to þinken were þouȝt by þe regard of et{er}nite. þat is vnstauncheable {and} infinit. it ne sholde nat oonly semen litel. but pleinliche ryȝt nouȝt. ¶ But ȝe men certys ne konne don no þing aryȝt. but ȝif it be for þe audience of poeple. {and} for ydel rumo{ur}s. {and} ȝe forsaken þe grete worþinesse of conscience {and} of vertue. {and} ȝe seke{n} ȝoure gerdou{n}s of þe smale wordes of st{ra}nge folke. ¶ Haue now here {and} vndirstonde i{n} þe lyȝtnesse of whiche p{r}ide {and} veyne glorie. how a man scorned[e] festiualy {and} myrily swiche vanite. somtyme þere was a man þat had[de] assaied wiþ striuyng wordes an oþer ma{n}. ¶ þe whiche nat for vsage of verrey vertue. but for proude veyne glorie had[de] take{n} vpon hym falsly þe name of a philosopher. ¶ þis raþer man þat I speke of þouȝt[e] he wolde assay[e] where he þilke were a philosopher or no. þat is to seyne yif he wolde han suffred lyȝtly in pacience þe wro{n}ges þat weren don vnto hym. ¶ þis feined[e] philosophre took pacience a litel while. {and} whan he hadde receiued wordes of outerage he as in stryuynge aȝeine {and} reioysynge of hym self seide at þe last[e] ryȝt þus. ¶ vndirstondest þou nat þat I am a philosophere. þat oþer man answered[e] aȝein ful bityngly {and} seide. ¶ I had[de] wel vndirstonden [yt]. yif þou haddest holde{n} þi tonge stille. ¶ But what is it to þise noble worþi men. For certys of swyche folk speke .I. þat seken glorie wiþ vertue. what is it q{uo}d she. what atteiniþ fame to swiche folk whan þe body is resolued by þe deeþ. atte þe last[e]. ¶ For yif so be þat men dien in al. þat is to seyne body {and} soule. þe whiche þing oure resou{n} defendiþ vs to byleuen þanne is þere no glorie in no wyse. For what sholde þilke glorie ben. for he of who{m} þis glorie is seid to be nis ryȝt nouȝt in no wise. and ȝif þe soule whiche þat haþ in it self science of goode werkes vnbounden fro þe p{r}isou{n} of þe erþe wendeþ frely to þe heuene. dispiseþ it nouȝt þan alle erþely occupac{i}ou{n}s. {and} beynge i{n} heuene reioiseþ þat it is exempt from alle erþely þinges [as wo seith / thanne rekketh the sowle of no glorye of renou{n} of this world].

QUICUMQ{UE} SOLAM MENTE.

[Sidenote: [The 7th Metre.]]

++Who so þat wiþ ouerþrowyng þouȝt only sekeþ glorie of fame. {and} weniþ þat it be souereyne good ¶ Lete hym loke vpon þe brode shewyng contreys of þe heue{n}. {and} vpo{n} þe streite sete of þis erþe. {and} he shal be ashamed of þe encres of his name. þat may nat fulfille þe litel compas of þe erþe. ¶ O what coueiten proude folke to liften vpon hire nekkes in ydel {and} dedely ȝok of þis worlde. ¶ For al þouȝ [þ{a}t] renoune y-spradde passynge to ferne poeples goþ by dyuerse tonges. and al þouȝ grete houses {and} kynredes shyne wiþ clere titles of hono{ur}s. ȝit naþeles deeþ dispiseþ al heye glorie of fame. {and} deeþ wrappeþ to gidre þe heye heuedes {and} þe lowe {and} makeþ egal {and} euene þe heyest[e] to þe lowest[e]. ¶ where wone{n} now þe bones of trewe fabricius. what is now brutus or stiern Caton þe þinne fame ȝit lastynge of hir ydel names is markid wiþ a fewe lettres. but al þouȝ we han knowe{n} þe faire wordes of þe fames of hem. it is nat ȝeuen to knowe he{m} þat ben dede {and} consumpt. Liggiþ þanne stille al vtterly vnknowable ne fame ne makeþ ȝow nat knowe. and yif ȝe wene to lyuen þe leng{er} for wynde of ȝoure mortal name. whan o cruel day shal rauyshe ȝow. þan is þe secunde deeþ dwellyng in ȝow. _Glosa._ þe first deeþ he clepiþ here þe dep{ar}tynge of þe body {and} þe soule. ¶ and þe secunde deeþ he clepeþ as here. þe styntynge of þe renoune of fame.

[SET NE ME INEXORABILE CONTRA.

[Sidenote: [The viij p{ro}se.]]

++BVt for-as-mochel as thow shalt nat wenen q{uod} she þ{a}t I bere vntretable batayle ayenis fortune // yit som-tyme it by-falleth þ{a}t she desseyuable desserueth to han ryht good thank of men // {And} þ{a}t is whan she hir{e} self opneth / {and} whan she descou{er}eth hir frownt / {and} sheweth hir maneres p{ar}-auentur{e} yit vndirstondesthow nat þ{a}t .I. shal seye // it is a wondyr þ{a}t .I. desyr{e} to telle / {and} forthi vnnethe may I. vnpleyten my sentense w{i}t{h} wordes for I. deme þ{a}t contraryos fortune p{ro}fiteth mor{e} to men than fortune debonayr{e} // For al-wey whan fortune semeth debonayr{e} than she lyeth falsly in by-hetynge the hope of welefulnesse // but forsothe {con}traryos fortune is alwey sothfast / whan she sheweth hir self vnstable thorw hyr chau{n}gynge // the amyable fortune desseyueth folk / the contrarye fortune techeth // the amyable fortune byndeth w{i}t{h} the beaute of false goodys the hertes of folk þ{a}t vsen he{m} / the contrarye fortune vnbyndeth he{m} by þ^e knowynge of freele welefulnesse // the amyable fortune maysthow sen alwey wyndynge {and} flowynge / {and} eu{er}e mysknowynge of hir self // the contrarye fortune is a-tempre {and} restreynyd {and} wys thorw excersyse of hir aduersyte // at the laste amyable fortune w{i}t{h} hir flaterynges draweth mys wandrynge men fro the souereyne good // the contraryos fortune ledith ofte folk ayein to sothfast goodes / {and} haleth hem ayein as w{i}t{h} an hooke / weenesthow thanne þ{a}t thow owhtest to leten this a lytel thing / þ{a}t this aspre {and} horible fortune hath discoueryd to the / the thowhtes of thy trewe frendes // For-why this ilke fortune hath departyd {and} vncou{er}yd to the bothe the certeyn vysages {and} ek the dowtos visages of thy felawes // wha{n} she dep{ar}tyd awey fro the / she took awey hyr frendes {and} lafte the thyne frendes // now whan thow wer{e} ryche {and} weleful as the semede / w{i}t{h} how mochel woldesthow han bowht the fulle knowynge of this // þ{a}t is to seyn the knowynge of thy verray freendes // now pleyne the nat thanne of Rychesse .I.-lorn syn thow hast fowndyn the moste p{re}syos kynde of Rychesses þ{a}t is to seyn thy verray frendes.

QUOD MU{N}DUS STABILI FIDE.

[Sidenote: [The viij Met{ur}.]]

++THat þ^e world w{i}t{h} stable feith / varieth acordable chaungynges // þ{a}t the contraryos qualite of elementȝ holden among{e} hem self aliau{n}ce p{er}durable / þ{a}t pheb{us} the sonne w{i}t{h} his goldene chariet / bryngeth forth the rosene day / þ{a}t the mone hath {com}mau{n}dement ou{er} the nyhtes // whiche nyhtes hesp{er}us the eue sterre hat browt // þ{a}t þ^e se gredy to flowen constreyneth w{i}t{h} a certeyn ende hise floodes / so þ{a}t it is nat l[e]ueful to strechche hise brode termes or bowndes vp-on the erthes // þ{a}t is to seyn to cou{er}e alle the erthe // Al this a-cordau{n}ce of thinges is bownden w{i}t{h} looue / þ{a}t gou{er}neth erthe {and} see / {and} hath also {com}mau{n}dementȝ to the heuenes / {and} yif this looue slakede the brydelis / alle thinges þ{a}t now louen hem to gederes / wolden maken a batayle contynuely {and} stryuen to fordoon the fasou{n} of this worlde / the which they now leden in acordable feith by fayre moeuynges // this looue halt to gideres poeples Ioygned w{i}t{h} an hooly bond / {and} knytteth sacrement of maryages of chaste looues // And loue enditeth lawes to trewe felawes // O weleful weer{e} mankynde / yif thilke loue þ{a}t gouerneth heuene gouerned[e] yowr{e} corages /

EXPLICIT LIB{ER} 2_^us_.

INCIPIT LIB{ER} 3._^us_

IAM CANTU{M} ILLA FINIERAT.

[Sidenote: [The fyrste p{ro}se.]]

++By this she hadde endid hir{e} song{e} / whan the swetnesse of hir{e} ditee hadde thorw p{er}ced me þ{a}t was desirous of herkninge / {and} .I. astoned hadde yit streyhte myn Eres / þ{a}t is to seyn to herkne the bet / what she wolde seye // so þ{a}t a litel her{e} aft{er} .I. seyde thus // O thow þ{a}t art sou{er}eyn comfort of Angwissos corages // So thow hast remou{n}ted {and} norysshed me w{i}t{h} the weyhte of thy sentenses {and} w{i}t{h} delit of thy syngynge // so þ{a}t .I. trowe nat now þ{a}t .I. be vnparygal to the strokes of fortune / as who seyth. I. dar wel now suffren al the assautes of fortune {and} wel deffende me fro hyr // {and} tho remedies whyche þ{a}t thow seydest hir{e} byforn weren ryht sharpe Nat oonly p{a}t .I. am nat agrysen of hem now // but .I. desiros of herynge axe gretely to heeren tho remedyes // than seyde she thus // þ{a}t feelede .I. ful wel q{uod} she // whan þ{a}t thow ententyf {and} stylle rauysshedest my wordes // {and} .I. abood til þ{a}t thow haddest swych habyte of thy thowght as thow hast now // or elles tyl þ{a}t .I. my self had[de] maked to the the same habyt / which þ{a}t is a moore verray thing{e} // And certes the remenau{n}t of thinges þ{a}t ben yit to seye / ben swyche // þ{a}t fyrst whan men tasten hem they ben bytynge / but whan they ben resseyuyd w{i}t{h}-inne a whyht than ben they swete // but for thow seyst þ{a}t thow art so desirous to herkne hem // wit[h] how gret brennynge woldesthow glowen / yif thow wystest whyder .I. wol leden the // whydyr{e} is þ{a}t q{uod} .I. // to thilke verray welefulnesse q{uod} she // of whyche thynge herte dremeth // but for as moche as thy syhte is ocupied {and} distorbed / by Imagynasyon of herthely thynges / thow mayst nat yit sen thilke selue welefulnesse // do q{uod} .I. {and} shewe me / what is thilke verray welefulnesse / .I. preye the w{i}t{h}-howte tarynge // þ{a}t wole .I. gladly don q{uod} she / for the cause of the // but .I. wol fyrst marken the by wordes / {and} I wol enforcen me to enformen the // thilke false cause of blysfulnesse þ{a}t thow more knowest / so þ{a}t whan thow hast fully by-holden thilke false goodes {and} torned thyne eyen to þ{a}t oother syde / thow mowe knowe the clernesse of verray blysfulnesse //]

QUI SERERE I{N}GENIUM.

[Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.]]

¶ Who so wil sowe a felde plentiuous. lat hym first delyuer it of þornes {and} kerue asondre wiþ his hooke þe bushes {and} þe ferne so þat þe corne may come{n} heuy of eres {and} of greins. hony is þe more swete yif mouþes han firste tastid sauoures þ{a}t ben wikke. ¶ þe sterres shynen more agreably whan þe wynde Nothus letiþ his ploungy blastes. {and} aftir þat lucifer þe day sterre haþ chased awey þe derke nyȝt. þe day þe feir{e}r lediþ þe rosene horse of þe sonne. ¶ Ryȝt so þou byholdyng first þe fals[e] goodes. bygynne to wiþdrawe þi nek[ke] fro þe ȝok of erþely affecc{i}ou{n}s. {and} afterwarde þe verrey goodes sholle{n} entre i{n} to þi corage.

TUNC DEFIXO PAULULU{M}.

[Sidenote: [The 2^de p{ro}se.]]

++ÞO fastned[e] she a lytel þe syȝt of hir eyen {and} wiþdrow hir ryȝt as it were in to þe streite sete of hir þouȝt. {and} bygan to speke ryȝt þ{us}. Alle þe cures q{uo}d she of mortal folk whiche þat trauaylen hem i{n} many manere studies gon certys by diu{er}se weies. ¶ But naþeles þei enforced hem to comen oonly to on ende of blisfulnesse [And blysfulnesse] is swiche a goode þat who so haþ geten it he ne may ouer þat no þing more desiire. and þis þing for soþe is þe souereyne good þat conteiniþ in hym self al man{er}e goodes. to þe whiche goode yif þere failed[e] any þing. it myȝt[e] nat ben souereyne goode. ¶ For þan were þere som goode out of þis ilke souereyne goode þ{a}t myȝt[e] ben desired. Now is it clere {and} certeyne þa{n} þat blisfulnesse is a p{er}fit estat by þe congregac{i}ou{n} of alle goodes. ¶ þe whiche blisfulnesse as I haue seid alle mortal folke enforcen hem to geten by dyuerse weyes. ¶ For-whi þe couetise of verray goode is naturely y-plaunted in þe hertys of men. ¶ But þe myswandryng erro{ur} myslediþ hem in to fals[e] goodes. ¶ of þe whiche men some of hem wenen þat souereygne goode is to lyue wiþ outen nede of any þing. {and} t{ra}ueile{n} hem to ben habundaunt of rycchesse. and some oþer men deme{n}. þat sou{er}ein goode be forto be ryȝt digne of reu{er}ences. {and} enforce{n} hem to ben reu{er}enced among hir neyȝbo{ur}s. by þe hono{ur}s þat þei han ygeten ¶ {and} some folk þer ben þat halden þat ryȝt heyȝe power to be souereyn goode. {and} enforcen he{m} forto regnen or ellys to ioigne{n} he{m} to hem þat regnen. ¶ And it semeþ to some oþer folk þat noblesse of renou{n} be þe sou{er}ein goode. {and} hasten hem to geten glorious name by þe artes of werre or of pees. and many folke mesuren {and} gessen þ{a}t sou{er}ein goode be ioye {and} gladnesse {and} wenen þat it be ryȝt blisful [thyng{e}] to ploungen hem i{n} uoluptuous delit. ¶ And þer ben folk þat enterchaungen þe causes {and} þe endes of þise forseide goodes as þei þat desire{n} rycchesse to han power {and} delices. Or ellis þei desiren power forto han moneye or for cause of renou{n}. ¶ In þise þinges {and} i{n} swyche oþer þinges is to{ur}ned al þe entenc{i}ou{n} of desirynges {and} [of] werkes of me{n}. ¶ As þus. ¶ Noblesse {and} fauo{ur} of poeple whiche þat ȝiueþ as it semeþ a manere clernesse of renou{n}. ¶ and wijf {and} children þat men desiren for cause of delit {and} mirinesse. ¶ But forsoþe frendes ne shollen nat ben rekkened among þe goodes of fortune but of vertue. for it is a ful holy man{er}e þing. alle þise oþer þinges forsoþe ben taken for cause of power. or ellis for cause of delit. ¶ Certis now am I redy to referen þe goodes of þe body to þise forseide þinges abouen. ¶ For it semeþ þ{a}t strengþe {and} gretnesse of body ȝeuen power {and} worþinesse. ¶ and þat beaute {and} swiftenesse ȝeuen noblesse {and} glorie of renou{n}. {and} hele of body semeþ ȝiuen delit. ¶ In alle þise þi{n}g{us} it semeþ oonly þat blisfulnesse is desired. ¶ For-whi þilke þing þat euery man desireþ moost ouer alle þinges. he demiþ þat be þe souereyne goode. ¶ But I haue diffined þat blisfulnesse is þe souereyne goode. for whiche euery wyȝt demiþ þat þilke estat þat he desireþ ouer alle þinges þat it be þe blisfulnesse. ¶ Now hast þou þan byforne [thy eyen] almost al þe p{ur}posed forme of þe welfulnesse of ma{n}ky{n}de. þat is to seyne rycchesse. hono{ur}s. power. glorie. {and} delitȝ. þe whiche delit oonly considered Epicurus Iuged {and} establissed. þat delit is þe souereyne goode. for as myche as alle oþer þinges as hym þouȝt[e] by-refte awey ioie {and} myrþe fro{m} þe herte. ¶ But I reto{ur}ne aȝeyne to þe studies of meen. of whiche men þe corage alwey rehersiþ {and} seekeþ þe souereyne goode of alle be it so þ{a}t it be wiþ a derke memorie [but he not by whiche paath]. ¶ Ryȝt as a dronke ma{n} not nat by whiche paþe he may reto{ur}ne home to hys house. ¶ Semeþ it þanne þat folk folyen {and} erren þat enforcen he{m} to haue nede of no þing ¶ Certys þer nys non oþer þing þat may so weel p{er}fo{ur}ny blisfulnesse as an estat plenteuo{us} of alle goodes þat ne haþ nede of none oþer þing. but þat it is suffisant of hy{m} self. vnto hym self. and foleyen swyche folk þanne. þat wenen þat þilk þing þ{a}t is ryȝt goode. þat it be eke ryȝt worþi of honour {and} of reuerence. ¶ Certis nay. for þat þing nys neyþer foule ne worþi to ben dispised þat al þe entenc{i}ou{n} of mortel folke trauaille forto geten it. ¶ And power auȝt[e] nat þat eke to be rekened amonges goodes what ellis. for it nys nat to wene þat þilke þing þat is most worþi of alle þinges be feble {and} wiþ out strengþe {and} clernesse of renou{n} auȝte þat to ben dispised. ¶ Certys þer may no man forsake þat al þing þat is ryȝt excellent {and} noble. þat it ne semeþ to be ryȝt clere {and} renomed. ¶ For certis it nediþ nat to seie. þat blisfulnesse be anguissous ne dreri ne subgit to greua{n}ces ne to sorwes. syn þat in ryȝt litel þi{n}g{us} folk seken to haue {and} to vsen þat may deliten hem. ¶ Certys þise ben þe þi{n}ges þat men wolen {and} desyren to geten. and for þis cause desiren þei rycches. dignites. regnes. glorie {and} delices ¶ For þerby wenen þei to han suffisau{n}ce hono{ur} power. renou{n} {and} gladnesse. ¶ þanne is it goode. þ{a}t men seken þus by so many dyu{er}se studies. In whiche desijr it may lyȝtly be shew{e}d. how grete is þe strengþe of nature. ¶ For how so þat men han dyuerse sentences {and} discordyng algates men accordyn alle in lyuynge þe ende of goode.

Q{UA}NTAS RER{UM} FLECTAT.

[Sidenote: [The 2^de Met{ur}.]]

++IT likeþ me to shew[e] by subtil songe wiþ slakke {and} delitable sou{n} of strenges how þat nature myȝty enclineþ {and} flitteþ gouernementȝ of þinges ¶ {and} by whiche lawes she p{ur}ueiable kepiþ þe grete worlde. {and} how she bindynge restreineþ alle þing{us} by a bonde þat may nat be vnbounden.

[Sidenote: [j]]

¶ Al be it so þat þe liou{n}s of þe contree of pene beren þe fair[e] cheines. {and} taken metes of þe handes of folk þat ȝeuen it hem. {and} dreden her sturdy maystres of whiche þei ben wont to suffren [betinges]. yif þat hir horrible mouþes ben bi-bled. þat is to sein of bestes devoured. ¶ Hir corage of tyme passeþ þat haþ ben ydel {and} rested. repaireþ aȝein þat þei roren greuously. {and} reme{m}bren on hir nature. {and} slaken hir nekkes from hir cheins vnbounden. and hir maistre first to-teren wiþ blody toþe assaieþ þe woode wraþþes of hem. ¶ þis is to sein þei freten hir maister.

[Sidenote: [ij]]

¶ And þe Iangland brid þat syngiþ on þe heye braunches. þis is to sein in þe wode {and} after is inclosed in a streit cage. ¶ al þouȝ [þ{a}t] þe pleiyng besines of men ȝeueþ hem honied[e] drinkes {and} large metes. wiþ swete studie. ¶ ȝit naþeles yif þilke brid skippynge oute of hir streite cage seeþ þe agreable shadewes of þe wodes. she defouleþ wiþ hir fete hir metes yshad {and} sekeþ mournyng oonly þe wode {and} twitriþ desirynge þe wode wiþ hir swete voys.

[Sidenote: [iij]]

¶ þe ȝerde of a tree þat is haled adou{n} by myȝty strengþe bowiþ redely þe croppe adou{n}. but yif þat þe hande of hym þat it bente lat it gon aȝein. ¶ An oon þe crop lokeþ vp ryȝt to heuene.

[Sidenote: [iiij]]

¶ þe sonne phebus þat failleþ at euene in þe westrene wawes retorniþ aȝein eftsones his cart by a priue paþe þere as it is wont aryse. ¶ Alle þinges seken aȝein in to hir p{ro}pre cours. and alle þinges reioisen hem of hir retournynge aȝein to hir nature ne noon ordinaunce nis bytaken to þi{n}ges but þat. þat haþ ioignynge þe endynge to þe bygynnynge. {and} haþ makid þe cours of it self stable þat it chaungeþ nat fro{m} hys p{ro}pre kynde.

VOSQ{UE} TERRENA ANIMALIA.

[Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]]

++CErtis also ȝe men þat ben erþelich{e} bestes dreme{n} alwey [yowre bygynnynge] al þouȝ it be wiþ a þinne ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} by a maner þouȝt al be it nat clerly ne p{er}fitly ȝe looken from a fer til þilk verray fyn of blisfulnesse. and þerfore þe naturel entenc{i}ou{n} ledeþ ȝow to þilk verray good ¶ But many manere errours misto{ur}niþ ȝow þer fro. ¶ Considere now yif þat be þilke þinges by whiche a man weniþ to gete hym blysfulnesse. yif þat he may comen to þilke ende þat he weneþ to come by nature ¶ For yif þat moneye or hono{ur}s or þise oþer forseide þinges bryngen to men swiche a þing þat no goode ne faille hem. ne semeþ faille. ¶ Certys þan wil I graunt[e] þat þei ben maked blisful. by þilke þinges þat þei han geten. ¶ but yif so be þat þilke þi{n}ges ne mowe nat p{er}fo{ur}men þat þei by-heten {and} þat þer be defaute of many goodes. ¶ Sheweþ it nat þan clerely þ{a}t fals beaute of blisfulnesse is knowe {and} a-teint in þilke þinges. ¶ First {and} forward þou þi self þat haddest haboundaunces of rycchesses nat long agon. ¶ I axe ȝif þat in þe haboundaunce of alle þilk[e] rycchesses þou were neuer anguissous or sory in þi corage of any wrong or greuau{n}ce þat by-tidde þe on any syde. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I it remembreþ me nat þat euere I was so free of my þouȝt. þat I ne was al-wey in anguysh{e} of somwhat. þ{a}t was þat þou lakkedest þat þou noldest han lakked. or ellys þou haddest þat þou noldest han had. ryȝt so is it q{uod} I þan. desiredest þou þe p{re}sence of þat oon {and} þe absence of þat oþer. I graunt[e] wel q{uod} .I. for soþe q{uod} she þan nediþ þer somwhat þat euery man desireþ. ȝe þer nediþ q{uod} I. ¶ Certis q{uod} she {and} he þat haþ lakke or nede of a wyȝt nis nat in euery way suffisaunt to hym self. no q{uod} .I. {and} þou q{uo}d she in alle þe plente of þi rycchesse haddest þilke lak of suffisaunce. ¶ what ellis q{uod} .I. ¶ þanne may nat rycchesse maken þat a man nis nedy. ne þat he be suffisaunt to hym self. {and} þat was it þ{a}t þei byhyȝten as it semeþ. ¶ and eke certys I trowe þat þis be gretly to consydere þat moneye ne haþ nat in hys owen kynde þat it ne may ben by-nomen of hem þat han it maugre hem. ¶ I by-knowe it wel q{uod} I ¶ whi sholdest þou nat by-knowen it q{uod} she. whan euery day þe strenger folke by-nymen it fram þe febler maugre hem. ¶ Fro whennes comen ellys alle þise foreine compleintes or quereles of plety{n}g{us}. ¶ But for þat men axen aȝeine her moneye þat haþ be by-nomen hem by force or by gyle. {and} alwey maugre hem. ¶ Ryȝt so it is q{uod} I. þan q{uo}d she haþ a man nede to seke{n} hym foreyne helpe by whiche he may defende hys moneye. who may say nay q{uod} .I. ¶ Certis q{uod} she {and} hym nediþ no helpe yif he ne hadde no moneye þat he myȝt[e] leese. ¶ þat is doutles q{uod} .I. þanne is þis þi{n}g turned in to þe contrarie q{uod} she ¶ For rycchesse þat men wenen sholde make suffisau{n}ce. þei maken a man raþer han nede of foreine helpe. ¶ whiche is þe manere or þe gise q{uod} she þat rycches may dryuen awey nede. ¶ Riche folk may þei neiþer han hungre ne þrest. þise ryche men may þei feele no colde on hir lymes in wynter. ¶ But þou wilt answere þat ryche men han y-nouȝ wher wiþ þei may staunchen her hunger. {and} slaken her þrest {and} don awey colde. ¶ In þis wise may nede be co{n}forted by rycchesses. but certys nede ne may nat al out{er}ly be don awey. for þouȝ þis nede þat is alwey gapyng {and} gredy be fulfilled wiþ rycchesses. {and} axe any þing ȝit dwelleþ þanne a nede þat myȝt[e] ben fulfilled. ¶ I holde me stille {and} telle nat how þat litel þing suffiseþ to nature. but certys to auarice ynouȝ ne suffiseþ no þinge. ¶ For syn þat rychesse ne may nat al don awey nede. but rychesse maken nede. what may it þanne be þat ȝe wenen þat rychesses mowen ȝeue{n} ȝow suffisau{n}ce.

QUAMUIS FLUENTER DIUES.

[Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]]

++Al were it so þat a ryche couetous man hadde riuer fletynge alle of golde ȝitte sholde it neuer staunche hys couetise. ¶ And þouȝ he hadde his nekke I-charged wiþ p{re}ciouse stones of þe rede see. {and} þouȝ he do erye his feldes plentiuo{us} wiþ an hundreþ oxen neuere ne shal his bytyng bysynesse forleten hym while he lyueþ. ne þe lyȝt[e] rychesses ne shal nat beren hym compaignie whanne he is dede.

SET DIGNITATIB{US}.

[Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]]

++Bvt dignitees to whom þei ben comen make þei hym honorable {and} reuerent. han þei nat so grete strengþe þat þei may putte vertues in þe hertis of folk. þat vsen þe lordshipes of hem. or ellys may þei don awey þe vices. Certys þei [ne] ben nat wont to don awey wikkednesses. but þei ben wont raþer to shew[en] wikkednesses. {and} þer of comeþ it þat I haue ryȝt grete desdeyne. þat dignites ben ȝeuen ofte to wicked men. ¶ For whiche þing catullus clepid a consul of Rome þat hyȝt noni{us} postum. or boch. as who seiþ he clepiþ hy{m} a congregac{i}ou{n} of uices in his brest as a postum is ful of corrupc{i}ou{n}. al were þis noni{us} set in a chayere of dignitee. Sest þou nat þan how gret vylenye dignitees don to wikked men. ¶ Certys vnworþines of wikked men shold{e} ben þe lasse ysen yif þei nere renomed of none hono{ur}s. ¶ Certys þou þi self ne myȝtest nat ben brouȝt wiþ as many p{er}ils as þou myȝtest suffren þat þ{o}u woldest bere þi magistrat wiþ decorat. þat is to seyn. þat for no p{er}il þat myȝt[e] bifalle{n} þe by þe offence of þe kyng theodorik þou noldest nat ben felawe in gouernaunce w{i}t{h} decorat. whanne þou say[e] þat he had[de] wikkid corage of a likerous shrewe {and} of an acusor. ¶ Ne I ne may nat for swiche honours Iuge{n} hem worþi of reuerence þat I deme {and} holde vnworþi to han þilke same hono{ur}s. ¶ Now yif þou saie a man þat were fulfilled of wisdom. certys þoune myȝtest nat demen þ{a}t he were vnworþi to þe hono{ur}. or ellys to þe wisdom of whiche he is fulfilled. No q{uod} .I. ¶ Certys dignitees q{uod} she app{er}tienen p{ro}perly to vertue. {and} uertue transporteþ dignite anon to þilke man to whiche she hir self is conioigned. ¶ And for as moche as hono{ur}s of poeple ne may nat maken folk digne of hono{ur}. it is wel seyn clerly þat þei ne han no p{ro}pre beaute of dignite. ¶ And ȝit men auȝten take more hede in þis. ¶ For if it so be þat he is most out cast þat most folk dispisen. or as dignite ne may nat maken shrewes worþi of no reuerences. þan makeþ dignites shrewes more dispised þan p{re}ised. þe whiche shrewes dignit[e] scheweþ to moche folk ¶ {and} for soþe nat vnpunissed. þat is forto sein. þat shrewes reuengen hem aȝeinward vpon dignites. for þei ȝelden aȝein to dignites as gret gerdou{n} whan þei byspotten {and} defoulen dignites wiþ hire vylenie. ¶ And for as moche as þou mow[e] knowe þat þilke verray reuerence ne may nat comen by þe shadewy t{ra}nsitorie dignitees. vndirstonde now þis. yif þat a man hadde vsed {and} hadde many manere dignites of consules {and} were come{n} p{er}auenture amonges straunge nac{i}ou{n}s. sholde þilke hono{ur} maken hym worshipful {and} redouted of straunge folk ¶ Certys yif þat honour of poeple were a naturel ȝifte to dignites. it ne myȝte neuer cesen nowher amonges no maner folke to done hys office. ¶ Ryȝt as fire i{n} euery contre ne stinteþ nat to enchaufen {and} to ben hote. but for as myche as forto be holden honorable or reuerent ne comeþ nat to folk of hir p{ro}pre strengþe of nat{ur}e. but only of þe fals[e] opiniou{n} of folk. þat is to sein. þat wenen þat dignites maken folk digne of hono{ur}. An on þerfore whan þat þei comen þer as folk ne knowe{n} nat þilke dignites. her hono{ur}s vanissen awey {and} þat on oon. but þat is a-mong straung folk. maist þou sein. but amo{n}g{us} hem þat þei weren born duren þilk[e] dignites alwey. ¶ Certys þe dignite of þe p{ro}uostrie of Rome was somtyme a grete power. now is it no þing but an ydel name. {and} þe rente of þe senatorie a g{r}et charge. {and} yif a whiȝt somtyme hadde þe office to taken he[de] to þe vitailes of þe poeple as of corne {and} what oþer þinges he was holden amonges grete. but what þing is more nowe out cast þanne þilke p{ro}uostrie ¶ And as I haue seid a litel here byforne. þat þilke þing þat haþ no p{ro}pre beaute of hym self resceyueþ somtyme pris {and} shinynge {and} somtyme lesiþ it by þe opiniou{n} of vsaunces. ¶ Now yif þat dignites þanne ne mowen nat maken folk digne of reuerence. {and} yif þ{a}t dignites wexen foule of hir wille by þe filþe of shrewes. ¶ and yif þat dignites lesen hir shynynge by chaungyng of tymes. and yif þei wexen foule by estimac{i}ou{n} of poeple. what is it þat þei han in hem self of beaute þat auȝte ben desired. as who seiþ none. þanne ne mowen þei ȝiuen no beaute of dignite to none oþer.

QUA{M}UIS SE TIRIO.

[Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]]

++Al be it so þat þe proude nero wiþ al his woode luxurie kembed hym {and} apparailed hym wiþ faire purp{er}s of Tirie {and} wiþ white perles. Algates ȝitte throf he hateful to alle folk ¶ þis is to seyn þat al was he by-hated of alle folk. ¶ ȝitte þis wicked Nero hadde gret lordship {and} ȝaf somtyme to þe dredeful senatours þe vnworshipful setes of dignites. ¶ vnworshipful setes he clepiþ here fore þat Nero þat was so wikked ȝaf þo dignites. who wolde þanne resonably wenen þat blysfulnesse were in swiche hono{ur}s as ben ȝeuen by vicious shrewes.

AN UERO REGNA.

[Sidenote: [The 5^the p{ro}se.]]

++Bvt regnes {and} familarites of kynges may þei maken a ma{n} to ben myȝty. how ellys. ¶ whanne hir blysfulnesse dureþ p{er}petuely but certys þe olde age of tyme passeþ. {and} eke of p{re}sent tyme now is ful of ensau{m}ples how þ{a}t kynges þat han chaunged in to wrechednesse out of hir welefulnesse. ¶ O a noble þing {and} a cler þing is power þat is nat founden myȝty to kepe it self. ¶ And yif þat power of realmes be auctour {and} maker of blisfulnesse. yif þilke power lakkeþ on any side. amenusiþ it nat þilke blisfulnesse {and} bryngeþ in wrechednesse. but yif al be it so þat realmes of mankynde stretchen b{r}oode. ȝit mot þer nede ben myche folk ouer whiche þat euery kyng ne haþ no lordshipe no comaundement ¶ and certys vpon þilke syde þat power failleþ whiche þat makiþ folk blisful. ryȝt on þat same side nou{n}power entriþ vndirneþ þat makeþ hem wreches. ¶ In þis manere þanne moten kynges han more porciou{n} of wrechednesse þan of welefulnesse. ¶ A tyraunt þat was kyng of sisile þat had[de] assaied þe p{er}il of his estat shewid[e] by similitude þe dredes of realmes by gastnesse of a swerde þat heng ouer þe heued of his familier. what þing is þan þis power þat may nat don awey þe bytynges of besines ne eschewe þe prikkes of drede. and certys ȝit wolden þei lyuen in sykernesse. but þei may nat. and ȝit þei glorifien hem in her power ¶ Holdest þou þan þat þilk[e] man be myȝty þat þ{o}u seest þat he wolde don þat he may nat don. ¶ And holdest þou þan hym a myȝty man þat haþ environed hise sydes wiþ men of armes or seruauntes {and} dredeþ more [hem] þat he makeþ agast. þen þei dreden hym. {and} þat is put in þe handes of hise seruauntȝ. for he sholde seme myȝty but of familiers [or] seruauntȝ of ky{n}ges. ¶ what sholde I telle þe any þing. syn þat I my self haue shewed þe þat realmes hem self ben ful of gret feblenesse. þe whiche familiers certis þe real power of kynges in hool estat {and} in estat abated ful [ofte] þroweþ adou{n}. ¶ Nero co{n}streined[e] his familier {and} his maistre seneca to chesen on what deeþ he wolde deien. ¶ Antonius comau{n}did[e] þat knyȝtis slowen wiþ her swerdis Papinian his familier whiche Papinian had[de] ben long tyme ful myȝty a-monges hem of þe courte. and ȝit certis þei wolde boþe han renou{n}ced her power. of whiche [two] senek enforced[e] hym to ȝiue{n} to Nero his rychesses. {and} also to han gon in to solitarie exil. ¶ But whan þe grete weyȝt. þat is to sein of lordes power or of fortune draweþ hem þat sholden falle. neyþer of hem ne myȝt[e] do þat he wolde. what þing is þanne þilke power þat þouȝ men han it þat þei ben agast. ¶ {and} whan þou woldest han it þou nart nat siker. ¶ And yif þou woldest forleten it þou mayst nat eschewen it. ¶ But wheþir swiche men ben frendes at nede as ben conseiled by fortune {and} nat by vertue. Certys swiche folk as weleful fortune makeþ frendes. contrarious fortune makeþ hem enmyse. ¶ And what pestilence is more myȝty forto anoye a wiȝt þan a familier enemy.

QUI SE UALET ESSE POTENTEM.

[Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]]

++Who so wolde ben myȝty he mot dau{n}ten hys cruel corage. ne put[te] nat his nekke ouercomen vndir þe foule reines of lecherie. for al be it so þat þi lordship[e] strecche so fer þat þe contre Inde quakiþ at þi comaundement. or at þi lawes. {and} þat þe leest isle in þe see þat hyȝt tile be þral to þe ¶ ȝit yif þou mayst nat pute{n} awey þi foule derk[e] desijres {and} dryue{n} oute fro þe wreched co{m}pleyntes. Certis it nis no power þat þou hast.

GLORIA UERO QUA{M} FALLAX.

[Sidenote: [The 6^the p{ro}se.]]

++Bvt glorie how deceiuable {and} how foule is it ofte. for whiche þing nat vnskilfully a tregedien þat is to sein a maker of dites þat hyȝten tregedies cried[e] {and} seide. ¶ O glorie glorie q{uod} he. þou nart no þing ellys to þousandes of folkes. but a gret sweller of eres. for many[e] han had ful gret renou{n} by þe fals[e] oppiniou{n} of poeple. and what þing may ben þouȝt fouler þen swiche p{re}isynge for þilk[e] folk þat be{n} p{re}ised falsly. þei moten nedes han shame of hir p{re}isynges. {and} yif þat folk han gete{n} hem þank or p{re}ysyng by her desertes. what þing haþ þilk pris echid or encresed to þe conscience of wise folk þ{a}t mesure{n} hire good. not by þe rumo{ur} of þe poeple. but by þe soþefastnesse of conscience. {and} yif it seme a fair þing a man to han encresid {and} sprad his name. þan folweþ it. þat it is demed to ben a foule þinge yif it ne be ysprad ne encresed. but as I seide a litel her byforne. þat syn þer mot nedes ben many folk to whiche folk þe renou{n} of a man ne may nat comen. it byfalleþ þat he þat þou wenest be glorious {and} renomed. semiþ in þe nexte p{ar}ties of þe erþe to ben wiþ out glorie. {and} wiþ out renou{n}. ¶ and certis amo{n}ges þise þinges I ne trowe nat þat þe p{r}is {and} grace of þe poeple nis neiþer worþi to ben remembrid ne comeþ of wise iugement. ne is ferm p{er}durably. ¶ But now of þis name of gentilesse. what man is it þat ne may wel seen how veyne {and} how flittyng a þing it is. ¶ For if þe name of gentilesse be referred to renou{n} {and} clernesse of linage. þan is gentil name but a for[e]ine þing. þat is to sein to hem þat glorifien hem of hir linage. ¶ For it semeþ þat gentilesse be a maner p{re}ysynge þat comeþ of decert of auncestres. ¶ And yif p{re}ysynge makeþ gentilesse þan moten þei nedes be gentil þat ben p{re}ysed. For whiche þing it folweþ. þat yif þou ne haue no gentilesse of þi self. þat is to sein pris þ{a}t comeþ of þi deserte foreine gentilesse ne makeþ þe nat gentil. ¶ But certis yif þer be any goode in gentilesse. I trowe it be i{n} al oonly þis. þat it semeþ as þat a maner necessitee be imposed to gentil men. for þat þei ne sholden nat outraien or forliuen fro þe uertues of hire noble kynrede.

OMNE HOMINU{M} GENUS IN TERRIS.

[Sidenote: [The 6^th Metre.]]

++Al þe linage of men þat ben i{n} erþe ben of semblable burþe. On al one is fadir of þinges. On alone minyst[r]eþ alle þinges. ¶ He ȝaf to þe sonne hys bemes. he ȝaf to þe moone hir hornes. he ȝaf þe men to þe erþe. he ȝaf þe sterres to þe heuene. ¶ he encloseþ wiþ membres þe soules þat comen fro hys heye sete. ¶ þanne comen alle mortal folk of noble seed. whi noysen ȝe or bosten of ȝoure eldris ¶ For yif þou look[e] ȝoure bygy{n}ny{n}g. and god ȝoure aucto{ur} {and} ȝoure makere. þan is þer no forlyued wyȝt but ȝif he norisse his corage vnto vices {and} forlete his p{ro}pre burþe.

QUID AUTEM DE CORPORIBUS.

[Sidenote: [The 7^the p{ro}se.]]

++But what shal I seie of delices of body. of whic[h]e delices þe desiringes ben ful of anguisse. {and} þe fulfillinges of he{m} ben ful of penaunce. ¶ How grete sekenesse {and} how grete sorwes vnsuffrable ryȝt as a manere fruit of wickednesse ben þilke delices wont to bryngen to þe bo[d]ies of folk þat vsen hem. ¶ Of whiche delices I not what ioye may ben had of hir moeuyng. ¶ But þis woot I wel þat who so euere wil remembren hym of hys luxuries. he shal wel vndirstonde. þat þe issues of delices ben sorowful {and} sory. ¶ And yif þilke delices mowen make folk blisful. þan by þe same cause moten þise bestes ben clepid blisful. ¶ Of whiche bestes al þe entenc{i}ou{n} hasteþ to fulfille hire bodyly iolyte. and þe gladnesse of wijf [{and}] children were [an] honest þing. but it haþ ben seid. þat it is ouer myche aȝeins kynde þat children han ben fou{n}den tormentours to hir fadres I not how many. ¶ Of whiche children how bitynge is euery condic{i}ou{n}. It nedeþ nat to tellen it þe þat hast or þis tyme assaied it. {and} art ȝit now anguysso{us}. In þis approue I þe sentence of my disciple Euridippus. þat seide þat he þat haþ no children is weleful by i{n}fortune.

HABET HOC UOLUPTAS.

[Sidenote: [The 7^de Met{ur}.]]

++Euery delit haþ þis. þat it anguisseþ hem wiþ prikkes þ{a}t vsen it. ¶ It resembliþ to þise flying flyes þat we clepen been. þat aftre þat þe bee haþ shed hys agreable honies he fleeþ awey {and} styngeþ þe hertes of he{m} þat ben ysmyte wiþ bytynge ouer longe holdynge.

NICHIL IGITUR DUBIUM EST.

[Sidenote: [The 8^the p{ro}se.]]

++Now nis it no doute þan þ{a}t þise weyes ne ben a maner mysledy{n}g to blisfulnesse. ne þat þei ne mowe nat leden folke þider as þei byheten to lede{n} hem. ¶ But wiþ how grete harmes þise forseide weyes ben enlaced. ¶ I shal shewe þe shortly. ¶ For whi yif þou enforcest þe to assemble moneye. þou most by-reuen hym his moneye þat haþ it. and yif þou wilt shynen wiþ dignites. þou most bysechen {and} supplien hem þat ȝiue{n} þo dignitees. ¶ And yif þou coueitest by hono{ur} to gon by-fore oþer folk þ{o}u shalt defoule þi self by hu{m}blesse of axing. yif þou desiryst power. þou shalt by awaites of þi subgitȝ anoyously be cast vndir many p{er}iles. axest þou glorie þ{o}u shalt ben so destrat by aspre þinges þat þou shalt forgone sykernesse. ¶ And yif þou wilt leden þi lijf in delices. euery whiȝt shal dispisen þe {and} forleten þe as þou þat art þral to þing þat is ryȝt foule {and} brutel. þat is [to] sein seruau{n}t to þi body. ¶ Now is it þan wel yseen how lytel {and} how brutel possessiou{n} þei coueiten þat putten þe goodes of þe body abouen hire owe{n} resou{n}. ¶ For mayst þou so{ur}mou{n}te{n} þise olifuñtȝ in gretnesse or weyȝt of body. Or mayst þou ben strenger þan þe bole. Mayst þou ben swifter þan þe tigre. biholde þe spaces {and} þe stablenesse {and} þe swyfte cours of þe heuene. {and} stynte somtyme to wondren on foule þinges. þe whiche heuene certys nis nat raþer for þise þinges to ben wondred vpon. þan for þe resou{n} by whiche it is gouerned. but þe shynynge of þi forme þat is to seien þe beaute of þi body. how swiftly passyng is it {and} how transitorie. ¶ Certis it is more flittynge þan þe mutabilite of floures of þe som{er} sesou{n}. For so as aristotil telleþ þat yif þat men hadden eyen of a beest þat hiȝt lynx. so þat þe lokyng of folk myȝt[e] percen þoruȝ þe þinges þ{a}t wiþstonden it. who so lokid þan in þe entrailes of þe body of alcibiades þat was ful fayr in þe sup{er}fice wiþ oute. it shulde seme ryȝt foule. {and} for þi yif þou semest faire. þi nature ne makiþ nat þat. but þe desceiuau{n}ce of þe fieblesse of þe eyen þat loken. ¶ But p{re}ise þe goodes of þi body as moche as euer þe list. so þat þou know[e] algates þat what so it be. þat is to seyn of þe goodes of þi body whiche þat þ{o}u wondrest vpon may ben destroied or dessolued by þe hete of a feuere of þre dayes. ¶ Of alle whiche forseide þinges I may reduce{n} þis shortly in a so{m}me. ¶ þat þise worldly goodes whiche þat ne mowen nat ȝiuen þat þei byheten. ne ben nat p{er}fit by þe congregac{i}ou{n} of alle goodes. þat þei ne ben nat weyes ne paþes þat bryngen men to blysfulnesse ne maken men to ben blysful.

HEU Q{UE} MISEROS TRAMITE.

[Sidenote: [The 8^the Met{ur}.]]

++Allas whiche folie {and} whiche ignorau{n}ce myslediþ wandryng wrecches fro þe paþe of verrey good. ¶ Certis ȝe ne seken no golde in grene trees. ne ȝe ne gadren [nat] p{re}cious stones in þe vines. ne ȝe ne hiden nat ȝoure gynnes in heyȝe mou{n}taignes to kachen fisshe of whiche ȝe may maken ryche festes. and yif ȝow lykeþ to hunte to roos. ȝe ne gon nat to þe foordes of þe water þat hyȝt tyrene. {and} ouer þis men knowen wel þe crikes {and} þe cau{er}nes of þe see yhidd in þe floodes. {and} knowen eke whiche water is most plentiuo{us} of white perles. {and} knowen whiche water habundeþ most of rede purpre. þat is to seyen of a maner shelfisshe w{i}t{h} whiche men dien purpre. {and} knowen whiche strondes habounden most of tendre fisshes or of sharpe fisshes þat hyȝten echynnys. but folk suffren hem self to ben so blynde þat hem ne recchiþ nat to knowe where þilk[e] goodes ben yhidd whiche þat þei coueiten but ploungen hem in erþe {and} seken þere þilke goode þ{a}t so{ur}mou{n}teþ þe heuene þat bereþ þe sterres. ¶ what p{re}yere may I make þat be digne to þe nice þouȝtis of men. but I p{re}ye þat þei coueite{n} rycches {and} hono{ur}s so þat whan þei han geten þo false goodes wiþ greet trauayle þat þerby þei mowe knowen þe verray goodes.

HACTENUS MENDACIS FORMA{M}.

[Sidenote: [The 9^ne p{ro}se.]]