197
Yet in the mene tyme, whyle the fylde thus grew,
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And Reson with Sadnesse therof had gouernaunce,
Many a pryuy messynger thedyr sent Vertew,
To know yef hit were guydyd to hys plesaunce;
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Now Prayer, efte Fastyng, & oftyn tyme Penaunce,
And when he myght goo pryuyly, Almesdede,
And bade hym to hys power helpe wher he sy nede.
198
Whyle that fylde thus rewlyd Reson with Sadnes,
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Mawgre Dame Nature for all her carnall myght,
Came thedyr Attropos, voyde of all gladnes,
Wrappyd in hys shete, & axyd yef any wyght
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Cowde wysshe hym the wey to the Lorde of Lyght,
Or ellys where men myght fynd Ryghtwysnesse.
"Forsothe," seyde Reason, "I trow, as I gesse,
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199
"At Vertu hys castell ye may soone hym fynde,
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Yef ye lyst þe labour thedyr to take,
And there shall ye know, yef ye be nat blynde,
The next wey to the Lorde of Lyght, I vndyrtake."
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So thedyr went Attropos, peticion to make
To Ryghtwysnes, praying that he myght
Be take in to the seruyce of the Lord of Lyght.
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200
"What," seyde Ryghtwysnes, "thow olde dotyng foole,
Whome hast thow seruyd syth the world began
But oonly hym? Where hast thow go to scoole?
Whether art thow double, or elles the same man
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That thow were furst?" "A syr," seyde he than,
"I pray yow hertyly holde me excusyd.
I am olde & febyll; my wittes ar dysvsyd."
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201
"Well," seyde Ryghtwysnes, "for as moche as thow
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Knowest nat thy mastyr, thy name shall I chaunge.
Dethe shalt thow be callyd, from hens forward now,
Among all the pepyll thow shalt be had straunge.
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But when thow begynnest to make thy chalaunge,
Dredde shalt thow be, wher so thow become,
And to no creature shalt thow be welcome.
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